At last! Got my Weihrauch HW77 .22 rifle

[pianoman 3,587]

Finally, after a bit of hoo-ha trying to purchase a left-handed .22 HW77, I've managed to get one..Well, sort of! Thanks to fortune seeing fit to bless me with a left hook, I'm at the mercy of special orders and restrictions as to what I and my fellow south paws can have. It was my old friend Nigel Lambert at Wighill Park Guns , Tadcaster who phoned me up last week to say;

 

"Hull Cartridge just called. They have just one left-handed .22 HW77 in stock. It's £386 plus £40 extra for the L/H stock (another of the joys of being left handed!). What do you want to do?"

 

Long story short, I went to his place to pick it up on Saturday last and found this particular HW77 is in fact ambidexterous. Never seen one before on a spring rifle from my favourite gunmaker. It's a traditional Weihrauch HW77 sporting stock in a very pleasing walnut stained Beech, but, there is NO dished Monte Carlo-style cheekpiece. Just a combed Bavarian style stock and no real palmswell at the chequered grip. In all other respects it's all as traditional HW77 stocks come, with black/white spaced gripcap and butt-pad. Also, curiously, the usual "WEIHRAUCH made in Germany" logo mark, stamped on the breech outer face, is ommitted.

 

Is this the way the company is going with it's gunstocks now? Or maybe I'm a staunch traditionalist who likes to see a dedicated Left-hand stock and a maker's stamp for my money...

 

Still, it is Hull Cartridge stamped and numbered 1722735 so I should know it's the real McCoy!

 

And it certainly looks the business. It's about an inch shorter than a standard length HW80, it's got a lovely heft and handles very nicely in the hands and at the shoulder, despite the absence of a cheekpiece. The grip offers a real handful of chequered handle for your controlling hand and the reach to trigger is perfect for me. The push-button underleaver release and lock-up is very crisp, secure and positive and there is absolutely no side-play on the cocking lever that you get with a standard length TX200 rifle. Air Arms would do well to improve that aspect of detail of their otherwise superb underlever rifle.

 

It actually reminds me closely of a WW2 German Mauser K98 7.92mm bolt action military rifle in weight and handling, after owning and shooting a Czech-built original wartime model for many years. And with one of my own scopes bolted on and without a zero check, other than a few marking shots on a paper target, it shot spinning targets happily on Nigel's 10-metre indoor test range with H&N FTT pellets straight out of the box.

 

So £426, was handed over, a sling fitted and now I'm dying to get it out in the field and give it a proper workout.

 

I'll post pics of it and write a detailed review as soon as I can. It also has a new year date with Tony Wall of Sandwell Field Sports for his tuning Genius to be worked on it.

 

Then, I have the feeling I won't be shooting so much with my other rifles next year and I'm seriously going to add a .177 version into my collection too.

 

Simon

[zini 1,939]

Sounds like that rifle is going to quickly become your favourite springer buddy.

 

I love Weihrauchs too, pure quality.

 

Glad that you are going to send her to Tony pal.

 

I use Tony a lot, and his work on springers is AS GOOD AS the best out there when it comes to tuning.

 

(Got to put is AS GOOD AS because some people on here get upset and send me nasty PM’s and quote other tuners names etc).

 

Yawn, yawn boring I know buddy but a fact of life .

 

Anyway, all the rifles that I have had tuned by Tony have been Weihrauch springers and they have been silky smooth and very quiet after a tune.

 

I highly recommend him buddy and I know your HW77 will come back and shoot out of this world.

 

Best of luck with it anyway pal.

 

Si

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

Hiya Simon.

 

Congratulations on the new arrival.

From the tone of your write up, I think its a case of love at first sight.

 

I sent my HW95 to Tony Wall on reccomendation from Zini ( Si )

As Si says, the guy is spot on with tuning, not just that, the man has time for you, and is a gentleman, cant do enough to help you.

 

The 95 is now shooting beautifully, more consistant and very accurate.

 

So I recommend Tony Wall aswell.....and for the people sending nasty PMs WHY?

 

Good luck and good shooting with her mate.

 

Look forward to the posts.

 

 

 

ATB.

 

 

 

Bill.

[zini 1,939]

Thanks for that input Bill buddy.

 

Should be a great confidence booster for Simon to know his new baby will be looked after.

 

The nasty PM's were because I put that I thought Tony was the best spring rifle tuner in the business, this was my own personal view and a few none regs PMed me saying what about sone so and sone so and told me that I must of been smoking something.

 

Yawn I say.

 

Si

Edited December 14, 2010 by zini

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

Thanks for that input Bill buddy.

 

Should be a great confidence booster for Simon to know his new baby will be looked after.

 

The nasty PM's were because I put that I thought Tony was the best spring rifle tuner in the business, this was my own personal view and a few none regs PMed me saying what about sone so and sone so and told me that I must of been smoking something.

 

Yawn I say.

 

Si

 

 

Hi Si.

 

You got to laugh mate

 

Far better these members put up their own suggestions too, instead of slating you for your's.

 

I had reason to return a rifle a while back, it was looked at by a supposed shite hot tuner, came back with no change to it, not so much as a compliment slip, let alone a report of his findings.

 

Tony Wall deserves the rep, and the work, he's a true proffesional.

 

 

 

 

ATB.

 

 

 

Bill.

[pianoman 3,587]

Si, Bill, thanks for your thoughtful responses fellas.

 

You are so right Bill mate, I saw her on the display rack when I got there and I melted as the bustle of the shop fell silent. And I just knew I wasn't leaving without her...

 

Jesus I should be a romance writer!

 

Seriously though, it's just your experience of a tuner holding his hand out for doing nothing that I'm trying to avoid. If guys like Tony Wall are out there keeping customers happy and producing great work that gets them a deserved great rep then, they are the men who we should be dealing with.

 

I'm honestly at a loss to understand why I didn't get one or two of these HW77 rifles years ago as, to my hand and eye she is as close to air rifle perfection as it gets. It's beautifully proportioned in dimensions for fit and reach; and the weight is just as it ought to be; not too much, but nicely and evenly ballanced over the whole rifle. But the HW80 came before this one and that was an air rifle revelation that took me by storm. Well at least there won't be any jealous shit from my other "ladies" when I bring the new "Gal" up to standard!

 

Si mate, you are one of us brave souls that puts himself and his talents out on public display and the shit you get for it, from some quarters is just people being what they are. I'm a musician/artist who is lucky enough to earn a nice living from my playing and painting. And my work in both spheres covers some very famous names, movies, tv programmes and artistes. I get the odd snide remarks from people hiding behind their computers and on internet forums who wouldn't dare to say it to my face. It's sad but, saddest of all for them!

 

I've yet to have the honourable pleasure to meet you in person mate, but you are a genuinely gifted shooter who has never held back from giving help and friendly advice to anyone who asks for it and that makes you a true gentleman in my book and a nice, decent lad anyday. Unfortunately, that quality marks you out for petty, narrow-minded folk who just want to pull you down. Because it gets lonely for the poor buggers down there

 

But like I always say:

Beethoven had his critics...name bloody three of em!

 

Tony Wall is another gentleman of the sport. I've actually had dealings with him and SFS from years ago past for their hide poles. Both your recommendations just re-affirm the guy is truly a master at what he does for tuning and as I'm not going to be buying a new rifle every other week, it might as well go to the guy with the talent!

 

 

Can't wait for spring and summer bunny hunting!

 

ATB lads

 

Simon

Edited December 14, 2010 by pianoman

[jasper65 6]

Looking forward to seeing the pic's simon! lovelly rifles indeed .

 

also nice to hear of another lefthander on here Bud .

 

atb Jasp

[jasper65 6]

The nasty PM's were because I put that I thought Tony was the best spring rifle tuner in the business, this was my own personal view and a few none regs PMed me saying what about sone so and sone so and told me that I must of been smoking something.

 

Yawn I say.

 

Si

 

I somtimes wonder what makes some folk tick Si , I loose count how many PM's I get on here over a week! I try to deal with most of them but some come straight out of a comic book mate .

 

there's also some personal one's that we have to let go straight over our heads .

 

atb Jasp

[zini 1,939]

Thanks Bill, Simon for the very underserved kind comments lads

 

Jasper yep your right buddy, just let the bad PM’s go over our heads mate, best way .

 

So a musician and artist Simon, not a vicar LOL .

 

Yep I can say now with 100% honesty that when that HW comes back from Tony you will be astounded Simon .

 

I’ve had the following rifles tuned by Tony:

 

HW97K .22

HW95K .177

HW97KT .22

HW95 Spectre Carbine, Tony wall custom rifle. .177.

 

I wouldn’t go anywhere else with a springer to get tuned except to Tony Wall .

 

Mark Vining, Jack Reid from this section has also gone and had their HW’s tuned by Tony on my recommendation and they were amazed too at his workmanship and how the rifle changes .

 

Tony has an indoor 20 metre range in the roof of his shop and he doesn’t let a tuned rifle leave his shop unless it produces 5 shots in the same hole at 20 metres .

 

Here is a picture of my last Tony Wall tuned HW97KT.

 

The rabbit was shot in the brain by me with witnesses at a lased 60 or 63 metres (cant quite remember now) along with about another 4 or 5 55's, 50's and 40's to 45 metre bunnies, all on Newbottle pig farm, Summer just gone with the SFS tuned HW97KT.

 

Mark Vining a respected regular on here and my girlfriend LJ were the witnesses and took the photos for me.

 

Quiet, smooth and deadly.

 

Si

Edited December 14, 2010 by zini

[dpb82uk 138]

hope your happy with it can u put a pik up. but i think 426 a bit much i was thinking of selling my hw80k and looked at lots of air rifle websights and saw a lot of hw77 alot cheper than what you payed i had a hw77 as a kid it was 14 ft per pound and a quality rifle it had good range to but it broke [bANNED TEXT] i was looking down the scope the the underlever fell down and [bANNED TEXT] i took me shot i nerly crap myself i took it to be fixt but was told it was un fixabul

[pianoman 3,587]

Thanks Jasp buddy. Glad to see I'm not the only left-hooker here then! You'll doubtless know exactly what a frustration it can be to get just the rifle you want.

 

Hey Si you know mate, you are a lot closer to the truth of me than you think buddy. After my time in the service took me to conflicts in Belize, The Falklands and N. Ireland, I honestly and seriously thought about going to Uni to do a Theology degree and become an Army or Royal Air force padre. We had a lovely padre with my unit and he was a tower of strength to us young lads back then. Fate, luck and chance took me a different route but there it is.

 

Hey mate keep the banter going though, I like a bit of crack! Might even change my handle to "The Padre" or something

 

Hey, as this new HW77 of mine is ambi, you and Bill could have a shot or few with it whenever we meet up at one of the meets in the new year. That would be really something to see and I know as a military marksman used to rifles of this heft, I'm sure you will enjoy it! After what you say here, Tony Wall is deffo up for new business from me and not just with this rifle! The 97KT in your hands here must have been a beauty to shoot mate, it certainly looks it!

 

dpb82uk Hi mate.

Yep I know, £426 quid is a hefty wedge for a spring rifle but, that's the way it is for us left-handers mate, Unless UK trading standards or the law states that there is unfair discrimination or excessive profiteering and does something about it, it will always be this way. I'm just glad to be able to shoot with my rifle of choice here. It's not the case with the Pro sport. A beautiful rifle which sadly was only for right-handers until recently. That is now available in Left-hand walnut only, with the loading action remaining right-hand. Air Arms want well over 500 quid for that now!

 

ATB

 

Simon

Edited December 14, 2010 by pianoman

[gurtwurz 792]

Thanks Bill, Simon for the very underserved kind comments lads

 

Jasper yep your right buddy, just let the bad PM’s go over our heads mate, best way .

 

So a musician and artist Simon, not a vicar LOL .

