Buttoning/Ringing a Weihrauch piston

[Hornviper]

Hello everyone,
I am thinking of ordering a HW97 (for now) from Krale, but I do have a question about their compression tubes and pistons. I know some people button or install delrin/synthetic rings on their pistons. Is that a real game changer? The HW97 is supposed to be a pretty decent gun, so I am not sure if that's a must. Most people I know just polish the internals, spring ends, etc. Their internals are probably not as sophisticated as the ones of the LGV/LGU's/TX200, but the rifle must be good for something if so many people around the world hold it in high regard.

Thank you.

[Novagun]

They are excellent rifles in standard form and you can make improvements if you want to but the improvements are not imperative.
I don't have one because an old HW77 serves my purposes very well but friends have the 97 and they are better shooters than most, in part, because of the rifle. You can't go wrong buying a 97. The others you mention are very good especially the TX200. Trouble is that down here in the south pacific the prices are prohibitive.

Just to make your choice more difficult, the most accurate springer target shooting I have seen was with a TX200 with an aftermarket kit reducing the power to just under 12 ft/lbs.  Of course the shooter is a big factor.

[BenjiHunter]

It's difficult to find a better springer.

[Hornviper]

I think the Walthers might be a little better engineered but they are made by Umarex. I think that can be a problem. 

[gokidd]

I just finished my first season of field target and shot the HW97. I loved it!
Especially, I loved it, after Motorhead Airgun installed a custom spring guide and top hat, cleaned up the rifling and made the trigger silky smooth.

That work, done by an expert, is far more cost-effective than the piston-buttoning.
LOVE the gun. Did I mention that?
Bob

[Hornviper]

I am not a pro, so that means I am nowhere near as good as you are. That means that I really shouldn't be that picky. Since I am not in the States, I can't send it to Motorhead, but I can still try to improve it as much as I can. Is your piston not buttoned/ringed then? I might go ahead and order one then. And of course, hope for the best.

[gokidd]

Since I am not in the States, I can't send it to Motorhead, but I can still try to improve it as much as I can. Is your piston not buttoned/ringed then? I might go ahead and order one then. And of course, hope for the best.

Ah, I didn't realize your location, sorry.
What I sincerely suggest is first installing a tune-up kit that includes a new spring, a nicely fitted plastic (Delrin) top hat and nicely fitted Delrin spring guide.
While inside the gun, clean the interior and replace the lube with a very thin coat of Krytox or one of the other lubes folks on this forum like.

Having the trigger mechanism smoothed and tuned by someone will make you fall in love with your HW97. It's THAT good.

Shoot that combination and only THEN consider whether you truly, truly need / want a piston that's got Delrin bearing surfaces.
I don't have a buttoned piston.

Remember, this is free advice, so consider its value. Ha!
Cheers,
Bob

[Hornviper]

Yes, I am afraid a drop-in kit is a must for those rifles. I think I will be able to self-tune one, as it won't be the first. I've seen Weihrauch pistons that weren't very well made, so I'll need lots of luck. It will probably cost me more than a LGU/LGV in the end. Hmm... As for buttoning, an acquaintance of mine is a professional lathe guy (10 years experience), but I am not sure he'll be able to button the piston.

[jumpin]

I cannot give you a longevity measure, but two pistons on which I put JM "old school" buttons are working pretty well so far. A 1 year old HW50S and a 20 year old Diana 24 T03. I think the Diana benefitted most from the buttons. Very low cost, unlikely to damage anything and if you can disassemble these rifles, you can put these buttons on. The only hard part is the color test; which side is brown? Might be worth a trial for $6!

[Sfttailrdr46]

I am not a pro, so that means I am nowhere near as good as you are. That means that I really shouldn't be that picky. Since I am not in the States, I can't send it to Motorhead, but I can still try to improve it as much as I can. Is your piston not buttoned/ringed then? I might go ahead and order one then. And of course, hope for the best.

The buttons can be ordered on line along with a spring kit from www.airrifleheadquarters.com/
As far as doing a home lube and tune it is your rifle and as long as you have the necessary tools and a willingness to do a little homework in preparation any air rifle whether pumper, springer or PCP will benefit from a bit of TLC no matter the sticker price. I will add that the higher end rifles require less effort to improve things

[BenjiHunter]

Before you go through the work of buttoning the piston, see if it shoots well without that.
If it does, don't mess with it. My HW97K is stock apart from the Vortek kit, and there's no chance in h*** I would do anything to it.

[Hornviper]

Thank you all, and I hope they ship internationally. Benji, I have to admit that your HW97 looks very nice. I don't know why some people say their stocks are ugly. It's a rifle that's stood the test of time. I do like the Walthers too, so this is going to be a tough one.

[IRONWORKER]

I’ve buttoned/ringed just about every springer i own... It’s well worth the time & effort it takes to do it

[SpiralGroove]

Hey HornV,
I fully tuned my HW77K.
I buttoned the piston and sliding compression chamber, plus used a plastic sleeve around a JM spring.  The action/shot cycle are about 10/15% smoother and more solid feeling/sounding.  I replaced the spring/polished spring-ends lubed internals better than OEM ....... made sure the spring guide is somewhat tight.
IMO, polishing/smoothing the trigger sears is must in tuning this gun.