Stock Options. What Happens When You Fit An Hw77 .22 Into An Hw97K Sporter Stock?

[pianoman 3,587]

You get an absolutly brilliant handling rifle that looks fabulous and shoots like a dream!

 

First off let me say, my HW77 .22 is a genuine supergun. It is phenominally accurate and such is its performance in precision accurate hunting, I can only say that the HW77 per se, is the finest underlever spring air rifle you can still buy! Hands down. I'm amazed there are so few here who have even considered this rifle when looking at other spring guns. But that's another debate.

 

I already own a .177 HW97K which is fitted in a Mk.I HW77 stock that was very kindly given to me by one of the members here.

 

I should explain, that this 97K began life as a 97KT thumbhole. But, I didn't get along with that stock! Rare for me not to gel with anything Weihrauch but, there it was. Long story short, I was given a vintage 77 stock that compliments it beautifully. And in the course of things, another member was after a KT stock for his 97K and thus, we swapped the thumbhole jobby for a mint 97K sporter stock and a bit of cash. Deal!

 

But the handling of the 97 in that vintage '77 stock is absolutely amazing. With a Hawke 4-12x40mm Panorama, it is a compact, lighter (or so it feels) and really neatly proportioned carbine underlever that is just a joy to hunt with. One great rifle sorted!

 

So there's this rather nice looking sporter stock sitting forlorn in my gun cabinet, doing nothing, while I've been spending ages getting to know my Daystate Regal and all its foibles.

 

So, I look at this stock, not a mark on it and started to get a nice feeling from that diamond "Tartan" cut classic chequering on the grip and forestock. You don't get anything like chequering of this quality on the standard 77 stock other than simple pressed diamond on the grip. There is no chequering to the forestock and I have always thought this is a bit of an omission given the performance of this legend of an air rifle.

 

So, just for the looks effect, I fitted my HW77 .22 into this HW97K sporter stock...WOW!

 

It tranformed the otherwise functional looks into an absolute beautiful looking rifle. The weight and ballance are still absolutely spot on and the whole stock really stabilizes the rifle well in the aim when shooting from prone..

 

I fitted an expensive NIKON FIELDMASTER 6-18x40 target scope on high mounts and had a target session in my garden range. It put any number of H&N FTT 5.53mm pellets well inside a penny-sized group at 30 metres.Then out to 40 metres ...and in a wind!

 

It can do that any day, all day. But this new handle seemed to make it easier as it lay at my shoulder in prone position.

 

I'm itching to get it onto the permissions and see how it handles over a day's/evening's Rabbit and pigeon shooting. But the results of shooting with the rifle set up like this is like transforming a beautiful rifle into a stunning rifle.

 

I just wonder if any other HW77 owners have matched their rifles to a 97K sporter stock and found results as pleasing as this?

 

I'll still hold on to my original factory stock as it is a lovely piece of beech. And gives me the option when a change might be as good as a rest.

 

Or I just might buy another HW77 for a project rifle....

 

Then have yet another...Never mind!

 

One thing. If anyone ever asks "Can you fit a 77 into a 97K stock?" The answer is YES!! DO IT!!!

 

 

Thanks for reading.

 

 

Pianoman

Edited March 29, 2016 by pianoman

[secretagentmole 1,701]

Simon I thought the only difference between the 77 and the 97 was the stock!

 

Was it properly finished though?

[Rez 4,961]

Is this what Ive done? Or the other way round?

 

99% sure Im using the re modelled 77 stock.

 

 

 

 

 

[jonnie bravo 572]

Nice one Simon. I've got a big respect for the Weihrauchs, after recently purchasing a hw99 in .22, yes the internals are not as high spec as Air Arms or Walther, does it matter? Not that I'm noticing, same size groups from my 99 as I had from my prosport. No twang smooth cocking and little recoil despite my first impressions of the internals.

 

The 77, 95, 97 and 99's are great guns for the uk market, as in sub 12FPE.

[pianoman 3,587]

Simon I thought the only difference between the 77 and the 97 was the stock!

 

Was it properly finished though?

