$26 P17 vs $200 Air Venturi V 10

[buellm2]

I've only been shooting air pistols for a few years and my first air pistol purchases were a couple of P17s.   I spent a lot of time tinkering to get them to shoot fairly consistently and it was fun.  But I've had the Air Venturi  V10 for 3 days now and I'm not sure I ever want to see another P17.  The drop in my group sizes has been unbelievably stunning.    I guess the P17 may have a theoretical accuracy comparable to the V 10 but for me there is no comparison.    The superior grips, sights and trigger make a world of difference to me.   Now I'm wondering how much difference another few steps up the air pistol food chain will make.   Maybe it will return me to Olympic level shooting where I rightfully belong.  Or, maybe not. LOL.

[anti-squirrel]

Wait until you step up to an accurate PCP or a higher end springer (FWB 65 MkII) or CO2 pistol  When I bought my PP700 and shot multiple brands of pellets into the same hole at 20 yards, I realized I was just seeing the tip of the iceberg.

[Ribbonstone]

Do a lot of pistol shooting in the winter/atnight/or during storms...basicaly lazy hallway 10 meter shooting just for fun.

Power is a whole different game, or negative worth inside the house (noise, better -heavier back stop) but a considerable plus outside and at more distance.

Doesn't   seem to make a whole lot of difference when I'm sitting crossed legged in a chair and shooting off my knee. Freely admit they could all do better with a real rest and a younger set of eyes, but I still like open sights.

So you have a PCP, CO2, and a pair of SSP's....Crosman 1700,cut up CP1.,Gamo Compact,and a P17.
DSCN2329 by Robert Dean, on Flickr

* 1700 was what they made before the 1701....the shroud is my doing.*

DSCN2325 by Robert Dean, on Flickr

DSCN2322 by Robert Dean, on Flickr


Being critical about it:
Even at 10 meaters,the P17 and the Co2 CP1 (cut up into a compact pistol) can't group as well....good enough for whatever I'd be doing.

Accuracy for the money has got to go to the P17...the rear sight alone on the 1700 cost considerably more.

The better it fits your hand (like the Compact) the better I seem to do when standing.

1700 needed to be sighted in....my fault.

[Hawkeye51]

Dave

Like all aspects of @ir gunning, there is more than just a tight group to love. The individual personality of each gun along with the characteristics that make it unique, and then of course the mods that make it uniquely yours.

I bought 3 of the P17's  when they dropped to $7.50.  Now all three are modded differently. Love each one, but still wish I had a V10. Ennoy it for me.

[buellm2]

I'm not a hunter although I'll terminate garden pests as needed.   I'm also not a recreational plinker.    99% of my shooting is deliberate, focused target shooting.  All I want is a perfect score.   Airpistols are for cool weather indoor practice or when I don't feel like shooting PBs (although that's happening more and more).    The P17s were a fine introduction to air pistols for me and they were fun to fiddle with but I've certainly learned that they leave a bit to be desired for serious target practice.  The Air Venturi is better but obviously there are steps beyond the V10.   I'm just not sure how many steps I want to take at my age.

[Horatio]

I’ve always thought the Gamo Compact/V10 was a really classy looking gun.

But a bit spendy for me, because I view a pistol as something more like a 1322. A hunting tool when a rifle is to big to sneak in.

I like the V10. It’s just that my 200$ goes somewhere else before I think of it.

[Ribbonstone]

Obviously I don't need the expensive ones when all I'm trying to do it practice down the 10meter hallway and the goal is to keep the shots inside a 1/2 circle....nearly any of them can do that.

Of those 4 pistols...can promise/prove the 1700 will make smaller groups from a bench rest/scoped…..can also show that the Gamo Compact makes better groups/scores when standing off hand. (although a lot larger than bench rest).

Go figure....it's the biologic/ergonomic limit rather than the mechanical limit.