Just what is that thing on the end of an HW97K barrel?

[Stormin-Normin]

I'm not the original poster, but I have a 97K. Mine will shoot several pretty good, but the best accuracy I've got out of it, is with the QYS 8.48 domed, JSB Exact 8.44, also Air Arms 8.44.
It kinda depends on how the pellet fits your particular bore. You want a semi snug fit, and you can tell when you insert it into the barrel. Generally speaking, loose fitting pellets don't group as well and often will be flyers. Back when I first got mine all I ever shot was JSB Exact 8.44 and they were great. As the years went by I tried many others until I found the QYS 8.48 domed would out shoot the JSB's 8.44. But like I say, it will depend on your particular barrel.

Thank you for your post! I have an HW30S and have both JSB Exact and the AA 8.44‘s. i Don’t know what QYS are?

 

[.20calguy]

Supposedly theres a small plastic baffle in there. Whether that's true or not, I can't tell you. I can tell you it definitely reduces noise. I found this out by stupidity.

I use a pull through system to clean my 97s barrel. I put a 3" piece of fat soda straw in the end of the muzzle so the pull through doesn't get hung up. When I shot it after cleaning the barrel it was so loud I thought I dry fired it. Mind you I'm doing this in an cement 10 yd basement range so sound differences are exaggerated. Seeing a pellet hole in the target I knew I didn't dry fire it so I thought some residual cleaner detonated.

I fired it again figuring the barrel was cleared out on the last shot. It was still very loud. WTF?

I figured I'd dry patch the barrel again to be sure I got all the solvent out. That's when I found the straw was still in the muzzle device. DUH!

I removed the straw and the gun was right back to its normal quiet self. I put the straw back in to be sure it wasn't coincidence. Low and behold it was loud again.

Bottom line, whatever that thing on the end is, it does something. At least on my gun. I bought my gun new and have never taken the end cap off the muzzle. The fat straw defeats the device and you can easily test this for yourself.

View attachment 352023

Sonic drive in has some good straws for cleaning with a Patch Worm, right now. They're are bit stiffer material then the usual red ones.

 

[Stormin-Normin]

Thank you for your post! I have an HW30S and have both JSB Exact and the AA 8.44‘s. i Don’t know what QYS are?

I found the QHYs 8.48 and ordered a tin and will give the 3 types you recommended when I get my new HW97K! Can hardly wait!

 

[bustachip]

Thank you for your post! I have an HW30S and have both JSB Exact and the AA 8.44‘s. i Don’t know what QYS are?

You can find them at PA and several other places, just do a google search.

 

[Barenger]

I put up a photo of the 97K on another forum and someone asked if that was a moderator on the end of the barrel. Come to think of it, I don't really know what it is. I discovered the hard way that it is not just a sleeve, after making a pull-through cleaner with heavy fishing line, and losing patches in it.

The older ones have metal baffles. The new ones have plastic inserts.

 

[DualMagMike]

View attachment 568549 The older ones have metal baffles. The new ones have plastic inserts.

In the picture it states another silencer cannot be fitted. This is not correct, the end cap is threaded and can accept one... The two 97's that I purchased new some years ago have completely empty chambers...

 

[bustachip]

In the picture it states another silencer cannot be fitted. This is not correct, the end cap is threaded and can accept one... The two 97's that I purchased new some years ago have completely empty chambers...

Same here.

 

[Paul Be Careful]

In the picture it states another silencer cannot be fitted. This is not correct, the end cap is threaded and can accept one... The two 97's that I purchased new some years ago have completely empty chambers...

Same here.

Mine’s empty too. I’d probably still call it a moderator of some sort, since it’s noticeably louder (and less accurate, in my case) without the end cap on. I’ve heard some refer to it as a muzzle weight, but I’m a bit sceptical about that, to be honest.

 

[DualMagMike]

Mine’s empty too. I’d probably still call it a moderator of some sort, since it’s noticeably louder (and less accurate, in my case) without the end cap on. I’ve heard some refer to it as a muzzle weight, but I’m a bit sceptical about that, to be honest.

No baffles= not a moderator... extra weight at the muzzle= muzzle weight.

 

[Paul Be Careful]

No baffles= not a moderator... extra weight at the muzzle= muzzle weight.

Fair point about the baffles, but I’m not sure a moderator has to tick that particular box to count. Expansion chamber designs like the one on the HW97 can be pretty effective, especially on airguns. FX moderators are probably the best-known example — basically just empty cans that reduce pressure and suppress the crack. Not exactly cutting-edge tech, but it does what it says on the tin.