 

Not to mention the shorter barrel length and the silencer/latch-up of the 97K Mike. But if you mean the internal finish? It wasn't perfect but not as bad as some have been reportedly found. The spring was poorly cut as usual! But it was all further improved and enhanced by Andy's workmanship in fitting the Sandwell Field Sports tuning kit and polishing and honing skills. He's made a fabulous job of all my spring rifles. Especially my HW77. That is all-original Weihrauch internals, spring and all and yet, he's turned it into a near recoiless supergun! He told me it was all perfect internally and just needed a bit of extra TLC to get it shooting as smooth as it does. So there you go. You can buy a 'rough un' and you can buy a 'sweet un'.

 

As you will doubtless know, ostensibly, the HW97 is a shortened version of the HW77 given an updated look, historically based on the customised HW77K carbine version that many HFT competition shooters modified and dominated HFT from the start of that sport . Weihrauch capitalised on the best of the modified features of the custom HW77K and the HW97K was the result.

 

,

But the finish of this stock is lovely. Like a walnut stain Beech with a silky, satin-like finish. I love the tactile feel of the chequering panels to grip and forend stock What's more this is a right hand 97K stock but it is just as comfortable and easy to shoot with from my left hand shoulder.

 

REZ.

Nice one Jamie, your 97K rifle looks a real beauty!! Looks like you have a left handed version of the current and newest HW77 (Mk.IV?) stock fitted to your HW97K .And very, very sweet it looks too. It's beautifully proportioned and balanced by the looks of it here. By the way, that scope you have looks good, what is it please mate?

 

It is the beauty of these two rifle's basic, common action design, that the stocks are inter-switchable and you can enjoy the best that both have to offer.

The thing about the KT thumbhole stock for the 97KT I didn't like was the pistol grip. For me at least, it needs to be a little bit more of a substantial handle in the controlling hand, which after all, is the most influential contact we have on the rifle. And I like a bit more rake-back angle of "wrist" than the KT offers But I do like that tapered forend that you have on yours and is also a feature of the KT.

 

The stock fitted to my HW97K is, as I've mentioned, a vintage Mk.I HW77 one and, is rather plain-looking but, it gives a nice slim profile, compact feel and shoulders and handles beautifully. And enables a low mounted, smaller 40mm scope to be used which I really prefer these days, to larger 50mm scopes.

 

I'm thinking of finding another 97K stock and filing down the high cheek comb to see if it will enable my cheek-weld contact to align my eye to a lower-mounted 40mm scope. I'm fitting my Hawke Panorama 4-12x50mm 1/2-mil dot scope for hunting. I love the way the Hawke Panorama 4-12x40mm half-mildot scope matches my 97K perfectly. These Panoramas are proving cracking good value scopes on these HW spring rifles, for the money they cost. !

 

JON

 

Thank you Jon.

 

I've found that after many years now shooting spring rifles, it is Weihrauch rifles I get on with the most successfully. I would love a left handed Air Arms Prosport but, I remind myself, I had a less than happy 'relationship' with a beautiful looking TX200 .22 rifle. I had it for something like ten years! I could zero it at 30 metres and put pellet on pellet. When I took it out hunting I just kept missing mt rabbit's head all the time. It was unbelievably frustrating to see your carefully composed shot hit the dirt a good 12 inches from your targets' head! I could never find out why that was. Given the Weihrauch HW80, '77 or '97K I have, those rabbits would be in the pot!

 

But an Air Arms Prosport is one gun I will have myself some time. Even if I have to file and mod the butt-stock and grip a bit to fit my left hand and shoulder.

 

My three German springers have all given me some priceless memories of summer evening hunting forays. There are some pretty incredible spring rifles that have come along in recent times, particularly from Walther. You have to hand it to the Germans, they are masters of the art of spring powered air rifles. I'm pretty sure you daughter is getting on great with your HW99. It's an amazing little rifle no one should underestimate. There's a potent little rifle there if the power and accuracy with the right pellet is right on the mark.

 

Perhaps there are more refined internal systems like the Air Arms guns employ. They are certainly very smooth in .22 at least. But if you can put a group from your HW99 as tightly as you can from a more sophisticated Air Arms Prosport, as you say, does that really matter? Not in my book.

