GTA
Airguns by Make and Model => Weihrauch Airguns => Topic started by: Broadus on April 15, 2015, 03:23:59 PM
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I've been on the hunt for the optimal air rifle for backyard shooting and the occasional garden-encroaching squirrel. I want to improve my marksmanship because I cannot walk out the back door and shoot my Henry .22 as I could have when I was growing up on the farm. Also, I want an air rifle that my wife could use and hopefully get her involved in the sport.
And so . . . after posting a few threads, getting good responses from GTA members, reading more threads than I have time for, and increasing what I was willing to spend, I am seriously entertaining the thought that a Weihrauch HW30S would work very nicely for what I have in mind and be a gun that I would enjoy for years to come.
Any thoughts? Can I do as well for less?
Thanks.
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Nope. Won't do it.
It's too light/accurate/easy cocking/fun right out of the box to deny others its merits.
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I've been on the hunt for the optimal air rifle for backyard shooting and the occasional garden-encroaching squirrel. I want to improve my marksmanship because I cannot walk out the back door and shoot my Henry .22 as I could have when I was growing up on the farm. Also, I want an air rifle that my wife could use and hopefully get her involved in the sport.
And so . . . after posting a few threads, getting good responses from GTA members, reading more threads than I have time for, and increasing what I was willing to spend, I am seriously entertaining the thought that a Weihrauch HW30S would work very nicely for what I have in mind and be a gun that I would enjoy for years to come.
Any thoughts? Can I do as well for less?
Thanks.
I have an HW30s that I've had for many years. It has never been taken apart or tuned and shoots now as it did when it was new.The iron sights are excellent. It is easy to cock and extremely accurate with the right pellet. This is a gun you can leave to your kids or in my case my grandkids. There are forum members that hunt with them. Shot placement is absolutely critical because it is not powerful. I've never hunted with mine, it would be a good idea to get hunting thoughts from other forum members. Airguns of Arizona has a deal on them once in a while. It is the one air rifle I have that I will never part with.
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I have two HW30s and one beeman R6. for tree rats I'd go for the R6/HW99s/HW50s. but the HW30s is a lot more fun.
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I'm not planning to hunt with whatever I get, just take care of the *occasional* squirrel that's being a garden pest. I'm having a hard time not pre-ordering this from Pyramyd Air with my 10% off coupon.
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Lot of love for the HW30 on here, so I don't think you can go wrong if it meets your needs. Just keep in mind it is low power for hunting depending on distance. I recently got my wife an XS12 from Mike at Flying Dragon, which is 600 FPS, about the same as the as the HW30. At 25yds 7.9gr pellets won't completely penetrate regular old cardboard, and I mean the thin stuff like most small shipping boxes. The pellets were getting stuck in the cardboard and not passing all the way through. I chrono'd them and they were doing 608 fps. So keep that in mind. My RWS 34 passes through easy peasy at 50yds, but that's pushing the 7.9's at about 885 fps.
Edit: Keep in mind with your 10% coupon, you don't get the free shipping, It's one or the other.
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A friend has a 30 and it is a sweet gun. BUT
l got a Walther LGU and even though it is a bit more than the 30, once it is paid for and the bill is in the past, you will not be disappointed. It is on par with a TX200/
You mentioned you can't shoot the Henry in the back yard. The LGU is a very quiet rifle and is backyard friendly and very accurate.
Look into it and make a choice. Good luck in whatever direction you take.
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In my opinion the 30S is the ultimate backyard plinker. It can also handle the occasional pest to about 20 yards. Get it and you won't regret it.
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I'm not planning to hunt with whatever I get, just take care of the *occasional* squirrel that's being a garden pest. I'm having a hard time not pre-ordering this from Pyramyd Air with my 10% off coupon.
Airguns of AZ has the HW30 on special for $299 with free shipping. Pyramyd is out of stock.
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I'm not planning to hunt with whatever I get, just take care of the *occasional* squirrel that's being a garden pest. I'm having a hard time not pre-ordering this from Pyramyd Air with my 10% off coupon.
Airguns of AZ has the HW30 on special for $299 with free shipping. Pyramyd is out of stock.
