Posted: 10/15/2011 10:47:23 PM EDT
Thinking of getting one as my first .22LR pistol. (The 4.5" / 115mm model)
Impressions? Reasons to not get one? (Besides it's $$$$) |
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As said, there were issues with the trigger guards cracking. I don't know how common of an issue it was, or if it would still be an issue. Maybe they've made improvements.
I had two Trailsides over the years, never had the trigger guard crack. They felt like a really nice, lightweight .22 pistol, but in the end I wasn't all that impressed with the reliability. However back then I mostly bought about the cheapest .22 ammo I could find. |
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The Trailside was made still by Hämmerli but the name was bought by Walther, which is owned by Umarex. Now the X-ESSE is made by Walther under the Hämmerli brand name.
While the pistol resembles a Hämmerli 208/212, it has much feweer parts and trigger pull and general quality do not compare. I prefer a Ruger MkII over any Umarex product. 
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I have a Trailside that I use frequently for bullseye. It's a fine pistol; after Larry's trigger job I'd put it above the Rugers and Buckmarks I've owned. I'd prefer it even over a S&W 41...
When I bought mine a few years ago, I called Larry's and spoke to his daughter (Amanda) who is the Trailside expert. She was very helpful and even looked at the gunbroker auction listing for me. I asked her about the cracking issue and she responded that she had not experienced this issue. I was surprised to hear that since the internet is all abuzz with cracked trigger guards... I asked her what type of ammo she recommends. She responded that most people who shoot their Trailsides use Wolf, Eley, Aguila SV. I asked her "so, no high velocity?" and she responded with "oh no!" (as in, "of course not!") These are standard velocity-only guns! I have put thousands and thousands of rounds through my Trailside. Running great. My slide stop has quit working which is a common complaint. I've got some ideas I've been meaning to try to get it fixed, but mostly I just live without it. ETA: I only now noticed you said that this would be your first gun. Really, if it were me, I'd go with a Ruger or Buckmark unless you intend to use it for bullseye. I don't know what the ammo situation is like in Canada, but down here in the states it's mostly high velocity. ETA2: Here's a picture of mine, with a timed-fire 100 target: 
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I have a Trailside and it is a fun gun.
The plastic magazines are "meh" reliability wise. The accuracy and trigger are acceptable for what I use it for (plinking and as a trail gun). I don't know how expensive they are in Canada, but if they are pricey then I would strongly consider a used S&W 41, etc as an alternative. Used target pistols don't have a great resale value (at least here in the states). A used Walther GSP, Pardini, Unique, etc. can often be found for good deals. Unfortunately Hammerli 208S pistols appear to retain their value. 
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