 

A one-hole group is still, a one hole group. And you can't argue with accuracy like that.

 

All The best gentlemen.

Simon

Edited March 29, 2016 by pianoman

[secretagentmole 1,701]

Simon I was talking about the finish on the wood, given the problems that are evident in the finish on my new 100!

[pianoman 3,587]

I answered that Mike

 

 

Simon I thought the only difference between the 77 and the 97 was the stock!

 

Was it properly finished though?

 

Not to mention the shorter barrel length and the silencer/latch-up of the 97K Mike. But if you mean the internal finish? It wasn't perfect but not as bad as some have been reportedly found. The spring was poorly cut as usual! But it was all further improved and enhanced by Andy's workmanship in fitting the Sandwell Field Sports tuning kit and polishing and honing skills. He's made a fabulous job of all my spring rifles. Especially my HW77. That is all-original Weihrauch internals, spring and all and yet, he's turned it into a near recoiless supergun! He told me it was all perfect internally and just needed a bit of extra TLC to get it shooting as smooth as it does. So there you go. You can buy a 'rough un' and you can buy a 'sweet un'.

 

As you will doubtless know, ostensibly, the HW97 is a shortened version of the HW77 given an updated look, historically based on the customised HW77K carbine version that many HFT competition shooters modified and dominated HFT from the start of that sport . Weihrauch capitalised on the best of the modified features of the custom HW77K and the HW97K was the result.

 

,

But the finish of this stock is lovely. Like a walnut stain Beech with a silky, satin-like finish. I love the tactile feel of the chequering panels to grip and forend stock What's more this is a right hand 97K stock but it is just as comfortable and easy to shoot with from my left hand shoulder.

 

REZ.

Nice one Jamie, your 97K rifle looks a real beauty!! Looks like you have a left handed version of the current and newest HW77 (Mk.IV?) stock fitted to your HW97K .And very, very sweet it looks too. It's beautifully proportioned and balanced by the looks of it here. By the way, that scope you have looks good, what is it please mate?

 

It is the beauty of these two rifle's basic, common action design, that the stocks are inter-switchable and you can enjoy the best that both have to offer.
The thing about the KT thumbhole stock for the 97KT I didn't like was the pistol grip. For me at least, it needs to be a little bit more of a substantial handle in the controlling hand, which after all, is the most influential contact we have on the rifle. And I like a bit more rake-back angle of "wrist" than the KT offers But I do like that tapered forend that you have on yours and is also a feature of the KT.

 

The stock fitted to my HW97K is, as I've mentioned, a vintage Mk.I HW77 one and, is rather plain-looking but, it gives a nice slim profile, compact feel and shoulders and handles beautifully. And enables a low mounted, smaller 40mm scope to be used which I really prefer these days, to larger 50mm scopes.

 

I'm thinking of finding another 97K stock and filing down the high cheek comb to see if it will enable my cheek-weld contact to align my eye to a lower-mounted 40mm scope. I'm fitting my Hawke Panorama 4-12x50mm 1/2-mil dot scope for hunting. I love the way the Hawke Panorama 4-12x40mm half-mildot scope matches my 97K perfectly. These Panoramas are proving cracking good value scopes on these HW spring rifles, for the money they cost. !

 

JON

 

Thank you Jon.

 

I've found that after many years now shooting spring rifles, it is Weihrauch rifles I get on with the most successfully. I would love a left handed Air Arms Prosport but, I remind myself, I had a less than happy 'relationship' with a beautiful looking TX200 .22 rifle. I had it for something like ten years! I could zero it at 30 metres and put pellet on pellet. When I took it out hunting I just kept missing mt rabbit's head all the time. It was unbelievably frustrating to see your carefully composed shot hit the dirt a good 12 inches from your targets' head! I could never find out why that was. Given the Weihrauch HW80, '77 or '97K I have, those rabbits would be in the pot!

 

But an Air Arms Prosport is one gun I will have myself some time. Even if I have to file and mod the butt-stock and grip a bit to fit my left hand and shoulder.

