FWB 127 [.22]

[NTSOG]

Hi cvasquez and linoww,

I am staggered to hear that any FWB 127s [.22] could fetch $700.00 - or more!

I am getting the rifle at the price advertised [$A225] - I could not talk the gunshop down on price - any way it does have a mounted scope and a leather sling.  I will be posting my cheque next Monday so will get the rifle in two or three weeks +/_ given the legalities of firearm transfer and ownership in Australia.

So cvasquez it clearly is not a "dog" as Tom Gaylard commented [in comparison to the  FWB 124 (.177).]  Your rifle is almost too beautiful to take out and shoot in the field.  Did you put in a stronger spring or is it essentially rebuilt to original specifications but finely tuned?  As you said there are no new FWBs in .22, but the old ones are not too common also apparently because the FWB 124 was more popular.

Many thanks to you all for you interest and advice,

Jim.

[tjk]

I have a 127 and while it's no hot rod, it ain't no dog either. That comment is more or less Tom Gaylords slip not the marketing of the day when the ever pressing issue of the day,..and today still,...was a quest for higher velocity. With pinpoint accuracy of the fwb sporters, high velocity becomes an after thought with marginal importance.
As for "book" values, that's a subjective topic where one opinion can differ from another very little or a lot. It all comes down to what one individual person is willing to pay.
The FWB Sporters, regardless of caliber, are fine quality rifles that any airy net would be proud to own. Good luck. 

[PigButtons]

Well congratulations Jim, we'll all be waiting to see some pics and get your first range report. For that price, folks here would be peeing themselves.

[cvasquez]

Mine has the strong Everest spring from JM to power it up to 680fps with JSB Epress 14.3gr pellets which it loves. $225, is an absolute steal unless it was rusted. Note that the scope cross grooves of the reciever take the special scope rings with matching cross bars. I forget the exact model number but I believe they are from Sportsmatch. OR it can be milled with a normal round stop recess hole in the cross grooves. From the tolerances Ive heard on the maintubes you may only needs to have a mild crosshatching done as they are pretty trued from the factory . JM has the piston seals and breech seals . HE also carries the stainless steel trigger blade with a slight mod to the shape to gain a slightly lighter pull as well as stronger than the plastic one. ID get that for sure!!!  Have fun.Should be able to take care of the rabbits out to 50 yds easily.

[NTSOG]

Hello again,

As you say tjk, beauty [and value] is in the eye of the beholder.  Of interest is that the gunsmith who examined the 127 I am purchasing stated that it was a "very well made gun" which is why I was interested in the first place.  [I am also negotiating to purchase a FWB 300 and became aware of the 127 through my researching of the FWB 300 and numerous comments about FWB rifles generally being exceptionally well engineered and built in part because of the company's focus on top-of-the-line target rifles.]

cvasquez I have seen photos on an English site of the top of the breech area showing lateral grooves much like the grooves on Webley & Scott Patriots.  The rifle already has a scope mounted, but I cannot say what the mounting area is like and what the bases of the twin mounts are like.  I have seen the Sportsmatch mounts you mention with the cross bars to restrain movement.  I will just have to wait and see ...

Many thanks to you all,

Jim

[NTSOG]

G'day all,

I finally received my FWB 127 about a week or so ago and have found it to be a delight to shoot.  It is definitely used and shows minor dings and scratches to the stock and some wear and minor damage around the scope mounts.  [The fore sight is missing, but that is not a problem at the moment.]  Overall it seems very tight.  It came with a 4X Norinco [China?] scope on two mounts that were, at first, pointing the scope about 5+ degrees off centre.  A single piece mount has rectified the issue of pellets missing even the back stop at 3o feet and it is surprisingly accurate.  I was so surprised by its performance given its age and the likelihood that it had never had much tender-loving-care and probably had never been overhauled that I bought a chronograph to test it.  Using H & N FTT .22 [14.66 grains] pellets the results on a cold morning were as follows:

581 fps
588
570
576
576

Average: 578 = 10.88 foot pounds
Spread: 18
Sd: 6

This suggests to me the following:

a.  It is operating reasonably well in terms of consistency and accuracy in spite of its age.

b.  It is likely that it has not been modified or overhauled and is basically as it was ex-factory.

c.  I might as well leave it alone for the time being and go chase some rabbits as it has enough power and accuracy to knock some over if I can point it in the right direction.

I would appreciate any comments or suggestions from those who are more experienced in interpreting performance statistics than I.

Jim

[PigButtons]

Hey Jim,

Good to hear you have it and it is at least consistent. I would think those numbers are a little low and more than likely it is because of the old seals. Bad seals can lead to other problems because there isn't enough counter force to the piston's rapid movement leading to stronger that spec'd impact at the end of the stroke. I would get new ones and since you have to open it up to get the main seal changed, I'd get a new spring as well. They aren't hard to work on, though you'll need to get or make a compressor. I'm not sure I'd opt for the trigger unless you are a belt and suspenders kind of guy. Especially if you find the trigger you have satisfactory. Good lube is important however.

Anyway, go shoot the daylights out of it, and have some fun.

[NTSOG]

Thanks Duane,

I thought the fps figures were likely a little low and indicative of old and tired internals.  I am building a compressor at the moment as my WS Patriot [.25] has stopped cocking so I will rebuild each rifle over the next couple of weeks.

I find the trigger [metal] right for me at my present level of skill.  It can be lightened to the point that there is no room for any error so I will keep it at a slightly heavier setting for a while until my skills are better.

It is really fun to shoot even if it is running a little low on energy compared to factory settings.  I can see why people like the FWB 124 and 127 so much!

Many thanks,

Jim.

[PigButtons]

Jim,
 
If you already have a metal trigger there isn't anything to improve. The originals were all plastic as far as I know. Glad you're getting to enjoy your new unit.

Duane

[cvasquez]

Just want to add that it also loves JSB GTO non lad domed pelleta 11.75grain. My 127 dog  shoots those at 775fos . and they group tight.