Old timer needs a pistol- recommendation please?

[Hotled]

I am training my self to shoot left handed because I had a stroke in June last year. My right side isn’t what it was and I have no feeling in my right hand and I can’t squint my right eye now.

So I’m gonna train myself to shoot left handed and require a scope as well in a pistol or carbine.
I have never had a air pistol,all of mine are powder.

Requirements are:
Fairly cheep under 200.00
.22 caliber
Co2 or Multi pump only if it’s easy to pump right hand is useless.
Accurate to 20 yards
Capable of downing grackles and rats at 20y.

I’ve seen advertisements for :
2400kt
1322 with steel breech
Diana Chaser Kit

 

[AmBraCol]

With that budget I'd look seriously at the Diana Chaser, you can get a left handed breech for them, I believe.  Another option would be to go to the Crosman Custom Shop and set up a 2300KT with a 10" barrel and a long steel breech.  I'd probably opt for the 10" Crosman barrel, or you could add the 14" Lothar Walther barrel for a bit more.  Add on their 2X pistol scope and you've got a very decent setup for about $164.00 with the scope or $144.00 without - and spend the extra on a better scope or red dot.

I'd stay away from the pump up if you're wanting to use it for hunting/varminting and have an issue with one of your hands.  Trying to pump up quickly for a mercy shot is bad enough with two good hands.

[AmBraCol]

If you go with the 2400KT from the Crosman Custom Shop you can get it with the 14" Lothar Walther barrel AND the skeleton stock for $134.00 dollars or so.  You could opt for both the 2300KT as a pistol and the 2400KT as a carbine and have a matched set of varmint busters, although that'd put you over the $200 amount you set.

[fivestar45]

My advise..go with the 2400kt. Easy to get parts for and probably better if you need to go with a scope or dot sight. And you can get free shipping on Fridays.

[kcatx]

If you could go PCP a PP700 or 750 would be close to ideal.  Accurate, can be made to do ~20fpe easily, can get a folding stock cheaply as well.  Would need a $50 hand pump though, if you can consider that a "multi-pump" lol.

[MisterAP]

In addition to Free Shipping on Friday, I think AGNATION gets you 25% off, but not on the custom store.

[markjs]

I'd definitely custom build a 2300KT Carbne at the custom shop. Crosman is out of stock 2240s.  I think the 2300 is slightly higher grade and has definitely more options than the 2400.  I don't think you coud go wrong ether way.  Might have to send to Europe, but magazines exist for them and the 2300 and 2400 series are almost infinitely customizeable.  You're gonna get at least 400fps with a 7.5" barrel, more with longer.  About 40 shots or more so I am told.

The Diana Chaser rife kit looks nice, but is out of stock everywhere AFAIK.  Everyone I've talked to that knows both has leaned Crosman though.

If .177 is at all an option, I just got a 1077 rifle, but it's nearly light as a pistol and could easily be shot one handed.  I also recomend Air Venturi Pellet pens. I just got one, and I am instantly in loe with it!  Makes loading SO much easier!

[n2omike]

My adventures with one of these!  With a very small amount of work, they make a great little pistol. 

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=160214.0

[Hotled]

Ya I’m not sure how long it will take for the Crosman  custom shop to ship.
Might just go with a 2240xL , and a 1399 stock , then wait on a 14 inch barrel to pop up.

[Back_Roads]

 If you go with Crosman Custom Shop, you get in the club, and can order custom shop parts eg. barrels breaches etc. when the need or urge arrives. 

[moorepower]

If you go with Crosman Custom Shop, you get in the club, and can order custom shop parts eg. barrels breaches etc. when the need or urge arrives. 

Several have said they don't do that any more. I need to try and call and ask.

[Arch_E]

First, Hotlead, our prayers for full recovery are with you.

Second, after thinking through the motion movements for my CO2 and multi-pumpers (2400KT; various replicas; 1377; Daisy 880, Crosman 2100), I'm not sure that you will not get frustrated trying to do some of these things with just your one hand. For instance, I cannot pump the Crosman 1377 without both hands--and that goes for the 2100, as well. Now the Daisy 880 is gentle enough to cradle it to my chest and pump about 5x. Loading the 12 gram cart in my 2240KT is very doable with one hand dominant; but cocking and loading it might be problematic with just one hand. Mine has some backward resistance that takes some coordination.

