Anschutz Exemplar

[dddrees]

I first came across one at a gun show a little over a year ago. I was kind of curious as to what it was and it seemed a bit different than most other handguns I had seen but I didn't want to get it without first having a better idea exactly what it was and what they were actually going for. Heck, the guy selling it almost forgot what it was called. I was a bit disappointed to say the least that they no longer make them but it isn't the first gun I wanted bad enough to buy an older gun. Although I like new things for various reasons to include warranties I've found going old when it comes to guns can be extremely rewarding.

It took awhile and there were times I wish I just would have purchased the one I saw. Anyway after a few unsuccessful bids on gunbroker I finally got what I think was a pretty good one. I haven't yet taken it to the range as I just picked it up yesterday but plan to do so soon.

[markiver54]

NCG on a recent post mentioned and showed a pic of that very same gun. ( sorry, I can't remember the post title )

[North Country Gal]

Enjoy. Welcome to the world of specialty pistols. For sure, let us know how it shoots for you.

[dddrees]

Enjoy. Welcome to the world of specialty pistols. For sure, let us know how it shoots for you.

Thank you.

[dddrees]

NCG on a recent post mentioned and showed a pic of that very same gun. ( sorry, I can't remember the post title )

Specialty Pistol Shooting.

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=7306

Great thread and a very interesting read. To be honest I really had no idea of the purpose or history of this pistol until seeing NCGs thread, However for some reason something was just appealing to me about this pistol.

[PT7]

Yeah, there have been some interesting posts on these specialty pistols. The high accuracy of your gun is pretty amazing from NCG's description of how it shoots. And the positioning of the left-sided bolt to allow the shooter to maintain the exact same shooting grip shot-after-shot. I'll be interested to hear what you think of handling that bolt when you try it out.

The appearance of your Exemplar, DDD, is quite cool . What is the light material on the pistol complimenting the wood? At first glance, a little unusual color combo. But as a person "studies" it, looks better and better. Does it have a somewhat rough texture to provide a surer grip? Looks to be. How much does it weigh? Light or heavy to you?

Expect to hear some neat things after your range visits. Enjoy, and hope it's fun to shoot.

[dddrees]

Yeah, there have been some interesting posts on these specialty pistols. The high accuracy of your gun is pretty amazing from NCG's description of how it shoots. And the positioning of the left-sided bolt to allow the shooter to maintain the exact same shooting grip shot-after-shot. I'll be interested to hear what you think of handling that bolt when you try it out.

The appearance of your Exemplar, DDD, is quite cool . What is the light material on the pistol complimenting the wood? At first glance, a little unusual color combo. But as a person "studies" it, looks better and better. Does it have a somewhat rough texture to provide a surer grip? Looks to be. How much does it weigh? Light or heavy to you?

Expect to hear some neat things after your range visits. Enjoy, and hope it's fun to shoot.

Thank you sir.

If the results are anything like the experience I've had to this point with my Freedom Arms 97 it's going to be very enjoyable. Not that I'm that good but it's still much easier to do better than what I am used to with most others I own. A real joy to shoot. Yes, it's some kind of textured material not unlike what I have seen on some of the other Anschutz or CZ rifles to maintain or achieve a better grip.

[North Country Gal]

Be careful not to lose those sights or parts for them should you decide to go scope or red dot. These parts are very difficult to replace and will cost you, dearly, if you lose them. Especially watch that front sight hood. Comes off very easily when removing the gun from a soft case.

That two stage trigger with its long first stage take-up is a joy to use. That long take-up allows you to touch that 8 ounce trigger without setting it off accidentally. It's there for that very reason. Don't try to remove it.

[dddrees]

Be careful not to lose those sights or parts for them should you decide to go scope or red dot. These parts are very difficult to replace and will cost you, dearly, if you lose them. Especially watch that front sight hood. Comes off very easily when removing the gun from a soft case.

That two stage trigger with its long first stage take-up is a joy to use. That long take-up allows you to touch that 8 ounce trigger without setting it off accidentally. It's there for that very reason. Don't try to remove it.

Heck, even the magazines aren't extremely easy to find. I did find some and it's great that they are the same ones that go with my rifle. I imagine the hood goes back on as easily as it comes off??

Do you remove the bolt to clean the pistol? I know I'm able to do so with my rifles, but have yet to try this on this pistol.

Very helpful, thanks for the tips.

Cheers,

Dan

[North Country Gal]

Removing the bolt is no prob. Just use the bolt release lever on the receiver.

[dddrees]

Removing the bolt is no prob. Just use the bolt release lever on the receiver.

