Theoben Rapid 7 .177 Or Hw100 .177

[mjr88 50]

Hi all

 

I've decided to splash out some wonga and treat myself to a brand new .177 pcp. The rifle will be used for some target work and a bit of bunny bashing. After reading vertually 100% positive reviews on the HW100 on it's accuracy, build quality, and anti double loading feature, i'm more or less certain that this rifle is for me. However, as i used to own a Rapid 7 mk 1 in .22 cal, i also fancy another rapid in the smaller .177 cal. But since the demise of theoben, this has put me off a bit.

 

Most of the gunshops that i have spoken to have told me that the HW100 is the gun to go for as it is totally up to date for the modern day shooter, where as, Theoben were the leaders about 10 years ago but didn't really progress with their guns. This was obviously the main reason for their demise. (or so i've been told that is)

 

To be honest, i know my way around a Rapid pretty well after owning mine for about 15 years or so before putting it in p/x against a brand new sx3 shotgun.

I would really appreciate any advice on what you guys think on these 2 rifles. Accuracy is obviously a big factor for me, as is reliability. Were the modern day rapids as good and well built as the old ones fron the early years, or were the later models more problematic? Also, where would i stand warranty wise if i decided to buy a Rapid and was lucky enough to find a new one for sale. What about servicing and parts etc ?

 

Any advice on this matter will be greatly appreciated, as this is going to cost me a good few quid and i just want to make sure that i buy the best,

 

Regards,

 

John

Edited January 18, 2013 by mjr88

[Buster321c 1,010]

There are more after market parts for Theoben than ever , and they are one of the best you can get .

[Ozzyj 2]

Here's one for the HW100. Incredibly accurate and very easy to get familiar with. My 11yr old daughter was 'out-shooting' the gun shop assistant on the bell target 20m range on only her second ever shooting trip. Bought mine after shooting half a dozen pellets through my brothers HW100KT and I couldn't be happier.

[zini 1,939]

Ive shot Busters Rapid MFR and it was very nice and accurate. Ive also shot numerous 100s.

 

Either will serve you well IMO.

 

I honesty dont think you can go wrong with a Rapid or a 100.

 

 

[clubshot 22]

I had a Rapid 17 - which I upgraded to a Hw100 in .177 never looked back

 

As Stated Theobans was Iron Age Guns

 

BOB/R

[Acuspell 329]

I had a Rapid 17 - which I upgraded to a Hw100 in .177 never looked back

 

As Stated Theobans was Iron Age Guns

 

BOB/R

 

yep, for real, Iron age men - as opposed to modern day pansies.

 

there are some people who shouldn'tbe allowed the joys of a Rapid. I wouldn't swap my 20 year old one for a brand new HW100 that's for sure.

 

If you go for a Rapid, don't be put off by used - they are so easy and cheap to fix. The biggest problem with them is the nut that joins the sight to the trigger.

[ferg81 0]

Hi I asked a similar q before buying my hw100t with an a&m cylinder used for 500 and was basically told you wont regret either and they are probably the two best hunting rifles in this particular persons opinion what helped me decide was the fact it had an a&m cylinder already on it,great piece of engineering by the way! So basically which ever comes to the shoulder best or is the best deal at the time....

 

 

Also I thought theoben fudged it up by tryin to take on america,May be wrong but thought this was there undoing.....

[ferg81 0]

I forgot to mention I only use .22,don't know if this is relevant but thought id add it...

[zini 1,939]

I would think that anyone that states that one is far better than the other is being very blinkered .

 

They both have their pro's and cons and it will only be the individual that can decide which suits him better.

 

Rapid:

 

Pro's

 

Very large shot count.

Very accurate to max sub 12 ranges (unless its Daz7 shooting it, then its accurate to 15 yards) .

Bullet proof and can be serviced in the field (so I've heard).

Great reputation (one of the best in air gunning).

Easily customized by people who know what they are doing.

Quiet with a quality silencer or very quieter with a Nutshot.

 

Cons

 

I believe the standard models don't come with a quick fill or air gauge unless its asked for as a extra (I may be wrong now) The one I used didn't have either.

The magazine i find can be fiddly and is spring loaded.

The standard Rapid silencer or the Vortex silencer isn't that quiet compared to a HW. The Long series is far better but very long so not that good if you like to keep your rifle carbine.

The price can be quite high from new.

 

HW100:

 

Pro's

 

Very accurate to max sub 12 ranges (unless its me shooting it ).

A average to just above average shot count.

Nice and compact.

Very quiet as standard.

Great magazine (no springs and non fiddily) great cocking system.

14 shots per magazine

Comes with 2 magazines as standard.

Great German repetition (one of the best).

Comes with a quick fill and air gauge as standard.

Great barrels.

 

Cons:

 

Can slip over power or drop low on power.

