HW/Weihrauch HW35E-Great Rifle

[jps2486]

I always thought the HW35 was an ugly duckling and I never could develop any interest in it. But after reading a number of posts on this and other forums by many that swear allegiance to this rifle, I had to see for myself. I recently bought one on sale in .177 caliber on AOA and have spent many enjoyable hours testing it in my 10M basement range. It shot great right out of the box with no twang or any other bad habits both with the factory iron sights and now with an Optisan CP scope perched on top. I've owned HW97Ks, HW95s, R9, R7s, R8s, but this one has become my favorite. Despite it's quirky looking stock and front lockup lever, this is truly a great rifle and I can understand why it's been in production since 1951. It's comfortable to shoot, not pellet picky and accurate. I'm in the process of shooting 20 5 shot groups with different pellets with this and my other rifles to see which is the king. Next up is my TX200.

Shot at 10M with iron sights

Shot at 10M with Optisan CP 4-16 scope

 

[Frank in Fairfield]

I don’t use a scope on mine.
Now, I want you to get away from that bench, standup and shoot offhand..
The HW35E is my go to silly wet gun when the FWB601 gets too heavy..
BTW that locking barrel is the main reason it is so accurate.
You have to pass by the locking lever to get to the muzzle to cock the rifle anyway and, it only takes a quit swipe with your finger to dis-engage the lock.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

I like unscoped and stock irons as well.

Maybe hold back the lock so the chisel does not start cutting in to the recever face when you close it .

https://www.airgunnation.com/thread...d-some-advice-hw35-barrel-latch-worn.1335593/.

Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure .

 

[ChickenDumpling]

That one was on my list, until PCPs. Nice HW35!

 

[jps2486]

I don’t use a scope on mine.
Now, I want you to get away from that bench, standup and shoot offhand..
The HW35E is my go to silly wet gun when the FWB601 gets too heavy..
BTW that locking barrel is the main reason it is so accurate.
You have to pass by the locking lever to get to the muzzle to cock the rifle anyway and, it only takes a quit swipe with your finger to dis-engage the lock.

Hey, I'm almost 85 and I don't shoot FT anymore because of the mandatory sitting/standing lanes. I kinda like the locking lever because I don't have to pound on the barrel to open it, and it's easy to shut too.

 

[Rondo]

My first and only. No regrets.

 

[Frank in Fairfield]

No positions in FT are mandatory.
If you don’t want to stand don’t.
If you don’t want to sit, don’t.

 

[MDriskill]

I like unscoped and stock irons as well.

Maybe hold back the lock so the chisel does not start cutting in to the recever face when you close it .

https://www.airgunnation.com/thread...d-some-advice-hw35-barrel-latch-worn.1335593/.

Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure .

Lovely rifles, y'all!

I haven't tried this, but I've wondered if rounding off the "chisel" point just a teeny bit and polishing it - together with keeping this spot properly lubed of course - would reduce the receiver face wear over time?

 

[Frank in Fairfield]

I have shot my 35E 10,000++ times and there are no scratches anywhere near the locking mechanism!
There is some wear from the left side the of the receiver which is normal for all HW break barrels and has nothing to do with the 35 locking system:

 

[MDriskill]

Call me weird, but I've long admired the 35's styling, in fact it was my instant favorite when perusing my first Beeman catalog back in the day.

It's been made in several different stock styles over the years, these old Export and Luxus ones are my favorites. Besides nice lines, the balance and carefully rounded contours are ergonomically excellent, and nicely mask the bulk of this heavy rifle.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Lovely rifles, y'all!

I haven't tried this, but I've wondered if rounding off the "chisel" point just a teeny bit and polishing it - together with keeping this spot properly lubed of course - would reduce the receiver face wear over time?

One of my thoughts as well .. maybe burnish it and the receiver chisel striking area with straight moly powder too boot make ot routine like barrel cleaning ..

 

[Wadcutter]

Great rifles indeed. Here's a much older 1956 Luxus with iron sights, weighing in at 8 lbs.

 

[Ievgen721]

Only with age do you understand all the beauty and advantages of this rifle. In my youth I had a HW30 for indoors and a HW90 for everything else, and I didn't need anything else. I didn't even look at such a big, low-power and useless rifle as the HW35, that's what I thought when I was 25. Now I'm 53 and a year ago I also bought a .177 HW35e on sale at AOA, I really liked the HW35e.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Call me weird, but I've long admired the 35's styling, in fact it was my instant favorite when perusing my first Beeman catalog back in the day.

It's been made in several different stock styles over the years, these old Export and Luxus ones are my favorites. Besides nice lines, the balance and carefully rounded contours are ergonomically excellent, and nicely mask the bulk of this heavy rifle.

View attachment 581733

I think calling it a bayern stock is nicer (1973)

Amazing hw don't capitalize on bringing that back over a silly anniversary edition . Opinion

 

[cjtamu]

Every once in awhile you stumble on something that just suits you. That’s where I am with my HW35E. Purchased from a member here couple years back and so glad I did. Glad you’re enjoying yours. And @Wadcutter that vintage one is gorgeous.

 

[jps2486]

No positions in FT are mandatory.
If you don’t want to stand don’t.
If you don’t want to sit, don’t.

Then you can kiss 12 points goodbye.

 

[MDriskill]

I think calling it a bayern stock is nicer (1973)

Amazing HW don't capitalize on bringing that back over a silly anniversary edition . Opinion

You are correct, "Bayern" ("Bavarian") is the proper term for the classicallly German rounded lines and "stretched hexagon" cheekpiece of that lovely stock. "Luxus" ("luxury") was just HW's marketing tag for the model.

In the late 70's, the Luxus stock changed over to a completely different look - flat-sided fore end, Monte Carlo comb, and curved cheekpiece. The "squared up" look was all the rage then, LOL, and that stock is nice too - but the Bayern is to my eye the best ever on the 35.

Wadcutter: It's really not fair that such a beautifully styled stock should also have such awesome wood! Dayam that's gorgeous...

 

[mj102]

Great rifles indeed. Here's a much older 1956 Luxus with iron sights, weighing in at 8 lbs.
View attachment 581766View attachment 581767View attachment 581768View attachment 581769

Wadcutter you got a classic beauty there

 

[Frank in Fairfield]

Then you can kiss 12 points goodbye.

So?
You are competing against yourself.
You cannot win.
Just enjoy being out in the fresh air shooting with friends.
I used to worry about FT.
Had drop data for PCP and springers.
I shot 50%.
Now, I shoot without drop data.
Like when you are hunting.
Remember?
Focus, aim & shoot.
Now I shoot 40-45% and have a great time.
I do not kneel.
I shoot offhand and off of the buckets.

 

[patrikky]

The 35E is a great rifle. Then again all my HW/Beemans have been great rifles