Hence, might I recommend a two stage process.
     First, buy an easy to load (cart and pellets) CO2 pistol and learn how to shoot accurately. For this, the Crosman Vigilante might be ideal (but it's loud). Mine shoots in the 400s fps, and can easily reach out to 10-12 yards (maybe more, but I don't try that). Loading requires opening the breach and pushing down the barrel and then re-filling the faux cylinder clip with pellets, while the clip is laying flat on a surface. I have no doubt this gun can kill a bird at shorter distances; but, I'm not sure about tree rats. I do know that it shoots with more authority than my P-17 (which is not a candidate for you now), and I use the P-17 to finish the kill on wounded pests. It will penetrate a skull out to about 8 ft.

    Second, after you've become proficient, then buy a higher fps pistol that will reach out further. Perhaps the Diana Chaser will suffice for all this. I looked hard at buying one last year, but I have break barrels for the longer shots and love these lessor pistols for short shots or plinking.

Don't get discouraged; do get what you want and have fun trying!!!!

Archie

[n2omike]

I pointed out the Crossman 1322 above...  but being one handed, the CO2 version is probably the best bet.  Where do you live?  Maybe there are some nearby airgunners who would enjoy lending a hand (pun kind of intended lol) with some basic modifications, or help you get set up. 

A gun set up like mine above, but in CO2 would seem to be ideal.  The Red Dot sight is pretty awesome.  I'm FAR more accurate with it, as I can't see standard iron sights all that well...  An easy trigger is also paramount, or you'll be pulling your shots all over the place, especially if shooting offhand. 

Maybe a member could set a gun up for you, and mail it to ya'?
 

[Hotled]

First, Hotlead, our prayers for full recovery are with you.

Second, after thinking through the motion movements for my CO2 and multi-pumpers (2400KT; various replicas; 1377; Daisy 880, Crosman 2100), I'm not sure that you will not get frustrated trying to do some of these things with just your one hand. For instance, I cannot pump the Crosman 1377 without both hands--and that goes for the 2100, as well. Now the Daisy 880 is gentle enough to cradle it to my chest and pump about 5x. Loading the 12 gram cart in my 2240KT is very doable with one hand dominant; but cocking and loading it might be problematic with just one hand. Mine has some backward resistance that takes some coordination.

Hence, might I recommend a two stage process.
     First, buy an easy to load (cart and pellets) CO2 pistol and learn how to shoot accurately. For this, the Crosman Vigilante might be ideal (but it's loud). Mine shoots in the 400s fps, and can easily reach out to 10-12 yards (maybe more, but I don't try that). Loading requires opening the breach and pushing down the barrel and then re-filling the faux cylinder clip with pellets, while the clip is laying flat on a surface. I have no doubt this gun can kill a bird at shorter distances; but, I'm not sure about tree rats. I do know that it shoots with more authority than my P-17 (which is not a candidate for you now), and I use the P-17 to finish the kill on wounded pests. It will penetrate a skull out to about 8 ft.

    Second, after you've become proficient, then buy a higher fps pistol that will reach out further. Perhaps the Diana Chaser will suffice for all this. I looked hard at buying one last year, but I have break barrels for the longer shots and love these lessor pistols for short shots or plinking.

Don't get discouraged; do get what you want and have fun trying!!!!

Archie

Thank for all this info. My right hand has no feeling but I can use it for simple tasks.
It just feels like it asleep 24x7 , only the pain receptors work .
I think the 1322 is a no go though, and I’m gonna try the 2240 with a scope or red dot.
I just don’t know if I wanna wait on the custom shop....I bet they are packed and will take 6 weeks,

[Ribbonstone]

Not that they can't be done....but it's not as easy as it seems...posters shouold go ahead and try one-handed to see what it's like....they try using it from your "wrong" hand/eye.

Then again, it could be built into a kind of sadistic PT (PT is sadistic enough). Self motivated PT beats directed PT....but think manipulating/changing 12gr./ cocking one handed would be a pretty good fine motor skill workout.

