Posts Tagged ‘Weihrauch’

It's A Classic! The Weihrauch HW90

The Weihrauch HW90 is a beautiful, powerful and consistent air rifle. It offers an excellent, light trigger, plenty of power and superb quality of construction.

Traditionalists will love the comprehensive iron sights and the beautiful woodwork. While the limited lifetime warranty from Airguns of Arizona gives the comfort of long-term security.

But potential owners need to know that this is a big, heavy air rifle that’s best suited for a big, strong owner. That cocking effort is a real work-out!

It's A Classic! The Weihrauch HW90

The Weihrauch HW90 air rifle is the German manufacturer’s only airgun with a gas ram powerplant. Unlike any other gas ram airgun, it has the built-in capability to change the pressure inside the gas ram – and therefore the power. True, it requires the use of a separate, additional cost, pump and gauge, but it can be done and AoA has them in stock.

The .177 caliber Weihrauch HW90 air rifle I tested delivered a maximum Muzzle Velocity of 1,320 FPS with 5.0 Grain Predator GTO lead-free pellets. As with most gas ram-powered airguns, the lightest pellets also produced the highest Muzzle Energy of 21.35 Ft/Lbs.

As expected, FPS steadily declined with increasing pellet weight. However, the heaviest – 10.65 Grain – H&N Baracuda Match pellets still generated a strong 17.86 Ft/Lbs of Muzzle Energy. They also produced the best accuracy.

At 25 Yards, this HW90 achieved sub-1-inch groups for 10 shots. But the gun feels as if it has more accuracy to give. Weihrauch emphasizes that the HW90 requires a break-in period of several hundred shots before peak performance is attained. So accuracy could well improve with time…

Unlike other Weihrauch break barrels, the HW90 does not use the company’s famed “Rekord” trigger. Instead there’s an “Elite” trigger, with the automatic safety in front of the trigger guard.

The trigger was very smooth and easy to use. There was a clear two-stage feel and the release was very consistent and predictable. This is good!

Then the average Trigger Pull Weight (TPW) was just 1 Lb 11.5 Oz. That’s probably the lowest pull weight that I have ever recorded for a breakbarrel air rifle!

However, that light, easy trigger was offset by the extremely high effort required to cock the gun.

Having a gas ram action, the cocking effort did not increase through the stroke of rotating the barrel. It was high right from the start and continued there. I measured a cocking effort of no less than 45 Lbs!


But – there’s a big but! This test gun was tested at maximum pressure in the gas ram. While that gives the most power, it also causes the cocking effort to be highest, too.

As the Weihrauch HW90 air rifle has that unique adjustable gas ram feature, the cocking effort would be reduced – possibly significantly – if the gun was tuned to perform best with mid-weight lead pellets – say the 8.64 Grain H&N Field Target Trophies.

That’s something I hope to investigate in future…

There are plenty of airgunners who like to shoot using iron sights. For these people, the Weihrauch HW90 air rifle is a joy because it’s fitted with a serious set of traditional open sights. There’s not a fiber optic element to be seen!

The front sight comprises a hooded housing with interchangeable elements. In fact, the manufacturer includes no less than six different interchangeable elements. These are easily interchanged and give the owner a wide variety of options for open-sight shooting.

The rear sight is click-adjustable for elevation and windage, of course.

In addition, the Weihrauch HW90 air rifle can also be fitted with a scope.
The rear of the compression tube is machined with standard airgun rails and there’s no less than three deep scope stop holes. These allow for flexibility in scope mount positioning based on scope size and the user’s eye relief requirements.


It's A Classic! The Weihrauch HW90

For my review, I mounted a Hawke 4-12 x 40 AO scope on the HW90 using a solid, one-piece Leapers UTG mount. This scopes fairly light but has good optical quality and an Adjustable Objective (AO) for focusing down to 10 Yards.

At 12.9-Inches overall length, this is far from the longest scope that it’s possible to mount on the HW90. There was still 1.5 inches gap between the front of the scope and the rear of the barrel, giving plenty of flexibility for scope placement or installing a longer scope.

To obtain a nice low eyeline, we combined a Medium height mount with this one-Inch tube scope. Everything worked-out perfectly, with minimum clearances all round, yet no contact from the scope’s turret box or focusing ring.

The Weihrauch HW90 air rifle is a solidly-built air gun and the weight reflects that. The all-up weight of the test gun and scope was 11 Lbs 5 Oz. This, combined with the heavy weight and long overall length of 45.25 Inches, means that the HW90 is best-suited to a strongly-built shooter. This is not a kid’s gun!

The HW90 air rifle has a simple, classic design. The stock is simple yet comfortable. Although there’s no modern touches such as an adjustable comb to the stock, it was comfortable to shoot.

Note that the HW90 has a stock design that favors right-handed shooters with it’s cheek rest. However it can be shot by left-handers also.

At a price of $669.99, it’s clearly in the upper range of pricing for guns of this type, but if you have the physical strength and physique to manage it, the Weirauch HW90 can be a great classic choice for the connoisseur.

