Entry level target pump pistol? (sub-$300)

[OahuDave]

Thank you very much for all that info! I bought the Explorer and 2100 and Benjamin Nitro GP at the Mart a few weeks ago. I just picked what I thought would be ok to teach my son some basics. They are nothing thrilling, but work ok for now. Now that he knows safety and all I want to try the pistols so he can start working on pistol basics and accuracy. Unfortunately the 2240 and 2300S are backordered, UGH! So only the 1377, stock and Tasco red dot are on the way. Oh well. Most sites I check say the 2300S is not out until November 20th or so. Is it a new gun? Or just so darn popular? I am off island next week anyways so at least those two won't be sitting here taunting me from afar.

Thanks again for the info! I could almost swear I saw the 1377 at the Mart when I got the rifles, but was not interested in pistols so I did not look closely.

So hard to finally make a decision. I liked so much about a lot of the other non-Crosman pistols too, but there are some awesome forums out there so I figured I would get all Crosman and mod from there.

Thanks!
Dave

[dpricenator]

All three of those guns are highly modifiable.  and from what it sounds like, the work is easy once you buy the parts.  New breech bolt and valve and trigger kit are in the mail to me for my 2240.  crazy to thing a $50 gun can use $200 in upgrades, and can go higher the further down the rabbit hole you go.

[OahuDave]

All three of those guns are highly modifiable.  and from what it sounds like, the work is easy once you buy the parts.  New breech bolt and valve and trigger kit are in the mail to me for my 2240.  crazy to thing a $50 gun can use $200 in upgrades, and can go higher the further down the rabbit hole you go.

Yeah no doubt. I saw the 1377 many times and liked it, but was like..."It's a $50 pistol" how good can it be. Now I know. I am going to have my son use the 1377 and 2240 for now. See what he likes. Then once he is comfortable start the mods.

Off to start construction on my indoor backstop. We shot at some army guys yesterday but the little pellet trap just does not cut it. Need room for cans or other items that are more interesting than targets. I spent hours cutting cans apart when I was a kid. Heck I feel like a kid again every time I pump up the gun now. Good times.

Dave

[pcp4me]

Dang! Way to late to keep this gentleman from making some serious mistakes! But for those you who may land here later with the same question, read this!

The 1377 is NOT even close to a 10 meter accurate pistol, nor suitable for an 8 year old! It is at BEST a plinking pistol for older teens or adults!! Shame on all you bozos who recommended it!

And while some did mention fairly good alternatives such as the 717, 747, and Gamo compact, these are IMHO too expensive for a kid to use to determine if he likes 10 m shooting and wants to continue.

Also mentioned were some pricy dogs, such as the 2300 T and 2300 S. I have owned both. Neither is even close to 10 M target quality. The trigger is not up to it, nor is the accuracy! Do your self a favor and stay away from them unless you just love owning pricy dogs!

What every one missed and what would have been the BEST recommendation is a Beeman P17!! This gun is as CLOSE to 10 M accuracy as you will get this side of $150 or even more mark. I have a MATCH grade Diana 6 M with adjustable wood target grips. Off a bench rest it will slightly out shoot the P17 for groups. BUT, OFFHAND, the P17 in my  hands shoots rings around the 6M!!! And WAY shoots rings around all the 1377's I have owned, and I have owned multiple 1377's and P17's! I no longer own any 1377's! I still own one P17, and it is my favorite "go to gun" for 10 m practice or plinking!

And a leap above the P17 price wise, but excellent choice is the Beeman P3! A way upscale P17!

Till I get up into the stratosphere with the Pardini's, FWB, and Moroni target pistols, I simply cannot do better than the P17 for a starter or a 747 as an intermediate. For an 8 year old, if he likes the P17 and does well with it, I would then probably move up to the 747. The 747 is a great gun for adults also and is a far better choice than any of the other guns mentioned. I have shot em all. I would recommend only 3. The P17 as a starter, and the P3 or 747 as intermediates. And the 747 gets my approval, only because the P3 is just a higher quality P17 capable of only a bit more accuracy. The 747 has the size, heft, and feel of a "true target pistol". IF you can find a 777 with true adjustable wood target grips, jump on it!!!

There you go! I have owned over 7 P17's, keep selling them as I keep thinking I can do better with something more pricy, and keep coming back to them after selling the more pricy stuff!!

I have a feeling most people recommend what they have, and have not shot most of the alternatives. Folks, that is simply not fair to the readers!!!

[jdub]

Avanti 717/747 and some RB grips.   Mine's almost 30 years old and still extremely accurate.   More accurate than my 1322, 1377, and at least equal to my 2300S. 

(edited 1/9/17 to remove broken links)

If my budget was $300 I'd save a bit longer and get a used IZH-46M.   Mine is vastly superior to my guns mentioned above.   

[GungaDin]

He said 10M was the MAX distance he could shoot from, not that he HAD to shoot from that distance. My own advice would be to start his son out at 5M.

At that distance any of the guns mentioned will shoot better than his 8 year old son can. This is NOT disparaging the kid, I'd say EXACTLY the same thing for any adult beginner pistol shooter. While maybe not Olympic quality I got a dime sized group at 5m(3 pumps/shot), and at 10 pumps reliably hit a tin can MUCH further (don't know the distance but the can looked to be about an inch high.) with my 1377 with stock trigger. This while consistently MISSING said can with a scoped air rifle. Nothing wrong with the rifle but I did a lot of shooting with the 1377 and it showed.

I read most P17's need some sort of rebuild right out of the box. If you are good at that go for it, it's a $40 dollar gun, nothing to lose. Me, I want something that works out of the box, and my 1377 did that, as did my browning buckmark. The buckmark is light weight and very easy to cock, it also shoots well at 5M. I can't speak for 10M, because where I am I can't shoot from that distance, but everything you bought should work great for 5M.
I had a gamo compact; I thought those got discontinued? It got lost during a move. It had a better trigger than what I'm shooting now but I'm not crying over it. I don't think I've maxed out the potential of the Buckmark or the 1377 yet.