Beeman P1/HW 45/75 Pistol

[southpaw]

I can't seem to get these .45 acp style pistols out of my mind. I'd love to get owners opinions. That's a lot of cash for an  indoor shoot from the recliner gun. What are your thoughts? Thanks.

[cole5169]

Which do you prefer?  The HW45 and HW75 are completely different birds.

My thoughts: the HW45 (P1) is overpriced for what it offers.
Ditto the HW75, unless you just want it because they are hard to find anymore.  The HW40PCA does the same job.

[jwh]

I had a P1 years ago and foolishly got rid of it. I bought another new one a few years back and will always have it. Both .177 caliber. They are fun and accurate if you do your part. If you have the money and want one, it's worth it in my mind.

[lillysdad621]

the 75 and the 40 will shoot only .177 pneumatically at 400 fps. Now the 45, or P1 will blast .20 h&n pellets at 495 fps, and with the sweetest recoil you could wish for... yes, the 75 and 40 are probably more accurate, but the spring gun has more character... and everytime i shoot it is worth every penny...

[Korak-again]

My choice would be the Webley Alecto.

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/webley-alecto-air-pistol?m=2238

[patton1]

I had a HW45 and just sold it. Real nice pistol, well balanced/accurate,quiet and well made.  I mainly shot it in the backyard at a 10 m target and had no problem putting them in the center of the target. Myself, like you was always curious about shooting one so when one came up I jumped on it. I went used on mine and paid $200.

 

[Davee1]

I waited for quite a few years before buying my P1.  It was the price that scared me off.  Finally, got some spare cash and splurged, and got a brand new P1 .177.

I should never have waited like that.  Sometimes, most of the time, you pay for quality.  The P1 is my favorite pistol, and sits on the kitchen table for readyness and easy access.

Shoots 7~8 grain pellets in the ~550fps range, has a fantastic adjustable trigger, fiberoptic sights front/rear,  has a recoil that you get used to...and once you master how to shoot it, sparrow sized targets are easy.  I've even hit a few carpenter bees.

I'm not gonna part with mine.  I shoot it all the time.  I frickin love it!!!

[southpaw]

Dang it! you guys are gonna cost me big time. Thanks... sorta.

[fla45fan]

I've got an old HW45 that I bought used over twenty (maybe 25) years ago.  Still shoots minute of tree rat accurate - shot a 5 shot nickle sized group at around 40-50 feet the other day with only one flyer that opened up to a quarter size.  My fault - not the gun's. I think I was using old Silver Bears in it (.177)

[Smaug]

As a fan of powderburners, I think it is kind of lame, that the airguns are trying to copy it.

There are the cheap CO2 guns, which can actually look VERY similar to the real thing. Then, there are the spring or PCP guns that have the same grip, but all this bulky &^^& that combine to make a gun that looks NOTHING like a real 1911.

My advice is either to get the real thing and accept that they're expensive to buy and shoot, or get a good spring airgun and accept that it is not going to look for feel like a 1911.

I bought a Colt airsoft 1911. It shoots those little plastic BBs at an impressive 400 fps. It looks JUST like the real thing, but since it is so light, it doesn't feel like it. There's always something.  I thought I would do some target shooting in my living room with it. Now, I'm bored of it, and tired of chasing the plastic BBs everywhere.

Get a nice Crosman 1377 or 2240 for now, and get a real 1911 later to scratch the itch.

OT: I just traded my real 1911 for a nice S&W 19. 1911s just aren't for me, apparently. I much prefer my CZ 97B or S&W 625 for 45 ACP.

If you put out of your mind that the Beeman P1 is trying to mimick the 1911, I think it is a good gun. Dual power levels, and overlever cocking is a pretty neat idea, especially if it is implemented well.

[southpaw]

I myself am a .45 guy. Have several including the 1911. Also had the 625 and kick myself for selling it years ago. The P1 is for my recliner,targets in the pantry. To me, multi-tasking is kicking back in the recliner watching tv and shredding phones books in the pantry one pellet at a time. Beverage's optional.

