Weihrauch PCP purchase, AOA or across the pond?

I’ve been looking to enter the world of Weihrauch PCP’s and specifically am looking at purchasing a HW110. AOA has them in stock for just under $1k, while Krale has them for over the $1k mark. Other than price, one of the major differences is that the mod on the 110 from AOA is “bonded” and let’s face it, not easily removable, which kinda bothers me. I have a hw30 urban pro as well as a hw50 hunter, both with bonded mods however neither are $1k airguns. So here’s the real dilemma, warranty work should it be needed. Obviously AOA will back the stuff they sell but what a pain in the arse to have to ship oversees should a problem occur. Thinking that removing the AOA bonded mod would void the warranty. I’d prefer buying from AOA, but am Interested in your thoughts on the advantages or disadvantages of buying this from AOA or Krale. 
 
I would buy from AOA. I've bought 2 HW100 rifles from them, also with bonded on silencers. It takes about 10 minutes of work with a propane torch to melt the epoxy, then it screws right off.

Won’t removing the mod void the warranty? That’s the issue……

Not at all, they are sold all over the world without bonded-on mods. 
 
There used to be a price savings buying from Krale which has now been reduced or even non-existent in many cases. The bonded on moderators can be easily removed by using a heat gun on the threads which will soften the locktite and allow the moderator to be removed. I wouldn't use a blow torch as it may damage the finish of the moderator regardless of how carefully it is used. I'd also check with AoA as they might not even have Weihrauch bond the moderators given that they are legal in the U.S.
 
I say AOA all the way. 1. It will cost you less(the Weihrauch guns ship for free from AOA). 2. They don't charge out of state sales tax. 3. They will perform any warranty work if needed. I just bought the same gun in .177 cal about 4 or 5 weeks ago and love it. 19-21 ft lbs and an absolute tack driver with the 13.43 FX/JSB pellets.. I just removed my "bonded on" moderator this weekend with the help from a fellow forum member and a liberal dose of heat. I replaced it with a Hugget Belita and am quite satisfied with the results. Just as quiet and 5" of moderator vs 7 1/2". Hope this helps.

Herb
 
I say AOA all the way. 1. It will cost you less(the Weihrauch guns ship for free from AOA). 2. They don't charge out of state sales tax. 3. They will perform any warranty work if needed. I just bought the same gun in .177 cal about 4 or 5 weeks ago and love it. 19-21 ft lbs and an absolute tack driver with the 13.43 FX/JSB pellets.. I just removed my "bonded on" moderator this weekend with the help from a fellow forum member and a liberal dose of heat. I replaced it with a Hugget Belita and am quite satisfied with the results. Just as quiet and 5" of moderator vs 7 1/2". Hope this helps.

Herb

I saw your post the day you were able to remove the bonded mod Herb. I posted the question based on your post. Appreciate yours and the others responses. 
 
Having dealt with customs, there is no way I would buy from overseas if the product is available in country for a close enough price!



Let AOA handle the damage that customs will inflict so you get a decent rifle. Is there any way that AOA is allowed to install a different noise reducer (legally). They may be bonded due to legalities. As far as warranty goes, they will be required to prove that the device failed from the work you did. Magnuson Moss says so and has been applied to just about all devices. they can not make a blanket statement like that about warranties. The FTC wants to know about companies that refuse warranty based on some other mod. that did not directly cause the problem. They may fine them for refusing and it's time we let these places know where the line is really drawn.



And if they are being that picky, see if other places in country might have it.
 
There used to be a price savings buying from Krale which has now been reduced or even non-existent in many cases. The bonded on moderators can be easily removed by using a heat gun on the threads which will soften the locktite and allow the moderator to be removed. I wouldn't use a blow torch as it may damage the finish of the moderator regardless of how carefully it is used. I'd also check with AoA as they might not even have Weihrauch bond the moderators given that they are legal in the U.S.

I've used a torch to remove three silencers. No trace of heat damage could be seen on one, the other two have a slight discoloration on the base of the silencer, the part that contains the threads. Those small parts could be polished and reblued, but the damage to the finish is, to my eye, so slight that I don't think about it. But yes, if you don't want to risk a pristine finish, I'm not sure of a good option. It was worth it to me gain an easily removable silencer, as it was designed. 
 
