Webley Alecto Ultra

Webley is one of the few companies that had a long history of producing both firearms and airguns. They discontinued the production of firearms in 1979, to focus only on airguns, which currently seem to be produced mainly in Turkey. The Alecto is a recent multi-pump pneumatic model, introduced in 2009, that comes in either .177 or .22 caliber and also provides a choice between the standard model and the Ultra model, which has a 3 inch longer barrel. The Ultra version confers slightly more velocity to pellets, but other than that, there are no significant build/operation differences between the two variants.

Operation

The operation of the Alecto is typical of top lever pneumatic guns like the Beeman P3. There are two metallic locks at the rear of the gun that release the top when they are pulled up. You then extend the top to about 120 degrees (not almost 180, as with the Beeman). You can pump the Alecto up to 3 times and you need to load a pellet into the breech before the last pump. If you only want to pump once, you should load the pellet and close the top, otherwise, just close the top and repeat the process while making sure that you remember to load a pellet before the last pump. Loading a pellet is much easier than on the Beeman because there is more space around the breech. Pumping is amazing - this is the smoothest pumping action that I have seen so far. One pump is really easy, two pumps still feel easy, and only at the third pump I felt that I approached the effort required for pumping the P3 once. Considering that the Webley puts out more power than the Beeman, this is remarkable.

There are two aspects that make the Alecto much nicer to pump:

1. it is a large gun, so you can get more torque on the top lever operation
2. the force required to close the lever peaks at around 45 degrees, very much unlike the behavior of the P3 pump, which peaks at around 10 degrees

The engineering of this pump is remarkable and just by itself justifies the price of the gun, but there is more on offer here!

I have seen several users complaining about the effort needed to do the third pump. I found it to be acceptable, especially when considering that you don't need to pump the Alecto thrice and that the effort when choosing to do so is comparable to pumping the Beeman P3 once, when you don't even have a choice. That being said, I usually pump this gun only once as it provides enough power for target shooting. This is actually the main reason why I picked the Ultra version - to have good enough power on a single pump.

The pumping of the gun automatically engages the safety - a blade that covers the front of the trigger and also blocks its operation. Once the guns is pumped and loaded, this blade can be pushed out of the way and the gun becomes ready to fire. The trigger is very light at default settings, so be careful with it.

Package and build

The Webley Alecto comes in the nicest package I have seen so far (which perhaps is not surprising, given that this is also the most expensive airgun that I reviewed so far). For one thing, the Alecto comes in a nice solid case that is a far cry from the flimsy Umarex cases. This case is above the quality of Plano cases - it feels very sturdy and rigid, and locks tight. There is just a small opening under the handle, in an area where you can add a padlock, but otherwise, the case closes very tight. The inside has a cutout for seating the gun, a bore brush, an oil bottle, and a pellet tin case - the brush, oil bottle, and a Torx key are included. There is also a manual and a test page showing the results of factory testing, which include a photocopy of a target showing 4 shots and other test data - this is quite nice and adds to the professional feeling of the package.

The Alecto is a big gun - its size was actually one of the things that made me delay the decision of purchasing it, but I shouldn't have worried: while the gun is large, it also handles beautifully. The core mechanisms are all metal, with the exterior being built from high quality plastic. If the gun would have been all metal, it would have been a chore to hold it, but the plastic allows it to be very light for its size, without sacrificing robustness. The grip is molded, so you need to make sure that you pick the right version for you - this is the first gun I review that does not have an ambidextrous grip. Build quality is top notch here - I can find no fault.

Adjustable settings

This is an area where the Alecto excels and can make much more expensive guns feel like amateur offerings. All essential features are configurable:

The front sight can be pushed in and rotated to expose a second shorter blade, to be used for 25m target shooting (assuming that the default longer one was calibrated for 10m target shooting). This is a very nice feature and I know of no other airgun currently being produced that offers it.

The rear sight can be adjusted for elevation and windage via two standard flat screws.

All aspects of the trigger functionality can be adjusted using the included Torx key. You can cant the trigger left or right, so a finger can pull it more comfortably. You can move the trigger forward or backward; you can change the length of its pull; you can adjust the strength of the trigger spring. You cannot ask for more customization than what is being offered here. I tweaked all these settings and in particular I strengthened the trigger spring, so that it would oppose a bit more resistance - I prefer this because it gives me a chance to tighten and stabilize my grip before firing.

Finally, the grip can be adjusted as well - there is a frame on one side of the grip (right side for the right handed grip, left side otherwise) that can be adjusted so it fits your hand - you can tilt this frame and you can raise it or lower it, so it provides a comfortable rest for the base of your hand.