Birds and occasional rat at 20 yards....not sure you'd need a lot of power...I'd not be concerned with more power, just hitting the off-switch.

Can see either the Crosman of Chaser,with the lite plastic stock,being pretty good options.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Ken, My sympathy for your condition but my admiration for your persistence and desire to keep shooting!
 I can not imagine a multi-pump one handed and being in Wichita Falls, Texas you have year 'round Co2 weather.
A 2240 is a good base for a pistol... but to mount any optics you need to buy a steel breech kit.
You can buy those "barrel pinch" mounts for Crosmans but they are not known to be reliable. Also, I do not know if your right hand has the deterity required to install a steel breech, there are some tiny screws involved.
 THAT is what makes the 2300KT a good idea, it comes with the steel breech already, and you can get the longer barrel (I like 10"). But the wait will be extended... even longer than normal with this country's current slow-down.
  I would, in all seriousness, call David at http://www.alchemyairwerks.com/ and ask him what it would cost to build a left handed gun for you. He is a Good Guy and has many fine products. Be up front and tell him your requirements and your budget. CONTACT INFO
 Or Post a want-2-buy here on GTA in the classifieds.

[Toddspeed]

https://airgunarcheryfun.ca/diana-chaser-co2-pistol-black/

Here’s the chaser in stock 🔼 It looks like Wes is selling them ala carte, you can get it single shot, or with the magazine, with or without the stock, etc. I’d think the magazine would be a huge advantage. You might even get one with the bolt on whichever side is best for you.

[Ribbonstone]

Actually...tired various ways of trying to walk at least part of a mile in your shoes.

Ever try loading one of those clock-spring tensioned mags one-handed?  Can be done, but it frustrates the  *(&^ out of a two handed guy....maybe I'd get use to it...but I know my mind set would be that single shot would be more rewarding.

(tired it...the "winner" were the ONE spring loaded mags (like the Hatsan/RWS 850 type "wheel"mags) and the Gamo/BSA Urban type (where the mag just uses a "roll-wheel" and loads from the back end/pellet forward).  The MRod, Prod, Diana "stormrider' type, abosultly SUK at one handed loading.

So long as there is some use in the "off" arm hand, would be easier...even if it was just enough to clamp it down to your leg.

Am a righty by nature....but tried shooting as if I only had lefty.


Not sure the "left bolt" is better if shooting left...great for right handed pistol shooters using their grip hand AND their off hand....but it's not really any worse that using a "right bolt" shooting left with just the left arm.  Either way, something has to stabilize the pistol (or rifle) while you cycle the action...doesn't really matter which side you flip to "up".

Are a few in my collection that do seem to be truly ambi…but they are NOT suited to low cost/easy filling one handed as they are to single handed filling/loading/filling use.

(sorry if this is "brutally" honest...but from years in hospital work, honest direct speech is often what is missing.)

[kbstingwing]

You Just had to Ask........... 

No offence guys, but information overload.....

These guys are great, you just gotta love them....

[n2omike]

A 2240 is a good base for a pistol... but to mount any optics you need to buy a steel breech kit.
You can buy those "barrel pinch" mounts for Crosmans but they are not known to be reliable. Also, I do not know if your right hand has the deterity required to install a steel breech, there are some tiny screws involved.

The picture of the 1322 I posted above (pump up version of the 2240) is fitted with a Baker aluminum breech.  It fits both the pump up and CO2 versions.  It has barrel screws and a 11mm dovetail for mounting optics.  The Red Dot shown on the 1322 above comes with 11mm dovetail mounts, and fits perfect, and doesn't get in the way of pellet loading.  Installation is EASY...  and it also comes in LEFT HAND!

The aluminum breech sells for $36.50, and is around $45 with shipping. 
https://www.bakerairguns.com/product/aluminum-anodized-black-receivers/

To make these Crossman pistols truly work good, the breech, and optic and a lighter trigger spring do wonders. 

That being said, the Chaser linked right above looks very tempting.  I know nothing about them, so cannot really comment.

Good Luck!