Recommendations on a Vintage Springer

[Gillman]

So I have a nice little collection of Benjamin and Sheridan pumpers. I love those guns and shoot them at least once a month. I just can't get myself to sell any of them. In fact, I have 3 more that are slated for restoration.

Anyhow, I'm looking for an accurate vintage springer but know nothing about them. Can anyone recommend a good model. I'd like to keep the price around $300.00 or so.

All recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks,

John

[GP2004]

A Diana 36 is a nice springer, should sell in your price range in good condition. Look for old HW guns and UK made Webleys too.

[MDriskill]

Some personal favorites of mine:

Original Weihrauch HW 50.  Completely different gun than current model with that name.  Most famous version of it in the US is the "Beeman R8" but many around under the HW 50 name too.  Beautiful, slim, nicely balanced gun in 700 fps range.

Diana model 27 or 35.  The classic older models with ball-sear trigger. 

Webley Mk 3, nice old underlever tap-loader, gorgeous guns basically hand-made (my avatar pic is one of these).

Webley Osprey or Tracker, neat tap-loading sidelevers

[oldair]

Mike has covered a number of excellent candidates, but I suggest a couple more:

FWB 124 - often these sell for more than your $300 mark, but have a terrific combination of accuracy, ease of cocking, and plenty of velocity.  They can be found at reasonable prices if you're diligent.

Walther LG 55 (or its sporting versions 51, 52, or 53) - all of these are sweet shooters although not likely to reach more than 600 fps if that matters.  They also have very low cocking force and very good triggers on the sporters to superb ones on the match guns.  Decent examples show up for less than $250.

For pure nostalgic enjoyment, quite a few folks admire the old pre-WWII BSA underlevers - take a Google look and see if they have appeal for you.

Don R.

[Gillman]

Thank you gentlemen for the posts and the PM's.

This is great information to start researching. Won't be long and I'll have something. Much appreciation1

John

[bbv13]

Hi John,

Even though it needs a new piston seal I really like my vintage Diana Model 35 with the three ball bearing adjustable trigger. It's easy to cock and has plenty of power. I need to build a spring compressor and rebuild it but I've been a little lazy here lately.

Bryan

[lillysdad621]

brian your 35 does not need a spring compressor... i used a piece of carpet folde 3 times over and put pressure to remove the pins... easy build. i lube tuned mine and was shooting 680 with 7.33 jsb... super smooth.

[bbv13]

Thanks for the information. I've rebuilt a few Crosman V350's without a spring compressor but always thought the model 35 would have too much tension on it. I can see taking it apart without one but getting it back together?

Bryan

[MDriskill]

Thanks for the information. I've rebuilt a few Crosman V350's without a spring compressor but always thought the model 35 would have too much tension on it. I can see taking it apart without one but getting it back together?

Bryan

I've always used a compressor on the smaller model 27.  Not that the spring is brutally strong, but it does have a fair amount of pre-load, and the compressor adds a lot of control.  Makes it much easier to get all the trigger bits where they belong.