Make: Hammerli

Model: 160 Free Pistol

Serial Number: 16-6087

Year of Manufacture: 1993-2002

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Single Shot, Falling Block, Left Side Lever Activated Action with Extractor

Barrel Length: 11 1/4” (285mm).

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade in-line dovetailed and screw-set to a banded mount at the muzzle. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation mounted to the top-rear of the frame.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a right-handed, contoured, wrap-around match grip with adjustable palm-shelf. There is texturing in the grip areas. There is a free-floating forend mounted to the front of the frame under the barrel which has a rail and threaded holes for mounting weights (none included). The grip has no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Excellent condition

Type of Finish: Matte Blue & Stainless Steel, the Mandall's Shooting Supply import mark is marked through the finish on the barrel.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Hammerli carry case with serial matching label, serial matching test-target medallion, paperwork including manual, and an assortment of tools and spare parts. The case's foam shows moderate-severe degrading.

Our Assessment: This is a Hammerli Model 160 Free Pistol made in between 1993 and 2002. The ISSF 50-meter pistol competition was formerly and is still unofficially often called “free pistol”. It is the purest precision shooting among the pistol events and is one of the oldest shooting types, dating back to the 19th century and only having seen marginal rule changes since 1936. The pistol used must be in caliber .22 Long Rifle ammunition, may only be loaded with one round at a time, and have conventional "open" or "iron" sights (i.e. optical and laser sights are not allowed). It must also be held and operated by one hand, and not supported by any other part of the shooter's body. Apart from that, there are practically no rules for the pistol, hence the "free" pistol moniker.

When it comes to 50-meter pistol competition, Hammerli is one of the finest options available. At the 1984 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles, Hammerli pistols were used to win all three medals as well as Silver and Bronze in the Ladies' Sport Pistol event. This should come as no surprise from a company that has been making high-quality sporting arms for 160 years and continues to this day.

This Model 160 looks like it has seen more time in its case than out and comes with a nice suite of accessories. If you're looking to get into 50m pistol competitions this would be a great piece to pick up. It will also be a fun shooter for recreational target shooting or a great addition to a competition target pistol collection. Please see our photos and good luck!