HW/Weihrauch Wanting to purchase a Weihrauch springer but concerned about droop

[springmeister]

Hello everyone,


I’m currently in the market for a Weihrauch springer and have narrowed my interest down to either the HW50S or HW95. Before making a purchase, I’ve come across several discussions online regarding barrel droop with these models. Some owners report noticeable droop, while others state their rifles were perfectly fine right out of the box.

My main questions are:

1. Production years or model generations: Have certain years or production runs of the HW50S or HW95 been more prone to barrel droop than others?
2. Preferred solutions: For those who have experienced droop, what’s considered the most reliable remedy — droop-compensating mounts, shimming, or barrel adjustment?
3. Model comparison: Between the HW50S and HW95, is one generally regarded as being less affected by droop issues?

I’d greatly appreciate any insights from those with first-hand experience. My goal is to make an informed purchase and avoid unnecessary surprises.


Thank you in advance for your time and knowledge.

 

[EMrider]

I own, or have owned, probably 10-12 Weihrauchs, and can't really detect a pattern to barrel droop in terms of model or year of production. Some have it, most don't, and it just seems random. In the past, my fix was to shim the scope or use droop compensating scope mounts. Those worked OK, but neither really fixed the problem.

At the suggestion of many others here, I finally went ahead and just bent the barrel on a few of my guns. Wrap the breech end of the barrel in a towel or old t-shirt, stick it into a 2" trailer hitch receiver, and gently bend the barrel upwards. Super easy, and it works perfectly. More importantly, it properly fixes the problem so that you don't have to max out the elevation adjustment on your scope.

So I'd suggest just buying the gun that best fits your shooting needs, and fix barrel droop if necessary. Good luck.
R

 

[springmeister]

I own, or have owned, probably 10-12 Weihrauchs, and can't really detect a pattern to barrel droop in terms of model or year of production. Some have it, most don't, and it just seems random. In the past, my fix was to shim the scope or use droop compensating scope mounts. Those worked OK, but neither really fixed the problem.

At the suggestion of many others here, I finally went ahead and just bent the barrel on a few of my guns. Wrap the breech end of the barrel in a towel or old t-shirt, stick it into a 2" trailer hitch receiver, and gently bend the barrel upwards. Super easy, and it works perfectly. More importantly, it properly fixes the problem so that you don't have to max out the elevation adjustment on your scope.

So I'd suggest just buying the gun that best fits your shooting needs, and fix barrel droop if necessary. Good luck.
R

Appreciate your insight and experience, I'm also consider an underlever springer like the HW97, but I know that option is more expensive and also a heavier setup.

 

[KWK]

HW35 and HW55 are known to have droop. Typically not the others.

 

[springmeister]

HW35 and HW55 are known to have droop. Typically not the others.

Was looking at the HW50S when I posted, which had some folks with droop issues but now wondering if I should get the HW77K to avoid droop?

 

[KWK]

My 2 HW50's don't have droop. Can't speak for anybody elses. My 2 HW95's don't either.
I've heard of HW50's with droop
but don't always believe what I hear and only half what I read.

 

[Willow-1]

My now 2 year old Hw50s has a slight droop, used a shim on the Leupold scope mount and she has been fine. My R7 had no issues. Like others have said, some HW rifles do and some don’t. It has not been a big deal, you will really enjoy either of the guns you mentioned.

 

[c_m_shooter]

Droop isn't a big deal with a break barrel. Mount your scope, center the adjustments, and bend the barrel up til it hits near center. The last 2 HW50s I got from Airguns of Arizona had a lot of visible droop before even mounting the scope. Only a few seconds to fix.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Your thinking diana .. notorious by design..lol

Most all have it but how severe it the thing . I worry less with hw . I always blamed guns with ball detents ..

Hw35 here pretty sad with a latch detent



I liked this ( nothing to see here folks ..move along)

"What manufacturer is the worst offender in the air rifle world for barrel droop? Time’s up, it’s Diana. I spoke with a Diana VP of marketing (or sales, I can’t remember) about the barrel droop issue and was informed that the company didn’t see a problem. "

Are breakbarrels less accurate? | Blog | Pyramyd AIR

Today we explore the breakbarrel air rifle and see what people have said about its accuracy.

www.pyramydair.com

Not bad here

 

[beerthief]

I think you are over thinking . But to avoid the situation buy the 97 or 77 underlever or Air Arms TX200 i have multiple's of all three , TX200 beats them all by an unnoticeable small margin .
OR you can buy the HW50 and most likely you will get a good one , Ask Air guns of Arizona to pick out a no droop one ?

