Nicepix 5,650 Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 (edited) I needed an air pistol to carry around in the van to dispatch rats caught in live trap cages. Sometimes the rats are reluctant to go into the trap boxes, but for whatever reason they are less wary of the wire cage traps. Once in they need killing and an a full sized air rifle is too big to wield. And of course I wanted something to plink with too I looked around on the Free-ads sites and ended up with a vintage HW70, probably about 40 years old, complete with Bakelite handle and iron sights, but as tight as a duck's arris and it came from a shooting enthusiast. Picked it up yesterday evening and put about fifty pellets through it last night. Feck me, the target looked like a shotgun pattern plate. On skeet choke! I've never had an air pistol before and the last time I used iron sights was about 1970 What a learning curve! I put another 40 or so this afternoon and reduced the grouping considerably just by relaxing my grip. I'd been holding the gun like it was my last tenner. Then it improved a tad more by changing the target colour from black to red as it showed up better against the black iron sights. Been out again this evening and concentrated on relaxing my hold. I'd get three out of five in a small group. Nowhere near the bull, but I'll leave adjusting the sights for when I've managed at least ten shots in the same general area. Any tips would be welcomed Edited June 12, 2016 by Nicepix 2 Quote Link to post
random 659 Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Luckily you don't need to be a marksman to despatch rats! Never really been a pistol fan myself but for garden targets I'm liking the thought more than I did,something for me and the kids to do,i don't have many tips really but am curious,are you shooting side on to the target one handed or square on two hand American cop on gun range style 3 Quote Link to post
forest of dean redneck 12,023 Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Hold it by the barrel and club them to death with it,sorry couldn't resist,lol 5 Quote Link to post
random 659 Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Oh and nice little gun there,would like something like that if I went for one... Quote Link to post
tomburras 2,730 Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 cant help with the sights but got to say thats a lovely old pistol. Quote Link to post
Underdog 2,337 Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Hold it loose. Don't fight to keep the sights on target, let it float around while you gently squeeze. Use the sights so you can sit your target on too of them. So you can see the whole target. U. 1 Quote Link to post
Nicepix 5,650 Posted June 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 Luckily you don't need to be a marksman to despatch rats! Never really been a pistol fan myself but for garden targets I'm liking the thought more than I did,something for me and the kids to do,i don't have many tips really but am curious,are you shooting side on to the target one handed or square on two hand American cop on gun range style I'm shooting one handed. Initially I tried the two handed approach, but as Underdog has suggested it is better held loosely. And, holding it one handed means the pistol is held slightly further away and I can see the rear sight better. When it is held two handed my eyes can't properly focus on it. Quote Link to post
Underdog 2,337 Posted June 13, 2016 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 I am long sighted too. I had to sell my 94 because of it ?. I never handled a HW70 but on all open sights they need day light either side of the front sight in the rears notch. Kind of don't need the rear in focus then! A blurred front and your knackered without glasses? U. 1 Quote Link to post
Coypu Hunter 486 Posted June 13, 2016 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 I use one of these for the same application. No recoil. One-inch groups at 15 yards with a red-dot, bench-rested. 60- shots from a CO2 bulb. http://www.armurerie-auxerre.com/crosman-vigilante-revolver-4-5-mm.html Quote Link to post
random 659 Posted June 13, 2016 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 For one handed I think my tips are stand with your feet shoulder width apart,as said hold loosely,and get your other hand on your hip or down by your side,i think as with any shooting be consistent... Might look into getting a pistol now 1 Quote Link to post
random 659 Posted June 13, 2016 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 (edited) Found this might be worth a look,quite a bit of info and at the top level... https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.issf-sports.org/theissf/academy/e_learning/pistol.ashx&ved=0ahUKEwjDjOur6qTNAhULCcAKHSyZCUwQFghRMA0&usg=AFQjCNH0haTOMk5Wi9rF_XGjawndHd1SEQ&sig2=aEYy5KKicEypZjJ9QJeQdg Edited June 13, 2016 by random Quote Link to post
Nicepix 5,650 Posted June 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 I managed a few shots this morning before going out on mole patrol. Five shots, left handed, 8 metres........ The lower shot was the last one of the five and spoiled the grouping. Then I moved back to 10 metres and fired another five at the same target. All over the place so I must have been doing something different that time. Coypu Hunter; I have had a few CO2 rifles in the past: 1077, QS78 & QS79 and I've given them a good try, but they don't suit me or what I want to use the gun for. Thanks to all for the advice so far. 1 Quote Link to post
Coypu Hunter 486 Posted June 13, 2016 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 Coypu Hunter; I have had a few CO2 rifles in the past: 1077, QS78 & QS79 and I've given them a good try, but they don't suit me or what I want to use the gun for. I use mine for shooting rats in cage traps, which is why I mentioned it... Quote Link to post
random 659 Posted June 13, 2016 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 Found this and thought it may help?? Really am finding this interesting... 3 Quote Link to post
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