Replica percussion target pistols make for most
enjoyable shooting. They're aesthetically pleasing to
the eye, well balanced, highly accurate, relatively
clean to use, and easy to clean afterwards. To my mind
much nicer than black powder revolvers, which have
sights suited to young eyes and take an age to clean.
With that in mind, and assuming you want a serious
tack-driver, below are a few possible choices, all of
which are highly competitive at anything up to and
including international level.
Features to Look For
If you plan to shoot matches, then the first key feature
to watch out for is that the pistol should be "in the
spirit of the original". If not, then you'll be excluded
from any match held under MLAGB rules - and in the UK
that's the vast majority! Fortunatelty most replicas
come into that category, and the Pedersoli Le Page,
Kuchenreuter and Mang in Graz make good choices along
with the Jim Greathead Anderson underhammer.
Apart from that, a patent breech is essential,
adjustable sights are a boon (spirit of the original
remember - no micrometer adjustable jobs), and a set
trigger is handy if you get on with them. All the
pistols mentioned above meet the criteria, but the
Greathead doesn't have a set trigger. It does have a
light, clean, crisp let-off though, and was good enough
for my competition best of 97, so don't be put off. As
with all pistol shooting, don't forget the major
criteria that the gun must fit your hand. If you have to
stretch or take a lopsided grip to reach the set
trigger, then forget it, you'll always be pulling shots.
