How to best perform pellet / gun testing with an air pistol

[PaulB]

I have a number of older model CO2 and CA air pistols that I would like to test for the current accuracy and to match with pellets. Is it best to clamp the barrel, or clamp the gas cylinder, or take the grips off and clamp the metal tang that goes into the grip? Any suggestions on how to best perform such a test?

I also have a number of old spring piston guns (FWB 65, 80, 90). What is the best way to test them (particularly given the difficulty of cocking the guns)?

[antispar]

The best is to clamp pistol for the metal tang which attaches the grip. Second best place is the barrel itself. Do not clamp the air cylinder, you may damage it even if you are careful as they are made of aluminium.

[FredB]

This is not what you want to hear, but IMHO the best way to perform pellet/gun testing with an air pistol is:
1. chronograph 5-10 shots to confirm pellet speed is within the normal range for that gun (and therefore the gun is operating properly), and
2. train and/or practice with the gun until you are shooting the gun to its maximum potential.
Anything else is a diversion and a waste of time that could better be spent making real - not illusory - improvements.

FredB

[PaulB]

This is not what you want to hear, but IMHO the best way to perform pellet/gun testing with an air pistol is:
........
2. train and/or practice with the gun until you are shooting the gun to its maximum potential.
Anything else is a diversion and a waste of time that could better be spent making real - not illusory - improvements.

FredB

Problem is that I have about 2 dozen air guns and I need to be able to discern if they are working within reasonable tolerances as my beginning shooters have no way of telling if their gun is working "up to par" or not. I would hate to have them shooting below their capability because of the gun and not their own performance.

[FredB]

Problem is that I have about 2 dozen air guns and I need to be able to discern if they are working within reasonable tolerances as my beginning shooters have no way of telling if their gun is working "up to par" or not. I would hate to have them shooting below their capability because of the gun and not their own performance.

Yes, I understand that you have a number of guns that may not have been used for a while. That's why I suggested first chronographing them to confirm proper function. But unless there is some visible damage to the muzzles, their accuracy is almost certainly just as good as when they were made, and pellet matching is a waste of time. Especially for beginning shooters.

FredB

[Rover]

Take it from a guy who has done the pellet testing; you have received good advice. Don't bother!

But, to throw you a bone...use RWS Basic pellets for your team. They will cut a little cleaner hole with a low powered gun, accuracy is excellent, and they are cheap. (Determined by pellet testing.)

[dschaller]

I have a number of older model CO2 and CA air pistols that I would like to test for the current accuracy and to match with pellets. Is it best to clamp the barrel, or clamp the gas cylinder, or take the grips off and clamp the metal tang that goes into the grip? Any suggestions on how to best perform such a test?

I also have a number of old spring piston guns (FWB 65, 80, 90). What is the best way to test them (particularly given the difficulty of cocking the guns)?

Paul,
I understand the desire to test the gun grouping. Shooting a group is a lot easier than setting up a chronograph and provides more information. However, as others have said, matching with pellets is probably a waste of time for pistols. Almost any decent pellet will stay inside the ten ring with a decent air pistol (air rifle is another matter). As for testing your spring piston guns (or IZH, FAS604 and other cocking guns), it is very difficult to clamp in a vice and not stress the gun or shift the alignment when cocking. I have been pretty successful just using a sandbag rest with these kinds of guns to verify grouping ability. Without too much effort I can hold groups sized inside the ten ring, which I consider more than adequate for our training guns.