Beeman P5 Elite?

[EFMB 97]

I have been looking into purchasing a Beeman P5 Elite.  The pistol comes with a Simmons 2X20 scope.  This will be my initial investment in an airgun pistol.  It will be for plinking and also a gift from my kids for my 60th birthday.  Does any one own a P5 or know of it's history.  I appreciate the advice. Pyramid air has only 2 reviews.

[k9jri]

Since you did not elaborate on your intended targets it is kinda hard to respond.  However I just went through a similar air pistol search for my wife to purchase for me as a Christmas present.  We are similar in age as I am 68.

What I found was that the spring pistols, like the P5, are very difficult to shoot well without significant practice.  This seems to be especially true of you have been a long time .22R or centerfire pistol shooter.  With that said and if your intended use is hunting then the P5 should be a dandy.  If your shooting will be largely paper punching or plinking at distances of 25 yards or so then I suspect that an SSP pistol would be a far better choice.

In the Beeman line the P3 (HW40) or the P2 (HW75) are excellent choices for a very high quality and very accurate pistol without any of the spring gun quirks.  Other good choices abound as well with the Webley Alecto or the Baikal IZH 46M.  The 46M is without peer in the price range.   Even the Beeman P17 (HW45 copy) is an excellent shooter.

If Hunting, of any kind, is the objective I would go for it (P5 or even a P1) but if paper punching or informal target shooting and plinking is the goal I would not want the springer.

Hopefully this perspective helps some.  I do currently own and regularly shoot the P3, P17, IZH 46M and have an HW75 sitting under the tree from the wife.

Happy birthday to you and enjoy whatever you decide on.

Mike

[EFMB 97]

Meant to acknowledge your input earlier than this.  Thanks for the suggestions.  I appreciate your thoughts.