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

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/

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Those are absolutely amazing. My only negative is they are a single shot.

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.

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

if this pistol had magazine instead of load 1 by 1 pellet i would totally buy one!!!!!!!!

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Happy newcoming year JC!

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.

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

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!!!!

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

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

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

Wow im amazed

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

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

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 RU-vid but none of them are detailed enough. Thanks

Very nice .

👍🏼🇺🇸have a happy new year

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.

That is so nice 👍🏻!!!!!

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

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!

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.

Cool!

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.

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

Hi, that comment old eyes are your words.😊

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.

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

Wow really accurate Like # 30

thumbs up ..why ??in my country this is rubbish .no1 can ore will buy.. 😀 just because i like your clip's allot..honest and uhhhh honest??