I have recently purchased an HW100 T from Krale In .22 and an HW100 S from AOA in .177. I have also probably purchased 7 or 8 rifles from AOA in total and a half dozen from Krale. You shouldn’t lose any sleep over buying from either because they both give fabulous service. I don’t know how they do it, but if you order it from Krale, yiu will have it a week sooner than from AOA. I have experienced no issues with any of the rifles purchased from Krale, so haven’t needed warranty service. I have been doing business with AOA for several years now and their service after the sale is incredible. Make the choice that feels right and you won’t go wrong.

BTW - I spent the extra money for the 100 rifles partly because I didn’t want the bonded moderator. They are unbelievably accurate.
 
Despite what I said above, Krale was fantastic.



US customs sliced the top off the box, ripped the case open, dumped stuff everywhere, and left UPS to clean up the mess. The last one stayed at UPS for several days before they decided to deliver it. I just can't recommend this to anyone. I did once, and that other person had the same issues, so I can't recommend it in goid faith anymore due to customs being brutes.
 
I say AOA all the way. 1. It will cost you less(the Weihrauch guns ship for free from AOA). 2. They don't charge out of state sales tax. 3. They will perform any warranty work if needed. I just bought the same gun in .177 cal about 4 or 5 weeks ago and love it. 19-21 ft lbs and an absolute tack driver with the 13.43 FX/JSB pellets.. I just removed my "bonded on" moderator this weekend with the help from a fellow forum member and a liberal dose of heat. I replaced it with a Hugget Belita and am quite satisfied with the results. Just as quiet and 5" of moderator vs 7 1/2". Hope this helps.

Herb

Hi Herb,

Did you purchase the long barreled .177 HW110, or the shorter barrel? Have you chronoed with 10.3g JSBs yet?
 
I say AOA all the way. 1. It will cost you less(the Weihrauch guns ship for free from AOA). 2. They don't charge out of state sales tax. 3. They will perform any warranty work if needed. I just bought the same gun in .177 cal about 4 or 5 weeks ago and love it. 19-21 ft lbs and an absolute tack driver with the 13.43 FX/JSB pellets.. I just removed my "bonded on" moderator this weekend with the help from a fellow forum member and a liberal dose of heat. I replaced it with a Hugget Belita and am quite satisfied with the results. Just as quiet and 5" of moderator vs 7 1/2". Hope this helps.

Herb

Hi Herb,

Did you purchase the long barreled .177 HW110, or the shorter barrel? Have you chronoed with 10.3g JSBs yet?

I bought the carbine with the shorter barrel. If I recall, the 10.34 JSB's shot @ 935 -940 fps. Don't hold me to it but I will confirm that this am. The 13.43 JSB pellets are dead nuts accurate @ 830 - 835 fps. I am also getting great accuracy out to 40 yards with the 16.20 gr JSB @ 755 fps. I think that is quite impressive for a .177 carbine.
 
I say AOA all the way. 1. It will cost you less(the Weihrauch guns ship for free from AOA). 2. They don't charge out of state sales tax. 3. They will perform any warranty work if needed. I just bought the same gun in .177 cal about 4 or 5 weeks ago and love it. 19-21 ft lbs and an absolute tack driver with the 13.43 FX/JSB pellets.. I just removed my "bonded on" moderator this weekend with the help from a fellow forum member and a liberal dose of heat. I replaced it with a Hugget Belita and am quite satisfied with the results. Just as quiet and 5" of moderator vs 7 1/2". Hope this helps.

Herb

Hi Herb,

Did you purchase the long barreled .177 HW110, or the shorter barrel? Have you chronoed with 10.3g JSBs yet?

I bought the carbine with the shorter barrel. If I recall, the 10.34 JSB's shot @ 935 -940 fps. Don't hold me to it but I will confirm that this am. The 13.43 JSB pellets are dead nuts accurate @ 830 - 835 fps. I am also getting great accuracy out to 40 yards with the 16.20 gr JSB @ 755 fps. I think that is quite impressive for a .177 carbine.

Thanks, I was thinking the long (600mm) barrel was not necessary in .177. I actually have the HW110 with the 600mm barrel in .22. It is such a nice rifle to shoot - trigger is so sweet - that I’m going to get another HW110 in .177. You helped me decide which version. Weihrauch makes a true carbine of the HW110, but the air cylinder is shorter and not adequate for US (FAC as the Brits call it) power levels. So the HW110 “carbine” sold in the US is actually just the standard HW110 - Standard European length (short) barrel with the 170cc standard air cylinder - but with the power level dialed up to what you reported above.