Favorite Spring Gun? and Why?
- Thread starter Greenarrow
- Start date
I know this post is about Springer's but my favorite of all is my .20 blue Streak.
You can join the club too! Why not eh? It shoots air, that's all that counts. ha ha!
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Wow, some really beautiful guns and great stories in this post.
I have owned a few nice springers but my favorite so far has been and still is my current FWB 124D that I made my own stock for. I haven't shot springers for a few months but just last week I got it out along with my RWS52 .177 and did a little shooting. I shoot the FWB so much better. Need to shoot it more.
Im glad that you showed up Randy! I love seeing that stock you made. It sure is satisfying isn't it?
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Greenarrow, flat head pellets are the standard for competition such as the Olympics, at short range on rats and squirrels they deliver sufficient energy to ensure a clean kill without the fear it will go right through and perhaps cause secondary damage.
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I hope Ive not broken any rules but Ive copied Randy's stock (above) with the idea of reshaping my lump of German beech into something similar.
Why Walther could not produce a more lightweight stock is the unanswered question for me, the damn thing even has a cheek rest on both sides to add extra and unwanted weight AND it has a ventilated recoil pad, I ask you a recoil pad on an air rifle!!!!!!
Thinks, one reason why the LGU shoots so well could be all this extra weight, at over 11lbs without a scope or mounts it makes a very stable hold.
My ideal would be a custom stock made from poly or nylon??
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I hope Ive not broken any rules but Ive copied Randy's stock (above) with the idea of reshaping my lump of German beech into something similar.
Why Walther could not produce a more lightweight stock is the unanswered question for me, the damn thing even has a cheek rest on both sides to add extra and unwanted weight AND it has a ventilated recoil pad, I ask you a recoil pad on an air rifle!!!!!!
Thinks, one reason why the LGU shoots so well could be all this extra weight, at over 11lbs without a scope or mounts it makes a very stable hold.
My ideal would be a custom stock made from poly or nylon??
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So, take a rifle that generally is viewed as very accurate by those that own them, and assume (probably correctly in my view) that the weight might be a part of that, and plan to lighten the rifle?
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I really enjoy my beeman silver kodiak in .22. Didn't cost much money and hits targets well.
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Gotta go with my bud r1lover on this one (though he obviously is due to update his screen name, LOL). In my tiny brain, the question isn’t so much “what’s the best springer,” as “which member of the classic Weihrauch HW 50/55 family is the best springer.”
This basic design is the perfect mid-size springer. Ideal size, weight, balance. Accurate, fine sights, great trigger. Sturdy, easy to work on with the same threaded-on rear section as HW’s big-frame guns, lots of parts and tuning bits available. Works as a fine target rifle with speeds in the low 600’s, or a crisp light sporter shooting in the low 700’s. Basically what an R7/HW 30 wants to be when it grows up.
These guns are all the same basic action and barrel, with diffs in stock, sights, springs, and trigger tweaks. Top to bottom:
Classic HW 50S from the early 70’s. Super plain stock that fits me like it was custom made.
Much-sought Beeman R8 from the 80’s.
Mid-60’s Vintage HW 55 S (beech sporter stock), this one sporting an even older HW diopter from the 50’s.
Mid-70’s HW 55 M (walnut target stock).
Late-60’s HW 55 Tyrolean.
Last but not least, the only left-handed HW 55 CM (walnut “custom match” stock) I’ve ever seen.
This basic design is the perfect mid-size springer. Ideal size, weight, balance. Accurate, fine sights, great trigger. Sturdy, easy to work on with the same threaded-on rear section as HW’s big-frame guns, lots of parts and tuning bits available. Works as a fine target rifle with speeds in the low 600’s, or a crisp light sporter shooting in the low 700’s. Basically what an R7/HW 30 wants to be when it grows up.
These guns are all the same basic action and barrel, with diffs in stock, sights, springs, and trigger tweaks. Top to bottom:
Classic HW 50S from the early 70’s. Super plain stock that fits me like it was custom made.
Much-sought Beeman R8 from the 80’s.
Mid-60’s Vintage HW 55 S (beech sporter stock), this one sporting an even older HW diopter from the 50’s.
Mid-70’s HW 55 M (walnut target stock).
Late-60’s HW 55 Tyrolean.
Last but not least, the only left-handed HW 55 CM (walnut “custom match” stock) I’ve ever seen.
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I kind of flip between my two favorites-for pure shooting fun it's the HW55-when I'm looking for dinner it's the R9 in R10 deluxe stock.
I like the 55 because it's elegant and accurate with beautiful lines-the R9 is a nice balance of power and weight-I used mine to combat the "perfect storm" of ground squirrels in 2010-I have the squirrels to thank/blame for my current obsession..(3PCPs, 2 springers, 2 pumpers)
I like the 55 because it's elegant and accurate with beautiful lines-the R9 is a nice balance of power and weight-I used mine to combat the "perfect storm" of ground squirrels in 2010-I have the squirrels to thank/blame for my current obsession..(3PCPs, 2 springers, 2 pumpers)
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Gotta go with my bud r1lover on this one (though he obviously is due to update his screen name, LOL). In my tiny brain, the question isn’t so much “what’s the best springer,” as “which member of the classic Weihrauch HW 50/55 family is the best springer.”
This basic design is the perfect mid-size springer. Ideal size, weight, balance. Accurate, fine sights, great trigger. Sturdy, easy to work on with the same threaded-on rear section as HW’s big-frame guns, lots of parts and tuning bits available. Works as a fine target rifle with speeds in the low 600’s, or a crisp light sporter shooting in the low 700’s. Basically what an R7/HW 30 wants to be when it grows up.
