Smith & Wesson 78G and 79G, the most powerful Co2 pistols made, "Full Review" by Airgun Detectives

Рет қаралды 9,655

Күн бұрын

For 2023, Airgun Detectives has a "Rare & Unusual Airgun Series" in which we feature uncommon and/or no longer manufactured airguns. We will showcase a different model airgun every month. Today, we are showing you the Smith & Wesson Model 78G (.22) and 79G (.177) Co2 Air pistols. You just may be surprised of the performance! #staytunedforairgundetectives
*Note all airgun demonstrations and displays are conducted in a safe environment, on a range, specifically designed for "Airguns"
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Пікірлер: 91

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Henry Ford makes a custom needle valve for these. I also used a heavier hammer spring and a lighter trigger spring. Here is a link for Henry www.crosman600repair.com/

@frankbrowning328 7 ай бұрын

I remember these from the 70's. They were styled to look like my S&W model 41 which is by far the most accurate 22 pistol I've ever owned . They were pretty expensive back then. That power is impressive for a 1970's design! That's very close to the same velocity as a Crossman pneumatic 1322 in 22 cal. I'd love to have one for a mate to my S&W Model 41

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Yes...great little pistols! Happy New Year!👍🏻

@WalnutandSteel 7 ай бұрын

I have the 79g. Rebuilt it with Henry’s kit. Works awesome!

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Henry is a great resource! These are fantastic pistols! Have a fantastic New Year!👍🏻😉

@brorjordas1979 7 ай бұрын

Cool!

@brorjordas1979 7 ай бұрын

Happy newcoming year JC!

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Happy New Year, Buddy!😉👍🏻

@markiskool 7 ай бұрын

I have mixed emotions about this series. On the one hand, it's great to see some of the coolest airguns but on the other, it's sad to know I probably won't ever be able to own one.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Actually, you can still locate these on Ebay and other forums. I acquired 3 more in the last few months. I have 4 now, minus 1 I gave away as a Christmas present. I have a special coming out in the spring that is going to feature some vintage revolvers, and you just may have an opportunity to purchase one if desired. Have a fantastic New Year!😉👍🏻

@TylerSnyder305 6 ай бұрын

I know what you mean. I didn't think I'd ever own one because of the price, but last year I finally bit the bullet and spent $350 on one.

@johannadam8134 4 ай бұрын

@@TylerSnyder305 found one at an estate sale for $50

@TylerSnyder305 4 ай бұрын

@@johannadam8134 Lucky you.

@johannadam8134 4 ай бұрын

@@TylerSnyder305 needs new rubber ring gasget o ring things

@airgunnersc9335 7 ай бұрын

Those are great pistols. Thanks for the videos. I enjoy them all

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

I really appreciate you watching, and thank you for your comments. Have a fantastic New Year!👍🏻😉

@Double-xposure 7 ай бұрын

Wow im amazed

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Great Co2 pistols! I hope you have a fantastic New Year!😉👍🏻

@Gary-lj7pi 7 ай бұрын

Very nice .

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Gary, thanks for watching! Have a fantastic New Year!😉👍🏻

@LowkeyAirgunner 4 ай бұрын

*Very interesting look and design!* _Back then the .177 was probably allowed in Kenada haha_

@AlainHubert 7 ай бұрын

Nice ones! The 78G reminds me of my vintage Crosman Mark I that I still have, on which I had to replace all of the O rings, but still works great. It's a .22 pellet and has a two speed selector. Anyway, thanks for showing these and sharing.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching and I appreciate your comments. Some of these vintage pistols are amazing. I am working on a huge project for this upcoming year that involves some amazing vintage revolves. #staytunedforairgundetectives 😉👍🏻

@andersgrassman6583 5 ай бұрын

@@AirgunDetectives Do that! That's interesting!