 

My three German springers have all given me some priceless memories of summer evening hunting forays. There are some pretty incredible spring rifles that have come along in recent times, particularly from Walther. You have to hand it to the Germans, they are masters of the art of spring powered air rifles. I'm pretty sure you daughter is getting on great with your HW99. It's an amazing little rifle no one should underestimate. There's a potent little rifle there if the power and accuracy with the right pellet is right on the mark.

 

Perhaps there are more refined internal systems like the Air Arms guns employ. They are certainly very smooth in .22 at least. But if you can put a group from your HW99 as tightly as you can from a more sophisticated Air Arms Prosport, as you say, does that really matter? Not in my book.

 

A one-hole group is still, a one hole group. And you can't argue with accuracy like that.

 

All The best gentlemen.

Simon

 

 

.

[Rez 4,961]

 

Simon I thought the only difference between the 77 and the 97 was the stock!

 

Was it properly finished though?

 

Not to mention the shorter barrel length and the silencer/latch-up of the 97K Mike. But if you mean the internal finish? It wasn't perfect but not as bad as some have been reportedly found. The spring was poorly cut as usual! But it was all further improved and enhanced by Andy's workmanship in fitting the Sandwell Field Sports tuning kit and polishing and honing skills. He's made a fabulous job of all my spring rifles. Especially my HW77. That is all-original Weihrauch internals, spring and all and yet, he's turned it into a near recoiless supergun! He told me it was all perfect internally and just needed a bit of extra TLC to get it shooting as smooth as it does. So there you go. You can buy a 'rough un' and you can buy a 'sweet un'.

 

As you will doubtless know, ostensibly, the HW97 is a shortened version of the HW77 given an updated look, historically based on the customised HW77K carbine version that many HFT competition shooters modified and dominated HFT from the start of that sport . Weihrauch capitalised on the best of the modified features of the custom HW77K and the HW97K was the result.

 

,

But the finish of this stock is lovely. Like a walnut stain Beech with a silky, satin-like finish. I love the tactile feel of the chequering panels to grip and forend stock What's more this is a right hand 97K stock but it is just as comfortable and easy to shoot with from my left hand shoulder.

 

REZ.

Nice one Jamie, your 97K rifle looks a real beauty!! Looks like you have a left handed version of the current and newest HW77 (Mk.IV?) stock fitted to your HW97K .And very, very sweet it looks too. It's beautifully proportioned and balanced by the looks of it here. By the way, that scope you have looks good, what is it please mate?

 

It is the beauty of these two rifle's basic, common action design, that the stocks are inter-switchable and you can enjoy the best that both have to offer.

The thing about the KT thumbhole stock for the 97KT I didn't like was the pistol grip. For me at least, it needs to be a little bit more of a substantial handle in the controlling hand, which after all, is the most influential contact we have on the rifle. And I like a bit more rake-back angle of "wrist" than the KT offers But I do like that tapered forend that you have on yours and is also a feature of the KT.

 

The stock fitted to my HW97K is, as I've mentioned, a vintage Mk.I HW77 one and, is rather plain-looking but, it gives a nice slim profile, compact feel and shoulders and handles beautifully. And enables a low mounted, smaller 40mm scope to be used which I really prefer these days, to larger 50mm scopes.

 

I'm thinking of finding another 97K stock and filing down the high cheek comb to see if it will enable my cheek-weld contact to align my eye to a lower-mounted 40mm scope. I'm fitting my Hawke Panorama 4-12x50mm 1/2-mil dot scope for hunting. I love the way the Hawke Panorama 4-12x40mm half-mildot scope matches my 97K perfectly. These Panoramas are proving cracking good value scopes on these HW spring rifles, for the money they cost. !

 

JON

 

Thank you Jon.

 

I've found that after many years now shooting spring rifles, it is Weihrauch rifles I get on with the most successfully. I would love a left handed Air Arms Prosport but, I remind myself, I had a less than happy 'relationship' with a beautiful looking TX200 .22 rifle. I had it for something like ten years! I could zero it at 30 metres and put pellet on pellet. When I took it out hunting I just kept missing mt rabbit's head all the time. It was unbelievably frustrating to see your carefully composed shot hit the dirt a good 12 inches from your targets' head! I could never find out why that was. Given the Weihrauch HW80, '77 or '97K I have, those rabbits would be in the pot!