It’s Still A Classic! The Weihrauch HW30S

The Weihrauch HW30S is a spring/piston air rifle air rifle that’s been available for many years. In fact, it’s no mistake to describe it as a classic break barrel airgun.

Yet it still sells strongly because this German-manufactured airgun offers outstanding quality. It combines this with great handling and is easy to shoot well. All at a very attractive price!

The HW30S is compact and is supplied with industry-leading open sights. It’s great for the whole family to use for plinking and informal target shooting.

Sure, it’s not a powerhouse hunting gun. But the limited power allows so many other positive attributes that most people will be happy to accept that and just enjoy the fun of shooting it…

It’s Still A Classic! The Weihrauch HW30S

Remarkably, the HW30S currently being sold by Airguns of Arizona for just $313.98. That’s outstanding value for money, particularly when combined with an amazing – for a gun of this price – limited lifetime warranty!

This price is really not so much more than that of many widely-available spring/piston or gas ram air rifles, yet the quality and shootability are “night and day” different.

So why is that?

Well, like all other airguns from the family-owned Weihrauch company, the HW30S doesn’t strive to attract customers with all the latest features and marketing buzzwords. There’s no “Zillion FPS” muzzle velocity claims, nor many of the other “bells and whistles” that are found on so many other breakbarrels.

Instead you have a simple, great-shooting gun that can provide tons of enjoyment for the whole family. You don’t have to be a body-builder to cock it, the weight is light and the recoil minimal.

The only downside is the relatively low Muzzle Velocity. Although that is precisely the reason for most of the other benefits…

With the Weihrauch HW30S we have a genuine case of “less is more”!

Most mid-range, domed pellets produced 615 – 640 FPS from the .177 caliber gun I shot. Typical Muzzle Energy is in the 7 – 8 Ft/Lbs range.

This is fine for plinking and informal target shooting out to about 40 Yards. But it’s not enough for ethical hunting use unless you’re an expert shot, the range very short and the quarry very small.

The best accuracy in my test was achieved by 8.64 Grain H&N Field Target Trophy pellets. However the HW30S was consistently accurate with a wide variety of pellets. It’s not at all “pellet picky” and that’s unusual.

Weihrauch triggers are always good. The HW30S I tested was no exception and was very pleasant. The trigger blade itself is metal, nicely-curved and ridged for good finger contact.

Touching the trigger brings a very light first stage into play. Then there’s a clear distinction with the second stage. Sear release is predictable and controllable. The average pull weight was just above 2.5 Lbs.

Cocking is smooth and quiet. There’s none of the roughness that sometimes afflicts springers. In fact the cocking action itself is actually very pleasant. There’s no whip or flexing in the action and the ball bearing lock-up is very positive and solid.

Cocking effort of the HW30S I tested peaked at about 24 Lbs. This would definitely be considered light or manageable by the vast majority of shooters. That makes the HW30 ideal for extended shooting sessions.

The relatively low muzzle velocity means that the HW30 is backyard-friendly, even with light alloy pellets. This makes it ideal for many airgunners whose range is in their back yard, garage or basement.

There’s no moderator, shroud or any silencing system fitted to this air rifle. But that’s because there’s no need for such equipment!

Weihrauch is one of the few airgun manufacturers which remain truly committed to open sights.

The rear sight has the expected click adjustment capabilities for windage and elevation. But look closer and you’ll see that this rear sight actually has a choice of four different sighting notches!

By pulling out and rotating the rear sight notch plate, you’ll find a choice of wide and narrow square notches, a V notch and a U-shaped notch. These are the perfect compliment to the interchangeable front sight elements – no less than six of them! – which are also provided with the HW30S.

That’s no less than 24 different combinations of iron sight configurations provided with the gun!

For my HW30 test review, I mounted a Hawke AirMax 4-12 x 40 scope using an one-piece mount. Such a scope would be a typical choice for many HW30 purchasers. It’s fairly light but has good optical quality and an Adjustable Objective (AO) for focusing down to 10 Yards.

Note that – if you order the scope and mount at the same time as the gun – AoA will carefully install and sight it in at no additional charge. That’s an outstanding free service !

At 12.9-Inches overall length, this is definitely the longest scope that it’s possible to mount on the HW30. Any longer and it would not be possible to break the barrel!

Even with the Hawke Airmax 4-12 x 40 scope mounted, the total weight of the HW30 was just 7 Lbs 3 Oz. That made it extremely easy to carry and hold.

The Center of Gravity was just where you want it: directly ahead of the trigger and in the natural position for the shooter’s forehand. So balance and handling were natural, neutral and easy to achieve. This was aided by the pleasantly-shaped ambidextrous buttstock.

With the low-mounted scope, I was able to achieve an excellent cheek weld against the stock, while the rubber buttpad gave a secure, grippy surface against the shoulder.

