So I'm finally getting around to doing a bit of a review of my Walther LGV Master Pro in .177. This is my first and only springer so I can't compare it to anything other than my pcp's. I ordered the full power version from krale-schietsport.nl in the Netherlands since they were the only place I could find that had this model and would ship stateside. Honestly, even with the higher exchange rate and shipping across the world, the prices there are a good bit cheaper than what you can find here. If you don't mind watching the market and timing your purchase when the dollar is a little less worthless then you can get an even better deal. I placed my order through the website and used my debit card. It was initially declined, but after I ok'd the purchase it processed with no problems. I ordered over the weekend and at the same time I ordered a scope mount and pellets from pyramyd. The rifle arrived from the other side of the globe 3 hours before the pyramydair package that was 5 states away.
My first impression picking up the gun was just how heavy she is. Scoped she is a lil over 10lbs, but boy when you pull her up to your shoulder the stock just hugs you. It's fantastic. You just cant offhand aim for too long. Got setup and fired a few shots over the chronograph and the first few were supersonic. It then quickly settled in and leveled off at around 13 ftlbs sending the JSB Exacts at 825fps. The first thing I thought when I was doing this was the trigger was awful. Truly awful. It was mushy, nothing close to crisp and the trigger actually flopped back and forth when you shook the gun. At first I really just though it was overhyped and it was just bleh, but then it started not firing from safety malfunctions. Mildly devastated I contacted Walther/Umarex to see if a replacement part could be had or if they knew of some silly american goof I was doing. After a week I hadn't heard back so I hit up krale-schietsport and was quickly responded to by the owner of the store, Gerrit Krale. He got in touch with Umarex and they quickly got in touch with me. Gerrit kept checking in throughout the duration of the RMA even though he had done more than his part. High praise to Mr Krale.
Umarex had me ship the gun minus the stock to them in Arkansas at my expense and had it returned in 8 days IIRC. She came back with a repair slip stating the entire trigger assembly had to be replaced. They tallied up the costs like a regular receipt and I was a little shocked to see it totaled over $300. Of course it was zeroed out in the amount due box, but still that seems high. I had shipped the gun without the stock but with the trigger guard attached to avoid any damage to the trigger during shipping. When it came back it did so with one original screw in the trigger guard and a replaced one that was about 1/4" shorter. Well the short one worked when there was no stock and the guard was right up against the reciever, but not so much with the stock in place. So I emailed the Umarex guys back and they sent a replacement allen screw to me. I did go down to Lowe's and grab my own replacement for a few cents that afternoon, but WTF Umarex, get it together.
After I got her all back together I was finally able to see what the glowing reviews were all about. It really is a joy to shoot. It is silky smooth to cock and remarkably solid on lock up. I get the bank vault door reference. The shot cycle is quick and there is very little kick, but you can start to feel it in your shoulder after a few dozen rounds or so. It isn't very loud, sounds kinda like sticking your tongue out like a little kid and making a fart noise.
Accuracy is definitely there and I imagine as I learn more about the gun and try some more pellets it will only get better. So far Ive only tried JSB Exact 8.44, AirArms Heavy 10.3 and H&N Barracuda Match 10.65. The JSB's and the H&N's seem to be preferred. Here's a target with a new scope mounted (Hawke Vantage 2-7x32 AO) which really balances the look of the gun but the reticle crosshairs are so thick they almost completly cover a penny at 31yds on 6x. Sorry for the cockeyed phone pic. It refuses to rotate
Over all I am pleased with the purchase, however for the money and the reputation of the maker I feel like I shouldn't have gotten a lemon even though it was repaired and I definitely shouldn't have had to pay anything to have it repaired even if it was only shipping. I would make any purchase again from Gerrit, although I haven't fully decided if I would buy this rifle again, simply because of the price. That said, since this is my only experience with a springer I feel like I may have a skewed perspective. A bit like a guy who has only ever driven an Aston Martin DB9 sayin "Ehhh, it's not great on gas, but it'll get ya where your going."
My first impression picking up the gun was just how heavy she is. Scoped she is a lil over 10lbs, but boy when you pull her up to your shoulder the stock just hugs you. It's fantastic. You just cant offhand aim for too long. Got setup and fired a few shots over the chronograph and the first few were supersonic. It then quickly settled in and leveled off at around 13 ftlbs sending the JSB Exacts at 825fps. The first thing I thought when I was doing this was the trigger was awful. Truly awful. It was mushy, nothing close to crisp and the trigger actually flopped back and forth when you shook the gun. At first I really just though it was overhyped and it was just bleh, but then it started not firing from safety malfunctions. Mildly devastated I contacted Walther/Umarex to see if a replacement part could be had or if they knew of some silly american goof I was doing. After a week I hadn't heard back so I hit up krale-schietsport and was quickly responded to by the owner of the store, Gerrit Krale. He got in touch with Umarex and they quickly got in touch with me. Gerrit kept checking in throughout the duration of the RMA even though he had done more than his part. High praise to Mr Krale.
Umarex had me ship the gun minus the stock to them in Arkansas at my expense and had it returned in 8 days IIRC. She came back with a repair slip stating the entire trigger assembly had to be replaced. They tallied up the costs like a regular receipt and I was a little shocked to see it totaled over $300. Of course it was zeroed out in the amount due box, but still that seems high. I had shipped the gun without the stock but with the trigger guard attached to avoid any damage to the trigger during shipping. When it came back it did so with one original screw in the trigger guard and a replaced one that was about 1/4" shorter. Well the short one worked when there was no stock and the guard was right up against the reciever, but not so much with the stock in place. So I emailed the Umarex guys back and they sent a replacement allen screw to me. I did go down to Lowe's and grab my own replacement for a few cents that afternoon, but WTF Umarex, get it together.
After I got her all back together I was finally able to see what the glowing reviews were all about. It really is a joy to shoot. It is silky smooth to cock and remarkably solid on lock up. I get the bank vault door reference. The shot cycle is quick and there is very little kick, but you can start to feel it in your shoulder after a few dozen rounds or so. It isn't very loud, sounds kinda like sticking your tongue out like a little kid and making a fart noise.
Accuracy is definitely there and I imagine as I learn more about the gun and try some more pellets it will only get better. So far Ive only tried JSB Exact 8.44, AirArms Heavy 10.3 and H&N Barracuda Match 10.65. The JSB's and the H&N's seem to be preferred. Here's a target with a new scope mounted (Hawke Vantage 2-7x32 AO) which really balances the look of the gun but the reticle crosshairs are so thick they almost completly cover a penny at 31yds on 6x. Sorry for the cockeyed phone pic. It refuses to rotate
Over all I am pleased with the purchase, however for the money and the reputation of the maker I feel like I shouldn't have gotten a lemon even though it was repaired and I definitely shouldn't have had to pay anything to have it repaired even if it was only shipping. I would make any purchase again from Gerrit, although I haven't fully decided if I would buy this rifle again, simply because of the price. That said, since this is my only experience with a springer I feel like I may have a skewed perspective. A bit like a guy who has only ever driven an Aston Martin DB9 sayin "Ehhh, it's not great on gas, but it'll get ya where your going."
