Walther LGV First impressions.

[Marco2021]

Hi all, I haven't been here for a while so having taken ownership of my new LGV Challenger ultra in .177 last week I thought I would see what is being said about them. Living in New Zealand my LGV is the 26 Joule version which I understand is around 16.9 ft lbs. Opinions vary greatly from what I have seen, but I am more than a little concerned at a report of a connecting rod unscrewing itself due to lack of blue loctite, and also some early wear around the piston seal area. I am hoping these are just one off incidents.
Anyway my first impressions, on shouldering her for the first time I was aware of the weight being front biased which felt strange compared to my TX200.I knew this would even out a little once I put a Hawke 3-9*40 and heavy match mounts on her and this was the case. I have older eyes so like scopes but the fibre optic sights were easy to use and I had her sighted in after half a dozen shots.
I was intrigued by the barrel lock and I like the barrel locking lever. I like the fact it is different and adds some character to the rifle. The breach block feels VERY solid and smooth, and on cocking her there are no graunching or scraping noises just a smooth stroke until she cocks with a satisfying click. I would reckon the cocking effort at 30 ish pounds, although it may feel like more because of the short barrel. Closing the barrel is very satifying and quite compelling, very smooth and I feel this is where the rifle really shows some quality, that wedge lock is something else. I find the firing cycle feels very similar to my TX 200, I was quite suprised really although I didn't reallt know what to expect. The trigger is not as precise as I expected, it does feel a little sloppy and is no match for the TX out of the box. I will have a tinker when I have put some more lead through her. Talking of lead she likes the Baracuda Match at 10.65 grains putting pellet next to pellet at 15 yards..Accupells and Gamo pro Magnum also shoot well, I hear the FTT's are also a favourite. Once sighted in I put a tin can out at 20 yards, ( a thick baked bean tin) I put the crosshairs on the middle of the tin and let rip with a Baracuda Match. On inspection the whole was smack in the middle of the tin, straight through. I then cut out the lid and did the same thing..smack in the middle again. Not half bad for a rifle with only a dozen or so shots through her.
The fit is excellent and I am happy with the finish, the receiver has more of a brushed finish to it than the barrel and barrel weight which have a deeper finish. Overall the gun feels quality and I am very happy with her. I wont be putting thousands of pellets through her, I shoot at the range once a fortnight and plink at home once a week. My only concerns are those mentioned earlier, if failures start coming through then I will deal with it as it happens. But at $549 New Zealand after $200 discount at the moment I am not complaining.  I am watching this space though!

Best ragards,

Mark.

[singleshotcajun]

Thanks for the good report. I have an LGV Master in .22 cal due in tomorrow,still feeling a little out on a limb about it.

[Marco2021]

Hi Singleshotcajun and thanks for your reply. All the best with yours, it should be a real thumper in .22. I could only get the .177 but better for me as I do more 25 yard target than hunting. Still at nearly 17 ft lbs still plenty of oomph for pesting with heavy ammo.  looking foreword to your comments!

Regards,

Mark.

[bowzette]

Thanks for the good report. I have an LGV Master in .22 cal due in tomorrow,still feeling a little out on a limb about it.

Singleshotcajun have you had the opportunity to shoot the .22 LGV yet?  I'm a few miles north of you and I doubt either of us will be shooting outside today!  Do you plan on putting a muzzle brake on to help in cocking and if so did you have one in mind?

[singleshotcajun]

Marco I don't want to hijack your thread but here are my first impressions.
I've mostly bought Chinese guns and when they came in took them apart and tuned/modified them into something serviceable before even shooting them even once. This is not what I am used to,no Chinese air gun here.It is very stealthy,heavy but stealthy.The spring / piston is the key no crazy harmonics in this rifle. The front sight inserts are Anschutz size.The rear open micrometer sight is as fine a sight as I have seen on anything it is extremely sharp,very positive clicks, all steel and I can see it great with my contacts and fairly well without.I have ordered a rear peep sight for it but may just continue shooting it with the open sight.Lately I've been shooting 1/5 and 1/10 NRA steel animal silhouettes with my air rifles in the backyard practicing for NRA Cowboy Smallbore Silhouette . The Chinese .177 spring rifles knock over the 1/5 Rams if I hit them high,the Walther LGV .22 slams them with authority hit mid section.   The LGV has a two stage trigger with a long first stage and a second stage that adjust down to a two pound break.I am going to try and install a longer machine screw to lessen the length of the first stage but a nice trigger either way. At Pyramid and other vendors it is 659.00 and up AGA has them for 429.00 for their remaining stock on hand.If I had paid full boat and got it anywhere but Airguns of Arizona I may not be this tickled.If you happen to be on the fence about buying a high end air gun consider the Walther LGV Master at this price. I justified the cost to myself with the cost of shooting it and acquiring ammo, air is free and Walmart always seems to have pellets.
Oh ya it loves Crosman .22 standard hollow points which is a big plus. I have not found a pellet it will not shoot well, it even shoots the Gamo Match pellets that will not shoot well in any other .22 A G I own.

[singleshotcajun]

[!  Do you plan on putting a muzzle brake on to help in cocking and if so did you have one in mind?

Ordered a Hatsan Air stripper from Pyramid. I find the rifle easy to cock. Don't know how much or little the Air stripper will effect the LGV but it has the 1/2-20 threads and it is Black and Gold 

[chuckinohio]

  That air stripper is an interesting choice, and should look pretty trick on the rifle.

  Be sure to post up some results with it mounted so that we can add its effectiveness or lack there of to the knowledge base!

[Marco2021]

Singleshotcajun..no worries mate the more the merrier! the more info we can get to help us with our hobby the better.
 Cheers.