List of best target pistols made, past and present?
- Thread starter zanemoseley
- Start date
The Walther Olympic model of 1936 was the first breakthrough in target pistol design. The Hämmerli International is based on the Olympic.
The best is always subjective and the list below is not complete but of guns I own/owned/shot myself.
Hämmerli Olympia Modell 1936 / Hämmerli International
Hämmerli P240
Walther GSP
Pardini
SIG P210-6
S&W 52
SIG Sauer X5 and X6
Benelli 76
Colt 1911 customs target models
The best is always subjective and the list below is not complete but of guns I own/owned/shot myself.
Hämmerli Olympia Modell 1936 / Hämmerli International
Hämmerli P240
Walther GSP
Pardini
SIG P210-6
S&W 52
SIG Sauer X5 and X6
Benelli 76
Colt 1911 customs target models
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Shadi Khalil
New member
My Ruger 22/45 of course!
I have several semi-autos that I have competed with in Bullseye target shooting endeavors, including the aforementioned S&W Models 52 and 41, a couple of Series 70 Colt Gold Cups, a Ruger MKII Government and a Smith Model 945.
Though this is a Semi-auto forum, I do shoot several revolvers that don't take a backseat to any semi-auto pistol in terms of accuracy, including Smith&Wesson Models 14, 617 and 25 (1955 Target) and a Colt Officer Model Special.
Though this is a Semi-auto forum, I do shoot several revolvers that don't take a backseat to any semi-auto pistol in terms of accuracy, including Smith&Wesson Models 14, 617 and 25 (1955 Target) and a Colt Officer Model Special.
I have always favored the auto in 22 pistols. My late dad won a CT state championship with his Woodsman and was well known around town. We carried the Woodsman when we went deer hunting.
While I have revolvers and like the .45 Colt Ruger for plinking it's the auto that I use best.
The old Woodsman target of mine carries so well in my back pocket, chamber- empty.
A 22 auto aims like a rifle when I reach out under it's barrel and steady it with my fingers.
While I have revolvers and like the .45 Colt Ruger for plinking it's the auto that I use best.
The old Woodsman target of mine carries so well in my back pocket, chamber- empty.
A 22 auto aims like a rifle when I reach out under it's barrel and steady it with my fingers.
ritepath
"Don't forget the Thompson Contender. I used to nail ground hogs out past 200 yards with a 223 barrel.
My 44mag, 30-30, 308, and a couple of 22lr barrels weren't bad either."
I agree, but will add the 32H&R Mag. I have shot groups at 75 yards the size of a quarter with Contender with that barrel.
Second for me would be my Ruger 22/45.
"Don't forget the Thompson Contender. I used to nail ground hogs out past 200 yards with a 223 barrel.
My 44mag, 30-30, 308, and a couple of 22lr barrels weren't bad either."
I agree, but will add the 32H&R Mag. I have shot groups at 75 yards the size of a quarter with Contender with that barrel.
Second for me would be my Ruger 22/45.
Most world-class competitors these days are using Pardinis, with some of the other high-end European guns, notably Walthers and Hammerlis, also well represented. My Walther GSP came with a 5-shot 25-meter test target - basically just one not-so-ragged hole, only a bit larger than .22 diameter.
The Colt Woodsman Match Target and the S&W Model 52, both of which I have and shoot from time-to-time, are very nice guns and were quite competitive in their day, which is long past. There are many Model 41s on the line in Bullseye competitions, but they just can't compare with the European guns (and admittedly also cost only about half as much, so represent a good mid-level alternative). 41s are just fine for accuracy - I had mine and three others on a Ransom Rest just last week and all performed wonderfully - but the trigger is crude, they can be incredibly fussy about ammo, and need to be kept very clean to avoid alibis.
Colt Gold Cups (not the new ones) are nice guns as well, but are really in a different class entirely from the "custom production" guns like the Les Baers, and even more so when compared with true custom-built 1911s.
All of that said, Bullseye matches are won every day with almost-out-of-the-box Rugers, which I think only proves that a good shooter with mediocre equipment will beat a mediocre shooter with good equipment every time.
The Colt Woodsman Match Target and the S&W Model 52, both of which I have and shoot from time-to-time, are very nice guns and were quite competitive in their day, which is long past. There are many Model 41s on the line in Bullseye competitions, but they just can't compare with the European guns (and admittedly also cost only about half as much, so represent a good mid-level alternative). 41s are just fine for accuracy - I had mine and three others on a Ransom Rest just last week and all performed wonderfully - but the trigger is crude, they can be incredibly fussy about ammo, and need to be kept very clean to avoid alibis.
Colt Gold Cups (not the new ones) are nice guns as well, but are really in a different class entirely from the "custom production" guns like the Les Baers, and even more so when compared with true custom-built 1911s.
All of that said, Bullseye matches are won every day with almost-out-of-the-box Rugers, which I think only proves that a good shooter with mediocre equipment will beat a mediocre shooter with good equipment every time.
rt11002003
New member
AMEN, "FlyFish".
I sold a 52 last year. It was a beauty but seldom shot.
My Smith 952-2 and HS Hamden Victor shoot very tight groups.
Two of my Les Baers: A .38Super with some bells and whistles came with a 10shot, machine rest test target of 0.77" center to center on the 2 farthest rounds. The .45 LB Bullseye gun test target was a smidge over 1".
My Smith 952-2 and HS Hamden Victor shoot very tight groups.
Two of my Les Baers: A .38Super with some bells and whistles came with a 10shot, machine rest test target of 0.77" center to center on the 2 farthest rounds. The .45 LB Bullseye gun test target was a smidge over 1".
g.willikers
New member
Browning once made a target grade High Power.
It's been out of production for a long time, though.
It's been out of production for a long time, though.
muzzleblast...
New member
IMO the Browning Medalist is near the top of the list, if for no other reason than its elegance.