@georgeaura 7 ай бұрын

That is one I have wanted for a very long time.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Hi George. You can still find them on Ebay and other forums. I just picked up 3 more over the last few months. Henry Ford makes a great seal kit, which comes with an upgraded needle valve. Have a great New Year!👍🏻😉

@nlmeireles5109 7 ай бұрын

Ola JC, two incredible CO2 pistols, especially the 1.77. It's a shame they had to be part of this fantastic series of rare and unusual ones. Happy New Year to everyone.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Happy New Year! I actually had 5 of these. I gave one away as a Christmas present but I have 4 more. It's one of my absolute favorite all-time Co2 pistols. They are out there. You just have to find them. 😉👍🏻

@juliusdream2683 7 ай бұрын

👍🏼🇺🇸have a happy new year

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Have a fantastic New Year!😉👍🏻

@PeterAgostiniJdcap26 7 ай бұрын

That is so nice 👍🏻!!!!!

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

They are amazing! I picked up three more over the last few months. Henry Ford makes great seal kits with upgraded needle valves. Happy New Year, Peter!😉👍🏻

@PeterAgostiniJdcap26 7 ай бұрын

@@AirgunDetectives wow 🤩 I go do a search for those !

@ianpearce78 4 ай бұрын

Great video buddy, are they still available anywhere those pistols?

@TylerSnyder305 6 ай бұрын

I bought a very late production 79G off Ebay at the beginning of last year, and it cost me a whopping $350. Thankfully it was in excellent condition, in the original box with the sales receipt. Very likely made in '78, but was purchased by the original owner in 1981. I love mine, but it's a bit pellet picky. I think it likes the H&N hammer, but I know it can't hit the broad side of a barn with the Crosman pellets I normally buy. I assumed the 79g in 177 would be the better choice, but I found out before too long that the 78g in .22 is more versatile and less pellet picky. I don't have a chrony ( looking to get one soon ) but mine sure seems to have some decent power for sure. My 1981 Sheridan E pistol hits with much more of a thump and is quite a more compact gun, but that's just an issue of pellet weight really. I was going to buy some vernon Austin custom grips for mine since the acetate plastic is starting to get that smelly white powdery surface on the inside ( think old Craftsman and Vacco screwdrivers ) but he had just retired from making grips and I was just a day too late on buying the last pair he had in his Ebay store.

@stevenhorney7735 7 ай бұрын

Beautiful pistols! Would love to have one if they were still in production.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Hi Steven, you can still locate these on Ebay and other forums. Henry Ford makes rebuild kits for them as well. Have a fantastic New Year!😉👍🏻

@stevenhorney7735 7 ай бұрын

@@AirgunDetectives Thanks JC! Have a wonderful New Year!

@stevel105 7 ай бұрын

Those are Sweet. Now I'm sad that I watch this since u cannot buy them anymore. Wish they would give the same power and Accuracy to the New Pistols that they did back then. And I think someone been taking shooting lesson from his Wife. :) Great Video, thanks for showing them.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

You can find them! I picked up three more over the last few months. They do pop up on Ebay and other forums. Henry Ford makes great seal kits and includes an upgraded needle valve. Have a fantastic New Year 👍🏻😉

@georgeaura 7 ай бұрын

I have do have a model 41 it's pretty awesome.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Hi George, the 41 is a heck of a pistol. Very accurate. I had a neighbor years ago that had one. I was lucky enough to shoot it. Happy New Year!😉👍🏻

@jwsharpknfe3405 7 ай бұрын

Many of these come with an adjustable trigger which is awesome.

@jwsharpknfe3405 7 ай бұрын

Tim at MAC1 Airguns had an upgraded exhaust valve and new valve springs for more power. If correctly modified it’s amazing the fps increase.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Yes, the earlier models have adjustable triggers. Henry Ford puts out seal kits with upgraded needle valves. Have a great New Year!👍🏻😉

@kurtthomas4746 7 ай бұрын

WOW, That is some pretty impressive shooting, especially in light of those older eyes ( wink wink) . I was lucky enough to run across one of these pistols, cant wait to try it out. Happy Holidays to everyone!!!!

