MYTH Busting Needed

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Flintsack

Flintsack

Member
Aug 19, 2019
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Minnesota, United States
There seems to be a Trend I’ve been noticing lately, that says if you’re looking for an accurate Springer, you need to go with a fixed barrel. 


NOT SO!!!

fixed barrel Springers are by far the minority. Even Though they have been available as long as break barrel Springers, or almost so, Break barrel Springers outsell fixed barrel Springers by a huge margin.

why is that? They’re not cheaper. So Why have break barrel Springers owned the market for so long?

let’s talk about accuracy first.


All of the targets below were shot with Springers. The top four targets were shot at 50 (one at 46). They are all five shot groups. The smallest one is less than a quarter inch. Is it repeatable? Not every time. Look at the groups in the middle, 3, 5 shot groups shot at 46 yards back to back, all around or under half an inch. And the bottom target is 10 shots at 46 yards from a field target position...With a 20 caliber break barrel springer.

A3DED2A8-62D5-444C-AC1A-25C81099F934.1613701121.jpeg
8C8FE4EC-3560-4BCB-B46D-D4569C9482E3.1613701121.jpeg
96969CC1-1A58-42AD-8CAF-4261A98C1988.1613701121.jpeg



i’m quite confident I could pick up any of a half a dozen break barrel Springers, and in good conditions, shoot groups like this again.

Unless you’re planning to shoot only from the bench, or only from a field target position. I would highly recommend going after an extremely accurate break barrel springer. After all, there is a reason they own the market.

I have been shooting spring piston Airguns since 1980. I’m not sure how many I’ve owned. I currently own a handful of fixed barrel Springers, and a few more of the break barrel variety. Yet in most cases, if someone came to me looking for a springer recommendation, it would not be for a fixed barrel Springer. They are heavier, bigger clunkier, and in a lot of cases much more complex. They’re not as pretty either. At least in my opinion. I certainly wouldn’t want to carry one any further than from my car to the bench...Or to the beginning of the FT course.

Don’t discount the fixed barrel Springer for lack of accuracy, it’s simply not true.

mike




 
While I agree, there is one thing that I have noticed about most fixed barrel springers that I prefer over break barrels, and that is POI stability. No barrel tension changes lends to a more stable zero in my experience. Now when both are "ON", accuracy difference may not be noticeable. I'm with you there. 

I'm the opposite, I prefer the underlever guns. I hunt with mine almost exclusively. The added mass and muzzle weight makes for a very stable and less hold sensitive rifle. If this weren't true, youd probably see a lot more field target shooters with break barrels, and you just don't. 

Another thing about the fixed barrel guns is they tend to have better compression tube tolerances. This can allow you to run a more efficient and perfectly sized seal, or even an oring seal to maximize efficiency and minimize temp shift. Not saying most good breakbarrels can't do the same, but ive certainly had some that were too out-of-round or tapered to do so. 

I don't find the weight bothersome either. I run lightweight scopes and that makes a huge difference in perceived weight. Mine are older model HW77Ks, and all but one have the slimmer old school stocks with slings fitted. 

Again, I agree that the break barrel (a good one) doesn't give up any inherent accuracy to a fixed barrel. 

But, the fixed barrels do have some added benefits in some situations. Given the choice, I'll take the fixed barrel every time. 

And as for popularity of the break barrels, they have historically been cheaper, simpler and easier to produce. And that always means "more out there" in about any kind of manufactured goods. 
 
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Thumper.
I enjoyed your well thought out response. I too am a fan of the HW 77. Which I believe shares the same compression tube as the R1.

as to your comment about break barrels being cheaper, I’m not really referencing the inexpensive under $400 each models.

I would be comparing HW to HW, or air arms to air arms, Theoben SLR to crow mag etc. 

But I still don’t personally see myself grabbing the HW 77K, when I’m going for a walk. I would much rather take the FWB 124. But that’s just me. When that 124 hits my shoulder, whatever it’s pointing at dies.

mike
 
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The one in the middle is actually a 25, with a factory Walnut stock, that has grain in it that would make you weep. Oranges and yellows and weird highlights throughout the entire stock. And it is a factory silver finish action...And it shoots. Two bits size groups at 50 yards.

