Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
CARNIVAL GUNS
Young shooters have asked why I bother with these spring pistols when they have no power. Simple. They are stress killers.
No, they aren't for hunting, but can kill pop cans. They also give me some kind of affordable handgun training, when I was getting close to zero of that. They are quiet, have low risk BB bounce back, and require no CO2.
45 AMMO: The black BBS do well here. Black Diamond and Black Widows. Umarex Zinc still elite BB and looks excellent down range at 6 yards.
Crosman 45 vs 340
The main guns in this class are the Marksman 1018, Umarex DX17, the Daisy 340, and this Crosman 45.
The only one that can go head to head with the Crosman - particularly at 6+ yards - is the 340. I have 9,000 shots through the 340 platform , which includes taking one slide to full life of 8,000 shots.
The DX17 does look good up to 5 yards and can compete with 45. The laser/flashlight I have on it gives it great harmonics. Getting a 4 for 4 or 5 for 5 is not that hard. I use the hard sight with Kentucky windage (right side of can) in daylight shooting.
The 45 has an "A" trigger, for this class, but is rangey like most Crosman triggers. But once you pick up the slack, go through stage 1, and squeeze final 2nd stage, it can deliver accuracy.
What separates the 45 from 340 is more can GO WRONG with the Daisy. There is a 340 Dance that entails:
Don't dry fire hammer
Don't dry fire piston
Don't use Copperheads (Black Widows instead)
Use a finger over feeder prongs to help keep BBs in place to avoid jam
The 45, like many spring guns, has simple universal rules - don't dry fire piston and don't use bad ammo or ammo off the ground.
CARNIVAL GUNS
Young shooters have asked why I bother with these spring pistols when they have no power. Simple. They are stress killers.
No, they aren't for hunting, but can kill pop cans. They also give me some kind of affordable handgun training, when I was getting close to zero of that. They are quiet, have low risk BB bounce back, and require no CO2.
45 AMMO: The black BBS do well here. Black Diamond and Black Widows. Umarex Zinc still elite BB and looks excellent down range at 6 yards.
Crosman 45 vs 340
The main guns in this class are the Marksman 1018, Umarex DX17, the Daisy 340, and this Crosman 45.
The only one that can go head to head with the Crosman - particularly at 6+ yards - is the 340. I have 9,000 shots through the 340 platform , which includes taking one slide to full life of 8,000 shots.
The DX17 does look good up to 5 yards and can compete with 45. The laser/flashlight I have on it gives it great harmonics. Getting a 4 for 4 or 5 for 5 is not that hard. I use the hard sight with Kentucky windage (right side of can) in daylight shooting.
The 45 has an "A" trigger, for this class, but is rangey like most Crosman triggers. But once you pick up the slack, go through stage 1, and squeeze final 2nd stage, it can deliver accuracy.
What separates the 45 from 340 is more can GO WRONG with the Daisy. There is a 340 Dance that entails:
Don't dry fire hammer
Don't dry fire piston
Don't use Copperheads (Black Widows instead)
Use a finger over feeder prongs to help keep BBs in place to avoid jam
The 45, like many spring guns, has simple universal rules - don't dry fire piston and don't use bad ammo or ammo off the ground.
