TargetTalk

I wonder what are the real technical differences between the old Hammerli 160 and the new FP60.

From the outside and design they look different but comparing the internal pieces and the way they work, they seem very similar. Did I miss something or is the fp60 a "rebirth" of the 160 ?

I can buy a new 160 special for about 66% of the price of a new fp60, is it worth to pay 50% more for a fp60 ?

About spare parts, how difficult is it to find parts for a 160 in Europe ? It seems that the firing pin and firing spring are identical (even the complete breechblock seems identical) so that if I need to replace it on a 160 I could use the one of a fp60. Can somebody confirm this ?

Are there fragile parts on the 160 that would need replacement ?

Hello,
First, the 160 has a proven history of fine performance. The set trigger is widely adjustable and very, very reliable. Much of the design is based on the older 150 but with the geometry and leverage of cocking lever, sear, striker and firing pin spring improved. As a result, the 160 is easier to cock, and the breech block is a bit easier to disassemble if needed. Yet the firing pin spring retains its tension giving a long life free of misfires, which was a problem with the 150. The chamber of the 160 is improved allowing easier loading and unloading without any sacrifice in accuracy. The 150 was a bit too tight. Also, the steel frame of the 160 is certainly an asset for overall strength and allows for a very secure barrel fit. I am sure the fp60 frame is alloy as was the fp10. The fp10 has a variable reputation for accuracy, in my opinion largely due to the barrel mounting. Since it uses an alloy frame the barrel mounting can't be the traditional treaded style. I'm sure the "slip fit" mounting used would allow for an easy switch of the barrel, but is that really an issue with a free pistol? I believe you are correct in stating that the fp60 borrows heavily from the 160, while combining some of the nice features of the fp10. I can't confirm on parts interchangeability. I'm not sure parts are a big issue; the 160 isn't prone to breakage. The fp60 seems to be a fine pistol improving on the fp10, which in many ways was quite admirable, but you won't get 50% better performance form it compared to the 160. The fp60 might turn out to be a real winner, but the 160 is already there.
Larry Carter, the USA Hammerli importer and service gunsmith, told me flat out that the 160 Special was the best free pistol Hammerli ever made both from a shooting and design standpoint. If you can get a new one for a good price, it would be my first choice.
Best Regards,
Jim

Thanks a lot for the feedback.

Indeed, the frame of the fp60 isn't steel and one major difference is that the weigth of the fp60 is much lower than the weight of the 160. Actually, the weight of the fp60 without additional weights seems to me too low. I must say that I like a lot the design of the 160special and less the design of the fp60.

I compared the exploded view of the breechblock of the fp60 and 160 and the pieces seem identical, even the numbering is similar: same number for each piece only a zero is added on the fp60, i.e piece 2x on the 160 becomes piece 20x on the fp60.

I didn't consider the fp10 since it comes from SAM and is not a real Hammerli.

I just receive my new Hammerli 160 special and got one surprise: the grip looks the same as on all pictures I saw on the web, excepted for one thing: mine is marked "KN Karl Nill" (on the bottom side of the grip).

Is that usual, were all Hammerli 160/162 grips made by Karl Nill ?

I think that is usual. Mine is marked the same way. In fact, the parts list specifies the grips as made by Karl Nill.
Enjoy your new Hammerli!