Old vintage springers never cease to please

[r1lover]

I love these older vintage/classic spring guns and thought I'd share a typical 5 shot 23 yd. group from one of my favorites, the HW55. This group measures 0.180 inch c.t.c. That's a hair under 3/16 inch and equivalent to about 0.09 inches at 33 feet. That's knocking on the door of the famed FWB 300. This particular gun likes 4.51mm H&N FTT's and never ceases to please. 

 

[Moog]

That's some fine shooting and a really fine rifle. I've always admired the HW55.

The only thing I really hate about AGN is that when ever I see some of the stuff you guys have and do it makes me want to throw my stuff in the trash and start over.

 

[r1lover]

That's some fine shooting and a really fine rifle. I've always admired the HW55.

The only thing I really hate about AGN is that when ever I see some of the stuff you guys have and do it makes me want to throw my stuff in the trash and start over.

Moog! Nooooooooooooooo! OMG, that's hilarious! I'm sure your stuff is fine and you do fine too!

Be safe my friend!

ChrisK

 

[Guest]

That right there is WHY I love spring rifles. BEAUTIFUL rifle. SUPERB group.

I'd love to see that thing shoot the ten dimes target. You might just set the standard whereby all are judged.

 

[willy]

Is that a HW 55MM??

 

[r1lover]

Is that a HW 55MM??

Yes it is. The contour of this stock (drop at heel and toe) is a little more pronounced than most MM stocks and shoulders very nicely.

 

[Steveoo]

They never cease to amaze because they kept things simple.

If you think about it, they were not over sprung, in a bid to achieve crazy power levels and the seals being leather, operated consistently with very calm manners when compared to all the slammy, synthetic seals we have now....While the engineering was executed with hand built precision, unlike the mass production that goes on now..

 

[Guest]

I like the old ones too!

 

[MDriskill]

Great shooting from a great rifle!

I think of springers as being designed around an "iron triangle:" power / bulk and weight / cocking effort and firing behavior. Think about it - if you "improve" one of those, you inevitably pay a price in the other two.

To me medium-power springer rifles are where those things are in the best balance: adequate power for most legit airgun jobs; a well-balanced light frame; easy to cock and smooth to shoot. Throw in those old HW virtues - sturdy build, good looks, fine craftsmanship, accurate barrel, and a great trigger - ya got a pretty awesome toy!

 

[bdzjlz]

Really cool post and really cool rifles and pics. I enjoy my springers more than my pcps these days, but there is definitely a place for both in my collection.

 

[Flintsack]

Beautiful rifle and great group! The 55 is very special in my book. Especially with the old leather seal. So smooth.

mike

 

[Fischer]

In a vacuum range the HW55 will shoot under an inch at 100 yards.

The problem is power to get there and do something else besides make a hole in paper.

I had one from San Rafael and quicky sold it because to me owning a pellet rifle capable of lighting a match at 10 yards was not my interest in the first place.

I have three HW35E's which easily replace my old vintage HW55 with Tyrolean Stock from San Rafael.

However,

I don't want to spend the money that way to the vintage unless I choose the HW35 or HW50 or HW95 or HW80 or HW30.

It seems that rifle is truly specialized for those stuck in the past for a target shoot when today an HW35E .177 will do more with more velocity.

This is just my opinion after having them all while seeing where the air gun interest settles on various websites.

I started shooting the break barrel springer in 1969.

 

[MDriskill]

Just for the record: NOTHING is more "stuck in the past" - literally! - than the HW 35. It's been in continuous production for almost SEVENTY years, by far the oldest European springer design you can still buy today.

If you saw my motley airgun collection, you'd know I'm definitely stuck in the past myself, LOL. HW 35's and 55's both live here.