The Weihrauch HW45 Bronze Star is a classic air pistol that’s still in high demand today. That says a lot for the design of this single shot, spring/piston model. Here HAM is taking a first look at the HW45, we’ll be reviewing it in due course…
Over the years, the HW45 has been available in a number of finishes. The Bronze Star is a bronze Cerakote-finished version of this Colt 45-inspired air pistol. However the HW45 is not a centerfire replica in the sense that many current CO2-powered airguns are.
In fact, the HW45 is much larger than its firearm inspiration. Weighing 2.6 Lbs and 11-Inches long, it’s actually quite a handful to hold – although smaller than the same manufacturer’s HW44 PCP air pistol.
Unusually for an air pistol, the HW45 is available in more than just .177 caliber. If you’re looking for something really uncommon, a .20 cal version is available from AoA too.
The gun I’m shooting is in .22 caliber. It’s also a US-specification gun, as is marked on both the product and packaging in no uncertain terms!
In common with other spring/piston air pistols, the HW45 is an over-cocker. The Exposed “hammer” is actually a barrel catch. The barrel, with it’s “slide” appearance, is pulled up-and-over to cock the gun before a pellet is loaded directly into the rear of the barrel.
Two power levels are available, depending on how far over the the barrel is pulled during cocking.
With the barrel assembly in the open position, a single pellet is loaded directly into the rear of the barrel. Loading couldn’t be easier or more fool-proof!
After opening the box for the first time, I ran a dozen shots through the HW45 to remove some residual oil from the action.
Then, to check, I fired five shots with 14.43 Grain JSB Jumbo RS pellets. The Muzzle Velocities were extremely consistent, as follows:
Shot 1 – 379.43 FPS
Shot 2 – 379.00 FPS
Shot 3 – 379.52 FPS
Shot 4 – 380.45 FPS
Shot 5 – 381.33 FPS
You can’t get much more consistent than that!
The open sights have fiber optic elements and the rear sight is adjustable for elevation and windage.
Scope rails are machined into the top of the slide – at the front. This means that a pistol scope or red dot sight can be fitted to the HW45 although – like all such over-cocking actions – doing so may make the pistol more difficult to cock.
That Cerakote bronze finish is both attractive and practical. The laminated pistol grip is in a matching colorway and is heavily-stippled. This target-style grip is machined for a comfortable hold by right- and left-handers.
Although this is obviously not a blowback pistol, the spring/piston action does provide a definite kick of its own. The HW45 is an interesting air pistol to shoot!
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