Target spring pistol?

Hi Jean.

To the best of my knowledge, there's no spring pistols that can be dry fired. The closest thing I can think of would be the Weihrauch HW40 or the Beeman copies. They're Single Stroke Pneumatic (SSP) pistols and lend themselves quite well to general plinking and a bit of light target bothering.



My example has been modified with a stippled grip for a better hold, a removed rear sight to make the downward compression stroke gentler on the hand and the auto safety has been converted to manual. The large red dot sight sits as far forward as possible to reduce muzzle flip. It works reasonably well at 10m (I just won the club's Open Pistol competition with it) but I've never shot it at distances anywhere near 25m. The trigger has a single adjustment which, I think, is for pull weight but don't quote me on that.

It can be dry fired without harm either by fully cocking it which will blast out air or by only raising the over lever halfway which will just set the trigger for firing without compressing any air. I've got fairly big hands and the grip size is good for me.

It's a bit plastic fantastic but the materials are up to the job and it doesn't feel overly cheap or nasty. The Beeman copies come in at around half the price of the Weihrauch though. And, now I think about it, Weihrauch also make the metal HW75 which is more like an SSP version of their HW45 spring pistol. If I remember correctly, both the HW40 & 75 put out about 400fps with light (7gn) wadcutter pellets - adequate for 10m paper punching.

The spring powered HW45 is more 1911 styled and a lot more powerful which may fit the bill for shooting at range but they're very difficult pistols to shoot accurately. I'm told it can be done but don't expect an easy time of it.

Russ has an HW75 and I'm sure he'd be willing to let you shoot it and, of course, you're welcome to try my HW40. Whatever pistol you decide upon, I'd advise getting 0.177" for the flatter trajectory and entry into competitions.

With springers, if there isn't a pellet in the breach the air compressed by the moving piston escapes down the barrel too quickly and doesn't build up a cushion of air inside the cylinder. This cushion reduces the impact of the piston head against the cylinder end. Fire a cocked but unloaded springer and the piston just slams harshly at the end of its travel and leads to internal damage if repeated.

Best not to do it at all.

PCPs and SSPs can generally be dry fired without damage and some target models have a specific feature where only the trigger is set, allowing trigger training without wasting air or cocking effort.

As for animations, there must be some out there - Google is your friend.

I have been looking for further information online and agree with you: a springer is not what I want.
I am thinking of either getting a Weihrauch WH75 as their website says "Features dry firing facility" (but at 2 1/2 ft.lbs, it probably means I won't shoot it as far as 25yds or at the steel targets at Waulkmill) or go for the full monty with a PCP, pump and bottle.

Let me know the next time you intend going to Waulkmill, I'll bring along a Diana Bandit for you to try.

Mine has a regulator fitted and turned down as I use it for 6yd/10m. Without a regulator the power curve looked like an upturned ice cream cone!

Me and I could be the same person