 

But an Air Arms Prosport is one gun I will have myself some time. Even if I have to file and mod the butt-stock and grip a bit to fit my left hand and shoulder.

 

My three German springers have all given me some priceless memories of summer evening hunting forays. There are some pretty incredible spring rifles that have come along in recent times, particularly from Walther. You have to hand it to the Germans, they are masters of the art of spring powered air rifles. I'm pretty sure you daughter is getting on great with your HW99. It's an amazing little rifle no one should underestimate. There's a potent little rifle there if the power and accuracy with the right pellet is right on the mark.

 

Perhaps there are more refined internal systems like the Air Arms guns employ. They are certainly very smooth in .22 at least. But if you can put a group from your HW99 as tightly as you can from a more sophisticated Air Arms Prosport, as you say, does that really matter? Not in my book.

 

A one-hole group is still, a one hole group. And you can't argue with accuracy like that.

 

All The best gentlemen.

Simon

It's a Hawke Airmax 2-7x32 with AMX ret Simon. On the small side, but a real smart little optic. I realised I didn't need the big heavy duty scope anymore as the rifle hardly moves anyway when shot so decided to get something a little neater, making the rifle more pointable as they say.

[jonnie bravo 572]

Nice one Simon. I think Weihrauch have got certain things right on there springers, such as piston diameter, piston weight, swept volume etc, which is lacking in too many current rifles. Seems to be why Walther LGV is getting a name for itself. The internals have the right spec, combined with higher tolerance and generally better machined internals.

 

The 99 is a cracker. But to put the record straight I have no children the kiddies 99 is all mine

[random 659]

Simon when you say one hole group,reminds me of a shooting situation years ago when me and a friend where out on a permission zeroing,we found a breeze block in the grass and used it to zero at around 30 yards as was our routine,anyway I shot at a little stain on the block to which my friend,standing safely nearby,shouted yep hit it,I loaded up the tx200 again and took aim and fired only to hear missed it,strange i thought as I was sure I'd hit the target,anyhow upon further inspection it turned out I'd put the pellet right up the previous ones arse! As in a one hole group,only time I've truly seen it but shows its possible and that our guns really are more accurate than we are!

[pianoman 3,587]

Definitely you are right there random You can hit a group so tight you think you've missed but it is certainly possible with a really top line spring rifle from the likes of Air Arms and Weihrauch, Walther and Diana I have a shooting pal who uses a Diana 52 in .177 FAC and he can hit a really tight group with it. .

 

I once read years ago of how the Weihrauch HW77 "had the potential to outshoot the man whose shoulder it rests upon". So after I finally get the one I have, I set out to find the very best pellet regardless and put it to the test. I found it grouped perfectly with both H&N FIELD TARGET TROPHY 5.53MM .22 and AIR ARMS DIABLO FIELD 5.52mm .22.

 

A genuine one-hole group is one where the pellets are hitting within the hole of the first round, if not actually on top of one another and your shots chip away at the edges but remain relatively within the circumference of the first shot. I know the HW77 will do that at 40 metres from a comfortable prone position. I'm not as supple and strong a lad as I used to be some time ago but, I can still hit a raggedy group like this in a windless session with my 77 at this range. My 50-metre groups are a bit more loose but that's me. not the rifle.

 

Seriously with this rifle, and the HW97K you can be assured of confident shooting accuracy in the field or target course. Ansd it's great to have a spring rifle to help build your marksmanship with a decent PCP too.

Simon

[pianoman 3,587]

Nice one Simon. I think Weihrauch have got certain things right on there springers, such as piston diameter, piston weight, swept volume etc, which is lacking in too many current rifles. Seems to be why Walther LGV is getting a name for itself. The internals have the right spec, combined with higher tolerance and generally better machined internals.

 

The 99 is a cracker. But to put the record straight I have no children the kiddies 99 is all mine

 

Aww I have you mixed up with another chap here Jonnie. Sorry fella I seem to be getting a little senile these days!