That's what I thought. I tried but maybe I didn't work it hard enough. I didn't want to force anything so careful was more a concern. New to the bolt thing so I'm still a bit hesitant to do certain things.

Thanks

[North Country Gal]

That's stippling on the wood with some darker stain, not some add on layer. Very common on target guns.

[dddrees]

That's stippling on the wood with some darker stain, not some add on layer. Very common on target guns.

Wow, from feeling it I had no idea that was actually wood. I actually thought it might be some sort of material applied with some sort of adhesive backing. Although I did think it was very well done since I didn't see any signs of it starting to come off with age.

[North Country Gal]

Understandable, since a lot of shooters don't enter the realm of target guns. I definitely see it more in air rifles and European guns (also a big part of the air gun market). I think it provides a better grip than checkering and it is cheaper for the manufacturer to produce, especially when covering large areas of the stock. Here's one of my recent and truly excellent addition to our CZ rimfires, the 457 MTR (made in Europe, of course). Pure bench gun and one of the most accurate 22s I've ever owned. Lots of that stippling on this one.

[dddrees]

Understandable, since a lot of shooters don't enter the realm of target guns. I definitely see it more in air rifles and European guns (also a big part of the air gun market). I think it provides a better grip than checkering and it is cheaper for the manufacturer to produce, especially when covering large areas of the stock. Here's one of my recent and truly excellent addition to our CZ rimfires, the 457 MTR (made in Europe, of course). Pure bench gun and one of the most accurate 22s I've ever owned. Lots of that stippling on this one.

I remember seeing this picture when you initially posted it and thinking the same thing. Never thought it would be wood. Glad it is though as generally anything with adhesive usually comes off at some point. Certainly doesn't look as good as checkering but I can see and on my gun feel how it actually would provide a better grip.

[North Country Gal]

I like the look, but, then, I've been around these guns for a long time. Much prefer the look to cheap machine checkering. The worst of that ilk was the pressed checkering back in the 70s or so. Always get's that "what were they thinking" line of thought when I see some of those old guns.

[PT7]

I've never heard of wood stipling before -- new-to-me. Seems like it would be easier and less expensive versus checkering. I searched for a definition of wood stippling, and it noted "it can be done with nothing more than a couple of slightly modified common nails and a hammer!" To boot, no pattern as it's all random. Sure does look nice on the Exemplar, and bet it really improves the grip.

Just had a thought. Such a wood project would probably turn out great if BrokenOlMarine took it on Or anybody for that matter. Thanks for identifying what this is, NCG.

That's stippling on the wood with some darker stain, not some add on layer. Very common on target guns.

[dddrees]

I like the look, but, then, I've been around these guns for a long time. Much prefer the look to cheap machine checkering. The worst of that ilk was the pressed checkering back in the 70s or so. Always get's that "what were they thinking" line of thought when I see some of those old guns.

From other stories I've heard about the cost cutting measures they used it just sounds like yet another method they used to save money. From what I heard about the Winchester rifles after 64 they did worse with regards to the materials they used. Sounds as though it was fairly obvious that there was a big difference in quality and in some cases appearance as well. However it seems they decided cost was more important than quality and they continued to do so as long as they could get away with it.

Hard to say what if any thought was given to what they figured their customer would think. Seems at times that it can be extremely difficult to strike that balance between quality and profit or even at times survival. Personally I'd rather Winchester do as they are currently doing which is providing me with the option to get a better looking product even though I have to pay a bit more. I'm willing to pay a bit more for a better looking and a better quality product. For Winchester they just have to hope there are enough customers like me that are willing to do so for whatever their motivation because there are certainly cheaper alternatives out there.

I have checkering on a few of my rifles and it all looks good to me but I don't have much for a frame of reference. I don't have any that scream cheap to me but I have no idea what method they actually used.

[North Country Gal]

I've never heard of wood stipling before -- new-to-me. Seems like it would be easier and less expensive versus checkering. I searched for a definition of wood stippling, and it noted "it can be done with nothing more than a couple of slightly modified common nails and a hammer!" To boot, no pattern as it's all random. Sure does look nice on the Exemplar, and bet it really improves the grip.

Just had a thought. Such a wood project would probably turn out great if BrokenOlMarine took it on Or anybody for that matter. Thanks for identifying what this is, NCG.

Here's an example of just such a project on an air pistol I bought from a forum friend. He did the stippling to improve the grip and did a great job. By the way, this is a very well known Russian made air pistol, the Baikal IZH 46M, better known in air gun circles as the "Izzy". It's a single pump pneumatic and superbly accurate, designed specifically for 10 meter completion.

[markiver54]

Wow NCG!! have never seen anything like that! Thanks for sharing.