Right. It can be pre-ordered from PA with the 10% off for $297, though the price difference is obviously inconsequential. From threads I've read, and certainly not from personal experience because I've not ordered from either, I am led to believe that PA will be more hassle free.
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I'm not planning to hunt with whatever I get, just take care of the *occasional* squirrel that's being a garden pest. I'm having a hard time not pre-ordering this from Pyramyd Air with my 10% off coupon.
Airguns of AZ has the HW30 on special for $299 with free shipping. Pyramyd is out of stock.
Right. It can be pre-ordered from PA with the 10% off for $297, though the price difference is obviously inconsequential. From threads I've read, and certainly not from personal experience because I've not ordered from either, I am led to believe that PA will be more hassle free.
PA is the best, even if it cost a few $ more they are my "goto" airgun supplier. Talk to Tyler, he will fix you up.
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I've thought about one of these rifles for a while, since they are so highly regarded. But I haven't bought one yet, because of the following question I have: "Since this rifle is not powerful enough for hunting, it is a target shooting rifle (IMHO). What would be the advantage of getting this rifle if I already have a target rifle I am happy with (specifically, a Daisy 853)?" I've always pretty much associated springers with hunting and because of this I'm not sure what the utility of a low power springer is. I'm not trying to knock the rifle, I'm just wondering what niche it falls into. Springers are typically more difficult to shoot accurately than pneumatics, so for low powered target shooting I would think a pneumatic (or PCP) would be preferable to a springer. What am I missing?
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I've thought about one of these rifles for a while, since they are so highly regarded. But I haven't bought one yet, because of the following question I have: "Since this rifle is not powerful enough for hunting, it is a target shooting rifle (IMHO). What would be the advantage of getting this rifle if I already have a target rifle I am happy with (specifically, a Daisy 853)?" I've always pretty much associated springers with hunting and because of this I'm not sure what the utility of a low power springer is. I'm not trying to knock the rifle, I'm just wondering what niche it falls into. Springers are typically more difficult to shoot accurately than pneumatics, so for low powered target shooting I would thing a pneumatic (or PCP) would be preferable to a springer. What am I missing?
You aren't missing a thing. The HW30 is not a competition air rifle. It's a well made spring powered air rifle that is enjoyable to shoot. I have an 853 and it is fun to shoot too. I bought my HW30 sometime after 1985. It has never been worked on and shoots just as well now as it did when I bought it. It's easy to shoot accurately, cocking and loading is quick and easy. It is what it is -- the best of the breed.
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You're getting no help from me, own 30s and 50s and they are keepers.
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You're getting no help from me, own 30s and 50s and they are keepers.
As they say on Family Feud "Good Answer". ;)
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I dont have a 30 but eventually will. From what ive read they sound like the perfect backyard shooter. And weihrauch! Ive 2 other models and you will be very happy with the quality. Talk you out! I think not.
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I've thought about one of these rifles for a while, since they are so highly regarded. But I haven't bought one yet, because of the following question I have: "Since this rifle is not powerful enough for hunting, it is a target shooting rifle (IMHO). What would be the advantage of getting this rifle if I already have a target rifle I am happy with (specifically, a Daisy 853)?" I've always pretty much associated springers with hunting and because of this I'm not sure what the utility of a low power springer is. I'm not trying to knock the rifle, I'm just wondering what niche it falls into. Springers are typically more difficult to shoot accurately than pneumatics, so for low powered target shooting I would think a pneumatic (or PCP) would be preferable to a springer. What am I missing?
I have a 953 and the HW30S, both of which I've been shooting at 10 meters in the basement, all winter. Yes, the 953, like the 853, will shoot smaller groups than the HW30s at that distance, but, once you learn a hold that the HW30S likes, it's not that far behind. For darn sure, the HW30S has a better trigger out of the box than your Daisy and construction quality is better on the HW.
We also shoot, outdoors, at our backyard air gun range, the rest of the year. The 953/853 is pretty much a 10 meter gun because of its low velocity, but we can use the HW30S at 20 and even 30 yards for shooting spinner targets because it does have more velocity and punch. 510 fps for the 953 versus 675 fps for the HW30S may not sound like much, but it really is significant in an air gun when you want to shoot beyond 10 yards.