Some say is a bit heavy.

Is a little expensive compared to something like a AA S510.

 

So as i see it both are very nice and Id own both quite happily.

 

Si.

Edited January 19, 2013 by zini

[Acuspell 329]

Blinkered by experience actually Zini....the one I had was nothing but trouble. i got a refund after three retruns. My friend also had one - same string of problems,lack of indexing, loss of air overnight, then constant leaks after repair....it has been fixed now only because he persevered with it. My rapid has ben almost faultless its entire life - ALMST, yes a couple of seals were replaced 2 years ago.....I can live with that!

 

The Rapid is pig ugly if aesthetics are a worry. Very robust though and virtually nothing to go wrong in the field. I prefer the self indexing magazine system to the mechanical type that AA and HW utilise. The 14 shots is useful (are they 12 in .22, or still 14 off?)

 

It doesn't matter a jot to me what other poeple buy. i have what I have and am happpy - or I will be once it thaws a bit and I can get out again. Walking only at the moment.

 

America didn't undo them - it was a planned wind down. All Rapids for the nearly 3 years were made in USA and shipped over as parts bins, no import duty on parts, only compllete rifles. Theoben had to pay nearly 3x the price for the parts as they would have cost if made here.....Theoben USA is still going strong, as Rapid Air Weapons and they can supply all parts, there are dealers stocking these parts an dplenty of after market engineers making better bits for them too, to make them more efficient, much higher power (given the licensing) and accurising them. Even the magazines are being remade to the original design, with better quality materials again and cheaper. Good Old dr, Bob!

Edited January 19, 2013 by Acuspell

[zini 1,939]

Hi Acuspell,

 

I wasn't having a go at you buddy , and I can see why you are not a fan of the HW100 if you and your mate have had problems with yours in the past .

 

I had a problem with FX Verminator after 3 days of purchase from new in 2009 and never owned one since.

 

I do strongly believe that all TOP rifle brands including Theoben, HW, Air Arms, BSA and Daystate, have their faults, through their life and from new.

 

You just have to Google "Problem with Rapid 7" or with any of the other brands I've just mentioned above mate and watch the pages fill up with posts and people winging.

 

This is what i got within 30 seconds of searching on Google:

 

After only a couple of days after purchase from new, my Theoben Rapid has been returned to manufacturer for inspection. No offer of replacement by any of the parties involved. It fails to cock on first attempt for me unless bolt is aggressively pulled back, but accurate and good shot count.

 

You would find a fault like this though if you looked hard enough on any of the above brands .

 

I put it up as there seems to be a myth about a Rapid that people think they never go wrong, a magical power surrounds them. I'm a realist and know that this is rubbish, they all go wrong from time to time. Not slating a Rapid here, far from it I love them myself, just stating something truthful.

 

Most pcps as far as i know contain seals of some sort and seals perish from time to time and need replacing.

 

My experience is, I've owned 3 x HW100's and never had a single problem with any of them apart from my last one had a very light safety catch (safer than normal) that i wasn't to fond of, other than that they all were brilliant rifles. I do know people who have had problems with them though due to power loss so I'm in no way saying HW's are faultless because I know they are not.

 

As i originally said I don't think you can go wrong with a HW or Rapid and I'm a fan of them both and as a whole they are 2 of a short list of maybe 5 to 7 rifle / brands that are among the best on sale.

 

Interestingly here are the stats of the Review Centre on both brands:

 

Rapid 7

 

44 reviews

 

4.7 / 5 stars (very good).

 

HW100

 

157 reviews

 

4.6 / 5 (very very good).

 

Si.

[mjr88 50]

Thanks for all the useful info and advice lads.

 

I'll let you know asap what i buy and i'll post a couple of pic's when i get it,

 

John

[ghillies 209]

one of each.

[Heron lake 1]

Hi mate I had a go on the hw100 in 177 but didn't like it. Couldn't get the pellets to group

I had a go on the day state air ranger and it was brilliant. So that's the one I bought.

 

So like people say try before you buy and see what best for you

Thanks

[Acuspell 329]

one of each.

 

 

Zini - I know you weren't. Just clarifying. See what I said in my first reply:- The biggest problem with them is the nut that joins the sight to the trigger. Most problems with rapids are caused by their owners. The last few years they have been very hit and miss- old ones were the legends that created the reputation, and lets face it, the Rapid spawned the rise of the mass market PCP more than Daystate. They were still chasing the dart gun and Rentokill market then.

 

The other problem gun MANUFACTURERS have is that the designs invariably get tweeked a bit to suit manufacture and then the tolerances of machining allow problems. That is why there is a market for tuners, who smooth out machining burrs and polish bits that can't, economically, be done on a production line - or the rifle would double in price.

Edited January 19, 2013 by Acuspell