To summarize, the HW30 is a little air rifle that exudes quality.  Metal finish is exemplary, bluing is deep and even. The Italian Minelli stock is gracefully-shaped and has panels of sharply-executed checkering in the Beech wood.

Performance is outstanding so long as you can accept the limited power level available.

It also benefits from that outstanding limited lifetime warranty that’s fulfilled in the USA by Airguns of Arizona. That’s a huge benefit that shows that the quality impression is not just skin deep!

Weihrauch HW110 TK PCP Air Rifle

The Weihrauch HW110 TK is the latest model from the famous German manufacturer. It’s fitted with an elegant gray laminated stock making for a very attractive overall appearance.

In case you were wondering, the “T” stands for “Thumbhole”, while “K” represents “Kurz” – “short” in German i.e. carbine length. It’s one of several models in the HW110 range that are available at Airguns of Arizona.

As with other Weihrauch PCP air rifles, the HW110 TK is well-priced for such a high quality product. It represents strong value for those who value accuracy, a great trigger, handling and “feel” over shot count.

Overall appearance of the Weihrauch HW110 TK is that of a sophisticated, quality product. There’s nothing fancy, flashy or unnecessary, just the beauty that comes from great design engineering and huge attention to detail in manufacturing.

Weihrauch HW110 TK PCP Air Rifle

The HW110 is broadly similar to the long-running HW100. However it’s more compact and lighter, with different ergonomics, too. In fact, the action is closer to that of the HW44 PCP air pistol!

Similarities between all three models include sidelever cocking, unbroken scope mounting rail and a 10-shot rotary magazine.

There’s always something special about Weihrauch PCPs and that’s the way with the HW100 TK. It’s very difficult to describe, but these air rifles give a “just right” feel when you shoulder the gun. Weihrauch PCPs always seem to fit, hold and point very well for a wide range of people.

The rake of the stock’s pistol grip is ideal. This combines with a raised comb to the stock that gives a comfortable cheek weld.

The 39.25-Inch overall length is very manageable and comfortable to hold on target. Further, the overall weight of 9 Lb 10 Oz – with the scope mounted – is very well balanced, too.

Weihrauch HW110 TK PCP Air Rifle

The Weihrauch HW110 TK air rifle I tested gave outstandingly consistent muzzle velocity. However the small HPA tank capacity and high power level means that shooters will need to refill after 20 – 30 shots to achieve the extreme consistency of FPS that the HW110 can achieve.

In addition, this HW110 was accurate with all the pellets I tried. This is a benefit I have found before with other Weihrauch PCPs. They tend to not be very pellet-picky. Of course, there is – as with most airguns – a general tendency for mid-weight and heavier pellets to shoot more accurately than lighter pellets.

The HW110 TK I tested was in .177 caliber. JSB 10.34 Grain Exact Heavy Diabolo pellets turned-out to be the favorite fodder, producing excellent accuracy!

For sighting, I used UTG Pro rings to mount a Sightron S-TAC 3-16 x 42AO scope. The combination looks good and handles well, too. (Look for this scope to be available at AoA in the near future).

Weihrauch HW110 TK PCP Air Rifle

The Weihrauch HW110 is supplied with an optional, screw-on Picatinny rail. It’s ideal for attaching a bipod. For most of us, resting the gun improves our accuracy – so this is good to have. It’s optional: if you don’t want it, don’t fit it.

That proved ideal for mounting a Spartan Javelin bipod. I find that it is an ideal piece of equipment when light weight – make that very light weight – portability and simplicity are required.

The trigger pull weight of this Weihrauch HW110 TK averaged just 8.5 Ounces. That’s, 0 Lbs 8.5 Oz!

Even with such a light setting, there’s a clearly-defined first stage with a fair degree of travel. Pulling back, it’s easy to feel the “wall” – even with such a light pull weight. The smallest amount of additional pressure then releases the sear with a real “glass break” sharpness of definition.

The side cocking lever is comfortable and easy to operate. The lever itself has a very good shape for operation.

Opening the lever is requires almost no effort. There’s just a little more required for the final few degrees of swing as the magazine is rotated in preparation for the next shot.

Closing the lever requires a larger, satisfying amount of effort. You’re not likely to close the lever by accident on an HW110! However it doesn’t feel bad, rather I’d describe it as a “definite” action.

Another significant benefit of the HW110 – as with other Weihrauch PCPs – is that it has an effective double feed prevention system. Unlike many magazine-fed PCP air rifles it’s not possible to double-feed this gun.

If the cocking lever is opened and closed on the already-loaded action, a second pellet is NOT loaded.

For many of us, this can be an extremely beneficial feature. It eliminates the possibility of a double-shotted discharge where neither of the pellets will hit the target. It also removes the potential of jamming, by preventing double-feeds.

The HW110 is supplied with two rotary magazines. These are very simple to use and foolproof in operation. Also included is a fill probe. But note that you’ll need to buy an adapter to connect it to a regular female 1/8-Inch NPT connector, as is likely to be fitted to your HPA tank of compressor. AoA can advise if you need help on this.

