Difference Hammerli 280 vs 208

What is the difference between a HAMMERLI 280 AND 208? Which pistol is more desirable? Can you still get parts for these pistols?

The 280 is 72 more . It's a huge question. Check out pics. One is a front loader and the other loads in the grip. Many more differences.

Joel

Funny

280’s were hit and miss; mostly miss. No top level shooter ever stuck with one. I tried a new one for a while and couldn’t quite shoot it as well as other pistols. The 208/S series is one of the most desirable pistols made. Outstanding triggers and typically accurate they are hard to beat. Their downfall is parts availability since Larry Carter died. Cardinal Shooting Center should have parts available again in near future. I’ve seen many 890+ scores shot with the 208’s. If I had to own only one 22 pistol it would be a 208S. I’ve shot 890’s, 75+ yd squirrel shots, a wild turkey, rattlesnakes and a couple 22 team national championships with one.
Jon

The 208 looks just like the hammerli xesse

smsnyder wrote:The 208 looks just like the hammerli xesse

Other way around, 208 came first. I have only seen one 280 on the line, shooter was an older HM. I would imagine like any quality target .22 it would clean a 900 if you did your part. The trick is that some guns can make that easier than others. Just don't get stuck in the trap thinking you need a 208/pardini/aw93/ect. to shoot good scores.

Keep in mind a 280 is available with a 32 S&W Long so you could shoot it in center fire

I just sold my 280 5 mins ago and I am in tears!

My favorite 22s so far is the volquartsen black mamba, hammerli xesse and than the smith model 41 performance center. I love my model 41 but it has not been as reliable as the other 2 pistols. It just may need broken in. All th three pistols shot super groups I have an itchy finger to buy a pardini. Everyone at my club shoots rugers but I can say one thing about rugers they work. Lol

And now, this!

Nope never buy a tarus. Junk

How bout this. 

Ohhhhh!!! Those SSP’s are nice...German Engineering!

TonyH wrote:Ohhhhh!!! Those SSP’s are nice...German Engineering!

Heck yea!

Had a Pardini guy shoot mine a few weeks back and he walked away with a big ole grin on his face

Infinite grip adjustment and gods gift to right handed left eye shooter...

I had a 280 and loved the trigger. But parts availability and the the fact that it was made out of carbon fiber made me nervous. I ended up with a Pardini:)

You guys are killing me. lol

smsnyder wrote:You guys are killing me. lol

But Earl!

Your still typing!

I like trigger on my 280 better than the one on my 208s,  But I like prefer the feel/ergonomics/balance of the 208s.  Completely different guns.

Wow Greg, that must be some trigger. My 215s trigger is amazing and the best pistol trigger I've ever shot. The SP20 trigger was also very nice and perhaps it is the same one that the 280 uses. I have a spare grip if you need one

Joel

1joel1 wrote:Wow Greg, that must be some trigger. My 215s trigger is amazing and the best pistol trigger I've ever shot. The SP20 trigger was also very nice and perhaps it is the same one that the 280 uses. I have a spare grip if you need one

Joel

I’m not sure if it’s the 280 being so good, or perhaps the 208s not being what I like. Both the 280 and SP20 triggers feel better to me.  The 208s reminds me a bit of the Pardini trigger, also not my favorite.  Keep in mind these are relative terms, and just my personal observations.  Where I notice it best is when I take 3 guns to the range and alternate 20 rounds each for a couple hundred rounds.

I have two 280's and will never give either up.