I was fortunate enough to pick up the JW80MK2 .22 thumbhole walnut recently from AOA. The day after, I called AOA with the intent to purchase a used scope and found out there is another JW that came in a large collection that was recently purchased. Darren confirms it is a Silvertop and looks new with the exception of the minor safe handling mark or two. I had zero intent of buying another nor did Darren intend to sell it at that specific time but we worked out a win-win agreement. Love it when that happens!
There is nothing fast about these rigs or the shooting experience. 3 cocking strokes that require focus and time, open sidelever to bring back the bolt for direct single pellet loading… The Leupold scope tolerances are supremely tight and are slow turning. The Silver Top got a Leupold 36X BR Silver up top and an uncanny natural POA is required to acquire targets while in a seated FT position, it takes time to adjust the AO to fine tune focus (locking ring optional) , then superimpose the thinnest crosshairs I’ve ever seen over the POA…It takes time; that’s not a complaint, it simply is what it is.
Enough words, some images:
I’m grateful beyond belief to own these two bespoke, hand-made rifles by the late John Whiscombe. I like how I enter a certain mindset where I’m required to focus on the moment; to marvel and appreciate every detail and procedure involved in the multi-step shooting process.
Below is an in-depth Test Report penned by Pete Reiff “The Whiscombe JW-80 FB MK II” (link here: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/31607584/jw80mk2-us-airgunreviewpdf-whiscombe):
Thanks for looking, and special thanks to AOA for coming through with these epic beauties!
Trying to slow down…and enjoy
There is nothing fast about these rigs or the shooting experience. 3 cocking strokes that require focus and time, open sidelever to bring back the bolt for direct single pellet loading… The Leupold scope tolerances are supremely tight and are slow turning. The Silver Top got a Leupold 36X BR Silver up top and an uncanny natural POA is required to acquire targets while in a seated FT position, it takes time to adjust the AO to fine tune focus (locking ring optional) , then superimpose the thinnest crosshairs I’ve ever seen over the POA…It takes time; that’s not a complaint, it simply is what it is.
Enough words, some images:
I’m grateful beyond belief to own these two bespoke, hand-made rifles by the late John Whiscombe. I like how I enter a certain mindset where I’m required to focus on the moment; to marvel and appreciate every detail and procedure involved in the multi-step shooting process.
Below is an in-depth Test Report penned by Pete Reiff “The Whiscombe JW-80 FB MK II” (link here: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/31607584/jw80mk2-us-airgunreviewpdf-whiscombe):
Thanks for looking, and special thanks to AOA for coming through with these epic beauties!
Trying to slow down…and enjoy
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