All these configuration settings make another great reason to like the Alecto - they really allow you to tweak an already comfortable airgun into one that fits your hand like a glove.

Performance

The Alecto is a winner in this area too. Pumping it is very easy, so you do not feel exhausted by the process; holding it and operating it is comfortable because of its light build, contoured grip, and all the customizations you can make; the iron sights are very crisp; the trigger operation is smooth - the result is that the Alecto can be fired very accurately. This is one of the top airguns that I used so far and will be the yardstick by which I judge others. I could shoot this all day and everytime I use it I am impressed by the quality of its engineering.

I almost forgot - with one pump, the Alecto Ultra is also very silent - I suspect that the longer barrel also helps with this, as it allows the compressed air to dissipate its energy more before it gets out.

Conclusion

The Webley Alecto is an exceptional airgun, worth every penny. Its top-notch engineering, excellent build, and superb performance make it an easy recommendation if you are looking for a target shooting pistol.

Beeman P3

After reviewing the Beeman P17, which is an inexpensive clone of the Beeman P3, I finally decided that I should get the original airgun made in Germany by Weihrauch. The P17 performed superbly, but its pump failed after less than 100 shots - it served a role, however, as an inexpensive way of getting acquainted with the P3, which I might not have tried otherwise.

I recommend reading the P17 review first, as I will mainly go over the differences between the P3 and P17 in this one.

Operation

The P3 operates identically with the P17 - it is a single pump pneumatic gun. Notably, the force required for pumping them is the same - the P3 does not have a more efficient pump - just, hopefully, a better built one.

One thing that I omitted mentioning in the P17 review is a warning for when opening the top lever: you need to hold it firmly until you hear air hissing into the pump, otherwise it will snap back, so avoid releasing it early.

Package and build

The P3 came in a large generic Beeman cardboard box. The airgun was seated in a cutout that was made for a gun with a longer barrel. Beeman appears to have forgot to pack in the manual, so the only thing I got was the gun. Pretty spartan for the price.

The P3, like the P17, is built from a combination of plastic and metal, except the plastic and especially the metal appear to be of better quality. The plastic is a darker black and might have a smoother finish if memory doesn't play tricks on me (as I returned the P17 due to its failure, I can no longer compare them side by side). The pump and the top release lock of the P3 look as if they are made of steel, whereas I remember those in the P17 as being made of some kind of lower quality alloy. The trigger of the P3 also feels nicer. In terms of overall handling, the differences are not significant, but I hope that the higher quality materials of the P3 will ensure a much longer life.

The most notable difference is that the P3 features fiber optic front and rear sights. Intriguingly, some of the online images of the P3 do not show the rear fiber optic sights - maybe these are an addition in more recent production units. They are a nice touch.

An important feature of the P3/P17 is that they are very compact pneumatic airguns that are styled to look as firearms. Thus, they are very different from guns like the Crosman 1377C or the Daisy Avanti models.

Adjustable settings

Like on the P17, the rear sights can be adjusted precisely for elevation and windage, through the use of two flat screws.

Performance

The fiber optic sights are a nice bonus over the already excellent sights of the P17. And the P3 trigger feels smoother than the P17 counterpart. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the P3 is as great a performer as the P17. Its comfortable shape, size, and weight, combined with the light, smooth trigger, make it very easy to shoot accurately. This is one of the nicest air pistols I own and its only drawback is the effort required of pumping it, which prevents me from using it for extended periods of time.

In terms of noise, the P3 is about as noisy as a CO2 gun. The P17 might have been a bit less loud, but I cannot remember exactly.

Conclusion

The Beeman P3 is an excellent target pistol that is very fun to shoot until you get tired of pumping it. Its price is its main drawback and I understand why the owners of Beeman concocted the P17 as a less expensive version. However, the P17 seems to have a very limited lifespan, so it only works as an advertisement for what the P3 can offer. If you are looking for an accurate pneumatic airgun that is also compact and styled as a firearm, then the P3 is the least expensive offer currently on the market.

Beeman P17

Beeman Precision Airguns had a close partnership with German airgun manufacturer Weihrauch. BPA have initially imported Weihrauch airguns to the US and then they partnered with Weihrauch to develop a number of airguns that got marketed under both the Beeman and Weihrauch brands. Thus, the spring piston Beeman P1 corresponds to the Weihrauch HW45, the pneumatic Beeman P2 to the Weihrauch HW75, and the pneumatic Beeman P3 to the Weihrauch HW40. At this point, you might wonder what all of this has got to do with the Beeman P17 - well, this is the interesting part: after BPA got acquired by S/R Industries, this model seems to have appeared as a less expensive clone of the Beeman P3 that is manufactured in China. The P3 is a plastic pneumatic top lever airgun that is manufactured in Germany by Weihrauch. The P17 is the same design, but is much less expensive because of its place of manufacture. At a 5th of the price of the Weihrauch 40, the P17 sounds too good to be true - is it really so? Read on for the details.

