I couldn't find a "category" to put this one in, as it's not a long gun, a semiauto pistol, an antique, or a revolver!
It's a Smith & Wesson Model 79G .177 caliber pellet gun. Extrapolating from the serial number, I estimate that it was manufactured in approximately 1971. These were made to closely resemble the Model 41 .22 target pistol, and allowed economical practice. Both calibers .22 (Model 78G) and .177 (Model 79G) were made - about 172,000 of them from 1970 to 1980. They were finally discontinued, and the tooling sold to Daisy Manufacturing Company.
Here's a comparison shot with a Model 41:
This was the manual:
The single-shot action is unique. At the rear is a retracting slide, very similar to the retraction device on an AR-15, M16 or M4 carbine. It allows opening of the breech to insert a pellet into the breech via the opening on top just above the grip.
On the side is the "hammer" cocking device, operated with thumb and forefinger on each side of the pistol at the same time. It's pressed to the front to cock so the trigger can be pulled to fire it.
In the position of the Model 41's mag release, there is a button that is actually a cross-bolt safety.
At the front of the gun, just under the muzzle, is a power regulating screw. At its lowest setting, it will allow about 125 shots from a single CO2 cartridge. At its highest setting, it will allow about 65 shots at a velocity of 420 feet per second.
The trigger can be adjusted for a longer or shorter pull. There is an Allen screw just forward of the upper edge of the trigger that does this.
The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation, much like the one on the Model 41.
At the base of the grip frame is the CO2 cartridge piercing assembly. It's removed to insert a CO2 cartridge nipple down. It's screwed in tight, and then the piercing knob at the base is pressed in firmly to pierce the cartridge. It uses standard 12.5 gram cartridges, and five were originally packed with the gun.
The 8.5" barrel is rifled steel.
In 1983, well after S&W sold the tooling to Daisy, there was a recall initiated by both S&W and Daisy at the request of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There was a possibility of an accidental firing if dropped in a certain manner. I don't plan on dropping mine in either a certain or uncertain manner, so I've ignored the recall for this one.
Thought you might be interested in seeing one of these guns - not often encountered today.
John
It's a Smith & Wesson Model 79G .177 caliber pellet gun. Extrapolating from the serial number, I estimate that it was manufactured in approximately 1971. These were made to closely resemble the Model 41 .22 target pistol, and allowed economical practice. Both calibers .22 (Model 78G) and .177 (Model 79G) were made - about 172,000 of them from 1970 to 1980. They were finally discontinued, and the tooling sold to Daisy Manufacturing Company.
Here's a comparison shot with a Model 41:
This was the manual:
The single-shot action is unique. At the rear is a retracting slide, very similar to the retraction device on an AR-15, M16 or M4 carbine. It allows opening of the breech to insert a pellet into the breech via the opening on top just above the grip.
On the side is the "hammer" cocking device, operated with thumb and forefinger on each side of the pistol at the same time. It's pressed to the front to cock so the trigger can be pulled to fire it.
In the position of the Model 41's mag release, there is a button that is actually a cross-bolt safety.
At the front of the gun, just under the muzzle, is a power regulating screw. At its lowest setting, it will allow about 125 shots from a single CO2 cartridge. At its highest setting, it will allow about 65 shots at a velocity of 420 feet per second.
The trigger can be adjusted for a longer or shorter pull. There is an Allen screw just forward of the upper edge of the trigger that does this.
The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation, much like the one on the Model 41.
At the base of the grip frame is the CO2 cartridge piercing assembly. It's removed to insert a CO2 cartridge nipple down. It's screwed in tight, and then the piercing knob at the base is pressed in firmly to pierce the cartridge. It uses standard 12.5 gram cartridges, and five were originally packed with the gun.
The 8.5" barrel is rifled steel.
In 1983, well after S&W sold the tooling to Daisy, there was a recall initiated by both S&W and Daisy at the request of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There was a possibility of an accidental firing if dropped in a certain manner. I don't plan on dropping mine in either a certain or uncertain manner, so I've ignored the recall for this one.
Thought you might be interested in seeing one of these guns - not often encountered today.
John
Last edited:
