Returning to Air-Rifles - BSA or Weihrauch ?

[Mawders 595]

Ohhhh I had a BSA superstar back in the mid to late 90's and still reckon it was my favourite all time rifle! I remember at the time of buying it wanting the gold star but not being able to afford it on a peppercorn pocket money!

 

However that SLR98 looks awesome! If I ever came across a mint 2nd hand one at the right price I would snap it up! Awesome rifles.

[secretagentmole 1,701]

why a springer. you should think about getting a cheap pcp. something like a webley raider. althought i guess it all depends on what your price range is. on the other hand a springer has many perks but i could never go back to a springer. biught my first rifle -webley vulcan- and then noticed that it sucked. so i never knew what the full potential os a springer was. but i for one could never shoot a springer like i shoot my pcp falcon fn19.

 

Been there, done that.

 

For a lower cost pcp, the latest Webley Raider 10XS is certainly a great bit of kit, but for the independence, simplicity and durability a quality spring rifle (such as the Air Arms and HW's mentioned) offers, the Raider and other PCP's fall way short in my experience.

 

Unfortunately for PCP, springers have had a sizeable head start, and very much doubt we will hear of PCP's being handed down father (even grand father!) to son and still doing the job like we so often hear regarding HW's and proper old British BSA's and Webleys. That fact alone speaks volumes to me.

 

 

Not Quite True Mike i have a Contender for PCP Longevity = The Rapid, The Same Design is still going strong after more than 20 yrs even makers like Daystate and BSA have tried to Copy

the Rapid, And to Cap it off the Legend JD Had one , There are still Original Models going strong because of the Rugged simplicity of the Design and Ease of repair and tuning and upgrading

I've a Feeling My two Rapids will outlast Me , But i still love a decent Springer as well that's Why i have one of the all time Best the HW 77 in .22cal.

 

atvb Daz 7.

 

Sounds like the Rapid may a potential exception, though it would then be worth noting the numbers and volumes of numerous different springers that have stood the test of time and been handed down. Webley MKIII's, Hawke, Vulcan, BSA SuperSports, AirSporters, Meteor, Mercury, Weihrauch HW80's/35's/95's/77's to name but a few.

It will certainly be interesting to see in 20-30 years time how many pcp's earn the heritage the above springers did, or whether in fact the spring design is simply too good to be beaten.

 

I believe PCP air rifles actually came first with the invention of the revolutionary Girandoni (Wind Rifle), the first repeating 'firearm' with tubular magazine that is credited with being crucial to the survival of the fledgling United States by enabling Lewis and Clarke to bluff their way to the East Coast and back tricking and scaring the Indians into swearing allegiance to Uncle Sam.

 

http://youtu.be/-pqFyKh-rUI

 

Can you find your way out of a paper bag? Lewis and Clark started at the East Coast, they went West to the Pacific coast from the Atlantic coast!

[milegajo 595]

Oops, that's rather a large mistake to make. I stand rightly and very much corrected!

[Fieldsports 155]

Weihrauch HW without a doubt.

In my opinion no comparison .

[Halfinch 51]

Try plenty of Different Rifles, like most on here, I'd go with Weihrauch or Air Arms, everyone will have their favourite model, but what is good for one may not be so good for you.

 

IMHO, PCP's are better for serious pest control, and the "average" shooter will probably be slightly more accurate with one, Pianoman excepted, as he could shoot a single bollock off a Knat at 50yds with an HW97 from what I hear, (I only wish I could shoot half as well as him) but PCP's lack "personality" which is one reason they will very rarely be handed down through generations, if I go out just to enjoy shooting, my HW35 Lochshaft is the one I pick up.

 

There are so many Great rifles, it will really come down to what "feels" right to you, You'll know when you find it.

 

ATB.

 

[Fieldsports 155]

Try plenty of Different Rifles, like most on here, I'd go with Weihrauch or Air Arms, everyone will have their favourite model, but what is good for one may not be so good for you.

 

IMHO, PCP's are better for serious pest control, and the "average" shooter will probably be slightly more accurate with one, Pianoman excepted, as he could shoot a single bollock off a Knat at 50yds with an HW97 from what I hear, (I only wish I could shoot half as well as him) but PCP's lack "personality" which is one reason they will very rarely be handed down through generations, if I go out just to enjoy shooting, my HW35 Lochshaft is the one I pick up.

 

There are so many Great rifles, it will really come down to what "feels" right to you, You'll know when you find it.

 

ATB.

 

Well put mate.

I could not agree more !