Yes, the HW110 is yet another great air rifle from Weihrauch. It’s definitely worthy of consideration if you’re looking for a sophisticated, accurate PCP that fits you like a glove!

The Weihrauch HW100 Bullpup was first shown at the 2019 IWA OutdoorClasics trade show in Germany. Now it’s arrived in the USA and we are looking at one of the first guns received by Airguns of Arizona.

The Weihrauch HW100 BP - It's An Absolute Gem!

Perhaps surprisingly, the Weihrauch HW100 Bullpup is a version of the HW100, with its metal receiver. It’s not based on the more recent HW110 which has a synthetic receiver. It’s available in both .177 and .22 calibers and also in short and long versions.

The carbine version features a shorter barrel, together with a smaller HPA cylinder. This will mean less power and a lower number of shots. However the upside is to be found in the outstanding handling available in this compact package.

The Weihrauch HW100 BP - It's An Absolute Gem!

For testing, we mounted an MTC Viper Pro 3-18 x 50 scope using Leapers UTG Pro rings. There’s a choice of scope-mounting options. Regular airgun grooves are machined in the top of the receiver. However a separate Picatinny rail is screwed screwed onto it by default. We chose to use this for our scope mounting.

We also attached an UTG TBNR bipod to the short, removable Picatinny rail under the forend.

The Weihrauch HW100 BP - It's An Absolute Gem!

The Weihrauch HW100 Bullpup has a mid-mounted sidelever action. It’s located – as expected – on the right side of the gun and is conveniently located near to the trigger blade.

The Weihrauch HW100 BP - It's An Absolute Gem!

The HW100 Bullpup is supplied with a Weihrauch-manufactured silencer permanently-attached to the barrel. It also comes complete with two magazines, a fill probe and degassing tools. The HPA tank is removable – it unscrews like that of other Weihrauch PCPs. The front lower Picatinny rail is also supplied separately, with its fixing screws.

The Weihrauch HW100 BP - It's An Absolute Gem!

The trigger of the Weihrauch HW100 Bullpup Carbine is a two-stage design. The pull weight averaged just 14.7 Oz in the sample we tested. The first stage was very light. However – despite the light pull weight – the “stop” for the second stage was very easy to feel. Release was then clean and precise.

All bullpup air rifles with a mechanical trigger separate the trigger and sear assemblies with a long rod. This is seen in the photograph below for the Weihrauch HW100 BP Carbine with the HPA tank removed. 

The Weihrauch HW100 BP - It's An Absolute Gem!

Overall, the short length (23 Inches) and compact design make this new air rifle a delight to handle. The Weihrauch HW100 Bullpup Carbine shoulders well and is fast and easy to bring onto aim.

This is enhanced by the molded pistol grip which – like that on other Weihrauch PCPs – is outstandingly comfortable and obviously designed with considerable care. The trigger guard has cut outs on either side. These position the user’s trigger finger safely away from contact with the trigger, yet leave it as close as possible for rapid access when ever a shot need to be taken.

The Weihrauch HW100 BP - It's An Absolute Gem!

The Weihrauch HW100 BP Carbine is an individualist’s air rifle. It’s not trying to offer the most power, highest shot count or maximum versatility. What it does offer, however, is superlative quality of manufacture, outstanding handling and huge practicality. It combines this with excellent accuracy and enough power for most users. And it does it with great style!

If you’re looking for a light, quiet, compact PCP air rifle that’s “out of the box ready” with the minimum of fuss, the Weihrauch HW100 Bullpup Carbine definitely fits the bill. And it’s available at Airguns of Arizona now!


Herr Hans Weihrauch Talks About His Company, Weihrauch Sport

In this exclusive interview, Herr Hans Weihrauch – the owner of Weihrauch Sport – talks to Stephen Archer. We met most recently at the 2018 Extreme Benchrest competition in Arizona. Here’s how the conversation went…


Stephen Archer: When did you first start shooting and who taught you to shoot?

Hans Weihrauch: That was quite a long time ago! At about the age of 10-12 years, I started shooting with an air rifle. My father was a member of a shooting club and took me to a German “Schützenhaus”, shooting on a 10 Meter target range. Shooting instructors taught other young guys and myself how to hold the air rifle and to aim at the paper targets.


Stephen Archer: What was your first airgun and do you still own it?

Hans Weihrauch: I started this kind of shooting with a HW 55 match type air rifle. This rifle is still standing in my gun cabinet. I still own it and I am proud of it!

Herr Hans Weihrauch Talks About His Company, Weihrauch Sport


Stephen Archer: What is your favorite type of shooting now?

Hans Weihrauch: I shoot 50 Meter English Match in cal. .22 Long Rifle as well as some Field Target competitions.

I find Field Target shooting very interesting and challenging. Shooting at various distances, in different directions on one lane, in different shooting positions and in a limited time frame is very demanding for every shooter.


Stephen Archer: Please tell us a little history about the Weihrauch company?

