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Daisy 717
- daytime dave
- Administrator / Owner
- Posts: 4863
- Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:27 pm
- Location: Upstate NY
Daisy 717
On the last trip to my favorite sports store, I picked up a used Daisy 717. The 717 was the least expensive of a line of single pump pistols that could hold their own with competition guns that cost a whole lot more. All you had to do was your part. I also have a 747 that has a German Lothar Walther barrel. That gun is very accurate and the trigger is very nice. This used gun is accurate and the trigger is almost as nice.
I had cataracts surgery yesterday and as soon as I could, I was down in the basement with this 717, using my new artificial lense to see how I could shoot. Nothing with recoil. During the first few days I would be having focus issues, so when I was focusing ok, away I went.
The gun functions fine for used. Some pelgun oil had been applied after purchase a few months ago and I tried it out then. The results were obviously mixed when you can't see well.
Today, I focused better and adjusted the rear sight. It was not tight, but adjusted all right. I dialed it in and finally, three went in the square I drew. I hadn't seen a "proper" sight picture in many months. I was pleased with the gun and the initial results. The gun is a single pump. If you pump it again, it doesn't add more air to the chamber. It has a cross bolt safety in front of the trigger. I have read that you could send the right hand grips back to Daisy and they would send you a set of left hand grips if you were left handed.
Velocity is supposed to be about 360 fps. Definitely seems about right. Very few crisp holes in the target. I used the same german made wadcutter style pellets for all shots.
I was even able to find a "custom" case for it. A previous Christmas gift had contained a BBQ spatula, sauce brush and sauce. The inside had several velcro tie downs. One was a perfect fit for the trigger guard. The gun and a tin of pellets transport very nicely inside.
They don't make any of the 7xx series anymore. One in good condition is a treat to shoot. Perhaps I'll find a 777 next.
I had cataracts surgery yesterday and as soon as I could, I was down in the basement with this 717, using my new artificial lense to see how I could shoot. Nothing with recoil. During the first few days I would be having focus issues, so when I was focusing ok, away I went.
The gun functions fine for used. Some pelgun oil had been applied after purchase a few months ago and I tried it out then. The results were obviously mixed when you can't see well.
Today, I focused better and adjusted the rear sight. It was not tight, but adjusted all right. I dialed it in and finally, three went in the square I drew. I hadn't seen a "proper" sight picture in many months. I was pleased with the gun and the initial results. The gun is a single pump. If you pump it again, it doesn't add more air to the chamber. It has a cross bolt safety in front of the trigger. I have read that you could send the right hand grips back to Daisy and they would send you a set of left hand grips if you were left handed.
Velocity is supposed to be about 360 fps. Definitely seems about right. Very few crisp holes in the target. I used the same german made wadcutter style pellets for all shots.
I was even able to find a "custom" case for it. A previous Christmas gift had contained a BBQ spatula, sauce brush and sauce. The inside had several velcro tie downs. One was a perfect fit for the trigger guard. The gun and a tin of pellets transport very nicely inside.
They don't make any of the 7xx series anymore. One in good condition is a treat to shoot. Perhaps I'll find a 777 next.
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Some days I'm Andy, most days I'm Barney........
Eaglescout, NRA Life Endowment member, BCCI Life Member
Eaglescout, NRA Life Endowment member, BCCI Life Member
Re: Daisy 717
Good looking pistol. Hope the new lenses work like they should. Congratulations on both.
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- North Country Gal
- Firearms Advisor
- Posts: 6189
- Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2016 12:46 pm
- Location: northern Wisconsin
Re: Daisy 717
Glad the new lenses are working out for you. Keep us posted on the progress.
I bought a used 747 at a gun snow some years back and it's never let me down. Very user-friendly air pistol with target accuracy. Such a shame that Daisy dropped the series. Would love to find the 777, too, but I've never seen one, locally.
I bought a used 747 at a gun snow some years back and it's never let me down. Very user-friendly air pistol with target accuracy. Such a shame that Daisy dropped the series. Would love to find the 777, too, but I've never seen one, locally.
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- Cattle Driver
- Posts: 884
- Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 10:48 pm
- Location: Spokane WA
Re: Daisy 717
I have one just like that, except I bought it new a few years back . Like around 1975….
I tuned the trigger and added an over travel stop screw, it is delightful compared to the original. OTH it is probably no longer drop safe, so I am always very careful with it when the safety is off. If you are interested I can post a few pics. It still has the original seals and it still works fine. You can still find a wood grip for it …. https://www.precisiontargetpistolgrips.com/. Mine still looks very nice, but not so much as yours. Nice find!
John Davies
Spokane WA
I tuned the trigger and added an over travel stop screw, it is delightful compared to the original. OTH it is probably no longer drop safe, so I am always very careful with it when the safety is off. If you are interested I can post a few pics. It still has the original seals and it still works fine. You can still find a wood grip for it …. https://www.precisiontargetpistolgrips.com/. Mine still looks very nice, but not so much as yours. Nice find!
John Davies
Spokane WA
Last edited by John E Davies on Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Cattle Driver
- Posts: 884
- Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 10:48 pm
- Location: Spokane WA
Re: Daisy 717
Here’s mine. The plastic sights are lame but functional And my left grip has no gold medallion.
John Davies
Spokane WA
John Davies
Spokane WA
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- RetiredSeabee
- Administrator
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 5:04 pm
- Location: Harrisburg, North Carolina
Re: Daisy 717
Glad to hear your peepers are working. I have a 747 that I bought from our old friend TGR some years ago. I will have to keep an eye out for the other two models now.
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Load on Sunday and Shoot all Week.......okay it's a Mare's Leg I will reload on Wednesday.
- North Country Gal
- Firearms Advisor
- Posts: 6189
- Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2016 12:46 pm
- Location: northern Wisconsin
Re: Daisy 717
Yup, TGR was quite the shooter. I bought my IZH-46M "Izzy" from him. Awesome air pistol.
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- Sir Henry
- Administrator / Owner
- Posts: 12237
- Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:58 pm
- Location: Price County Wisconsin
Re: Daisy 717
I bought several handguns, rifles and even a shotgun from TGR.
Great to hear your vision is better. The Hav-A-Hank looks great too and made in the USA.
Great to hear your vision is better. The Hav-A-Hank looks great too and made in the USA.
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Hi, my name is Gene and I'm a Henryholic from Wisconsin.
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater