What follows is a draft article on these interesting guns. Comments welcome!

John



The Smith & Wesson Models 78G and 79G pellet pistols

I’m departing a bit from my usual subject matter. I’m not writing this time about cartridge firearms, but a couple of collectible pellet guns. These are quality-made precision CO2-powered pistols once made here in the United States by the prominent gun making firm of Smith & Wesson. At first glance, you might think you are looking at one of the famed S&W Model 41 target pistols, but on closer examination, you discover these near-twins are designed to deliver pellets rather than bullets. They were crafted as companion pieces to the Model 41 that could be fired accurately indoors with less noise and penetration for a lot less money. They are getting fairly scarce on the collector market now, and not that many folks know about them today.

As the 1970s began, Smith and Wesson was determined to give the public an economical pellet gun resembling their prestige Model 41. They had hired a former Crosman Corporation engineer who had a lot of experience in the design of CO2 pellet guns. The resulting guns used a lot of the technology found in the Crosman Mark I and Mark II pistols which were introduced in 1996. However, the shape, heft and sighting arrangement of the S&W guns obviously paralleled the Model 41 .22 rimfire cartridge pistol. Two guns were introduced in 1970. These were the Model 78G in .22 caliber and the Model 79G in .177 caliber. Both were single-shot pellet guns designed to shoot skirted lead projectiles which looked like miniature badminton shuttlecocks. Manufacturing began in earnest in 1971. Production was carried out sequentially in two plants; one in Springfield, Massachusetts and another in Tampa, Florida. All guns were marked Springfield, but the actual manufacturing site may be marked on the original box. S&W ceased making these unique handguns in 1978, but they were marketed as late as 1980. About 172,000 were made and all were serial numbered. The tooling was then sold to the Daisy Manufacturing Company in Rogers, Arkansas. Similar guns were produced by Daisy as the models 780 and 790 (and later the model 41) but the quality of these particular guns never matched the superb S&W products.

The earliest guns upheld S&W’s reputation for quality, and the pistols had a number of innovative features. Both the .22 and .177 guns had rifled steel barrels. On the earliest guns the trigger was adjustable for sear engagement via an Allen screw forward of the trigger. The power of the CO2 discharge was regulated with a screw just under the muzzle. When the screw was turned fully clockwise to get high power, the CO2 cartridge would provide about 65 shots and a maximum velocity of about 420 feet per second.. Turned fully counter-clockwise to get lower power, the gun was good for about 125 shots before re-charging. A charging handle much like the one on present AR-15 rifles was pulled back and a pellet was inserted in the rear of the barrel. Pushing the charging handle forward slid the pellet into position to fire. A cocking piece just above the forward edge of the trigger guard was pulled back to ready the pistol for discharge. Early guns had two clicks when this was done. The first engaged the sear, and second click put the internal hammer at full cock. Triggering after only the first click would, in actuality if not intent, allow firing at reduced velocity. A cross-bolt safety occupied the space just behind the trigger where the magazine release would be on a Model 41. The gun had to be cocked before the safety could be applied. To charge the gun with a 12.5 gram CO2 cartridge, the piercing assembly was removed from the butt by unscrewing it. A cartridge was inserted into the butt with the nipple down. Then the piercing assembly was screwed back in, and the piercing knob struck a quick blow with the palm of the hand or tapped on a bench top to release pressure into the gun.

These guns were spray-painted with a durable black finish. S&W evidently re-thought their liability issues and eliminated the 2-click sear and the sear adjustment on later guns. The rear sight mimicked the one on the Model 41 target pistol, and was fully adjustable for windage and elevation, albeit without tactile “clicks.” Clockwise rotation of the two adjusting screws will move the impact of the pellet to the right and downward. Counterclockwise movement will result in left and upward impact. All of these pistols had plastic imitation walnut grips, and were provided in a box with a tin of 250 pellets, five powerlets, and an instruction booklet. The pistol illustrated is an early 79G (.177 caliber), which I estimate was made in 1971. Collectors value these early guns with their more sophisticated triggers. All were very accurate at the standard formal pellet gun range of 33 feet.

