Just ordered a new, gasp .....Browning!

[Capt Steve]

It's OK guys it is a Browning 800 Mag air pistol in .177. I have been looking for quite a while and the Browning is a serious air gun. While they claim 800 FPS, I had my doubts, several reviewers with chronographs documented mid 600's consistently. It looks a little spacey at 18" long and almost 5 lbs but for plinking on our many camping trips it should be way too much fun. After a lot of research on the Web I ordered it from PyramidAir.com - $149.99, no tax no freight. It's coming UPS ground so should be here in 3-5 days. Photos to follow along with a full range report. (o;

 

[mod29fan]

Looks like a pretty nice pistol. Wonder who makes it for Browning?

 

[Capt Steve]

I was surprised to find that Browning "makes" an air pistol. I was not surprised to find that a product bearing the Browning name appears to be of such high quality and performance. I'll know on both issues in a few days. I went with a pistol vs a rifle based on how I will use it, plinking, not hunting but any rats contemplating taking up residence in my wood pile, at home or around the campsite will be living on borrowed time. (o; Given the reported power this one should serve either function just fine.

 

[Capt Steve]

It's here....

This pistol is awesome. In deference to my neighbors I've only put a few rounds through it but am very impressed. Actually not much noise when fired but it is scary looking to the uninitiated and I don't need a visit from the local constabulary. At ten yards I put three rounds into a two by six. It punched three clean holes with penetration from 5/16" to a full 1/2". The fiber optic sights seem pretty close right out of the box and are easily adjusted but a little range time from a rest will get them dialed in nicely. It is made in Turkey under license from Browning. The fit and finish are excellent and the safety works smoothly. The trigger is a little rough but according to the reviews should smooth out after a few hundred rounds.

At 18" long and nearly 5 lbs it is no lightweight. That's the cocking assist lever next to the barrel.

The cocking assist lever fits over the end of the barrel and makes cocking much easier.

Looking down the bore ready to load.

 

[jkc]

I recently bought a Crosman 2300T CO2 pistol --- it's very accurate, cheap to run, has a very good, adjustable trigger, and leaves no pine cone or beer can safe, within about 30 feet. I think these alternative pistols are "overly underlooked" as practice and training tools...

 

[Capt Steve]

I recently bought a Crosman 2300T CO2 pistol --- it's very accurate, cheap to run, has a very good, adjustable trigger, and leaves no pine cone or beer can safe, within about 30 feet. I think these alternative pistols are "overly underlooked" as practice and training tools...

I have to agree. When I was a kid, many...many years ago, my dad got me a Crossman C02 pellet pistol. I remember having way too much fun with it for years. Many times lately, sitting around the campsite, I wished for something to shoot that would not disturb my neighbors, if any, and would be legal either way. The Browning seems to fill the bill and we are headed out for another camping trip, this time to the WhiteMountains in about ten days. I'm sure it will get a work out and I'll report back after a few hundred rounds.

 

[Cyrano]

I was lucky; I found a Feinwerkbau 65 at Ron Peterson's wonderful shop in Albuquerque. Very accurate and fun to shoot in my garage. Haven't had it outside yet, but it would be death on pigeons, etc, at any reasonable range. Sure helps my failing pistol skills from falling too much behind.