I'd like to get an air pistol to train with in my basement at 7 yards. I know NOTHING about airguns, except that some are pumped, some cocked in one stroke and some run CO2. And that .177" is common, .22" less common, and maybe there are other calibers.
High importance:
-Decent mechanical accuracy (rifled). My goal is to improve my technique, so the gun's errors need to be well under mine. That's not a very high bar, since my best 5 shot groups with a decent iron-sight pistol are at least 4" at 25 yards. (I rarely measure them carefully, so that number is highly suspect.) Competition accuracy not required.
-Good simulation of "hot" gun shooting. (What do air-gunners call powder guns?) My goal here is to improve my loud-gun casual target shooting, not become a great airgunner. So, trigger and sights feel familiar. Replica appearance not required.
Medium importance:
-Repeat fire. I'm not totally committed to having a repeater, but all other things being equal, it would be a plus.
-Price. Inexpensive is always nice. I'd be OK with up to $200 if it's REALLY a great toy, but...I'd rather spend less.
-Convenient to mount an optical sight. It would be good to be able to separate training my iron sight work from my trigger work, but I'm not deeply devoted to the idea.
Slightly lower importance:
-In stock at the local Big5. I *like* paying state and city tax. Somebody's gotta pave the damned streets.
Wildcard: Ideally, I'd like something that is small enough for my small-for-her-age 12-year-old daughter to be able to use. Maybe lumping this in with all the above is a bad idea? The floor is open for suggestions of a separate little gun for her if that is appropriate.
Considering an air pistol (or two?)
1IMR4227: Zero to 900 in 0.001 seconds
I'm only killing paper and my self-esteem.
I'm only killing paper and my self-esteem.