In December of 1983, the Consumer Product Safety Commission instituted a recall of all of these pistols made by S&W and Daisy. The claim was made that they could discharge if dropped under certain conditions. If a gun was recalled and modified, a “D” was stamped on the butt of the grip frame. Daisy handled all retrofits for either brand. It’s rare to find one so marked. If the particular gun is not verified as retrofitted, do take care not to drop it. Of course dropping a loaded and cocked gun of any sort is never a good idea. Daisy can be contacted at 1-800-713-2479 for current information.

These Smith & Wesson target pellet guns are not toys, and they should be accorded the respect due any gun. They were and are precision instruments. Since they have been around for upwards of 30 years, it’s normal for the internal seals and o-rings to deteriorate, making them unusable until reworked. Fortunately, there are a number of air gun gunsmiths who can replace the seals and o-rings and otherwise refurbish and tune them. Following that, proper air gun lubricants should be used exclusively since normal petroleum products can degrade the critical parts mentioned. Automatic transmission fluid is often recommended as a suitable substitute for the special air gun lubes. Fortunately, not much else can go wrong with these pistols, and cleaning only requires wiping them down before storage with a soft lint-free cloth. The S&W instruction booklet recommends that this type of pistol be stored with a full or partially full CO2 cartridge in place, and that the pellet chamber be empty.

Today, few have even heard of these interesting and useful Smith & Wesson guns. They do turn up occasionally at gun shows, and they are still relatively inexpensive compared to cartridge handguns. The .22 caliber Model 78G is most in demand, and the earlier guns with their better triggers command higher prices. As always, condition counts. A chipped or scratched finish is not easily restorable. A complete rig with its original box and accessories demands a good premium. Anyone looking for economical target practice with a pellet pistol that approximates the look, heft and handling of the famed Model 41 would be well served by having an example of either model.



(c) 2013 JLM

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I have had one of these since the early 70's. It's a.22 cal. 78G SR#0016413. It has served me well over the years and I didn't know it was so sought after. At full power it will bury a pellet in a piece of hard pine. Took a Blue Jay out of a tree with it once. That bird was making WAY to much noise.
DW

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"NUTS"

Just as a footnote, I have thoroughly examined my 79G, and determined that the seals and o-rings have in fact deteriorated over time. Inasmuch as my sample is over 40 years old, this did not surprise me. The major o-ring in the piercing assembly actually crumbled when touched.

I will soon be sending the gun off to a reputable air gun gunsmith who specializes in these guns for a complete overhaul. I hope to be enjoying actually shooting it before too long.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

John, let me know who it is. My gun could use a tuneup also.
DW

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"NUTS"

I plan to use Tony McDaniel - here is his e-mail address: [email protected]

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Thanks for doing the research and posting this, John. I saw the other post and was wondering if Smith actually manufactured the gun.

Looking forward to hearing you impressions when you get it back, particularly the trigger, which is often the weakness in the less expensive airguns.

When I was a kid a buddy of mine had a Crossman target pistol, break open action, good quality and well made. Big thumb rest grip. It was darned accurate and had a decent trigger.

I'd like to find one of the Smiths--it'd be great for backyard practice if it's got a decent trigger.

I had one, I believe in the late 70's. It quit working and I threw it away and bought a crack barrel Recoilless RWS. I now have a BiaKal IZH 46M that shoots better than I can.

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Corripe Cervisiam

Some scrap left over from serious target shooting days.

Thanks much to paladin for the SUPER article!

Anyone else notice how sights don't last? They really get fuzzy after a time

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There used to be a guy in Texas who also worked on these but I believe he has passed. THANKS!! for the link, or e-mail as it is. Mine need work beyond my expertise. E-MAIL sent

Great article.
But once again, I now have a strong desire to acquire something which yesterday I did not know existed.

Thanks for the information on the S&W pellet guns!

I have a Feinweerkbau 65 and use it a lot for indoor practice. Love to have one of the S&Ws: it's a lot more like most of my pistols than the Feinwerkbau, which more resembles a free pistol.

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Excellent write up from 2013, John.