For sure, you can get the same velocity with a pump up or a PCP and probably better accuracy, too, but if you love springers, I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't fall in love with the HW30S. I sure have. It really is that kind of gun. Be one of the last guns, AG or otherwise, that I would ever sell.
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PA allows their 10% discount on an HW30S? If that's so, I may need an HW30S so my HW50S won't feel so alone surrounded by Beemans.
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I want to improve my marksmanship because I cannot walk out the back door and shoot my Henry .22 as I could have when I was growing up on the farm. Also, I want an air rifle that my wife could use and hopefully get her involved in the sport.
Have you considered using subsonic ammo? CB rounds, CCI Quiet, Aguila Super Colibri, or Sniper Subsonic might work if the neighbors are far enough away. And if the law allows.
For a similar cocking effort to the HW30S, you might want to try one of the youth-oriented rifles. The Hatsan Alpha is about $80 shipped, from Airgun Depot using the 5% discount. It's officially rated at 495 fps, but one user here chronied his at 600 fps. Could be good enough for squirrels within 10 yards.
Not trying to talk you out of the HW30S. I'm thinking of getting one myself! (Or the Walther Lever Action co2 rifle...)
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PA allows their 10% discount on an HW30S? If that's so, I may need an HW30S so my HW50S won't feel so alone surrounded by Beemans.
I've got it in my shopping cart and my email discount code was accepted. I just discovered, however, that when I went to checkout and put in my address that PA now wants to charge $16.70 for shipping, which effectively makes the 10% coupon more like 5%. Airguns of Arizona is selling it for $299.00 with free UPS shipping.
Have you considered using subsonic ammo? CB rounds, CCI Quiet, Aguila Super Colibri, or Sniper Subsonic might work if the neighbors are far enough away. And if the law allows.
For a similar cocking effort to the HW30S, you might want to try one of the youth-oriented rifles. The Hatsan Alpha is about $80 shipped, from Airgun Depot using the 5% discount. It's officially rated at 495 fps, but one user here chronied his at 600 fps. Could be good enough for squirrels within 10 yards.
Not trying to talk you out of the HW30S. I'm thinking of getting one myself! (Or the Walther Lever Action co2 rifle...)
I have a brick of CCI Quiet, but the law restricts my using the .22 rifle in a residential area.
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The 50S is only $69 more at AoA :D
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I bought my HW30S from Airguns of Arizona, and it was a good experience. No problems. Go for it ! :D
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I bought my HW30S from Airguns of Arizona, and it was a good experience. No problems. Go for it ! :D
Thanks for the first-hand experience about AoA. I just may do that.
The more frugal part of me keeps thinking about the Xisico XS12 with a Mike Melick full tune. However, the HW30S is about $110 more and has what is reported to be a fantastic trigger, not to mention a very nice fit and finish. But I would have the fullest confidence in Mike Melick's work.
Any thoughts on comparing a MM full-tuned XS12 with an out-of-the-box HW30S?
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I would get the deluxe version for $339 from AoA, I own both it and the standard, in .177. put a vortek kit in the standard, have not put it thru a chrony yet. fwiw my stock HW30s firing behaviour puts my HW35e to shame. Get the HW30s you won't regret it.
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Any thoughts on comparing a MM full-tuned XS12 with an out-of-the-box HW30S?
Just 2:
You will get close on the trigger, but not as good.
If, by some unforseen circumstance, you needed to sell, the return $ will not be as good. 30's hold their value.
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Just press the "place order" button and get the thing on it way!
I love mine!
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Go with AoA that's where I got mine and had no problems.
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Just press the "place order" button and get the thing on it way!
I love mine!
+1
I have a r7 and love it. Actually ordered a .177 barrel for it as mine is in .20 cal and I'd like more fps for flatter trajectory. I do believe the hw50s I should be a real consideration for a little more umfff, but I've never fired one and don't know if they are as crazy sweet as the 30.
Place in cart, proceed to checkout ...
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Just press the "place order" button and get the thing on it way!
I love mine!
Great avatar you have there, Brett.
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I have an XS12 and the trigger is no where near my RWS T06, which is similar to the Rekord on the 30s. While Mike's stuff is a great value for the price, it's not going to be a 30 or 50 in looks or feel. Buy once, cry once. Repeat as necessary.
