Which Weihrach?

None of them have a cover that retracts, The 57 has a pop up breech block, the 77 and 97 have a cylinder housing that retracts which allows a large port to be opened so pellets can be inserted into the breech end of the barrel.

The HW 57 is smaller and lighter, easier to carry than the other two, but an extra step in loading in that you have to remember to manually push the breech block completely down after loading with a pellet. It is also easier to cock.

I bought my 97 as the kt model, the one with a thumbhole stock, which was the only one available at the time and could never feel any affection for that stock. Recently, I took the stock off of my 77 and put it on the 97 and got a nice Tyrolean stock for my 77, which for my iron sight shooting (diopters) on the 77 is ideal.

If you want a larger gun go with the 77, it comes with iron sights but you can add a scope or diopter rear if so desired. The 97 is basically the same gun but no provision for iron sights so it is a scope only gun.

Personally I shoot my 57 and 77 far more than the 97, as I am more interested in "plinking" from a standing position than sitting down on a bench with a scoped gun, and find even relatively low magnification of most scopes tends to magnify my movement and make offhand shooting more difficult.
 
Last edited:
The 97 might just be the worlds finest current springer….Let alone best HW…The HW77 certainly was.
57 is certainly handier for the lighter built shooter, but cannot compete with the performance of a 97 beyond 30 yards. Its gate loading, does not allow direct pellet feeding into bore and are a bit hit and miss according to many.
You either get a perfectly aligned one, or do not. Either way, you are still reliant on the pellet jumping from the gate to the bore, rather than being thumbed direct into the bore with the 97.
The 57 has never won an FT event probably due to this fact.

I personally prefer the 35 for break barrel convenience, but better lock up than any other model on the market, and silent loading (no clunk lock up) but this purely from a hunting arm perspective….It wont beat a 97/98/95 in a FT shoot out.
The 98 is a great rifle with its shorter bull barrel, but for all its stock adjustments, it can play real havoc when setting up….due to the permutations it offers….can be a nusiance..
Like this…..
Adjust the butt pad and it will adjust your point of impact. Position the hand on the forend differently, due to the options…it will shift the impact…This is why it is often reported that some cannot get on with it..
 
The HW77 comes with open sights while the HW97 does not and is intended to be used with a scope. I have an HW97 in .177 sub 12fpe and I really like it.
Same here, .177 sub 12fpe. I have the synthetic stock and at full power I noticed more felt recoil. The lower power level with some foam added in the stock took care of it. Accurate with a variety of pellets.
 
My HW97k is also very accurate with a variety of pellets. However, it really really loves the AA version of the 8.4 grain pellet. My backyard is pretty small so I shoot at 16 yards and it will very nearly put them all through one little pellet hole. Its amazing and fun. I'll have to take it out to 25 yards sometime and see how it does.
Kenny
 
The 97 might just be the worlds finest current springer….Let alone best HW…The HW77 certainly was.
57 is certainly handier for the lighter built shooter, but cannot compete with the performance of a 97 beyond 30 yards. Its gate loading, does not allow direct pellet feeding into bore and are a bit hit and miss according to many.
You either get a perfectly aligned one, or do not. Either way, you are still reliant on the pellet jumping from the gate to the bore, rather than being thumbed direct into the bore with the 97.
The 57 has never won an FT event probably due to this fact.

I personally prefer the 35 for break barrel convenience, but better lock up than any other model on the market, and silent loading (no clunk lock up) but this purely from a hunting arm perspective….It wont beat a 97/98/95 in a FT shoot out.
The 98 is a great rifle with its shorter bull barrel, but for all its stock adjustments, it can play real havoc when setting up….due to the permutations it offers….can be a nusiance..
Like this…..
Adjust the butt pad and it will adjust your point of impact. Position the hand on the forend differently, due to the options…it will shift the impact…This is why it is often reported that some cannot get on with it..
My 57's were allegedy "tuned" by the dealer up in the NE US. Shot cycle is very smooth and honestly comparing apples to apples, meaning diopter sights, they are just as accurate as my 77 and 35e.

Op was asking about fixed barrels, so that is why I did not comment about the 98 and 35.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Steveoo
I'm also an enormous fan of the HW97K Blackline. Mine is in .177. I really like the thumbhole stock. The hollow butt section of it I filled with spray foam which made a huge difference in resonance.

Vortek PG4 HO kit doing 14ish fpe depending on projectile. That's an 8.44 JSB doing 875 fps; perfect. I've very nearly matched some PCP scores out at 50 yards from the bench.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bf1956
I have a HW57 and it is a lovely rifle. However, the rifle has accuracy issues related to the tappet loading system. At least four out of 10 shots will scatter two to three inches from the bullseye. The rifles construction means you have to disassemble the rifle to clean the barrel. I have relegated it to a parts or test rifle due to the accuracy issues.
 
just saying , can’t over look the Diana side lever
+1

DSC_0357.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: Frogy