[fla45fan]

I too am a fan of powderburners, esp the .45's (thus the moniker) and I think that the HW45 is a real good trainer for practicing trigger pulls with it's adjustable trigger, and sight alignment ("front sight . . . squeeeeze").  The grip is so close to a 1911 that I think it takes replacement grips and the safeties are in the same spot.  I currently own 4 1911's and have owned over a dozen more thru the years.  Having said that I prefer one of Browning's other designs, the Sig 220 line for .45's (currently own 3 and have had 4 others in the past) for carry/self defense.  As a firearms instructor, I favor reliability over the ability to customize a firearm (never a jam with any of my Sig .45's as opposed to the 1911's).   And, for me the Sig is the gun I shoot most accurately YMMV.  Now both the Sig and the 1911 can be outfitted with .22 conversion kits for inexpensive practice so that levels the field.

S&W wheelguns. . . yummy!  Model 19's, 686's and esp the 25's (2.5 inch, 4 inch Thunder Ranch Special, and a 5 inch 1917 clone with the lanyard ring, all in the stable as we speak!)

Anyway I really like the P1/HW45 as a quiet recliner gun, pest reducer in the garden and a good old fashion trainer!

[VAFarmer]

I came across one of these for a very good price on CL, and it is a dream.   

Harderto handle on high power, but still has hunting accuracy at 20yds, which is its limit anyway, IMO.

But on low power, this gun could be a 10 meter gun in a great shot's hands.   10 shots on a chrony have no more than 4fps extreme spread on all pellets I have tried so far.  The best pellet (.20 cal spitzkugelns) has 1.5.   VERY consistant.

Recoil took some getting used to, but once figured out, it shoots like a DREAM.   I lube tuned mine, which made for a surprising change in velocity, but now no rattle from the arms, no raking sound on return from arm/spring contact, and thump, no buzz on shot cycle.

If you can find a good shooter used, VERY worth the money.   If you have the money for a new, VERY worth the money.

God bless,

Farmer

[Firewire]

I too have been really contemplating the HW45.

I found this site with some interesting grips.  Not your run of the mill to spice the looks up or to give it a custom look:

http://vzgrips.com/gun-grips/1911-pistol-grips-1

[KennyK]

Ive got a HW45, and owned it only a few months.
When I bought it, it had the standard checker grips on it fro factory,

Liked the hold on it, but ive got a pair of aftermarket wooden grips from Japan now, that helps my fingers be where they spos to be!

I like the feel of wood, its warmer and more natural to hold I recon





Its only .177 cal, and as I live in Wales, UK, we are governed to under 6lb!
Trying at this moment to get hold of a .22 and .20 barrel for it to make up the set!
Wish I could get one of the springs used in U.S, but thats only a wish, as we are not legaly alowed over here to go above the 6lb.
This is a pain!
The 45, is so well balanced, its a pleasure to shoot!
Gonna try it on some feather, (Close range Mind) soon, probably this weekend as its bank holiday over here, and more time on hands, lol.

Bought a cammo holster for it the other day, but gonna get a black one instead.
Had to adapt it a bit on the bottom, but works well enough now.


Its the only air pistol I own, and I recon I will be keeping it a while yet!

[Firewire]

Those grips dress it up very nicely!

[gby2k6]

Kenny, those are some cool pics.  The HW45 looks great. 

I've thought about buying one a few times, but I'm pretty happy with my P3.

-GB

[KennyK]

Yeh! They do dress it up, but also gives it a better feel as well.
(Don't make me a better shot though) lol.
Compared to the first pic, when I originaly purchaced it, its 100% nicer looking.
Just wish I could upgrade the power thats all! wink, wink!
Not bad for a 60.00 quid gun, lol.
Yeh! I paid the equivelent of 60.00 english pounds for it!
(Dont know what that is in US dollors though!
Paid half that price for the grips, lol.
Something a miss there I think, lol.

Lovely to shoot though!