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I have an XS12 and the trigger is no where near my RWS T06, which is similar to the Rekord on the 30s. While Mike's stuff is a great value for the price, it's not going to be a 30 or 50 in looks or feel. Buy once, cry once. Repeat as necessary.
Thanks about the XS12 perspective. As far as trying to get it right with the first purchase, it's been a search adventure with a lot to learn for someone lacking even a basic knowledge of handguns. I've gone in my thinking from Daisy and Crosman pumps to a Ruger Blackhawk closeout at Walmart to a couple of Mike Melick-tuned Xisicos to a Benjamin 397 to the HW30S. What's funny is realizing that the HW30S is not considered expensive as far as air rifles go.
And now I have the HW50S suggested, which probably is a good idea. I've read that the cocking requires noticeably more effort than the HW30S, so I don't know how well that will work for my wife. How much more hold sensitive is it over the 30S? Plus, it's another $70 over the HW30S, and right now the price for the 30S is a big pill for my mind to swallow. :)
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Our situations sound almost the same, just a few weeks apart. My initial gun was for me, if the wife could shoot it great, but if not, she's a casual shooter and I could cock it for her. I tried to keep a budget and looked at all the guns you did, starting with the Ruger, Remington, XS25. Then I started looking at the next level and the triggers. In the end I went with a next level up as I thought the little extra money was worth the much better trigger. You can see what I have in my signature. I love the gun, everything about it. It came with a good mount and decent scope for $300. If I would have got the XS25, I would have got the full tune which puts it at $225, then I need a mount and scope on top of that, so came out to the same price.
In the end, the 34 was too hard for my wife to cock. So I decided to try one of Mikes XS12s. It's pretty nice but I wouldn't have been happy with the power past 25yds. I want to shoot 50yds min and the lower power of the XS12 just wouldn't cut it. Great for plinking at 25yds, but not much more. The XS12 is SUPER easy to cock.. think like only 10lbs, where my RWS 34 is about 30lbs. The wife loves it, but I prefer more power.
Order of things I would do:
Get the 50, cock for wife is need, get her an XS12 basic tune down the road.
Get the 30, get another rifle down the road w/ more power if need
Get the XS12 with basic tune, see if you like the power, if so, give to wife, order a 30
Get the XS12 with basic tune, see if you like the power, if not, give to wife, order a 50
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The 50S will probably be too much for your wife to cock. I own both and the 30S is much easier to cock. 18 lbs VS about 30 lbs.
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As far as trying to get it right with the first purchase, it's been a search adventure with a lot to learn...
One thing to keep in mind, is that people tend to recommend what they personally chose to buy. Doesn't really matter if it was their best purchase decision or not, they will still recommend it anyway (myself included - all humans fall into this trap). For this reason, I do not give a lot of weight to individual recommendations. Instead, I look at group recommendations. i.e., Do a LOT of people recommend this particular gun? Then the recommendations have much more meaning for me. The HW30S is certainly one of those "everybody recommends this model" guns. So is the Daisy 883 from CMP or the Daisy 953. You will also find lots of recommendations (inexpensive pistols) for the Crossman 1377 and Beeman P17. Because I put so much weight on "mob recommendations" these days, I own all of these guns I've mentioned above with the exception of the HW30s. And I am considering buying one of those. I bought an air rifle without looking for "mob recommendations" once - it was my first air gun - and it is the one airgun that I would not buy again. A Gamo Shadow 1000. Luckily, it wasn't expensive, so no big harm done. The GRT trigger I put in the Gamo to try to improve it is worth more than the gun itself (not in actual dollars, but in the worth I assign to it).
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Vortek kit + HW30s if you need more power down the road. the only chinese gun that may come close is the short stroked remington express compact, good reviews in england, has kind of a copy of the rekord trigger, I own a express and the trigger is not even close.
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Looking at your title, I have come to the conclusion that I can not do it. I am an enabler, it is in my genes. :)
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I say buy a lube tuned XS12 from Mike that you and your wife can both enjoy now, and then save up a bit longer for the HW50S 8)
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By the way I also own a lube tuned XS12 from Flying Dragon (Mike) that I keep on hand for my wife and nephews to shoot... great little guns that require minimal effort to cock.