These guns are all the same basic action and barrel, with diffs in stock, sights, springs, and trigger tweaks. Top to bottom:
Classic HW 50S from the early 70’s. Super plain stock that fits me like it was custom made.
Much-sought Beeman R8 from the 80’s.
Mid-60’s Vintage HW 55 S (beech sporter stock), this one sporting an even older HW diopter from the 50’s.
Mid-70’s HW 55 M (walnut target stock).
Late-60’s HW 55 Tyrolean.
Last but not least, the only left-handed HW 55 CM (walnut “custom match” stock) I’ve ever seen.
I think that I could be content with any one of those! Nice collection there. I love the look of the Tyrolean stocks but I have never shot one. How do they feel on the cheek? It looks like it could be awkward?
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I kind of flip between my two favorites-for pure shooting fun it's the HW55-when I'm looking for dinner it's the R9 in R10 deluxe stock.
I like the 55 because it's elegant and accurate with beautiful lines-the R9 is a nice balance of power and weight-I used mine to combat the "perfect storm" of ground squirrels in 2010-I have the squirrels to thank/blame for my current obsession..(3PCPs, 2 springers, 2 pumpers)
Both are great looking guns BUT I have always liked that style and finish on the older Goudy stocks? I sure would like to have one of those someday.
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Regarding r1lover should probably change his screen name, LOL, you're probably right, Mike! Your obsession with HW55's and other "gentlemanly" guns of similar character is so infectious I caught your bug. "Mild" replaced "wild" and my R1's are much less loved now than they were before.
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I am not the biggest fan of Dr. Beeman, but I absolutely have to hand it to him on the classic “R” gun stocks. Not only the Goudy-inspired lines, but the execution of finish, checkering quality, etc., are really top notch - can’t imagine how you’d make a mass-produced beech stock any nicer. The R8 in my picture is really a pretty rifle.
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The Tryrolean stock is a traditional German style of course, famous from the “scheutzen” match guns of old which often had very elaborate stocks custom-fitted to the shooter. The modern Tyros on target airguns are not that extreme of course, but still are made in small batches with a lot of hand work. FWB, Walther, Diana, and HW all offered Tyro stocks on their classic post-war springer match rifles - to my eye Weihrauch’s are the prettiest by far, being the only ones to retain the traditional tapered fore end.
While not obvious in pics, the HW 55’s Tyro stock is not just a big concave cheekpiece stuck on a standard stock. Compared to the classic HW 55M, the Tyro grip is closer to the trigger, the “pull” dimension is significantly shorter, and there is more drop at the heel. Gives a nice compact, close-in hold, and a more head’s-up stance. The concave shape is extremely comfortable, aligns your eye closely with the sight line, and doesn’t let your head move much (Tyros were outlawed for 10-meter competition because they make it TOO easy to be consistent, LOL). And the little “lip” at the front of the cheekpiece actually touches the shooters lips and serves as an additional positioning reference.
I’m lucky to have three 55T’s. This one is from 1956 - early example of the Rekord trigger. Note the finger-groove fore end, early-style sight, and infamous red rubber buttplate (which deteriorate over time due to internal chemical reactions). The cheekpiece on this one is a little off for me, pulls my eye too far to the left.
This one was made in 1969. A real beauty and fits me perfectly. Note the large areas of checkering.
This one dates from 1991, a Beeman-labeled gun from I’m guessing one of the final production runs. Reduced checkering and an interesting dark finish.
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Greenarrow,
The sensation of shouldering an air arm with a Tyrolean stock for the first time is more an unfamiliar feel than an awkward feel. As Mr. Driskill pointed out, it changes your shooting posture but you can get comfortable with it quickly if it fits your build. I've seen really big guys have to place their cheek way back on a stock because they can't scoot up on their gun any closer and for them, a Tyrolean that requires you to place your face in just one position on the stock may not work.
I am fortunate to own an HW55 Tyrolean and after quickly getting used to it found it's ergonomics much more comfortable and the gun easier to control than an HW55M or S.
The sensation of shouldering an air arm with a Tyrolean stock for the first time is more an unfamiliar feel than an awkward feel. As Mr. Driskill pointed out, it changes your shooting posture but you can get comfortable with it quickly if it fits your build. I've seen really big guys have to place their cheek way back on a stock because they can't scoot up on their gun any closer and for them, a Tyrolean that requires you to place your face in just one position on the stock may not work.
I am fortunate to own an HW55 Tyrolean and after quickly getting used to it found it's ergonomics much more comfortable and the gun easier to control than an HW55M or S.
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I've only owned half a dozen spring rifles. One of them has gotten away. My R10 in .177 was loaned to a brother. His son managed to destroy it. Ah, well. That was a nice rifle. It had been back to Dr. Beeman for a blueprint and tune. I had a D350 in .177 but that rifle was just too much power for that small bore. I gave it to my son. It will make meat for my grand kids for a long time. I bought a D48 a long time ago. It is marked "Made in West Germany". I had it tuned by John in Pa. and that rifle is a really fine shooter now. All my Diana's were tuned by John. He does as good a job as anyone you can name. Every rifle comes back from him as perfect as I've ever shot. I also have a BSA GRT Lightning in .25 which has not been tuned and can't hold a candle to the other rifles on a bench. Take it into the woods and it comes alive in your hands. So I think all my rifles are my favorites and each one is a favorite for a specific purpose.
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Wow! What a awesome post, it,s so nice to look at the different stocks. Hoping some day to run into a stock other than the plain janer's.
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