TargetTalk

Hey all,

Had a very bad experience with Umarex as my AP20 Pro showed up new from factory (green zip tie and all), but was damaged upon opening the case. The front sight was all scratched up on one side, and the tube had some marking, and after mutliple calls and inquiries to Umarex I could not get an call back, email response, and certainly not a replacement part, so sadly for me and the vendor (who was fantastic) I had to send it back.

It led me to beg the question of alternatives. I liked the feel of the AP20 Pro, but for another 200 or so can get either the Walther LP 500 basic/economy or the Steyer LP2.

So… does anyone have thoughts on these two? I am inclined to go Steyer simply because of my bad Umarex/Walther/Hammerli experience, but feature-wise, is there anything glaring here in one over the other? It appears the AP2 has been around since 2005, but has had revisions including ball bearing trigger over the years. Any idea what the current state of the compensator is?

Clearly I’d love to hold both of them and test them out, but where I live that is sadly not an option. Needless to say the LP3 probably comes out the day after I take delivery of either

I greatly appreciate any input you can offer, thanks -

I shoot with an LP500 Expert but mechanically pretty identical to the Basic model. I really love the customization of the front sights and the trigger. You can adjust the trigger in just about any way imaginable to fit your hand. Moving it forward, back, adjust height, angle, rotate trigger face. Also, the trigger weight adjustment is pretty easy to access. I suggest you go to the Walther website and read the user manual to get an idea of all the features. I’m pretty sure you could even switch the mechanical trigger out for an electric one in the future on the basic model.

Cons from my experience and other: I have a fat hand with shorter fingers so the grip itself doesn’t feel as comfortable, but most shooters modify grips anyway. I’ve also heard from club mates with LP500 they have issues with sights shifting after travel or time, I’ve had mine for 3 months and haven’t had issues.

Never shot a Steyr so hopefully someone can shed light on that.

As an LP500 owner I have to say that if Umarex/Hammerli/Walther cannot provide reliable service and repair in your area, then I think they have sadly already made the decision for you, I would check if Steyr would have similar problems in your region.

That aside, the LP500 is a tricky gun. I would describe it as a FWB P8X manufactured with a little less love - it is just as configurable but in slightly more annoying ways. The 3D grip rotation is great, but difficult to set up. The trigger configuration is fantastic, you can do almost anything with it, but it is extremely hard to tighten it while maintaining its position - and there's no guarantee you can just leave it as-is from the factory, mine came with far too much weight on the first stage and rotated heavily to the side. The trigger weight, travel, and slack is completely customizable - but if you set too little travel on the first stage it will have trouble maintaining its set weight (at least mine does), which if caught unawares will disqualify you at equipment control. Having said all this - every gun has its own set of tricks you need to learn (even the beloved Evo 10E), these are just the LP500's. I do love the gun, I like the aggressive rake angle, the wonderful sight assembly, the intuitive way it operates (it is by far the easiest gun to understand mechanically) and the very high level of modification the gun allows.

Thanks JCF and KZMNT, appreciate the info, and as for KZ I get that any gun will have its "specifications" that you have to learn. I have read here and that that Steyr parts are easier to come by, and contacting the company is more reasonable.

The LP500 customizable nature of the trigger does sound nice. The front sight was something I also had questions about on the LP2, because I can't find many reviews. On the Hammerli that I sent back, it was a 3 way turnable front sight, so you could adjust the diameter and I really liked that idea to fit my preference. Happy to hear the Walther has so much customization.

As you have the expert, I was also wondering how much the three "discharge" holes (I'm sure this is the wrong word) mitigate any kind of recoil due to the blowoff. Neither pistol between the LP2 and the LP500 has this, but I don't have the funds to bump up either to the higher model such as the expert. Guessing this is really fine.

Does anyone have LP2 feedback? It generally seems less popular than LP500, and information/opinion is not as readily available.

We see this with new shooters, all the time. Indecision based on assuming the pistol or the pellets will dictate one's results.

They will not. All of the competition air pistols you can buy, going back decades, are sufficiently accurate to allow you to become a world class shooter. It is the same for pellets, as long as you buy a name brand- JSB, RWS, QYS. etc.

The Steyr LP-2 has been around a long time. I doubt there is a Steyr LP-3 in the offing. Even if there were, the Steyr LP-2 will always be a better pistol- accuracy wise, then you can shoot.

Choose one. Buy pellets. Practice.

That Hammerli AP-20 was a good place to start. The Steyr LP-2, is also good.

Me? I would buy a used Steyr LP-10 or a used Walther LP-300/400, to start.

If you are still shooting a year, or two, from now- then buy a top of the line- new air pistol...and sell the one you have for what you paid for it.

I suspect many/most people will give up within 18 months, and sell their pistol. This sport is that demanding.

After the flurry of interest generated by the Olympics, I'm guessing the supply of used high end air pistols will be excellent in about 2 years.

Almost any brand-name air pistol will get you started. Work with that for 2 years, and then pick up a top of line slightly-used pistol when the bloom is off the rose.

I appreciate the responses, and I do understand that experienced shooters can see pistol choice obsession
as new shooters thinking they can buy ability.

I am not so delusional as to think this will make me competitive. I have researched this enough to know that I will likely be frustrated and discouraged for a long long time, no matter how much money I spend.

At the same time, it is a lot of money on a new sport for me, and I’m trying to find the thing that will be enjoyable and functional for the longest amount of time, fully understanding that by the time I move on to something better, if ever, it will be a long time from now.

That being said I’m probably going to pick up an LP2 tomorrow as I found one in stock, have had a bad experience with Walther here in the US, and don’t want to pay up for the 162M.

M1963, I’d definitely be interested in a used LP10 but haven’t seen anything around. Sadly here in NY I can’t even find a club that I can get into to possibly find a local sale. Anyway.

Thanks for the input everyone! I can’t wait to start.

Looking forward to grabbing a Morini 200 for pennys on the dollar in 2 years!

I think the LP2 is the better choice, it even has the benefit of being a little lighter which is very good for starting out. Regarding the barrel ports on top - you won't miss them. Stuff like that is just a bonus, what matters more is the fundamentals of the pistol itself - manufacturing quality, balance, trigger, and grip - and you'll get all of that with the LP2.

The mechanical Steyr has to be the most reliable and easy to service of anything ever made.