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

🤣 You are a funny guy! Yes, these old eyes...mmm someone told me of a possible solution to help improve that vision. Happy Shooting!👍🏻😉 You need to test out that pistol!

@martyn6792 7 ай бұрын

Never heard of these in the UK, look nicely made, I have a Crossman 600 which is a cracking pistol

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

These are fantastic, and you can still find them on eBay and other forums. Happy New Year!👍🏻

@Skiiwa 7 ай бұрын

I can't believe they don't sell these any more!!! I had my freakin wallet OUT!!

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

You can find them. I picked up three more over the last few months. Ebay and other forums. Henry Ford make seal kits for them as well. Have a fantastic New Year! 👍🏻😉

@heathhalfhill6401 7 ай бұрын

For a CO2 .22 caliber pistol that is really moving but that .177 is really screaming! Very impressive!

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Hi Heath. I really appreciate your continued support! Have a fantastic New Year!👍🏻😉

@rickatkins1789 7 ай бұрын

Impressive for a co2 pistol. Too bad they are not produced today, with maybe an upgraded version with a rifled barrel, Pic rail, easily adjustable trigger, and a moderator thread. Yes, I know there are co2 pistols with some or all those features, but not the power. Plus they appear to be nice looking guns.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Actually, these all have rifled barrels. The earlier models have adjustable triggers as well. These were great 100% American made. Happy Shooting and have a fantastic New Year 👍🏻😉

@TylerSnyder305 6 ай бұрын

@@AirgunDetectivesnot to mention they were actually made by Smith & Wesson. It's nice knowing you've got a real S&W pistol from the 70's.

@johnstewarteite9314 7 ай бұрын

They remind me of the s & w 22lr target pistol long barrel , it was quite weighty 10 shot

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Yes...they were modeled after the S&W 41. Have a fantastic New Year 👍🏻😉

@leonadrowski2983 5 ай бұрын

Have you done a video of the rebuild, I have one that needs a reseal?

@edwardburrowes4243 6 ай бұрын

Hi JC I just rebuilt my 79g and it works perfectly however you mentioned that you did some additional polishing, what exactly did you polish? Thanks.

@AirgunDetectives 6 ай бұрын

Hi Ed. I polished all the contact points with the trigger. I also installed a heavier hammer spring and a lighter trigger spring. They are amazing pistols.👍🏻😉

@edwardburrowes4243 7 ай бұрын

Hi nice video I just purchased a 79g and ordered a seal kit . I hope someday you will share just what you did to yours they are a couple videos on KZfaq but none of them are detailed enough. Thanks

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Hi Ed, These are really easy to work on. The key to more power is upgrading to a heavier hammer spring. I also installed lighter trigger springs. I had 5 of these, now 4, after giving one away for a Christmas present. Have a fantastic New Year!👍🏻😉

@edwardburrowes4243 7 ай бұрын

@@AirgunDetectives Thanks for responding, Happy new year to you and your family.

@fjqtaxch9 7 ай бұрын

Mod them to screw in a 13ci bottle regd at 1100psi or less if there's valve lock and the hammer spring is maxed out.

@jaffy6420 7 ай бұрын

Damn JC...! You said Gemco.... The brain whiplash was strong... Where I got my first Crosman 760 SC in 1976... Still have it today...

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Yes...not to date myself, but I did purchase one from Gemco back in the 70's for under $40.00. I should have never returned it, but I was lucky enough to find a few more recently off of Ebay and some other forums. Have a fantastic New Year!👍🏻😉

@jaffy6420 7 ай бұрын

@@AirgunDetectives JC, Happy New Year to you as well... Looking forward to seeing your work from Shot Show... Please tell Beeman to step up their production... (joking)