Hans Weihrauch: Our family tradition in working in the gun trade started in the late 1890s. In 1899 our great-grandfather founded his first company to produce hunting rifles. Over the following decades the company grew and a lot of different models followed as well as other products like pedals and cranks for bicycles and hydraulic door closers.

In 1939 the first airgun, an air pistol, was introduced, but due to World War II it never got into production. There is at least one prototype still existing. I’ve seen it myself, but unfortunately it’s not owned by us any more.

In the early fifties of the last century the first air rifles HW 50 and HW 35 were launched. A lot of different models have followed over the years!

Herr Hans Weihrauch Talks About His Company, Weihrauch Sport


Stephen Archer: Can you tell us a little about the company today. For example, how many people work at Weihrauch-Sport? How big is your factory? Is everything made in Germany?

Hans Weihrauch: Nowadays our line of air guns offers a wide variety of different models. More than 100 employees produce air pistols and air rifles in a huge number of versions in our premises at Mellrichstadt in Baveria.

All our products are “Made in Germany”. Our major focus is quality and craftsmanship. All manufacturing is undertaken using state-of-the-art machinery. We aim to offer our customers the best possible products!

Below. The Weihrauch factory.

Herr Hans Weihrauch Talks About His Company, Weihrauch Sport


Stephen Archer: Always, the machining and finish of both wood and metal parts is beautiful on Weihrauch airguns! How do you achieve such an outstanding level of craftsmanship?

Hans Weihrauch: Germans have the reputation of being perfectionists. So we happily try to meet our customers expectations! This reflects to all the metal and wooden parts.

The stocks and grips are supplied by outside vendors according to our exact specifications. The metal parts are produced by ourselves in-house. Our workers are proud to produce such products that are well-known all over the world.


Stephen Archer: Does Weihrauch-Sport manufacture the barrels for it’s air rifles?

Hans Weihrauch: Most of our barrels are produced in-house. This gives us constant quality control monitoring on each barrel during the whole production process, right up to final test shooting. In this way we can always guarantee our quality standards on each production step of the barrels.

Herr Hans Weihrauch Talks About His Company, Weihrauch Sport


Stephen Archer: Most Weihrauch air rifles use the spring/piston system. Only the HW90 uses a gas ram. Can you explain why gas rams are not used in more Weihrauch air rifles?

Hans Weihrauch: As always, different systems have advantages but also disadvantages. Our spring piston systems work very well. Nevertheless we are always working and improving our air guns to reach the best possible quality to fit our customer needs. We have a lot of customers who love our spring piston air guns and also our gas ram HW 90 model.


Stephen Archer: Weihrauch manufactures both underlever-cocking and break-barrel spring/piston air rifles. Can you give your opinion on the benefits of each design?

Hans Weihrauch: Yes, we are producing both versions, break barrel and underlever cocking.

For decades the break barrel rifles have been the main product. They are easy to handle and everyone knows how to manage, load and shot, them. This system is ideal for beginners and for “just for fun” – shooting.

We then launched the HW 77. This new design conquered the Field Target Shooting scene and was copied several times. The scope mount and the barrel/receiver components are one unit and built a stable and fixed system. This design is valued more by the serious and experienced shooter.

Herr Hans Weihrauch Talks About His Company, Weihrauch Sport


Stephen Archer: Here at Extreme Benchrest we see almost everyone shooting PCP air rifles. Do you see PCPs as the big future trend for your company, too?

Hans Weihrauch: The EBR event is a special and unique event for shooting taking place in the USA.

The shooting demands are on longer distances and for special disciplines like for example the Extreme Benchrest up to 100 Yards, Extreme Field Target or the Speed Silhouette. There definitely the PCP rifles have their big advantage and will be also the future trend. It is a growing scene and market.

For the “normal” shooter these PCP products are quite expensive, especially with all the necessary charging equipment. He will probably step into the shooting scene on a lower level according to his budget and his aim. And sometimes compressed air isn’t available at all places. Perhaps later he will also join other disciplines.

Therefore we are offering our wide range of air guns in various versions and for different purposes. So nearly everybody can find a suitable product for their needs from Weihrauch.

Herr Hans Weihrauch Talks About His Company, Weihrauch Sport


Stephen Archer: Can we expect to see any new air rifle designs from Weihrauch in 2019?

Hans Weihrauch: We are constantly working to improve the quality of our products. So permanent developments and amendments are implemented into the production process of the different models.

Furthermore we are also thinking on new projects. Just recently our newest PCP air rifle – the HW 110 ST – was launched in a special carbine version.

Herr Hans Weihrauch Talks About His Company, Weihrauch Sport

Also in 2019 you can expect something new from Weihrauch. But… wait and see!


Stephen Archer: Hans, thanks for this great interview! I’m sure this will be of great interest to the huge number of Weihrauch enthusiasts around the world. I look forward to seeing you again next year in Nuremberg for the IWA Show and in Las Vegas for the SHOT Show.

