Beeman P-1 Reviews

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Good Points: Power, Variable power, accuracy, solid build, trigger.

Bad Points: Heavy, not cheap.

General comments: This review is for the .177 caliber Beeman P-1 pistol. One of the first things you notice about this gun is the heavy, solid feel. I don't think it is too heavy but some people will. I have shot the gun both with and without a scope and it is very accurate either way but of course at longer distances the scope is the way to go. I bought the gun used and it came with Beeman's 2x20mm pistol scope. The scope with the mounts do push the weight up a bit more but this will help tame recoil for those who prefer a little less kick. The recoil is present and the report is sharp and a little loud but no way near severe on either count. The trigger is excellent right out of the box and can be adjusted further for both travel and pressure. At this point I have not adjusted the trigger at all which is a huge rarity for me. I prefer light, short, crisp triggers and this has exactly that. The gun was used so I decided to run it over my chrony to see how things were. Well, they were not too great! The gun which is rated at 600 fps. (most likely with Beeman Laser pellets, the lightest .177 pellet around @ 6.5 gr). I found my gun was shooting Crosman Accupell's (7.9 gr) @ 455 fps. this was under other velocity reports I have seen with basically the same pellet by about 80 fps! I did not panic because the owner told me the gun had only been shot about 300 times and had not been used in about a year. I Moly lubed the spring and added a few drops of spring oil as well and a few drops of chamber oil to cover all the bases. I then shot the gun about 70 times over the next 2 days and chronied the gun again. BINGO, the velocity with the same Accupell's went up to 525 fps! A gain of 70 fps. for a few minutes work a little grease and a few drops of oil in the right places. There may be more velocity yet to come but even if there is not the gun is shooting close to the 600 fps. with Beeman Silver Bear pellets going 552 fps. The P-1 is NOT as potent as the Diana P-5 at least THIS P-1 is NOT as potent as MY P-5! Pellet for pellet my Diana P-5 is at least 40-60 fps. faster than my P-1. I think if I were forced to chose only 1 of these 2 excellent and potent air pistols I would opt for the P-1 though. The P-1 comes in more calibers, (.177,.20 and discontinued.22 cal) can be shot at 2 different power levels (it can be cocked part way for low power or all the way forward for full power). It is easily scoped and the grips can be changed to accept any .45 Auto grip. There was even a shoulder stock made for the gun years ago that you might be able to track down (not too common and definitely not cheap). I just cleanly dispatched a Starling with 1 shot at a Laser measured 25 yards earlier this evening. Other than the weight and the fairly high price of this gun its versatility, power, variable power, accuracy and good looks make this gun a true high end sporter pistol.