 

[cjtamu]

Or, Sportsmatch makes a really nice adjustable one piece mount for both 1” and 30 mm I believe. Used one on my HW35. Shoots beautifully.

 

[Kgphotos]

The HW50 is a really great rifle. I’d hate to see you miss out on it simply because of the possibility of barrel droop. I have two HW50s and two HW30s and they are both fine. I also have an HW97k and it’s also very nice. It’s a HEAVY booger though. I enjoy the 50s and the 30s more for just fun relaxing shooting. I agree with the suggestion from beerthief, buy your rifle from Airguns of Arizona. Call them and tell them your concern and I bet they will pick out a good one for you.
Kenny

 

[EMrider]

Appreciate your insight and experience, I'm also consider an underlever springer like the HW97, but I know that option is more expensive and also a heavier setup.

No issues with an hw97k. That said, IMHO the hw97k is a better 4th or 5th gun due to the weight. Of all my Weihrauchs, my hw97k is the one I shoot the least.
R

 

[jps2486]

I have 6 HWs: R7, HW95 (2), HW35 (2), HW97K, all relatively late production. Droop? Not as far as I can determine. However, due to the relatively low power of these guns, the trajectories are a bit loopy, so at closer ranges, you may run out of elevation adjustment on your scopes. You will either have to install them with a shim on the rear scope ring, or use adjustable mounts. Don't worry about this and order the rifle which tickles your fancy the most. They are all good, but each one has it's charm.

 

[boscoebrea]

Do not worry about droop, I have all those springers and no drop, plus the springesr I have that have droop I have mounts that compensate for it ; I use this type of mount on some rifles just to help my scope adjustments,,,,,, another thing =these mounts are one piece mounts and are better than the two piece mounts for a springers. The HW97 is also a great springer, but I like the HW95 the best; mine is a .20, which makes it even sweeter.OK I will expand my thought,HW50,lighter,smaller;HW95 bigger,,more powerful,feels more solid,HW 97,well I believe it has the same powerplant as the 95,it is heavier and good,just not as easy to load as a break barrel.....I hated my HW50.177 until I put a AH plinker kit in it,now it is a very pleasant springer to shoot...
So get a one piece mount,do not worry about droop until you get around 70years old,

 

[Mycapt65]

I could write lots on the recent patterns to the droop on the 50s and 95s. The 50s didnt show with significant droop until 2022. I never determined the reason past machining dimensions. I just adjusted the barrelsr.

95s started to be plagued with droop and around 2019 and they seem to have gotten handle on it around 2023. The cause was usually a binding cocking arm. Putting a slight bend in the cocking arm fixes that. I've fixed at least 7 or 8 of them.

The 50s machining errors can be addressed with a droop compensation scope mount. Most of them are one piece and limit your scope option. I just bend the barrel close to optical center.

The 95s need the cocking arm fixed because it can cause vertical stringing from inconsistent lock up.

Pm me for my phone number if you want details.

Just get the gun you want. It's unlikely to have droop. And droop isnt fatal if it does.

Oh btw 77s and 97s often have droop and or sweep. So there's no guarantee with them either.

Good luck
Ron

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Just add a drooper mount along in your order .. then your kinda covered if unlucky in the gun part of things .

A reputable shop has a worry free RMA policy if it's really that unsatisfying of a gun ..

You buy , you try, and hope it dont make you cry...

 

[JEFFPPC]

Appreciate your insight and experience, I'm also consider an underlever springer like the HW97, but I know that option is more expensive and also a heavier setup.

A 97 or a TX200, you wom't be disappointed.

 

[Mycapt65]

No issues with an hw97k. That said, IMHO the hw97k is a better 4th or 5th gun due to the weight. Of all my Weihrauchs, my hw97k is the one I shoot the least.
R

Of 13 Weihrauchs my 97 is also my least shot.

 

[springmeister]

Of 13 Weihrauchs my 97 is also my least shot.

That's good to know.