Beeman P17-Cheap pistol with a great trigger

[stalwart]

You guys were having too much fun without me.

I needed pellets, and while at PA, I saw the 17 in stock as a kit with a dot sight for $43 ($39 gun was out of stock), and couldn't resist. With the buy 3, get 1 free deal and the pyramyd-nra code I got 4 tins of CPHP and the gun in for $79.

Thank you all for the info... great thread.

@Slavia... I would have never considered putting time into a plastic gun, until seeing how seriously you took this gun. Nice work... inspirational.

[Slavia]

I would have never considered putting time into a plastic gun

There's no limit to the depths to which one can fall.  This is the current project.  At least the P17 has metal parts inside - this one even had a plastic spring.

[stalwart]

What is that based on?

As usual for you... it's well built, unique and cost effective. Is there a build thread out there, for this? When I run into your threads, I always stop everything and read 'em.

[Slavia]

It's a Crosman 1008 (same action as the more current 1088).  It's a rotary magazine repeater, so technically it's a revolver.  It did not work spectacularly when new, and the plastic parts went downhill from there.  Parts are available, but why spend the price of a new gun for parts that will wear out again?  So, rather than scrap it the gun became a break barrel CO2 single shot pistol carbine.

The front sight is from a Slavia 631, the rear sight is Daisy, the "soda straw" barrel is Daisy, the butt pad is from a B3, and the tapered barrel shroud is from a Panasonic 10 speed bicycle.  The rest is junkbox or hardware store fare.

I like the phrase "cost effective."  Lest you think that means "cheap" (although true) I'll have you know that I paid full retail for a steel strap and some paint. 

[Bob H.]

Hey Guys,
Can I play too?  My son gave me a $50 gift certificate from PA for Father's Day.  I cashed it in a earlier this morning.  The P17 kit with 10% discount and shipping came to $49.93, I can hardly wait.  I'm hoping that it has a better trigger than my 30yr. old Daisy 717.  This will be my first experience with a red dot sight.  I really appreciate the tune up / maintenance info that you all have added to this thread.

BobH.

You guys were having too much fun without me.

I needed pellets, and while at PA, I saw the 17 in stock as a kit with a dot sight for $43 ($39 gun was out of stock), and couldn't resist. With the buy 3, get 1 free deal and the pyramyd-nra code I got 4 tins of CPHP and the gun in for $79.

Thank you all for the info... great thread.

@Slavia... I would have never considered putting time into a plastic gun, until seeing how seriously you took this gun. Nice work... inspirational.

[stalwart]

It's a Crosman 1008 (same action as the more current 1088).  It's a rotary magazine repeater, so technically it's a revolver.  It did not work spectacularly when new, and the plastic parts went downhill from there.  Parts are available, but why spend the price of a new gun for parts that will wear out again?  So, rather than scrap it the gun became a break barrel CO2 single shot pistol carbine.

The front sight is from a Slavia 631, the rear sight is Daisy, the "soda straw" barrel is Daisy, the butt pad is from a B3, and the tapered barrel shroud is from a Panasonic 10 speed bicycle.  The rest is junkbox or hardware store fare.

I like the phrase "cost effective."  Lest you think that means "cheap" (although true) I'll have you know that I paid full retail for a steel strap and some paint. 

I must admit... I'm a bit disillusioned to learn you aren't mixing your own paint. I guess I kind of assumed you were... 

Guys, if you want a good example of how build threads are supposed to look: http://www.airgunhome.com/agforum/viewtopic.php?t=9320&start=0

Hey Guys,
Can I play too?  My son gave me a $50 gift certificate from PA for Father's Day.  I cashed it in a earlier this morning.  The P17 kit with 10% discount and shipping came to $49.93, I can hardly wait.  I'm hoping that it has a better trigger than my 30yr. old Daisy 717.  This will be my first experience with a red dot sight.  I really appreciate the tune up / maintenance info that you all have added to this thread.

BobH.

You guys were having too much fun without me.

I needed pellets, and while at PA, I saw the 17 in stock as a kit with a dot sight for $43 ($39 gun was out of stock), and couldn't resist. With the buy 3, get 1 free deal and the pyramyd-nra code I got 4 tins of CPHP and the gun in for $79.

Thank you all for the info... great thread.

@Slavia... I would have never considered putting time into a plastic gun, until seeing how seriously you took this gun. Nice work... inspirational.

Oh, heck yeah!

Gonna mod it?

[Slavia]

I'm a bit disillusioned to learn you aren't mixing your own paint

I used to, but putting the cans in the dryer with the laundry (to mix) has its risks.  And there are just some pigments that don't want to wash out of the blender.

[Slavia]

But back to the P17 - modded or not, it's a fun gun.  Way better than it has a right to be for the price.  I shot mine "stock" for about 6 months before my Dremel started dropping hints.  It was great that way, too.

[stalwart]

I'm a bit disillusioned to learn you aren't mixing your own paint

I used to, but putting the cans in the dryer with the laundry (to mix) has its risks.  And there are just some pigments that don't want to wash out of the blender.

OK... that makes sense. Wives can be funny about this stuff... they want the things they cook to be the same color every time. 

But back to the P17 - modded or not, it's a fun gun.  Way better than it has a right to be for the price.  I shot mine "stock" for about 6 months before my Dremel started dropping hints.  It was great that way, too.

I'm looking forward to seeing what it can do out of the box. I can shoot @5 yards from my desk, to enjoy it while it breaks in and it will remain stock until I am waiting on parts for other stuff.

It will be in Thursday. 

[stalwart]

Well, guys... you were dead right about this. It came a day early, was properly lubed in the box... and hits.

"Group" of 3 was shot @5 yards at upper left target with the red dot sight (unadjusted), then it was pulled off. The set of 4 was sighting in the open sights, and the 2 in 1 hole was my first try (one handed, in my 'chair).