Operation

Being a single shot, pneumatic pistol, the P17 is very simple to operate. Cocking the gun releases the top part, which includes the barrel, and exposes the pump mechanism. The top part needs to be pulled forward -  there is no pumping during this move, so this is an easy motion. Once the lever is extended, you need to load a pellet in the breech of the barrel - this is the finicky part, because there is just enough space for adult fingers to do the operation. Make sure that the skirt of the pellet is flush with the breech, otherwise it will damage the seal around the pump opening. Now comes the physically demanding part - you need to push back the top part and close it - this move gets gradually harder as you get closer to the end and it will take a noticeable effort to close it. It feels ok a few time, but do it twenty times or more and it will start wearing you off.

Closing the lever also engages the pistol's safety, which is a lever above the trigger, on the left side. This needs to be pushed away from the grip before firing. If you are right handed, you can conveniently do this with the thumb.

Package and build

Like all inexpensive airguns, the Beeman P17 comes in a plastic package that you can throw away. I actually got the version that came with a red dot sight, which I found to be useless for target shooting. I imagine it helps with situations where you want to aim fast, but it didn't look like it would help with precision shooting because of parallax issues.

The pistol is very nicely built. It is mostly made of plastic, but it has a very nice feel to it - it reminds me of the Walther PPQ both in terms of feel and in terms of stylistic touches - the grip and trigger guard in particular seem to take a clue from the Walther pistols. Note that the internals of the P17 are all metal - that includes the trigger, the hammer, and the safety lever.

For a top-lever pistol, the P17 is very compact and it is also very light.

One nice touch that the P17 includes is a builtin compensator. I have no idea how effective it is, but it looks nice.

Adjustable settings

The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation and the adjustment mechanism works great, allowing precision changes.

Performance

The P17 impressed me with its accuracy and handling. It was one of the most accurate pistols I used so far. I say "was" because after less than 100 shots the pump failed and I was left with a piece of junk - fortunately, this happened during the period within which I could still return it, which I promptly did. I would have got a replacement but I have seen multiple reviews describing pump failures for this model, so I decided not to risk again. I actually read those reviews before ordering the P17, but I wanted to see for myself, so I did.

It might help to describe the pump failure in more detail. It happened as I was reloading the pistol, in the middle of a shooting session. I had fired it a few times and then the pump just failed as I was closing the lever for another shot. By failed, I mean that I heard a sudden hiss of air and the lever closed instantly with no effort. Further attempts to pump it led to similar results - I would get resistance when closing the lever up to about 40 degrees and then suddenly the air would gush out and the lever would snap closed with no resistance. I suspect that the head of the pump just started giving way under pressure - it would work up to a point, but then it would just fail and let the air out.

Leaving aside this unfortunate pump failure for the P17, my experience with this pistol design was very positive. Because of its shape and weight, it was a pleasure to use. The only downside was the force required for pumping it. Accuracy was excellent, the trigger was light and crisp, and power was sufficient to cut clean round holes in targets - all of these made the Beeman P17 a very nice pistol for target shooting.

Conclusion

I cannot recommend the Beeman P17 model - unfortunately, it looks like the attempt to provide an inexpensive version of the P3 has compromised the robustness of the pump and through that it compromised the entire product (yes, it was too good to be true). However, while it worked, the P17 worked very well and this makes me think that the Beeman P3 would make a very fine airgun.

So this is an unusual review, because I started by reviewing one product, only to recommend another, more expensive, one. Take it as more of an indirect review of the design of the Beeman P3.

Crosman 1377C American Classic

Sometimes, I just want to practice a few shots and be done with it. With the Beretta 92FS I have to go through many targets to exhaust a CO2 powerlet, so I started looking at pneumatic and spring piston airguns. The Crosman 1377C was both held in high regard and available at an affordable price, so I had to give it a try. This airgun is available with brown or black plastic grips and I picked the black version, which is listed as PC77 Pumpmaster Classic on Crosman's site - there is no difference between them other than the color of the grips.

Operation

The "classic" aspect of this airgun's name comes from its design originating with Crosman model 105, which was manufactured between 1947 and 1953. So this design has been around for some time and the fact that it is still sold today is a testament to its quality.