 

Yep I can say now with 100% honesty that when that HW comes back from Tony you will be astounded Simon .

 

I’ve had the following rifles tuned by Tony:

 

HW97K .22

HW95K .177

HW97KT .22

HW95 Spectre Carbine, Tony wall custom rifle. .177.

 

I wouldn’t go anywhere else with a springer to get tuned except to Tony Wall .

 

Mark Vining, Jack Reid from this section has also gone and had their HW’s tuned by Tony on my recommendation and they were amazed too at his workmanship and how the rifle changes .

 

Tony has an indoor 20 metre range in the roof of his shop and he doesn’t let a tuned rifle leave his shop unless it produces 5 shots in the same hole at 20 metres .

 

Here is a picture of my last Tony Wall tuned HW97KT.

 

The rabbit was shot in the brain by me with witnesses at a lased 60 or 63 metres (cant quite remember now) along with about another 4 or 5 55's, 50's and 40's to 45 metre bunnies, all on Newbottle pig farm, Summer just gone with the SFS tuned HW97KT.

 

Mark Vining a respected regular on here and my girlfriend LJ were the witnesses and took the photos for me.

 

Quiet, smooth and deadly.

 

Si

 

if i remember rightly you were bowling em over at between 50 to 60m when you were down my way with that '97 si mate?

 

typical that people take someones opinion and have to add their ten penneth, it happens on the survival/bushcraft forums too, usually armchair experts who spend more time trolling the net than they do actually getting out and doing the subject that they consider emselves an expert on, the tossers...

 

glad you found yourself a good 'un simon, shame it wasnt the stutzen(but only cos i wanted to know how good they are with a view to future purchase...).

 

we gonna see what the hw77 looks like then mate?

 

all the best, wurz

[Malt 379]

The '77 is another one of my teenage love affairs. One of my best mates had one at the same time as I was learning to shoot on the '35e. We spent many an art lesson talking guns with the old pottery teacher who was a fly fisherman and occasional 'one for the pot' hunter.

 

Well done on the purchase.

[pianoman 3,587]

Hi Wurz

Yeah mate, as soon as my daughter Pippa gets her digital camera over here and posts what pics she takes. I'd like to show pics of all my air rifles for everyone on the forum. She's the one with the I.T know-how here! The Stutzen was a bit of a sad story to have missed it but. there it is. It wasn't to be.

 

I was talking to Nige Lambert at Wighill Park Guns about getting a 46 Stutzen. He reckoned the HW77 I've got now would absolutely flatten it for hunting accuracy. He added the Diana 46 Stutzen was a decent enough rifle but it was a show piece. You reach for your Weihrauch/Air Arms/BSA etc. rifle when you need to go hunting. Certainly, I haven't seen Diana air rifles spoken of, or their quality discussed with as much popularity as Air Arms, Weihrauch, BSA and co. I know Dianas are very expensive but, they aren't bad are they? I'm certainly not going to let the hunt for a 46 Stutzen go. I'll give Tony Wall at Sandwell Field Sports a bell; see what he says about them

 

It's sad to hear of people giving Si and Jasp some bloody petty-minded schtick. I don't know for certain what they actually say but, as you know yourself, every activity has a core of prats who can't stay quietly put :realmad: .

 

Malt, cheers mate I once had a beautiful-shooting Weihrauch HW35E 30-odd years ago but, then the HW80 came along and that rifle rocked my world to this day. Wish to God I bought one or two of these HW77 rifles years ago! I absolutely have fallen deep-smitten in love with this one.

 

Cheers lads.

 

Simon

Edited December 15, 2010 by pianoman

[andyfr1968 772]

Nice one, Simon, glad you got sorted and before you'd tried my 90!!

 

Diana's (RWS) guns are built as well as ANY other make. I used to fix airguns for a living years back and the quality of their gun's is second to none.

 

If I was being really picky, the only negative I'd say is their use of plastic trigger blades. It does not affect the way the guns shoot, it just seems odd they use plastic for that when the enginering and quality of everything else is so high.

 

Cheers.