I recently acquired a 78G with original packaging, box of "powerlets," partially used tin of pellets, instruction booklet, and JC Penny receipt for $43.99 from 1979. Unfortunately, not one of the earliest ones with adjustable trigger.








As you noted, the seals, O-rings, had mostly disintegrated after forty some years, but I was able to buy a replacement set off eBay for $7, and located instructions for disassembly and replacement here: Smith & Wesson 78G and 79G target pistols: Part 5 | Air gun blog - Pyramyd Air Report

Took me a while, but I replaced the seals yesterday afternoon, and fired a few test shots to ensure no leakage, etc. Also purchased some new CO2 cartridges and pellets, and am looking forward to getting in some garage practice.

(Of course, now I want an early Model 41...)

Good purchase, I have one just like I bought it new in 1980, over the years the rubber gaskets have deteriorated but I replace it with new ones and it is today that I continue shooting with it, it is very precise, I am sure yours will great satisfaction.

Thank you, Leonardo.

Unfortunately, took it out again today and all the CO2 had leaked, dammit! Ah, well. Perhaps I'd best look for an airgun smith.

Mine was repaired 3 times in 40 years and the work was done by a gunsmith, it is not easy to disassemble, the only seals that I could change are the ones on the handle cover.

For service and repair, I can endorse

https://www.bakerairguns.com/repair-restoration/

I appreciate the leads on repair service, guys. Both Baker Airguns and TMac's Airgun Service are still in business, still repairing these vintage S&W classics. They both seems like fine outfits. Now I just gotta decide which one to entrust the work to.

Sent it off to Baker Airguns this morning. They say six to eight weeks, usually. Will update when I get it back.

Always wanted a Webley Tempest but never jumped. Had a Daisy bb pistol for years but don’t have a clue where it went to. These look nice.

Onomea, how about an update on your S&W re-seal job by Baker, I have one S&W and 3 Crosmans, the old model that fills from a separate tank instead of cartridges that I'd like overhauled.

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Old paratrooper in NC

When Smith & Wesson announced the sale of these to Daisy, they offered a free rebuild/refurbish and I sent both of mine in for that even though both worked jut fine. Between me, my friends and their children, I spent a LOT of time and money on pellets and CO2. Money well spent. They still put a smile on my face when I come across them.My town banned the firing of airguns in city limits right after I bought my house... my house with perfect range and backstop. Rat ******s.

I got the gun back a few weeks ago, Trooperdan, and am well pleased with the result. Took it into the garage when it first came back and it shoots fine. (And it is LOUD!)

Cost was $100 for clean, lube and new seals, plus $25 return shipping (and whatever I spent to get it there.) Not cheap, but I am pleased with the result.

Wow very nice write up. There is a small knife shop in my town that had one of these for sale last time I was there with the box. Gonna go by tomorrow and see if he still has it.

Stalpeth, if you like the gun and want to buy it, try negotiating on the basis that it surely needs to be resealed. (Unless it has already been resealed, it surely does.) If the seller is not receptive, ask to put a deposit down and return with CO2 cartridges and pellets to test.

When testing, put a tissue paper over the breech when you shoot. If it moves when shot, there's a leak. A leak in the grip/butt seal should be more obvious.

Good luck. Let us know how it works out.

Well unfortunately for me he recently sold it and another one he had at a gun show.

Here's a good write up from 2016 that I came across:
Classic replica air pistol review: Smith & Wesson 78G and 79G | World of Replica Air Pistols

And here's the conclusion:

... Lots of 78Gs and 79Gs were produced and large numbers still turn up for sale. If you do buy one of these, you aren’t buying a replica: this is a Smith & Wesson handgun which happens to use CO2 and pellets rather than cartridges. For that reason alone, they’re worth considering, but they also happen to be extremely accurate and powerful, so they aren’t disappointing to shoot. Of course, even the most recent 78G or 79G will be more than thirty-five years old now, so you have to expect some wear and tear and it’s probably sensible to budget for re-sealing to get the best out of one. But for your money you’ll get one of the most accurate and powerful replicas around and you’ll own a real slice of S&W history. Which can’t be bad, can it?