Advice for new Weihrauch HW30S - defective action weld

[jbuchse17]

Hi everyone,

Newbie-to-the-forum here. I've been reading about airguns for over 10 years now but just purchased my first springer rifle (HW30S/R7). I found a great deal of helpful information available on these forums over the years as a guest, so decided it is a great time to join as a member!

Anyways, I've had my HW30S for a month or two, and have put at least 1k + pellets through it...

Several questions about the gun:

1) Is it normal for the stock to move when cocking? Specifically, the stock feels like it is levered away from the action. This occurs in the first part of the cocking stroke when the barrel is first broken from the detent.
2) Not sure if this is related to above, but when I first got the rifle the stock screws kept loosening. You can imagine the effects wreaked on accuracy. I eventually applied blue Loctite to the screws and retightened them firmly. But today, the front trigger guard screw backed out again.
3) Is the forearm screw supposed to screw into the action? On my gun, it seems the stock is mainly being held by the front trigger guard screw.

Thanks for any advice more knowledgeable owners can offer!

JB

 

[Pizzaman2976]

Hi welcome and great gun!

Fwiw... I have 3 (all calibers) and on mine the stock doesn't move when cocking. It's fitted pretty tightly and snug and there's no play. The stock on all three are also secured to the action w/ 3 screws. 2 on the trigger guard and one on the forearm....

 

[Pizzaman2976]

 

[Pizzaman2976]

 

[jbuchse17]

Hi Pizzaman,

Thanks for the welcome!

Lovely set of rifles, thanks for sharing those photos! One day I’d like to get a .22 as well.

Interesting, that sounds like the way it’s supposed to be then, three screws into action. I always wondered why the forearm screw floated - doesn’t seem too useful in securing the stock. On my gun, I also noticed the forearm screw was a little proud of the wood even when tightened.

Anyone have thoughts on what to do next?

 

[crowski]

Be careful not to over tighten the rear trigger screw. It’s only in wood. I believe your front trigger screw takes the hit. Enjoy. Crow

 

[jbuchse17]

Thanks Crow, I’ll keep that in mind so the rear trigger screw doesn’t strip...

I hope I didn’t overtighten the other two screws in my attempt to get the stock snug.

Even with the two screws put the tightest I dare to go, though, I can feel the stock still moves slightly each time I try cocking the gun.

I’ve been cocking and shooting the gun anyways, but hope it doesn’t damage the gun, or affect accuracy. (I’m not confident enough in my abilities to say whether the issue has been affecting accuracy).

 

[Pizzaman2976]

No problem!

If your stock screw is too long you can use a washer or two between the wood and screw.... also the stock screw is standard M6 threaded. I bought one of these M6 screw variety packs in different lengths... you can also use these with different washer thicknesses or if you just want a stainless colored stock screw...

Seems to be a standard stock screw size.... I used washers and a replacement stock screw on this black gun and it worked perfectly....

 

[Pizzaman2976]

I'd also try taking the action off the stock and putting a piece of tape down near the end of the forearm before putting back together...sometimes that helps get rid of slop

 

[jbuchse17]

Thank you. Seems my screw may be a little short or something. I scraped the screw hole deeper into the wood last night (I know, always wary of damaging something!) so that the screw head now sits flush or slightly below the wood surface.
Will do, I’ll probably remove the stock and see what is going on. Maybe the action is hitting it somewhere. Will report back!

 

[jbuchse17]

Mystery solved. There’s a metal piece under the cocking lever that is broken off the action! I’m sure that was it.

What to do now... is this something Weihrauch will fix under warranty?
I got the rifle from Krale a couple months ago. Shipping was $50 and I don’t relish paying that to return (past their window anyways).

Now I really need advice.

 

[Moog]

That does not look good. The HW30 is still under warranty but the problem is that the warranty is voided if you take the rifle apart. I would send those pictures to Krale and see what they have to say.

 

[jbuchse17]

That does not look good. The HW30 is still under warranty but the problem is that the warranty is voided if you take the rifle apart. I would send those pictures to Krale and see what they have to say.

Thanks Moog. How ironic (about the warranty)!
I found Weihrauch's contact form. Slim chances, but submitted something anyways.
Will write Krale and see what they say...

Thanks everyone!

 

[Moog]

I hope it works out for you. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[jbuchse17]

Thank you, Moog, you and everyone here have been very helpful.

I've written Krale and will see what they say. Will let you know how it goes -- fingers crossed!!

 

[SteveP-52]

Maybe try emailing or calling AoA. Member of another forum had a barrel issue and was told AoA is a certified warranty claims center and could handle the barrel problem so I'd think they could help you.

 

[Deerstalker]

IMHO, Weihrauch should fix/replace your rifle and AoA CS has been outstanding whenever I had to contact them. I believe that your best solution would have the piece rewelded by a local competent machinist and/or gunsmith if you are able to find one. Krale or Weihrauch may reimburse you for the cost and it would certainly be a lot quicker than shipping and waiting. Good luck & please keep us posted with your solution.

FYI,

Airguns of Arizona​

airgunsofarizona.com
1970 W Elliot Rd Ste 109, Gilbert, AZ 85233
(480) 461-1113

Airguns of Arizona

 

[jbuchse17]

Thank you for these suggestions, Steve and Deerstalker. Looks like I’ll see if I can’t call AoA tomorrow and see what can be done. I love shooting my HW30S and can’t wait to get it working 100%. There’s a small chance too that after it is properly fixed, I’ll find I can shoot better groups than I thought.

 

[davelarson]

Thank you for these suggestions, Steve and Deerstalker. Looks like I’ll see if I can’t call AoA tomorrow and see what can be done. I love shooting my HW30S and can’t wait to get it working 100%. There’s a small chance too that after it is properly fixed, I’ll find I can shoot better groups than I thought.

That’s too bad about the weld, hopefully Krale will make it right. They are fantastic little rifles for sure and that is a rare failure. I’m betting that AOA can fix it if Krale won’t. Best of luck with it, I really enjoy my HW30S immensely, and I’m betting that your groups will improve after the repair too. Also, welcome to a great forum lots of good folks here and endless fun to share.

 

[jbuchse17]

Thank you for the welcome Dave! I’m hoping the problem will be righted too.

I wrote Krale and Sander has been helpful so far. He’s indicated I should return the gun to their shop. I need to find out what costs if any will be involved in returning/repair/replacement. Shipping alone is expensive!

I called AoA as well and Shane was helpful in the service department. Since I did not purchase from them, it looks like I will be liable for costs. Waiting to hear back from him on the quotes...

Sounds like a rare defect, really unfortunate it happened on my first investment! I’d chosen Weihrauch particularly for its reputation of quality and longevity...

Looking forward to getting my HW30S back up and into good shooting condition. They are on the whole nice shooters.