Hammerli 208

The only pistol I ever shot better than a 1911 was a Hammerli Xesse, I had one but I had bad slide I could not get sorted out so I sold it on Gun Broker. I really liked the pistol. 

There now seems to be plenty of 208s available because I think a collector that hoarded then passed away. 

I am looking for opinions do I take a chance and get another New Xesse or do I take the chance and go 208. If 208 which vintage?

The 208S is the last and most updated model, has an amazing 2 stage trigger and some other upgrades. If you can get a nice one under $2k you're doing well, they go for over $2500 often. Mags are $100 each so that can affect the pricing.

I really hate looking at what Hammerli 208s ask for in Europe:

Hämmerli 208S $400 USD

Hämmerli International Sportpistole Mod. 208 $535 USD

Krale Hammerli 208 $386 USD

All unobtainable in the US.

In fairness the Europeans would like to have a fraction of the firearms availability and freedoms we have available to us.

Xesse is no where close to being in the same league as the 208 series pistols. The quality and the finish are much better on the 208 line. Internal parts as well.
Get the 208 or 208S. You’ll never regret it.
Jon

zanemoseley wrote:In fairness the Europeans would like to have a fraction of the firearms availability and freedoms we have available to us.

I'm not sure, as they have a different view on several aspects of firearms. 

On one side I have an example of getting to work with an engineer from a European company that when he was in the US wanted to shoot an M1 Garand. In the process of making this happen I taught him how to shoot pistols and he learned quickly to be a fair shot at 25 yards using the USMC workbook. (His refrigerator is probably all covered in B-8Cs) When he went back to Europe he had to transfer to Germany. I asked some German shooters about club options in the area he was moving to and was given a list of about 16 clubs in his city offering Air Pistol, IPSC, ISSF, Rifle and Shotgun venues.

The firearms enthusiasts in Europe seem to have access to what they want to use. They may not be able to enjoy the Gun-Of-The-Month experience we have in the US but they also miss out on the NRA fear marketing. 

Having seen a British pistol competition shooter at Fort Benning World Cups maybe not everything is as we have been told,

Interesting

rich.tullo wrote:The only pistol I ever shot better than a 1911 was a Hammerli Xesse, I had one but I had bad slide I could not get sorted out so I sold it on Gun Broker. I really liked the pistol. 

There now seems to be plenty of 208s available because I think a collector that hoarded then passed away. 

I am looking for opinions do I take a chance and get another New Xesse or do I take the chance and go 208. If 208 which vintage?

The Hammerli 208 or the 208S are both fine pistols as is the 215 which is mechanically identical with a little less polish. If yo8u do get a Hammerli please git some spares while they are still available. Spare mag, recoil springs, firing pin and you should have years ad years of great shooting. Be warned use only standard velocity ammo.

Go with 208 or 208s, is the way to go.

Hi. Yes, here in Europe we watch US as the Paradise of firearms. However it is not so bad here.  We can own 15 handguns, rifles without any limits, and, obtaining a licence, as many handguns we want to collect( asking a permit to use them at the range every time).  At the contrary we have huge limits about ammos: only 200 for handguns and 1500 for rifles and shotguns.
Moreover we don't have so many open areas to shoot as in US. Except hunting, we have to shoot in ranges.  
Coming back to the question: Hammerli 208 / s is an excellent firearm, I got mine three years ago at 499 € ( around 550 $) with his case, two magazines, two weights and a S&W SAT - screwdriver- 
I always wanted one, attracted when I was young by his design. When I saw it on our GB equivalent, I jumped on it.