A site for enthusiasts of the traditional & classic air pistol/firearm

I picked up this Smith & Wesson 78G at the recent Imperial meeting at Bisley and have just given it a test fire to see how it performs.

The 78G is based on the old Smith & Wesson 41 .22 LR pistol I can remember shooting before the breech loading pistol ban in 1995. Although single shot, the weight, balance and even the recoil characteristics seem similar to the live firing pistol. The pistol has a nice trigger and fully adjustable sights, so it should be capable of accurate results at around the usual 10 metre range limitation. Power also seems to be quite high and is apparently adjustable via a screw under the muzzle. First indications are that around 40 full power shots are available from a 12grm Co2 capsule, followed by a rapid drop in muzzle velocity for the next 3 or 4 discharges. Incidentally, the pistol was produced in both .22 (78G) and .177 (79G) calibres between 1970 -1978.





Regards

Brian

Good find.

I've always liked this pistol, and have fired both the airgun version and the .22lr version.

It's a great pity that such guns aren't made anymore.

I welcome the recent military range issued by Umarex, but they are far from the quality they should be.

I suppose everything is made to a price these days.

Kind regards,



Phil

I've owned & shot the 79G in comps a great pistol, mike.

Very nice pistol!
I know where I can get my hands on one, should do?

ejackyou wrote:Very nice pistol!
I know where I can get my hands on one, should do?

Hello,

Don't hesitate and grab one if you still have the opportunity to do so.

Iv'e owned the 78G for a few months now and it has fully lived up to my earlier impressions. A very nice handling and accurate pistol which would have made a very useful trainer for the .22 live firing model it replicated.

I have since put mine through the chronograph using Hobby pellets and found muzzle velocity to be within 5 fps over a five shot string with muzzle energy of 5.1 ft/lbs at the minimum setting and 5.6 ft/lbs at the high end, so a very powerful pistol.

I always leave mine at the lower power setting for fear of approaching the 6 ft/lb legal limit on a hot day.

Regards,

Brian

Brian these are great pistols a very nice to shoot.

Dare I say reliable too?

I've been on the lookout for a 79g for some time now and thought a friend had one that he was selling, I somehow giot my wires crossed as it's a Crosman 1600 powermatic .177 BB gun that he's selling!!
The Crosman is the same as this one (Pic 'borrowed' off the net!)



I'm hoping to hear back this evening then go tomorrow with a view to buying it

The gun does need a seal to go between the cart and block though so I won't be able to try it out!


Cheers, john