My Beeman P1

Image from Amazon.com
My P1 was similar but all silver colored with a walnut grip.

The Beeman P1 has been around a long time and it is highly regarded as a great gun, one of the best available. But, I made a mistake when buying my P1.  This could save you from making the same mistake.

• The P1 is a high quality all metal German air gun. 
• It's made in .177, .20, and .22 caliber.  
• It's accurate and it has a fantastic adjustable two stage trigger. 
• It has a built in rail for easy scope mounting.
• A full cocking stroke requires only around 18 pounds of force.
• The spring piston moves toward the shooter giving it a little recoil similar to a firearm.
• Broken-in-guns can push a light weight .177 pellet near 600 fps, .20 to 500, .22 to 450.
• .177 caliber guns offer a "half-cock" lower power level if desired.

I already owned a highly regarded CO2 pistol, the Crosman Mark 11. That gun is somewhat popular today even though it has long been out of production.  The Mark 11 was a real bargain at less than $50 back in those days.  It's easy to shoot, has a decent trigger, mine was super accurate... but it only pushes a .177 caliber pellet a little over 400 fps.

I wanted a more powerful air pistol for more hunting capability.  I wanted to add a scope to further increase my range and accuracy.  I wasn't expecting too much range or hunting power from an air pistol, but I wanted to see what was possible.

After reading and  researching what was available I knew I wanted a Beeman P1. The P1 was/is an expensive air gun for me; the only one I could find was almost $300 (today $500.)  The only gun available was in .22 caliber, silver finished, and not a first choice for me.

Every time I made a trip to Oklahoma City for anything I would go for another look at what was available.  I wanted a blued version and I especially wanted it in .177 caliber. When I could stand to wait no longer, I told myself the .22 would give me a bit more range and I bought that gun.

My new P1 was great, everything I'd read and expected.  Beautifully finished, easy to cock, accurate, probably the best trigger I've ever used (My TC Contender's trigger was also great, but had a different feel.)

But I bought the gun to have more hunting capability.  The .22 pellets did hit with a little more authority, but not that much.  My old Crosman Mark 11 shot the smaller .177 pellets about as fast and while not nearly as nice a gun it could do 90% of what my P1 could do.

In my opinion very few air or CO2 pistols (generally only the pre-charged guns) have enough power to offer any advantage in larger than .177 caliber.  Had I waited and found a .177 caliber Beeman P1, I believe it would have fully met my expectations.