The bore is as nice as I have seen in anything new, short of my German R10. Easy cocking is, as mentioned, simply a matter of technique. The sights are effective, and precisely adjustable.

A superb design, executed well enough to keep me interested. I will also be making gifts of these... it's a great way to get new gunners into the sport, and this rig can keep them shooting.

Back to chewing cardboard... Thanks, guys!

[Bob H.]

Tell me more!  Mine should be delivered Thursday.  Just like a kid, I can hardly wait!  Did you do the inspection, deburring, and lube prior to shooting?  How good is the trigger?  Ah, Christmas in June, it's going to be my sixth Christmas since my birthday in January.

BobH.

Well, guys... you were dead right about this. It came a day early, was properly lubed in the box... and hits.

"Group" of 3 was shot @5 yards at upper left target with the red dot sight (unadjusted), then it was pulled off. The set of 4 was sighting in the open sights, and the 2 in 1 hole was my first try (one handed, in my 'chair).

The bore is as nice as I have seen in anything new, short of my German R10. Easy cocking is, as mentioned, simply a matter of technique. The sights are effective, and precisely adjustable.

A superb design, executed well enough to keep me interested. I will also be making gifts of these... it's a great way to get new gunners into the sport, and this rig can keep them shooting.

Back to chewing cardboard... Thanks, guys!

[stalwart]

Let's see... the trigger can be adjusted to take out the 1st stage, I left a mm or so. It has a lot of creep, I'll deal with that soon... It's a great base for tuning.

There are no rattles, even when shaking it. That, and the heft make for a very quality feel. Once that dot sight is removed it's very easy to both forget the price, and to understand why folks love the P3 at 6x that.

I'm amazed. We were told that this is the best deal going... and I now believe that to be true. If there is a better value out there... I'd sure like to know.

I did not pull it down, which is odd for me. I did open it very carefully to see if the ring would try to catch (have more coming)... it didn't. I smeared a touch of grease on the breech seal, and started shooting. All the pivots and the piston had a good (but not excessive) coating, as supplied. I can't recommend passing on the pre-shoot inspection/lube, but decided to risk it.

I have some &^^& .177 Daisy pellets to use up, and will run some through to break it all in before I chrony it, and BR for groups. Time permitting, I'll have #s to post soon.

I'll be very surprised if you don't love this thing, Bob. I know my friends will. It will get mods, but not until other rigs are up, or waiting for parts. There is no hurry here.

[mrb02334]

Several months back I bought two P-17's, I got them with red dot sites. When I got them I cleaned the barrel, turned on the red dot , looked at it, then took it off and shot with the open sites. Than I installed a 2X pistol scope. Bench rested this pistol will give 1 hole groups all day long. I also discovered that they are not pellet fussy, mine will shoot cheap Daisy's as good as expensive German brands. I just bought 2 more as gifts. By the way Big supply Shop has them for under $30.00 with the red dot or $5.00 less without. This is a have to own pistol.
Just my experience,
Jon

[stalwart]

Thanks for the heads up, Jon.

Just ordered 2 more from Big Supply. +UPS ground... $67.19

Santa is stockin' up.

[stalwart]

Ran a bunch of the Daisys through it last night, and chronied it this morning with Crosman 9.25 gr wadcutters (copperheads). Low: 388fps... High: 391fps. This helps explain the accuracy... real consistency.

The piston is now covered with a black film. The parts are wearing in nicely, and there have been no malfunctions. I'll tear it down, and clean it soon.

I cocked it before bed, and there was no loss of pressure this morning. It will stay ready, if needed.

I'm going to have to buy more by Christmas. I want to mod the heck out of one... and I want one to leave stock. My sweetie gets the other.

Bottom line: For the price... A+. At 3x the price... a solid A. It's true, these are a "must have" gun.

[Bob H.]

Well, I'm setting here, waiting on the delivery truck.  Today is the day the P17 SHOULD arrive, it may be a long day.  Let see, I have pellets, oil for the seal, lithium grease for the piston. and 600 grit wet or dry paper for the burrs, and by bifocals.

BobH.

[stalwart]

Can't wait to "see" the grins that thing gives you, Bob!

I know the feeling, and I'm often amazed at the fact that AGs (with this place thrown in) can cause it. Pretty jaded old phart here... nice to know that that little boy with the new BB gun is alive and well in me, and so many here. I can only imagine what an organized shoot would be like with you fellas...

 

[stalwart]

First mod... lol.

The sharp edges and corners of the R sight started to irritate the web of my hand, so I rounded them off by scraping them, and touching them up with Scotch pad. Did as Slavia suggested, and took the edge off of the dovetail... it's too sharp even when not used, and gets dinged at the edge.

Frankly, it's all the thing needs to be comfy. Still amazed... and still shooting the heck out of it.

[45Man]

Just got this a couple days ago. Love the trigger! Wish I could copy it and put it my other guns. It also has some nice fiber optic sights. Can't go wrong at $40. I am getting used to the single stroke. It's all in technique.

Got mine 10 mo ago.  No F.O. sites.  Had to rebuild it after 500 rounds.  More info in these threads.
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=43321.0
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=31037.20

New Pyramid Gun Mall Vol.3 has pic on p.41
Says pretty much what I was going to say, i.e., exactly the same design as the Beeman P3 (made in Germany) which is $240.

[TleVta]

 took the edge off of the dovetail... it's too sharp even when not used, and gets dinged at the edge.

Frankly, it's all the thing needs to be comfy. Still amazed... and still shooting the heck out of it.

What are you using on the dovetail--sandpaper?

I'm really enjoying this gun. I might scope it some time later, but it's already fun just shooting it.