If it's designed to work with gas, you have to use gas, no other way.
General rule of thumb is buy the best you can afford for what it is you want to do (target shooting, hunting, display, collect, etc..)
The cheapest pistol I am aware of is a revolver I bought for $37. Upwards of that, the sky is the limit. Average cost of a new pistol is in the $300-500 range. Used guns are slightly cheaper. Custom-built handguns, like competition pistols are often between 3000-5000. Collectible pistols can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Do not expect any air pistol to come near advertised speeds. Evanix, FX air guns and others make super powered pcp airguns that can reach into the 600-700 fps area, where as other spring pistols like the browning 800 mag and Diana p5 and lp8 can get around 500 fps.
$600.00 for one Like new in box . The used market is drying up on the FWB co2 pistols. Price may go up. Pistol sold for $1,050 in 1988. It doesn't wear out, a fine pistol.
check out this video: In general, Sigma pistols disassemble like a Glock. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7ws0gAQlpY
I have very little information on the pistol. However I see that it is a Target or Match pistol. This tells me that it most likely only fires around 500 FPS like most match pistols. These pistols are not known for speed but are known for accuracy. That's why they are considered Match/Target pistols. As an example the NEW FAS 609 only has a velocity of 500 FPS but is dead accurate. The only importer in the USA is Airguns of Arizona in Gilbert AZ.
Smoothbore pistols are restricted in US. They are not banned, but they must be registered and a special tax must be paid when buying one. However, there are pistols that will chamber .410 shotshells and .45LC pistol ammo. They typically have at least a short rifled section near the muzzle, or a fully rifled barrel, which allows them to be classified as regular handguns and therefore avoid the extra restrictions. The most notable one is the Judge revolver from Taurus. There are also a few derringer-style pistols from several small manufacturers, like Cobray/Leinad.
Without trying to reach a technical distinction on the weapon's nomenclature and the way that the English language works, consider these general rules: * A pistol, revolver, semi automatic and a muzzle loading derringer are all handguns. * Using the Queen's English all handguns are pistols. * In American useage all handguns are not pistols, a revolver is not a pistol because it has a revolving chamber. * All revolvers are not pistols because revolvers can be long guns or rifles as well. A revolving cylinder is a mechanism, and in both forms of the English language, a rifle using a revolving chamber is a long gun and therfore a rifle. * A derringer whether it is a cartridge firing, break open model or a cap and ball model is a pistol and a handgun but never an automatic or a revolver. * A derringer is not a Deringer, but a Deringer is always a Deringer. * A Heckler & Koch or a Colt 1911A1 automatic is a pistol and a handgun and it is never a revolver. It is also not really an automatic since it is a semi-automatic. * A Colt can be a rifle, a revolving rifle a semi-automatic or a revolver. * All revolvers are not Colts. * A pistol like the Thompson Contender is not a revolver or a semi-automatic and can become a rifle in a few seconds. A Contender can't become an automatic, but a Thompson can. * Confused? Just don't call it a gun.
better to ask, 'can I fire this pistol' ?? If ever in doubt or not sure, take pistol to gunsmith to check it out as a firing pistol. You need correct ammunition. Modern pistols fire modern bullets. Older pistols, like from 1870's, may require black powder bullets. Your pistol is probably marked as to pistol model and date. If not, the make and serial number can be checked to determine date made. If the inside of your barrel is black and debrie filled, don't shoot it. they is why you seek a gunsmith.....the last part is sight and alignment. that is put the front sight between the rear sight and put on center of a target. slowly pull back on trigger until pistol discharges. keep finger OFF trigger until ready to fire.................lots more, but this is a start............
There is no legal maximum for a pistol barrel, A RIFLE must have a MINIMUM 16 inch barrel unless registered as a "Short Barreled Rifle", but pistols do not have a maximum.
The least costly airsoft guns are spring operated. You either pull back on the slide of a pistol or the cocking lever of a rifle like on the dual power (battery or spring) HK MP5. A compact-sized pistol starts at $10 at on-line retailers and they go up from there.
In a gas there there is no spring, it is more like a real gun but with gas instead. In battery/electric there is a spring but It resets itself after every round unlike a spring pistol where you have to cock it every time.