[just-A-snap 1,269]

At the end of the day it all comes down to confidence, no matter how often one is told about how good this or that air rifle is, without the shooter having the confidence in his or hers ability behind any rifle things will not turn out well. Trust in ones own ability will spill over onto any air rifle, it will also show itself with abundance with lets say the better made air rifles.

 

That is just my way of thinking.

[Rez 4,961]

Definitely you are right there random You can hit a group so tight you think you've missed but it is certainly possible with a really top line spring rifle from the likes of Air Arms and Weihrauch, Walther and Diana I have a shooting pal who uses a Diana 52 in .177 FAC and he can hit a really tight group with it. .

 

I once read years ago of how the Weihrauch HW77 "had the potential to outshoot the man whose shoulder it rests upon". So after I finally get the one I have, I set out to find the very best pellet regardless and put it to the test. I found it grouped perfectly with both H&N FIELD TARGET TROPHY 5.53MM .22 and AIR ARMS DIABLO FIELD 5.52mm .22.

 

A genuine one-hole group is one where the pellets are hitting within the hole of the first round, if not actually on top of one another and your shots chip away at the edges but remain relatively within the circumference of the first shot. I know the HW77 will do that at 40 metres from a comfortable prone position. I'm not as supple and strong a lad as I used to be some time ago but, I can still hit a raggedy group like this in a windless session with my 77 at this range. My 50-metre groups are a bit more loose but that's me. not the rifle.

 

Seriously with this rifle, and the HW97K you can be assured of confident shooting accuracy in the field or target course. Ansd it's great to have a spring rifle to help build your marksmanship with a decent PCP too.

Simon

AA fields 5.52 they're like what HW's like. I use them myself and Jesus Christ. Sat here thinking I'm gonna get an 8'teh, but I have no idea why. Obviously it would be in twenty two... So why do I need one...

 

Sell it to me piano man... Do I need an 8'teh?

[pianoman 3,587]

An HW80 Jamie?

 

Another airgun legend and not for nothing either! It's a man sized rabbit stopper of a break barrel. Honestly, the HW80 was the best break barrel spring rifle for decades from day 1 and still holds its own with whatever Johnnie-Come-Lately is out there now. I had one of the first HW80s to reach the shops here and it turned me into a devoted spring rifle shooting man, more than any air rifle I had before. Including a lovely Feinwerkbau Sport .22 I had at the same time. And it was the first dedicated left handed stock rifle I had so, that was a bonus. It got me shooting properly without compromise.

 

The one I have now is my third HW80 and a full length .22 on my FAC which, the Germans originally intended for the HW80 as a magnum air rifle on license only.

 

But before it was tuned ,it was an incredibly accurate and smooth shooting rifle on H&N FTT 5.53mm at 11.6 ft/lbs. I still use those pellets for both my HW .22s. Even at higher power it is amazingly stable and accurate as ever it was. Only downside is, it will happily smash a cheap scope with its recoil so you need strong glass if you go the FAC route with one aswell.. I keep mine sighted with a Simmons Whitetail Classic 3.5-14x40 and has stood the test of time and recoil for the life of the rifle!

 

A little more meat on its bones than the HW95 with a longer barrel option or, shorter carbine HW80K. It's a plain looking rifle but, my God it is accurate as you can be, it's just about perfect for weight and shrugs off any amount of the worst bad weather and is a doddle to maintain. It is this simple yet effective quality that makes it a beautiful rifle to me. The memories of fantastic sport, shooting on summer dawns and evenings, this rifle has given me over the years makes my '80 priceless.

 

The HW80 also makes a brilliant customising project for refinements like tuning and adding something nice from Custom Stock or an even more pricey stock to make it a really special piece in your collection. And a brilliant second hand rifle bargain. If you find one like a Mk.2 that's been loved and looked after, you can avoid the risk of iffy quality control issues that have plagued Weihrauch in recent times. But even then, they are eminantly straightforward and inexpensive to improve with a fettle and internal polish. But you should do that anyway with any HW rifle these days. and it will go on putting rabbits in the bag as long as you live.

 

I can't sing its praises more! If you want one, get one. You'll bloody love it I promise you.

 

All the best Jamie. And have a think about one for yourself!

Simon the Pianoman

 

.

Edited March 30, 2016 by pianoman