Hans Weihrauch: Steve, I look forward to it!

Weihrauch HW95

The Weihrauch HW95 spring-piston airgun.

Most of us live in a fast pace rat race society.  With today’s advanced technology we stay connected to family, friends and the workplace associates seemingly 24/7.  I find myself looking back at the days of my youth with pleasure more and more.

At the age of 54, I grew up when phones still had cords, fuel was .25 cents per gallon and the drive-in movie was a great place to take your sweetheart or find one.  I remember saving the spent shot shells from my dad’s 16-gauge after the opening day of dove season because I thought they were so cool.  As a society we seem to need immediate satisfaction with today’s connectivity. We can order the latest widget and expect it at our door tomorrow, use it over the weekend, and discard it after our disappointment over its lack of quality and/or performance. We tend to want our things fast and cheap, and not value the qualities that last.

My last blog post was in honor of Mr. Stefan Weihrauch, owner/partner of the HW airgun factory in Germany. The owner brothers Hans and Stefan have built a company that embraces quality over quantity with high value for the money. I recommend their products highly. In particular, the Weihrauch HW95. This rifle is of the highest quality and performance standard with pricing that was negotiated by Stefan before his passing to provide German engineering at a value that rivals much cheaper made airguns. Take advantage of this special promotion while it lasts and bring back some childhood memories. It will put a smile on your face!

Thank you for reading,

Robert Buchanan

President, Airguns of Arizona

Every year in March, the European version of the Shot Show takes place in Nürnberg Germany. IWA, as it is referred to, is where manufactures from all over the world gather to showcase their goods and release the new products that have been painstakingly developed in the previous years and are now ready for public admiration. Factory managers, design engineers, and marketing gurus come together with anxious excitement in hopes that their customers will be equally excited and fill the order books.  The 2015 IWA show brings exciting news to those finding there way to the stands of Daystate, FX Airguns, Weihrauch, and Brocock. These fine factories have each done their work to provide the airgun enthusiast new reasons to add to their collection.

Daystate LTD


The firm that has pioneered the modern day PCP airgun and is credited by most in producing some of the finest airguns made in the world today.  The centerpiece of their new lineup will include the all new Pulsar Bullpup. This all new air rifle has years of research and design experience behind its creation. Specialists from many technologies have been brought together to build this elegant and advanced shooting machine. The Pulsar represents the next generation of quality and engineering for Daystate. Those that are fortunate to own one of these masterpieces will cherish it for years. The Pulsar sports features found on no other airgun such as a built in laser, an all electronic firing system with regulator, three tuned power levels, and a stock crafted by Italian masters that screams quality and elegance with interchangeable components to design the look of your choice.  The four current popular calibers .177 .22 .25 and .30 will be available. The new Pulsar represents a new benchmark in quality and design that will be hard to match.

FX Airguns

FX Wildcat Bullpup

This innovative airgun company has been very busy. The FX factory has moved and expanded into a new larger high tech facility with the most modern equipment and resources for design, manufacture, and assembly to provide the highest quality airgun products possible. The FX design team has worked literally day and night to bring to market the most exciting models ever to come out of the factory. First, the all new Wildcat Bullpup is a high power, light weight, short, and quiet tack driver that sports a FX made synthetic stock. Additionally, the new Impact air rifle ,although a Bullpup by definition, handles more like a AR15 live fire rifle with features such as external adjustable regulator, power adjuster, hammer, and valve adjustments with a quick change system for the caliber of your choice in minutes. The rifle will be available in .177, .22,  .25 and .30 calibers with maximum power of 90 ft/lbs on the big .30. Light in weight, short in length, and with the option of any production AR15 style grip, this new accurate wonder gun will definitely make an “Impact” on the customer’s choice. These two new models represent some of the highest levels of airgun design from one of the worlds best.

Brocock LTD

Brocock Contour XL G6

With the acquisition of Brocock by Diana holdings come fresh energy and investment from this British firm is famous for its production of small light weight rifles and high power field pistols. This year Brocock is proud to announce the new G6 Contour air rifle. This little gem sports an all new Italian made ambidextrous stock with a olive green soft touch all weather coating. The G6 includes top quality build with features normally found only on more expensive units. The list starts with the fitment of a highly accurate Lothar-Walther barrel, a six shot magazine system, and a Huggett moderator that turns the report into barely a whisper. The G6 along with its stable mate Elite models are a first choice for the shooter that desires a light compact quality target and pest control rifle.

Weihrauch Sport

Weihrauch HW100 Carbine Laminate

This German airgun company is world famous for its consistency, quality, and design. For more than 100 years, HW products have been proudly passed down from grandfather to father to son.  With years of experience in old and new world designs, the craftsmen at HW have few peers. HW is pleased to add new stock designs and innovative features to their rock solid line up. HW will continue to perfect the fine HW100 PCP model for the 2015 season.