Funny thing is, Weihrauch themselves call it a muzzle brake in the specs — which doesn’t quite sound right either. And over at Weihrauch UK, they’re calling it a muzzle weight. Seems like even the folks who make the thing aren’t entirely sure what to name it. Bit of an identity crisis, that one...

 

[DualMagMike]

Muzzle brake/muzzle weight= no baffles. I've personally never heard of a moderator/silencer that does not have baffles... Typically muzzle weights are solid except the area where a projectile goes through vs a muzzle brake which has more space than just the typical projectile diameter and sometimes additional venting holes/slots.

 

[bustachip]

Mine’s empty too. I’d probably still call it a moderator of some sort, since it’s noticeably louder (and less accurate, in my case) without the end cap on. I’ve heard some refer to it as a muzzle weight, but I’m a bit sceptical about that, to be honest.

I'd call it a LDC= lead dust collector It does seem to do that pretty good.

 

[.20calguy]

No baffles= not a moderator... extra weight at the muzzle= muzzle weight.

My Crown doesn't have baffles in its moderator, and it works quite well.

 

[Paul Be Careful]

Muzzle brake/muzzle weight= no baffles. I've personally never heard of a moderator/silencer that does not baffles... Typically muzzle weights are solid except the area where a projectile goes through vs a muzzle brake which has more space than just the typical projectile diameter and sometimes additional venting holes/slots.

If we’re being strict about definitions — if a moderator must have baffles to count, then by the same logic, a muzzle brake should always have vents or holes, shouldn’t it?

If a device reduces sound by allowing compressed air to expand and dissipate more gradually — whether through chambers, ports, or baffles — then it’s moderating. And going by mechanical definitions, a muzzle brake typically redirects gas through lateral or angled vents to reduce recoil and muzzle rise — so again, it should have holes or ports.

The HW97’s end bit doesn’t have any. It’s hollow, unvented, and seems designed to trap some of the air behind the pellet. So calling it a “muzzle brake” or “muzzle weight” doesn’t quite stack up either. It’s not a textbook moderator, but it’s also not really a brake or a solid weight. It probably does a bit of all three in a very simple form. Without the end cap it is considerably louder and less accurate.

We can call it

Weihrauch HW-MG1™​

Tri-Function Muzzle Gizmo
It does something. Probably. And it’s never coming off.

Key Features:​

• Baffle-Free Sound Reduction
  Uses the power of empty space and wishful thinking to gently tame the bark of your HW97.
• Brake(ish) Behaviour
  Doesn’t redirect gas, but sits where a brake should, which is close enough for marketing purposes.
• Kind-of-Weighted Mass
  Adds some front-end heft — not enough to count as a proper weight, but enough to make you wonder what it’s actually for.

Anyway, not trying to start a debate — just having a bit of fun with the terminology. Always fascinating how varied the naming can be!

 

[Paul Be Careful]

My Crown doesn't have baffles in its moderator, and it works quite well.

Yes, the FX moderators are essentially just a can — part of the DonnyFL “LDC / mono-core” line, which relies on empty-core designs without traditional baffles. Ataman moderators are also empty, as is the Altaros moderator/brake combo — and that one actually performs really well, built for serious blasts.

So our HW97 muzzle gizmo isn’t alone — it’s got a whole quiet little family out there.

 

[DualMagMike]

If we’re being strict about definitions — if a moderator must have baffles to count, then by the same logic, a muzzle brake should always have vents or holes, shouldn’t it?

If a device reduces sound by allowing compressed air to expand and dissipate more gradually — whether through chambers, ports, or baffles — then it’s moderating. And going by mechanical definitions, a muzzle brake typically redirects gas through lateral or angled vents to reduce recoil and muzzle rise — so again, it should have holes or ports.

The HW97’s end bit doesn’t have any. It’s hollow, unvented, and seems designed to trap some of the air behind the pellet. So calling it a “muzzle brake” or “muzzle weight” doesn’t quite stack up either. It’s not a textbook moderator, but it’s also not really a brake or a solid weight. It probably does a bit of all three in a very simple form. Without the end cap it is considerably louder and less accurate.

We can call it

Weihrauch HW-MG1™​

Tri-Function Muzzle Gizmo
It does something. Probably. And it’s never coming off.

