Comparing SSP air pistols, which to buy?

[TargetTerror]

I currently have an IZH-46M. It's phenomenally accurate, and I think the trigger is wonderful, but the ergonomics leave a lot to be desired, at least for me. The gun is a heavy, but that doesn't bother me too much. I'm not a huge fan, though, of how front heavy it is. I'd rather a gun that balances a little more to the rear.

My main issue with the gun is the grip. The original grip is, obviously, untenable, so I ordered one of the laminated grips from Airguns of Arizona:

http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/IZH46M% ... Grips.html

It is a well made grip, but seems to be way too small for my hand. There was no option for ordering different sizes when I ordered it, and it doesn't look like other vendors offer different sized grips for this gun either. I also don't really like the grip angle of the gun. I find it to be in between a straighter, "service" type pistol and the stretched out target style on the Pardini .22 I shot.

So, I am now in the market for a new air pistol. One that fits my hand a bit better. My budget is not huge (which is why I went with the Izzy to begin with), so I'd like to stick with something used, preferably a SSP or FWB 65 so I don't need any tanks, adapters, etc.

I am contemplating a FWB 100 (or one of the later FWB SSPs if I can find a good used one), a Pardini K58, a FWB 65 or one of those variants. I mightbe convinced to get one of the Pardini K2 guns, maybe the CO2 one. It is cheap enough that I think I could get the gear for not much money and still be within budget. But, if there are better or equivalent guns for less, that would be better.

How do these different guns compare? How is it to cock them? Cocking on the IZH-46M was not too bad, I found. My only complaint is that it could shift the palm rest a little depending on how I held the gun when charging, but that just requires a different grip.

Also, how is the grip angle on all of these guns? I REALLY like the Pardini SP, particularly the grip and grip angle, and hope to buy one soon. Do the Pardini airguns handle like this gun? How about the FWBs?

Thanks for any information, or links to past discussions (the search function didn't yield very much for me). Also, if anyone has any of the above guns that they might be looking to sell, I might be interested.

Thanks!!

[Guest]

If you like the Pardini SP, you will like the Pardini K2. I have both and they're great. The grips are actually somewhat interchangeable. I say somewhat since the rear sight overhang is a bit different. I put a LH adjustable SP grip on my K2, since at the time, Don Nygord told me Pardini only offered fixed LH grips for the K2. So, I cut the recess in the grip for the rear sight a bit, and just bolted it on. The trigger on the K2 is fantastic. Very adjustable, crisp and reliable. Consider that the K2 is offered in 6 flavors: a short barrel junior version, a standard length light weight barrel, and a standard length standard weight barrel. Also, one has the choice of compressed air or CO2. The barrel configuration is an important option for weight distribution. Check www.larrysguns.com for the posted specs on all the Pardinis. The short barrel version is a good choice if you co-train with the SP. Adding weight is easy, but if you don't like an overly nose heavy gun, it's hard to take it off.

[william]

You're in the enviable position of having a world class dealer a couple of hours' drive away from you. Call Larry Carter in advance to make sure he'll be at the shop and not at Camp Perry. You can check the fit of the K2, K2 Light and K2 Short. Or you may find that the balance of the Benelli Kite is more to your liking (at a $$$ savings to boot). FWIW I sold my K2 and switched to the Kite based on its overall feel - most of all the Nill grip that it wears from the factory.

[tenex]

It looks like the K58 and the Baikal are probably very close in weight and balance, from what I can tell on the internet. Grips are another story. If you like the SP .22, I would imagine the K58 to have similar mass properties.

There are a lot more choices for grips for the Pardini, or the FWB for that matter. I just bought a K2 (new to air pistol), and the grip geometry is very close to that on my SP. I'm also left handed, which is why I never bought the Baikal. If you want SSP, then I'd go Pardini or FWB and go look for a grip, new or used.

I like the K2 a lot, but the pump was a bit expensive. You can get a shorter air cylinder if you like however. The SSP guns are what they are.

I think the Pardini's are great. My sp is a tank, and has run through cases of ammo without a hiccup (1 alibi in 7 or 8 years).

Steve.

P.S. I didn't think of going C02 to save money, but it's a good idea. You can always convert the Pardini at a later date. I like to be able to tell at a glance how much air I have left, but my friends with C02 say it's a non-problem.

[TargetTerror]

Thanks everyone for all of the replies. I'm always impressed with the quality of responses on this forum.

The easiest thing would be to just head up to Larry's and try a few of the guns out. Unfortunately, this would be even easier if he was open on the weekends. I'm a bit hesitant to take off time from work to go up just yet.

Hopefully I can head up sometime later in the summer, and try out the guns for myself.

[tenex]

What I'd suggest is to go to a local match and ask the shooters for some info. Most shooters are glad to help anyone who asks, and will most likely let you try out their pistol (if the situation permits). You'll also get the real story on how the various pistols perform, and may get a more diverse selection than at a dealer that carries only 1 or 2 brands.

Steve.