The 1377C consists of a long barrel sitting over the compression cylinder with the pump masking as the forward grip. The manual states that the pistol should be pumped at least 3 times and no more than 10 times. Pumping it less than 3 times could lead to a pellet getting stuck in the barrel (although I did an experiment and even one pump will work, but with little force); pumping it more than 10 times will not increase the shot power and might damage the pistol's seals, so it is best avoided. For target shooting, I started with the minimum 3 pumps, but now I use 4 pumps, to get cleaner holes punched in the paper target. With 3-4 pumps, the Crosman pistol is also very silent.

Pumping the 1377C is very easy if you do not attempt to go for all the 10 pumps. Pumping will get progressively harder, but it is relatively effortless for the 4 pumps I go with now. The last couple of pumps in a 10 pump set are getting very hard; also, the pistol will make more noise at these settings.

The pistol has a safety bolt behind the trigger, which can be pushed on the left side to engage and on the right side to disengage.

After pumping the gun, you need to expose the breech and cock the trigger by pulling the bolt action back. Note that the bolt can slide back forward after this operation, if you tilt the gun, so you will want to keep it back while you load the pellet. Loading a pellet is a bit finicky - the problem is that the breech has a small step, so you cannot simply drop the pellet on it, you need to lift its tip a bit, so it gets into the barrel. Some pellets are easier to load than others. Once the pellet is properly seated, you can push the bolt and lock it. You should do this with little force, to make sure that you do not bend the pellet, if it is improperly seated. Once this is done, the gun is ready to shoot - aim, push the safety bolt out of the way, and then just pull the trigger.

Package and Build

Given its low cost, the American Classic comes with no case - just a plastic packaging that needs to be cut to remove the gun and manual out of it. I do not understand why they had to roll the manual in this package - I had to roll it the opposite way, in an attempt to straighten it out. Anyway, the only things you will need out of the packaging are the pistol and its manual.

The 1377C is made of metal and plastic. The frame of the pistol is metal, but the grips and the handle of the pump are plastic, as well as the receiver portion and the front sight. The rear sight is made of metal and is held in place by a screw - reversing it offers the option of switching between straight iron sights and a peep sight. Of special note is the bolt, which is made of brass and looks and handles very nicely. I do not mind plastic, as long as it is used in the right places and Crosman uses it in the right places here - I do not see anything likely to break soon in this assembly.

I should mention here that soon after I acquired the 1377C, I also purchased the 1399 shoulder stock that can be used with it, as well as with other Crosman airguns that share the same grips. This shoulder stock is made entirely of plastic and can be installed easily, by unscrewing the original grips, sliding it over the grip frame, and screwing it using the original grip screws. I have no criticisms for the build of this shoulder stock - it works exactly as intended; I was initially worried about whether its length would be suitable for an adult, but it turned out to be just the right length.

Adjustable settings

The only setting that can be adjusted is the rear sight. The rear sight consists of a metallic piece that is held into place by a screw. By loosening the screw, the sight piece can be raised or lowered to adjust elevation and can also be tilted left or right to adjust windage. By removing the screw, turning the sight upside down, and reattaching it with the screw, we get to use the peep sight. All this seems rather hard to adjust precisely, but in practice, on my gun, I only had to adjust it a bit for windage and it worked great from the first adjustment.

I recommend trying the peep sight first - I just find it more enjoyable to use than the standard iron sights post system.

Performance

The American Classic really delivers in the accuracy department. Put simply, it is one of the most accurate guns I have. It shoots well in factory setup (after sighting in), and mounting the 1399 shoulder stock will boost accuracy further by improving how well you can hold steady this long pistol. You can get very tight groups reliably with the 1377C/1399 combo - better than with any CO2 gun that I own.

Pumping the Crosman 4 times for target shooting is easy and the pistol works silently at this power setting - the sound of the pellet hitting the target will eclipse the sound of the pistol itself - the long barrel is probably also helping here, as the air gets to expand before the pellet gets out.

The only place where I would like to see improvement is the trigger. The 1377C trigger has little travel, is rather hard, and breaks rather unexpectedly. It is not as bad as it sounds, but I wish this gun had adjustable trigger settings. Crosman may want to consider producing a slightly higher end version with such a feature.

Maintenance is rather simple - use Pellgunoil on the pump joints and on the piston head. Work the oil in by using the pump without actually pumping any air - just start closing it until you feel resistance, open it, and then repeat this a few times while the oil works its way around.

Conclusion

The 1377C fully deserves its nickname of "American Classic". It is a very nice, simple and effective design that provides great accuracy for a very reasonable price. With varying power from the multi pump mechanism, this gun is also very versatile. The only thing I would change about it is the trigger - I would really like a lighter trigger, or even better - an adjustable one. There are very few airguns that offer such accuracy within this price range, so this is an easy choice.