What about a Falcon pistol?

by Harley Ayre

If you're looking for something a little different to spice up your airgunning hobby, don't overlook the Falcon pistols. They come in three versions - the single-shot, the eight-shot bolt-action Raptor and the Hawk, which is actually a bridge between single-shot and repeater, having a repeating mechanism but manual cocking like the single-shot.

The basics
These pistols are all built around the FN8 action. Power can range from a low of 6 foot-pounds to a high of 15, but Airhog says most go out the door at 12-13 foot-pounds in .22 caliber. Each gun has a power spot it favors; once it settles into that spot, it becomes remarkably efficient on very little air. Guns are available in .177, .20 and .22 caliber, but the .20 is available only as a single-shot.

Rifle-like accuracy!
You might wonder what an air pistol can do. Well, some Airhog customers have taken their guns to extremes. Like the fellow who installed his FN8 pistol in a Light Hunter stock and proceeded to win two field target matches with it? And it was .22 caliber!

Scope 'em
With the power and accuracy available in these pistols, a scope only makes sense. You can use a pistol scope or a rifle scope, but lately a lot of buyers are turning to the intermediate-relief scope that's also known as a scout scope. With an eye relief of 10-14 inches, this kind of scope lets you hold the gun close to the chest but not right up to your eye. Because all Falcon pistols are built on 8" rifle actions, they have standard 11mm dovetails for conventional scope mounts.

Best pellet
Van Jacobi, the owner of Airhog, says he likes the JSB Exact Express in the .177 pistols, for the little bit of extra velocity it offers. In .22, he likes the JSB Match Jumbo for the same reason. A JSB Exact would also be a wonderful pellet in either .177 or .22.

The No. 1 reason to own a Falcon pellet pistol
I would have thought most owners used their pistols for hunting, but Airhog tells me most owners keep their pistols handy near the back door for pest elimination. You could argue that's the same as hunting, but what I'm saying is that the Falcon pistol turns out to be the perfect way to keep the bunnies out of your garden and the squirrels off the bird feeder. With THAT in mind, you might begin to see a Falcon pistol as a two-party "tool" to help promote the domestic tranquility. I once had a problem with a rat infestation until my wife learned how to shoot an air rifle. Then, all I had to do was supply the pellets and listen to the hunting report each day after work. I still have that airgun, and she still thinks of it as hers.

Never thought of owning a Falcon air pistol before? I hope this blog has given you cause to reflect on that.