Recommendations: Pellet or BB pistol for target practice

[beowulf]

I built a nice target range for handgun practice - cut into a hillside, with cables for attaching targets and distances marked. I have a 9mm and a .357 revolver. I have not used the range much but plan to use it a bit more and want my daughter to also become comfortable with handguns - she hikes the property, and I would feel better is she carried - once she learns enough to safely do so. Because ammunition can get expensive, I thought I would look into a pellet or BB pistol - one that had similar size and design to my 9mm handgun - to practice shooting - improve our skills. As I see it the choices are pellet vs BB, and C02 vs spring loading. I found some that look a lot like my 9mm. I don't want one with a really long barrel as it seems that would not be as effective to match shooting with 9mm. Just looking for suggestions and wondering if I am missing anything.

 

[Doofy]

I just bought this co2 pellet pistol to target shoot in the garage. It has 8 shot magazines. The Break-Barrel is a single shot and almost to powerful to use in the garage.

I knock down all my Amazon boxes, stack them all together and use them as targets.

 

[reb]

My experience is that pellets are more accurate. BBs tend to wander. I used a BB rifle many years ago and learned that lesson. I have a spring loaded pellet pistol that I use for target practice that works well. It is more accurate than I am.

 

[beowulf]

I just bought this co2 pellet pistol to target shoot in the garage. It has 8 shot magazines. The Break-Barrel is a single shot and almost to powerful to use in the garage.

I knock down all my Amazon boxes, stack them all together and use them as targets.

Thanks Doofy, I do not - yet - find that precise model on Amazon, but find others by same company, including this one (below) - looks interesting - and now see that there is another question I need to answer - blowback vs non-blowback - have to read more about that, and something not requiring loading one pellet or bb a time.

https://www.amazon.com/ARMYBOY-Kit-Gamo-P-430-Semi-Auto/dp/B09PKBNTCT/ref=sr_1_13?crid=1LCBLXV5JSDXZ&keywords=gamo+pt80&qid=1644878027&sprefix=gamo+pt+80%2Cspecialty-aps%2C152&sr=8-13

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Back in the 70's, I used Crossman bb's over Daisy, as Daisy were like golf balls, with flat sides. Works for golf, but wanders alot as a bb.

 

[beowulf]

Well, as I look a bit further into this, I see that some air guns (pellet pistols) cannot be shipped to California - including the one I was looking at. Apparently, they have to have a brightly colored tip and other markings - not sure yet. I will keep looking. Gotta love California.

But, also, I checked a local gun dealer's website and they show a number of pellet guns there without those markings. They are closed today but I will call them tomorrow.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Thanks Doofy, I do not - yet - find that precise model on Amazon, but find others by same company, including this one (below) - looks interesting - and now see that there is another question I need to answer - blowback vs non-blowback - have to read more about that, and something not requiring loading one pellet or bb a time.

https://www.amazon.com/ARMYBOY-Kit-Gamo-P-430-Semi-Auto/dp/B09PKBNTCT/ref=sr_1_13?crid=1LCBLXV5JSDXZ&keywords=gamo+pt80&qid=1644878027&sprefix=gamo+pt+80%2Cspecialty-aps%2C152&sr=8-13

That one looks like the ones you hear about when some young person gets shot by police or a homeowner, "He was only pointing a pellet gun at them, why did they have to shoot him."

 

[Doofy]

Thanks Doofy, I do not - yet - find that precise model on Amazon, but find others by same company, including this one (below) - looks interesting - and now see that there is another question I need to answer - blowback vs non-blowback - have to read more about that, and something not requiring loading one pellet or bb a time.

https://www.amazon.com/ARMYBOY-Kit-Gamo-P-430-Semi-Auto/dp/B09PKBNTCT/ref=sr_1_13?crid=1LCBLXV5JSDXZ&keywords=gamo+pt80&qid=1644878027&sprefix=gamo+pt+80%2Cspecialty-aps%2C152&sr=8-13

The Wife has trouble cocking a Break-Barrel and they tend to be very heavy. She also has tendon problems in her thumb so I figured co2 was the way to go. I ordered the PT80 directly from Gamo.

 

[Code54]

One thing to think of is she will not be learning to control recoil, and getting used to the actual function of the gun she may carry. Cleaning jams, etc wont be the same and could leave some training scars.

 

[Doofy]

One thing to think of is she will not be learning to control recoil, and getting used to the actual function of the gun she may carry. Cleaning jams, etc wont be the same and could leave some training scars.

Valid points. Reason for BB or Pellet is to save money on ammo. These are not to replace the real gun experience or training but to supplement and enhance the experience.