The new Hammerli .22

L

Lavan

New member
Anyone see that new Hammerli .22 auto in new issue of G&A? Wot a techie lookin thing. Polished anodized aluminum receiver in red, blue, gold (I think) and PURPLE.
Wow can u imagine shootin a PURPLE gun? I want one. They look NEAT.
AND....the test groups ran under 3/4"
Drool drool.
 
It's the Hammerli SP-20.

There are four recent models of Hammerli .22 semiautos on the market today:

1) The SP-20, as seen in Guns & Ammo.

2) The Trailside, which is a very basic Buckmark-type pistol.

3) The 280, which is similar to the SP-20 in general design (with the magazine in front of the trigger) but has most of the frame made of a carbon fiber material rather than metal. This model has been discontinued.

4) The 208S, which is similar to a S&W M41. This model has also been discontinued.

I've shot the SP-20 and it is indeed very, very nice. The trigger, grip and balance are wonderful. Amongst serious Bullseye shooters, though, the 208S is still the favorite. This is partly because it's been around for a while and partly because its layout is roughly similar to that of the M1911-A1. Because the 208S has been discontinued, its street price has risen to near $1700.

The best place to buy a Hammerli is http://www.larrysguns.com .

P.S.: If you get a purple one, please -- DON'T post any pictures! :D
 
From the looks of it, the SP-20 is a stripped down 280. The Trailside is the less refined, more mass produced version of the 208s.

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- Ron V.
 
I finally got a look at the new Trailside. A couple of things I noticed right away that I didn't care for. When you hit the magazine release, the magazine dropped about an eighth of an inch below the grip. It was awkward getting ahold of the thing to get it out. When replacing the magazine, you have to line it up perfectly or it catches on a hollowed out area in the grip. I don't know if the magazine drop issue is representative of all Trailsides, or just the one I looked at.

Things I liked: Great trigger, very light, good looking, good sights.

Shake

[This message has been edited by Shake (edited October 07, 2000).]
 
If you must have a forward of the trigger mag either the Hammerli 280 or especially the Walther GSP are a better choice. The Hammerli 208S will outshoot a SP20 as well.
 
Jeff, what makes you think that the Hammerli 280 is better than the SP-20?

One thing I don't like about the 280 is its bulk. When you're shooting one handed outdoors, you don't want a pistol that catches a lot of wind.
 
The 280 is an all steel gun. We all know that a steel gun is better than plastic. Oh wait. That's another thread. ;)
 
No, the 280 is made of "advanced aerospace carbon fiber". That's why it's so big. That's also, I think, one of the reasons it's been discontinued: Hammerli didn't like using an outside supplier to handle the carbon fiber fabrication.

h-280big.gif


The 208 is the steel-framed pistol. The extensive machining required to produce it is one of the reasons it's been discontinued.

h-208sbig.gif


The SP-20 is mostly aluminum (the colored part) and some sort of rubbery plastic for the grip.

By the way, anyone who likes the rakish looks of the SP-20 should also check out the Pardini SP. It's a very nice pistol for about $400 less.

master.jpg
 
I have the 208S and the SAKO Triace. I passed on the 280, you are right, it is carbon fiber. I handled an assortment of SP20 frames at the SHOT Show and they had an assortment of colors. Assume different anodizing.

[This message has been edited by Jeff OTMG (edited October 10, 2000).]
 
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