@andersgrassman6583 5 ай бұрын

Those are REALLY NICE pistols! Makes you wonder why S&W quit making them & sold off the design? I live in Sweden, I've never seen one of those before. But I have a somewhat similar CO2 pistol, in the sense that it is difficult to understand why they quit making the Röhm Twinmaster Trainer. Like your S&W, it also has "semi-competition" accuracy/performance. But somehow, the market doesn't seem to quite like the medium prized & semi competition performance. About the power, I think Umarex and the makers have found, that in the end, the market puts shot count over power. But having power adjustment, like on these S&W, will let you have some choice?! If you get 30 shots with that maxed out power setting on the .22, like you sayed, I think that's great for some power-plinking! I think these S&W produce pretty much the theoretically achieavable maximum power, given the caliber, barrel length and CO2. As a grown up, the cost of CO2 capsules isn't really a consideration. It's still silly cheap, even compared to .22LR. (Which you normally can't shoot in your garden anyway.) I usually spend way more on the beer & wine while I do my shooting (on the beach, in the sunset!), than what the CO2 and pellets cost.😄 My Röhm Twinmaster actually has 8 shot rotary disc magazines for pellets, and will shot both SA/DA. So handling wise, comparable to the Umarex 1911 you have reviewed. Just also slightly better barrel and adjustable sights - though also a finger shaped adjustable match type wood grip, which really sets it apart from most airpistols. (But like your Umarex 1911, trigger pull in DA is just too much, so I only shoot the Röhm Twinmaster in SA.) Thank's for another nice video!

@chriswedgworth 7 ай бұрын

Wow really accurate Like # 30

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Hi Chris. Yes these are amazing pistols. You can still locate these on Ebay and other forums. I picked up 3 more over the last few months. Henry Ford makes great seal kits with upgraded needle valves. Have a fantastic New Year!😉👍🏻

@michelchristiaens4989 11 күн бұрын

Hi mate, nice video. I got my dad’s 78G as my 60’th B-day present from my bro. I am wondering, it’s a 78G model but it’s written .I77 on it… Normally 78G is .22 and .I77 should be a 79G, no? Thank you for your feed-back on this divergence.

@BedsitBob 7 ай бұрын

They have a bit of a look of the .22LR Colt Woodsman.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Yes, that as well, but the S&W 41 was what they actually replicated. Happy New Year! 😉👍🏻

@user-or2rc7ci4k 7 ай бұрын

Week 2 : JC can you do a review on the Artemis M25 in .30 caliber

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

That is a very pricey Airgun. I would have to see if I could borrow one. 👍🏻😉

@user-or2rc7ci4k 7 ай бұрын

Ok I will be the first to see the video

@kurtthomas4746 7 ай бұрын

Hi, that comment old eyes are your words.😊

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

Yes, they are....Happy New Year!😉👍🏻

@breakandrun70 7 ай бұрын

Hi J.C. Would like to get my hands on one of those air pistols. They are sweet, Anyone in Canada have one for sale, let me know I would buy it from you. Have a great New Year, to you and your family.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

I just picked up 3 more over the last few months. Ebay and other forums in the US have them pop-up occasionally. Henry Ford makes great seal kits with upgraded needle valves. Have a great New Year!😉👍🏻

@kevanhubbard9673 7 ай бұрын

They seemed sort of aimed,no pun intended,at the target market so strange that they would make one in .22 as most target air pistols are .177.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

They were modeled after the S&W 41. Yes, it is more of a target pistol but powerful enough for pet control and some small game. Have a fantastic New Year 👍🏻

@bigmarkthe1 7 ай бұрын

Why show us the 78g n the79g and not tell us where to buy them?

@GR-cf4qh 7 ай бұрын

You'll have to comb ebay or online classifieds. They haven't been produced in decades.

@AirgunDetectives 7 ай бұрын

I just show you what exists, but you can find them on Ebay and other forums. In the spring, I have something very special planned, regarding some absolutely amazing vintage Airguns. You will have the opportunity to aquire one. Have a fantastic New Year and #staytunedforairgundetectives 😉👍🏻

@bigmarkthe1 7 ай бұрын

@@AirgunDetectives thanks I can't wait