And thumper, that stock is freaking gorgeous.

when the FWB 124 and 127 were introduced to the market I guess back in the 70s, it was reported that poachers in Africa were using them to harvest antelope...by shooting them in the eye 👁 

mike
 
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I think a break barrel is a lot like an AK or glock lol, They are extremely durable and useful but I think id put up a good PCP next to a break barrel any day. 



PCP pros - 

Speed

Magazines

Accuracy can be just as good or better

Break barrel

Durability

Accuracy 



maybe I haven't spent enough time with Break Barrels but They are useful on the go or in a real hurry but I don't think I've ever been in an extreme hurry when it comes to killing rodents or plinking haha. 
 
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imo the 'myth' is that your gonna buy an 'accurate' springer ... its a waste of money if you actually need accuracy lol .. the reason springers are popular is because theyre cheap and 'accurate' enough for the average kid to sink cans in the pond .. but 'in the eye' accuracy forget it .. not without luck and a ton of work and it still wont oitdo the cheapest pcp ... yeah, it might be my own opinion but i went through it with probably 8 springers of all varieties, buying springs and trying to accurize them for reliable performance for countless hours .. it was a waste of my life and money lol ... best use for a springer is pound it in the ground and use it to grow tomatoes on or something lol ..
 
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imo the 'myth' is that your gonna buy an 'accurate' springer ... its a waste of money if you actually need accuracy lol .. the reason springers are popular is because theyre cheap and 'accurate' enough for the average kid to sink cans in the pond .. but 'in the eye' accuracy forget it .. not without luck and a ton of work and it still wont oitdo the cheapest pcp ... yeah, it might be my own opinion but i went through it with probably 8 springers of all varieties, buying springs and trying to accurize them for reliable performance for countless hours .. it was a waste of my life and money lol ... best use for a springer is pound it in the ground and use it to grow tomatoes on or something lol ..
Click to expand...

I have a couple of Walther spring rifles that prove you wrong. Accuracy on par with PCP's out to 35 yards, maybe a bit further. I'm sure many with AA or HW rifles will say the same. But, one is free to shoot what he wants.

As to fixed vs. break barrel, I have both and find the fixed barrel rifles more consistent. To me the hinge is simply another potential point for accuracy loss. Potential because many break barrels can shoot extremely well. The weight advantage of the slimmer break barrel does seem like a definite advantage but a relative more than absolute point.
 
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I have all HW springers, .177- HW30, HW50, R9 .20- HW97K, HW50

The limiting factor in their accuracy is me.

I shoot paint balls at 50 yards with all of them, shooting off the hand rail of my deck, I don't hit them 100% of the time, but I can't do that with a PCP either.

Shotgun shells at that distance have about a 90% kill ratio.

I own a Daystate Regal, but really enjoy shooting the springers more.

If I get a springer that doesn't meet my expectations of accuracy, I get rid of it.
 
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I love break barrels. They are lighter, easier to cock, easier to load, and safer to load, but in terms of accuracy, there must be a difference.

While I agree that in terms of mechanical ability and consistency of lockup there is likely very little difference. In actual human shooting terms, the fixed barrel designs have proven themselves by being at the top of the WFTF charts year over year.

These are not off the shelf guns. These would be the F-1 of airguns where no expense is spared and competition is at its zenith. In 2019, the most recent WFTF competition 8 of the top 10 were fixed barrel designs. John Amos took 2nd with a break barrel LGV however this is the ONLY break barrel gun listed in a group of more than 80 world-class competitors.

Just to be clear I own both and enjoy them equally. I am just pointing out that competition often has a way of separating the smallest of differences. If both platforms are truly equal and more break barrels are in the market then they would be seen more frequently on the podium.

This is painful for me as well because I prefer the 97 over the TX200 but again they are less frequently in the top spots so I must accept that when the complete package is highly tuned and in the hands of the best shooters who can afford whatever they choose they more often choose the TX.

We are seeing changes. The Walther LGU guns and the Delta Stryker scopes both proving themselves to be on par with the best of the best. Now in MY hands...no difference between a Red Ryder and a Delta Wolf. I'm still having fun though!





https://wftc2019.com/wftc2019_piston_results/
 
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