I recently acquired a pre-Beeman iteration of the classic HW 30, and thought a comparison to Beeman's equally classic evolution of the design - the "Gary Goudy stock" R7 - might be of interest. The current HW 30 has of course evolved beyond either of these in some details. I believe the HW 30 was introduced in the early 1960's; note that as old as my R7 is, this HW 30 was already old enuff to drink before it was born, lol...!
The R7 was Beeman's effort to bump a junior-sized European rifle up into his "American adult airgun" market. Its stock is longer and heavier; adding a buttplate, grip checkering, Monte Carlo comb line, and the famous extension of wood over the breech block. The HW 30's wood is a slender version of the classic German lines - plain butt, rounded grip, and finger-groove fore end.
Early R7's used a straight HW 30 action, but in order to balance the chunkier stock, they eventually moved to a heavier 15mm diameter barrel. The HW 30S's is 14mm, giving fine balance in a lighter and quicker handling package. Note both guns have the same fixed-post front sight, though the older one lacks a hood.
Beeman never liked the original stamped rear receiver cap, so all but the earliest R7's dispensed with it and added the safety. The HW 30 has 13mm scope groove spacing, but the R7 the newer 11mm version. Both enjoy the famous Rekord trigger.
These days we see frequent discussions of barrel lockup issues with the HW 30. Note the R7 uses the same "ball bearing under a bar" breech latch seen on current guns, but the original design had a stout old-school wedge detent. These parts look to be the same ones used on the larger HW 50 in those days and give no problems.
As much as I like the R7 and other newer HW 30 variants, the old fellow is a real delight - shoots hard, easy to carry, quick to the shoulder. I have an ARH kit on the way for it, and plan to add an aperture sight, so it should get plenty of use in the future.
