Pistol for training at home.

First topic message reminder :

Pardini's K10 air pistols are close to $2K and the Baikal is no longer imported:

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/IZH_46M_Match_Air_Pistol/78

What is the smart buy for target practice at home? I can set up a 10 meter lane in the garage and any suggestions are appreciated.

zanemoseley wrote:

Amati wrote:

Jwhelan939 wrote:I did the same thing and picked up an lp10 to practice during the winter months. I loved it. Would do a 60 round match every night. I really improved my ap scores. Went from a 530s average to a 560s average after a year of practice. Unfortunately, I found that it did not translate to bullseye. It helped my 22 scores, but it severally hurt my 45 scores. I basically developed a hard flinch from shooting the low recoil guns so much. I can't get to the range to shoot big bore much during the school year. I know it sounds stupid, but it was really hard to come back from.

Then why not shoot all three disciplines in .22lr? Many people do.

Shooting all 3 portions of a match in 22lr is gonna put you in a totally different class and you won't be competing against the majority of shooters at a match.

Yeah, I want to do It the way it was meant to be won. In my summer league I average 280s with 22 and 32. I am in the 250s with the 45. But I refuse to shoot the 32. I want to bring my 45 scores upto par.

I have an IZH-46M and a Daisy 747.  I love to shoot the IZH, but it’s trigger is so light it doesn’t really transfer to gunpowder pistols.  The Daisy has a 3 pound trigger, so it’s probably a better training tool.  I had a friend who is into woodworking build me box that holds a target near the front.  I have a piece of carpeting about 6” back that hangs down and stops the pellets. Quiet and fun.  I have trouble justifying the expense of PCP air guns, but they are tempting.  There’s even a 5 shot repeating biathlon rifle.
The Daisy’s are really nice if you can find one.
Jeff

As a point of reference, or IMO, I have a LP50 with the 3.5# trigger and shoot it indoors to train for Bullseye shooting.  As some others have mentioned, it is more useful for .22 than center fire (or in my case .45).  While I can't say it is harmful, shooting a .45 with the recoil, noise and (in my case) smoke is a very different experience than shooting with no recoil or need to wear ear plugs in relative comfort (e.g. no one firing a .44 magnum two feet away from your head).  Range time is a unique experience and cannot be substituted with home air pistol - at least for me.  My scores and performance are always improved when I can get ~ 50 rounds of .45 practice between each match - even if I don't feel my practice was improving or seemed beneficial. 

Trigger control is, and will likely always be, my biggest challenge and indoor air pistol helps.  But, in my experience, air pistol is an aid and not a substitute for live round shooting.  Much like live round practice is very different from shooting in a match.  I don't think buying the (relatively exorbitantly priced) LP50 was frivolous, and would do it again, but expecting anything magical to happen will result in disappointment. 

In fact, getting a small piece of PVC pipe, some rope, and 5 lb (~2kg) weight to wind up and down for forearm and deltoid exercises will yield better scores and performance.  But, that is boring, somewhat uncomfortable, cost almost nothing, and is not nearly as fun.  YMMV, IMO, etc.

Bullseye_Stan wrote:Trigger control is, and will likely always be, my biggest challenge and indoor air pistol helps.  But, in my experience, air pistol is an aid and not a substitute for live round shooting.  Much like live round practice is very different from shooting in a match.  I don't think buying the (relatively exorbitantly priced) LP50 was frivolous, and would do it again, but expecting anything magical to happen will result in disappointment. ....

Nothing works better to improve trigger control than dry firing using your match guns, because that is the trigger/grip you are using in the match.  Wear your gear when you dry fire, it helps with the training of your subconscious which is the biggest benefit when you dry fire. Double up on hearing protection (plugs & muffs) for matches, it will help with anticipation.  

I also have an LP50 with 3.5lb trigger and 1911 grips and a dot, but I use it to train for rapid fire NOT trigger control, I dry fire my match guns for that.  I also have an LP10e and shoot AP indoors at home, training and practicing with it helps with shooting iron sights, and fine motor control.

- Dave