Banned Legendary Champion: The 208

The Hammerli 208 pistol is the never beaten, never equaled competition handgun, in terms of its scores never having been bettered. 

Like the S&W 41 and 212 (its short barreled relative), the 208 is derived from the Walther Olympia, Hammerli Olympia, and its immediate precessor, the 206. 

The gun uses a single stage, adjustable trigger, with adjustable rear sight that is mounted on a bridge over the slide, and not on the slide itself. 

Accuracy of the gun generally is about 0.2 MOA.  The Hammerli test targets are better than that, but are not entirely honest, due to the way they are obtained at the factory.

The gun can use 8 or 10 round magazines, with the 8 rd. magazines preferred for target competition due to smoother feed.

The 208 differs from the GSP and TT-33 in having the cartridge feed controlled by the magazine lips.  In the GSP and TT-33, this is controlled by the receiver body itself.

The gun is useful with high accuracy to 50 M and beyond (to 100 M by a good marksman).  Rails are available for optical sights, with several mounting systems available.

Many prefer to use a 300 gram weight on the gun for feel, but the main effect of the weight actually is as a barrel and gun vibration tuner, if accuracy is at issue.

Full target grips are the most common ones used, but slab grips are available.  When those are used, a shorter magazine latch is desirable.

Extended base magazines can be used to reach the bottom of the target grips, which normally are well below the base of the standard magazine.

The gun is a little large for concealed carry and the rear sight tends to catch on clothing, thus leading to preference for the 212 for that purpose.  However, the elevation-adjustable rear sight and the longer range can be real advantages in the 208.  Also, only one weight is available for the 212.  For the 208, a variety are avaialable from 80 to 300 grams.

If one is considering an FN (GIAT) Five Nine, these are a world apart.  The 208 has only the most minimal first shot inaccuracy, retains high accuracy through at least 20 rounds in rapid fire, and the accuracy is extremely good.  With the FN, first round accuracy is quite poor by comparison, and collateral damage is hard to control.  By 20 rounds, accuracy also deteriorates for a number of reasons.  However, some skill im magazine changes while firing is needed, if 20 rounds in rapid fire are desired from the Hammerli due to the 8 or 10 round magazine.

A relatively rare version of the 208 is available with a "Colt" style magazine release, and safety.  Most 208 do not have a safety.  Some have a coarse external trigger pull adjustment, as well as the fine adustment that is internal to the slide area. 

Trigger pull weight can be set as low as about 500 grams or a bit over 1 lb (depending on lubricant used), and as high as about about 2 kg (5 lbs).

The Highland Park ban status of the gun is difficult to determine with precision.  It may be a banned assault weapon due to a technical detail of the construction.  As with some of the other guns discussed, there is a problem of vagueness in the wording of the HP ordinance in this regard.

The 215, which will not be available at this event, is similar but a low cost production version.  The main problem with the 215 is the finish to the barrel, which is very reflective.  The triggers also are slightly different, and a bit easier to adjust on the 215 and the later 208 (with a wide trigger body).

Coming next most likely, the 208 S.  Better, but perhaps not.