basement pistol and ranges start

[badgerben]

I'm looking to set up a range in my basement to practice my shooting on these cold winter days. I'm new to airguns I had a crossman 880 when I was yonger but it was stolen(long story). I would like to get a pistol because my shooting needs alot of work. I read in the shotgun news about air guns and it sounds like alot of fun( if not addicting ) so any insight into guns targets traps ect. would be great. For obvious reasons I don't want to go spend alot of money but i don't want a gun that I will outgrow too fast also.  Thanks in advance for all your insight  Ben  

[Steve Pennington]

Several of us get together during the winter to shoot in my friends basement.  We hunt with handguns so we shoot air pistols.  Our range is 30 ft and use a wood frame with carpet behind it ( backstop).  To make it fun we ordered ISMA air pistol shilouttes.  The best pistol for the price, that we have found is the Crossman pump up models, around $50.00.  The model numbers are .177 , 1377 and .22, 1322.  Great fun with a group and good practice.  The chickens are very challenging open sighted at this distance.  Good Luck and good shooting.

[Dand]

I use a Beeman R7 with aperture sights in both the basement (5-6m) and garage 8-9 meters.  The R7 shoots about 600-700 fps.  I use a  12hx14wx16 card board box filled with magazines or newspaper and old cardboard as a back stop.  I reinforce the box face with duct tape  as it gets shot up.  Shooting into the magazines can be messy - you get a lot of little paper shreds - otherwise it is cheap and works well.  I shoot at various paper airgun targets.  

I have begun to use some heavy burlap coffee bags (100lb size) as filler in the box.  They seem better - less mess. And still free and quiet.

Since I have kids around I avoid the metal target stops. They cause the pellets to splatter and spread fine lead dust around. I think the two types I list above are safer and cheaper.

Many shooters like to use a large metal baking pan - 9x13 or so filled with 2-3 inches of duct seal. Its quiet but you have to buy the duct seal.

I picked the R7 as it is known for accuracy and for being very quiet. I am really enjoying the shooting - wish I could get a little more distance but with iron sights, I'm still challenged. I do all shooting offhand.

[22MK1]

I'm looking to set up a range in my basement to practice my shooting on these cold winter days. I'm new to airguns I had a crossman 880 when I was yonger but it was stolen(long story). I would like to get a pistol because my shooting needs alot of work. I read in the shotgun news about air guns and it sounds like alot of fun( if not addicting ) so any insight into guns targets traps ect. would be great. For obvious reasons I don't want to go spend alot of money but i don't want a gun that I will outgrow too fast also.  Thanks in advance for all your insight  Ben  

  For basement shooting at targets, you probably won't find a more accurate gun for twice the price than the Daisy/Avanti 747. People have been modifying them and they are a top entry level gun for IMHSA airgun shooting.  I have a 777(no longer made) and it still amazes me with it's accuracy as well as it's rifle cousin the 753.
http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/f33b5a38/bc/BRNO+Mod+4/Daisy+777+manual+box+all+accessories.jpg?bcGlyZ.ANDGY72Nn">

http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/f33b5a38/bc/Airguns/853+USSF++CR+MK1+CR+600.jpg?bcGlyZ.AUKK9tDw9">

The 853 is cheaper and you could't do much better for a rifle pistol basement combo than a 747 and 853 for the money..
http://www.pilkguns.com/d747.jpg">
http://www.pilkguns.com/d747.htm
http://www.pilkguns.com/daisy.htm

  Another that isn't a bad choice is the Beman P-3 which is also a single pump pneumatic which has very velocity consistant shot to shot. It is under $150.  It is more like a powder burner in feel.  I've never owned one but have shot a friend's and while it doesn't hole a candle to my 777, it's a gun you won't outgrow very quickly.
  Here's a link to the IMHSA group on Yahoo in a thread comparing it an the 747:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ihmsaair/message/955
http://www.citlink.net/~schatler/p3.jpg">
Review of P-3
http://www.citlink.net/~schatler/at2.htm

  "For a few dollars more"(like 100), there's the IHS 46 and 46M which is also a single stroke pneumatic.
http://www.pilkguns.com/izhs.jpg">
http://www.pilkguns.com/izh46.htm

[ZVP]

Internationally, the preferred indoor range distance is 6m, though in some areas they prefer to add an additional 39inches to that.
 Personally, all I have room for is 5 and 6M in the garage.
 The ideal would be a 10m/33 ft distance if you have the room.
 This way formal accuracy testing can be done, and it gives you the additional option of using the NRA 25 ft range also.
 In the Garage, I use a 24"x24"  L shaped aluimium diamomd plate Backstop a caboard filled box with sheets of cardboard inside. the rifles such as a fully charged Benjamin 392 will  often have it's pellet contained inside the cardboard box, and if it does go through, safellyshatter a pellet against that backstop plate.
 Outdoors on my 10m range I use a similar backstop with1/18" plywood sides (to contain a side richoet). I have lined my backyard fence behind that, with a  fullsheet of 1 1/8" T&G plywood, just in case of a stray...
 Urban "Home" shooting is self regulated to the guns power, discharge note, and good common sense!
 HTH,
 ZVP

[Chris]

badgerben:

I bought an IZH-46M about six months ago, mounted a 4x scope on it and I've got to tell you...shooting shilouettes in the garage is a blast!  My Izzy will put 'em in the same hole time after time if this operator could hold the pistol on target.

I wanted something to mess around with on cold winter days too...and now I am addicted.  Try to hit a chicken, that is 1/2" tall, standing flat-footed, at a distance of 10m...it's as frustrating as it is fun.

BTW, I bought one of those Crossman steel pellet traps...that's all you really need.  BUT, make sure you have a nice soft backstop to catch the flyer...because sooner or later, it's going to happen.

Whatever you choose...I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun.

Be Safe!

...Chris