G12 HW45 177 004I love movies. One of my favorites is “Jeremiah Johnson.” In it there is a scene in which Bear claw Chris Lapp (an experienced mountain man) says to Jeremiah Johnson (a tenderfoot who has nearly starved to death trying to learn to be a mountain man): “Mountain’s got its own ways, pilgrim . . .” Meaning you have to deal with the mountain as it is, not how you wish it was.

Around El Rancho Elliott “Mountain’s got its own ways, pilgrim” has become a code phrase for having to deal with the peculiarities or eccentricities of an individual, organization, or piece of machinery.

The same could be said of the Weihrauch HW45 http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Weihrauch.htm#WeihrauchHW45 . It is a singular air pistol, and it does, indeed, have its own ways. Nevertheless, you need to know right up front that the HW45 is simply a whale of a lot of fun to shoot.

Greg Glover at www.airgunsofarizona.com calls the HW45 “Old Smokey” because “I can instantly recognize when anyone is testing an HW45 in the shop. I can smell the dieseling and see the smoke.”

G12 HW45 177 005

Recently I tested a new HW45 in .177 caliber and right out of the box it dieseled and smoked just like Greg said it would. The HW45 stretches 11 inches from end to end and weighs 2.54 pounds. At the extreme aft end of the receiver is what appears to be a hammer but is actually a release that allows the back half of the “upper” to be moved for cocking. The pistol grip is scaled like that on a 1911 Colt automatic, and there are ambidextrous walnut grips with diamond checkering on either side.

G12 HW45 177 009

Just forward of the grip is a lever type safety. Forward of that, a black metal trigger guard surrounds a black metal adjustable two-stage trigger. Forward of that is the muzzle and the upper part of the receiver which houses a red fiber optic front sight. The top of the receiver has dovetails so that a scope or red dot sight can be mounted. On top of the receiver, at the extreme aft end is a green fiber optic rear sight that is adjustable for windage and elevation.

What makes the HW45 really interesting is that, compared to other spring-piston air pistols, it is built backwards. If you look at the RWS LP8 pistol http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/rws.html#LP8 for example, you’ll see that it is longer and heavier than the HW45 and built essentially like a scaled-down breakbarrel air rifle. When you cock the LP8, you pull the barrel down and back toward the pistol grip. The process shoves the piston and spring back, toward the rear sight. When you pull the trigger on the LP8, the piston rockets forward and then bounces back off the cushion of compressed air at the end of the compression chamber near the front of the LP8. The muzzle tends to kick up in the air.

G12 HW45 177 006

When you are cocking the HW45, however, you are pulling the rear of the upper part of the receiver up and forward, toward the front sight. This pulls the spring and piston toward the front sight. When you trigger the shot, the spring and piston rush toward the back of the gun and then bounce off the compressed air near the transfer port at the rear of the HW45, which tends to rotate the muzzle downward.

In either pistol, the whole forward and back recoil cycle happens very quickly. But if you shoot with a tight grip on the pistol at first and then loosen it with subsequent shots, what you will tend to notice is that, with the LP8 as you loosen your grip the point of impact will tend to rise, but with the HW45 as you loosen your grip, the point of impact will tend to drop.

The HW45 has a crisp, clean trigger and it kicks hard (for an air pistol) when the shot goes off. (First stage of the trigger on the sample that I tested measured 1 lb. 5.3 oz. Second stage measured 2 lb. 7 oz.) But that, quite frankly, is part of the fun. The HW45 launches 7.9 grain pellets at 451 fps average, and that is hard enough to be useful for defending the bird feeder or the garden at short range. I have successfully used the HW45 to dispatch a squirrel that was causing problems in our attic. See http://198.154.244.69/blog/2008/10/noise-in-attic.html and http://198.154.244.69/blog/2008/10/noise-in-attic-part-ii.html

The HW45 is a fun and challenging air pistol to shoot. Sure, it’s got its own ways, pilgrim, but over time I’ve come to really enjoy this unique pistol.

Til next time, aim true and shoot straight.

–          Jock Elliott

You don’t see it talked about much in the airgun forums, but many spring-piston air rifles and air pistols – springers – actually burn some of the lubricants in their compression cylinders during the shot cycle. Don’t worry; it’s a normal thing.

Here’s how G.V. Cardew and G.M. Cardew describe it in their book The Airgun from Trigger to Target: “The combustion phase is the phase in which most high powered sporting spring rifles operate. As the piston comes forward on firing, the temperature of the air in front of it rises with the pressure; this very high temperature causes oil, or any other combustible substance to burn, thereby increasing the pressure further, producing enough energy to drive the pellet up the barrel at a very high velocity.”

Further, they proved that the combustion takes place through an ingenious test that they called “The Nitrogen Experiment.” Starting with a .22 caliber Weihrauch HW35, they stripped it, degreased and rebuilt it with the correct amount of lubrication everywhere. They then fired it through a chronograph until it settled down at 636 fps with a 14.4 grain pellet (12.9 fp of energy at the muzzle).