Key Features:​

• Baffle-Free Sound Reduction
  Uses the power of empty space and wishful thinking to gently tame the bark of your HW97.
• Brake(ish) Behaviour
  Doesn’t redirect gas, but sits where a brake should, which is close enough for marketing purposes.
• Kind-of-Weighted Mass
  Adds some front-end heft — not enough to count as a proper weight, but enough to make you wonder what it’s actually for.

Anyway, not trying to start a debate — just having a bit of fun with the terminology. Always fascinating how varied the naming can be!

I was never being strict with definitions and offered none. I was also quite clear when I mentioned, " I've personally never heard of..." I don't deal with aftermarket mods as my collection is over 99% springers and or I'm not concerned with the noise. I have added an "air stripper" (as it was called when I got it) to one of my 97's to see if it would enhance accuracy. Can't say I noticed the difference but have not done extensive testing with and without it.

The 97's end is most certainly a muzzle weight, it does weigh something and it's at the muzzle. Additionally it's front hole is a fair bit larger than even a .25 pellet and extends beyond the true muzzle so a brake comes right into the mix as well. It is hollow and gives the user the opportunity to fill that chamber with a device or screw into the threaded portion a moderator.

 

[rokonman]

I was never being strict with definitions and offered none. I was also quite clear when I mentioned, " I've personally never heard of..." I don't deal with aftermarket mods as my collection is over 99% springers and or I'm not concerned with the noise. I have added an "air stripper" (as it was called when I got it) to one of my 97's to see if it would enhance accuracy. Can't say I noticed the difference but have not done extensive testing with and without it.

The 97's end is most certainly a muzzle weight, it does weigh something and it's at the muzzle. Additionally it's front hole is a fair bit larger than even a .25 pellet and extends beyond the true muzzle so a brake comes right into the mix as well. It is hollow and gives the user the opportunity to fill that chamber with a device or screw into the threaded portion a moderator.

I am with you on springers not requiring further noise reduction. I have owned a lot of springers over my 50 plus years of Airgun experience. I can’t say I’ve had a springer I would consider loud. I think the main thing is you don’t want the neighbors to think you’re shooting a firearm. Springers do not sound remotely like a firearm. I do understand that it depends on your neighborhood and that some require total stealth.

 

[Paul Be Careful]

I was never being strict with definitions and offered none. I was also quite clear when I mentioned, " I've personally never heard of..." I don't deal with aftermarket mods as my collection is over 99% springers and or I'm not concerned with the noise. I have added an "air stripper" (as it was called when I got it) to one of my 97's to see if it would enhance accuracy. Can't say I noticed the difference but have not done extensive testing with and without it.

The 97's end is most certainly a muzzle weight, it does weigh something and it's at the muzzle. Additionally it's front hole is a fair bit larger than even a .25 pellet and extends beyond the true muzzle so a brake comes right into the mix as well. It is hollow and gives the user the opportunity to fill that chamber with a device or screw into the threaded portion a moderator.

Understood — though to be fair, your original message did reference specific features like baffles and implied a distinction based on what you've seen or not seen, so I think it's reasonable that I responded to that framing. That said, I totally respect where you're coming from. “Muzzle weight” definitely isn’t wrong — it weighs something and it lives on the muzzle! Just funny how it also behaves a bit like a brake and a moderator when you start looking at what it actually does. Anyway, wasn’t trying to be pedantic, just enjoying the murky world of airgun part naming. Appreciate the exchange — it’s been fun... at least for me.

 

[Chuck-in-Ohio]

View attachment 568549 The older ones have metal baffles. The new ones have plastic inserts.

The HW97muzzle piece shown in this post is not an OEM Weihrauch piece, it has been modded.
The pic and description are on the Protek Supplies website in the UK. Look at the original page and directly above the Muzzle device they also supply OEM HW threaded end caps for the OEM device, and call it out as fitting the standard muzzle device from HW.

76-weihrauch-parts

Muzzle brake.

 

[Barenger]

The HW97muzzle piece shown in this post is not an OEM Weihrauch piece, it has been modded.
The pic and description are on the Protek Supplies website in the UK. Look at the original page and directly above the Muzzle device they also supply OEM HW threaded end caps for the OEM device, and call it out as fitting the standard muzzle device from HW.

76-weihrauch-parts

Muzzle brake.

You are correct. Dont know if theyve been modified or not. Have the V333 on most of my underlecers