First Air pistol to buy?

[vHoff]

Hi all,

I have a bit of a dilemma so I thought I'd draw on the collective wisdom here.

So, I've recently started shooting and realized that buying an air pistol would help me improve. Also, I am thinking about getting into 10m air pistol. Currently I am on my college's team which uses the IZH 46m. I was looking around for buying one for myself but the price ($350+ w/ shipping closer to $400) is a bit too expensive for me (read: poor college student). I've been posting and searching for a used IZH but with no luck. It's eating me alive, too, because I know that the IZH has superb performance for its cost.

Nevertheless, I was wondering what other air pistol might be good. Since I'm financially limited, i don't want a CO2 gun that I'd have to continually buy canisters for. My price range is also $250 and lower. I've heard that the Daisy 717 or 747 has good performance and might be a good training pistol. Are there any significant drawbacks to either? And what is the main difference between the two?(Which is better?) Also, is there another pistol I should be considering that would be better for the price range?

Any advice on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Derek

[GaryN]

The 747 has a Walther barrel and the trigger is adjustable. I think that is about all the difference.

You should buy a spare rear sight (as a spare for the next step)
Then take a small fine hobby file and SLOWLY widen the rear notch. The stock notch it a bit too narrow, at least for me. I like a 1:2:1 ratio of white:bull:white for my sight picture.

This is likely NOT competition legal.
I put a square of plastic non-skid on the backstrap of the pistol. This reduces the grip slipping in my hand when my hand gets sweaty.

One good thing about the 7x7 pistols is that it is VERY easy to dry fire. This is because the hammer cocking is separate from the air charging. To dry fire, you only cock the hammer by working the bolt.

[roxyrohit]

Thanks for post. It’s really imformative stuff.
I really like to read.Hope to learn a lot and have a nice experience here! my best regards guys!
Ure og Smykker

[little_doodie]

The Daisy 7x7 is not nearly as much of a competition pistol as the Izh 46
it is however very accurate. I have an older 717 from the 80s and it never had the muzzle velocity of the Izh, it also never had a trigger nearly as good, the sights are useable but very cheap and the ballance is not nearly as good.
The izh is a very good gun for the money ... is it the best? No but unless you pick up a cheap Daisy I would wait till you have the $$ for something a little better. I always hoped someday I would use my 717 as my home practice gun but it never lived up to my expectations. On the other hand i purchased a Izh a several months ago and that has exceeded my expectations.

[mikeschroeder]

Hi

1. Your team uses the IZH so you should too. You might have to save a little longer, but it will be worth it in the long run.

2. Shooting the 747 may or may not help you shoot the IZH anyway. Far different trigger feel, and different grip configuration.

Later

Mike
Wichita KS

[kevinw]

If I were you, patiently save up and get the Izzy...

It has a superior trigger over the Daisy's and the a higher velocity, (less time for you to 'pull the gun').


Kevin

Airgun aficionado from Costa Rica