I also owned a HW30S, but I passed it on to my brother-in-law because I was running of of room ;D
It is certainly a fine rifle, but my wife still had a bit of difficulty cocking it and would give up after a dozen shots or so... the XS-12 she can cock all day long no problem.
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The 50S is a good gun. Weight, size, accuracy and power level are great. The cocking effort for the power level is the downside. I would have to say your wife will not enjoy it if she can cock it at all. Since getting a 57, I rarely shoot mine now.
For the price of the 50S I would get a Diana 34 and put a JM OS kit in it to drop the power to around 12 fpe. A little more power than the 50, easier to cock, accuracy is on par and for me, the T-06 trigger is better "out of the box" than the Rekord and not far off a set up Rekord trigger.
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The 50S is a good gun. Weight, size, accuracy and power level are great. The cocking effort for the power level is the downside. I would have to say your wife will not enjoy it if she can cock it at all. Since getting a 57, I rarely shoot mine now.
For the price of the 50S I would get a Diana 34 and put a JM OS kit in it to drop the power to around 12 fpe. A little more power than the 50, easier to cock, accuracy is on par and for me, the T-06 trigger is better "out of the box" than the Rekord and not far off a set up Rekord trigger.
I do not know about the HW50 cocking effort, but I do know my 11 year old son had no problems cocking a full powered D-34. He is also a scrawny 11 yo. Here he is shooting the Condor I sold.
See, he is a runt. :)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b548/Philidor58/Dan2_zpscb49bf98.jpg)
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The 50S will probably be too much for your wife to cock. I own both and the 30S is much easier to cock. 18 lbs VS about 30 lbs.
Au contraire. My Shootist tuned HW50S is not significantly harder to cock than my untuned R7. The trigger on the tuned HW50S is like.....WOW!
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The 50S will probably be too much for your wife to cock. I own both and the 30S is much easier to cock. 18 lbs VS about 30 lbs.
Au contraire. My Shootist tuned HW50S is not significantly harder to cock than my untuned R7. The trigger on the tuned HW50S is like.....WOW!
"Shootist tuned," Greg?
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The 50S will probably be too much for your wife to cock. I own both and the 30S is much easier to cock. 18 lbs VS about 30 lbs.
Au contraire. My Shootist tuned HW50S is not significantly harder to cock than my untuned R7. The trigger on the tuned HW50S is like.....WOW!
"Shootist tuned" tuned, Greg?
Shootist (Lee) just put up a tuned D-34 for sale. I would jump on it if I were in the market.
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Shootist (Lee) just put up a tuned D-34 for sale. I would jump on it if I were in the market.
Aha--so that is Shootist.
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Shootist (Lee) just put up a tuned D-34 for sale. I would jump on it if I were in the market.
Aha--so that is Shootist.
Lee Haire aka Shootist also tuned my Diana 34 and it is as smooth and soft as butter as well as a joy to handle and to shoot. It won't cost anything to talk to him. :D
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The 50S will probably be too much for your wife to cock. I own both and the 30S is much easier to cock. 18 lbs VS about 30 lbs.
Au contraire. My Shootist tuned HW50S is not significantly harder to cock than my untuned R7. The trigger on the tuned HW50S is like.....WOW!
"Shootist tuned" tuned, Greg?
Shootist (Lee) just put up a tuned D-34 for sale. I would jump on it if I were in the market.
I bought it!
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Good for you, Mike. I'm sure you're going to like it.
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Please report back on this one. Buying that was a pro move. Can't wait to hear about it.
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The 50S will probably be too much for your wife to cock. I own both and the 30S is much easier to cock. 18 lbs VS about 30 lbs.
How do you like your John-N-PA full tune?
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I like it very much. Only have about 500 shots thru it since tune. The trigger is nicer than stock, the cocking is slightly easier also. It's down about 15-20 fps from stock, but it's easier to shoot accurately than stock.
Dan
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I like it very much. Only have about 500 shots thru it since tune. The trigger is nicer than stock, the cocking is slightly easier also. It's down about 15-20 fps from stock, but it's easier to shoot accurately than stock.
Dan
If you could only keep one of your Weihrauch built rifles, which would you choose and why?
Thanks for the response😃
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Hard decision to think about. It hurts my head to even consider your query. I would avoid this choice at all costs. I want to keep them all. ;D