They then placed the HW35 and a supply of pellets in a long plastic bag and sucked all the air out of it with a vacuum pump, leaving it sitting under vacuum for half an hour to remove all oxygen from within the seals and mechanism. The bag was sealed around the barrel and a rubber bung pressed into the muzzle to prevent oxygen from re-entering the gun. After that, nitrogen, an inert gas that does not support combustion, was blown into the bag to make it a manageable size for shooting the gun. The bung was removed and replaced for each shot, and a number of shots were fired. With the HW35 unable to enter the combustion phase of the shot cycle, the gun managed only 426 fps or 5.8 foot-pounds. The Cardews had proved conclusively that combustion is necessary for the proper operation of a sporting springer.

So, a little bit of lubrication is necessary so that combustion can take place. But what happens when your brand new airgun has a little too much lubrication? Check out the chart below.

WhatIsThis

This is the graph of velocities of an airgun that has too much lubrication and has entered into what the Cardews call the “detonation phase,” or what airgunners generally refer to as “dieseling.” Instead of making normal shot-cycle sounds, the shot goes off with a bang, producing the wild variations in velocity that you see above. Often smoke comes out the barrel and there is a characteristic smell. In severe cases, dieseling can actually bow out the walls of the compression chamber and drive the piston backwards with such force that it kinks the mainspring.

Fortunately, it is usually the case that a handful of shots with extra-heavy pellets will drive the excess lubricant out of the powerplant and settle the airgun back into normal operation. Below is the velocity graph of the same airgun after it was shot enough to settle down.

WeihrauchHW4522

The bottom line: high powered sporting air rifles and air pistols require some combustion of their lubrication to operate properly. But there is such a thing as too much. If you find your air rifle or air pistol dieseling, 5-10 shots with the heaviest pellets you have of the appropriate caliber may help to correct the situation.

Til next time, aim true and shoot straight.

–          Jock Elliott

 

Just last night I had an encounter with a fellow who is an experienced hunter, firearms user, and sportsman, and he knows very little about airguns. His lack of knowledge of about airguns about airguns isn’t a rare thing. Most of the experienced sportsmen that I know have very little conception of the world of adult precision airguns. Their knowledge is pretty much limited to what can be found on the shelves of the big-box stores, and there the packaging screams: 1200 feet per second, 1300 feet per second, 1500 feet per second! This leaves the consumer to assume that more feet per second is somehow better, and it does the consumer a gross dis-service in making a buying decision.

So let’s suppose that you think maybe it would be neat to try airgunning, but you really don’t have a clue what to buy.

392-397

First on my list would be a Benjamin 392. This is a solidly made single-shot, bolt-action, .22 caliber, multi-stroke pneumatic air rifle. It is easy to shoot well, delivers enough power for small game hunting or pest control, and with care should last for decades. I would buy one with a Williams peep sight. Scoping the 392, or its .177 caliber brother the 397, is difficult.

Model-34

Next up would be the highly respected RWS Model 34. This is a single-shot, break-barrel air rifle available in .177 or .22 with power enough for hunting or field targe. Like all spring-piston air rifles, it requires some care to shoot well. The build quality is excellent, and the trigger is far better than you will find in the typical big-box break-barrel springer. In addition, the Model 34 is easy to mount a scope on.

HW30S

Third is the Weihrauch HW30S. This is a lower-power break-air rifle that is easy to cock, offers excellent accuracy, and is perhaps the easiest springer to shoot well. Many airgunners I know say it is the last air rifle they would sell. It can be readily scoped, the build quality is outstanding, and it will deliver decades of service with the occasional rebuild. It can be used for pest control and garden defense with careful shot placement at close range.

WAL-LGV-Master

My favorite springer is the Walther LGV. These are break-barrel, single-shot spring-piston air rifles that are easy to cock and incredibly smooth to shoot. With a scope mounted, you could hunt, plink, shoot field target with a huge grin on your face. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend one to a friend.

When it comes to pre-charged pneumatic rifles, it’s hard to go wrong. Virtually all of them will deliver one-inch groups at fifty yards under good conditions with the right pellet.

L1377C

Turning to air pistols, the Crosman 1377c is an excellent starter pistol that people love to customize. It’s a single-shot, bolt-action, .177 caliber pistol that is fun to shoot and can be used for small pest control at close range. The rear sight, however, requires a safecracker’s touch to adjust.

Triumph%20747

If you want pure, accurate, air pistol shooting fun, the Daisy Avanti Triumph 747 http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Daisy%20Triumph%20747.html can’t be beat. It’s a single-stroke pneumatic pistol that’s wimpy in power and no good for pest control or hunting but highly accurate, and people use them all the time in air pistol silhouette matches.

HW45

If you want more power and a challenge, I suggest any of the Weihrauch HW45 pistols. These are spring-pistol air pistols that are tricky to shoot well but are fun to shoot and master. They also offer enough power for defending the birdfeeder at short range.

Til next time, aim true and shoot straight.

–          Jock Elliott