Author Topic: HW97k; thumbhole stock or non-thumbhole? (Read 3405 times))

abqjoe · « **on:** July 31, 2019, 01:00:44 PM »

I'm looking at purchasing an HW97k that would be used both for pest control and target shooting and wanted to get some opinions on stocks.... Thumbhole or non-thumbhole, that is the question? Also, if you had to choose between an HW77 and HW97k which would you choose and why? Thanks!

c_m_shooter · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2019, 01:10:58 PM »

No thumbhole, my HW97 doesn't like my thumb to be across the grip. I place it along the right side of the stock pointing forward. The stock on the 97 has a slightly higher comb for shooting with a scope. The 77 has iron sights, so it depends on your plans for optics.

abqjoe · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2019, 01:14:13 PM »

Quote from: c_m_shooter on July 31, 2019, 01:10:58 PM

No thumbhole, my HW97 doesn't like my thumb to be across the grip. I place it along the right side of the stock pointing forward. The stock on the 97 has a slightly higher comb for shooting with a scope. The 77 has iron sights, so it depends on your plans for optics.

Optics would be HAWKE Air Max 4-12x40.... Do you favor one over the other between the two rifles?

c_m_shooter · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2019, 01:36:23 PM »

If you're going to scope it, then the 97 for sure.

abqjoe · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2019, 01:41:15 PM »

Quote from: c_m_shooter on July 31, 2019, 01:36:23 PM

If you're going to scope it, then the 97 for sure.

Definitely scoped.... So what would you say is better about the 97?

c_m_shooter · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2019, 01:45:55 PM »

Being able to get a cheek weld on the stock ( maybe not a weld, but at least a reference). The 77 will have your head floating in the air behind the scope. They are the same powerplant, no difference in shot cycle or accuracy. I have a friend with a tuned HW77, and it shoots about the same as my tuned 97.

c_m_shooter · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2019, 01:50:24 PM »

Just to be fair I shoot field target with someone occasionally who has as 97KT in .22 and he shoots it as well as any of us.

SpiralGroove · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2019, 03:15:17 PM »

Quote from: abqjoe on July 31, 2019, 01:00:44 PM

If you had to choose between an HW77 and HW97k which would you choose and why? Thanks!

I prefer the HW77K over the HW97

.

I liked the fact that you can scope it or not. The stock on the HW77 came up to my line of sight better & I don't like the heavier weighted barrel no matter what is said about its increased accuracy.
I sold my HW97 and kept the '77. The HW77K looks cooler too

.

I'm sure to be in the minority here though.... sold the HW98 too ... no-like heavy barrel - found the HW95 to be more accurate for me

.

uglymike · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2019, 03:31:53 PM »

My John in Pa. tuned Beeman HW97 .22 is 4 sale.

abqjoe · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2019, 03:58:45 PM »

Quote from: uglymike on July 31, 2019, 03:31:53 PM

My John in Pa. tuned Beeman HW97 .22 is 4 sale.

I saw that, was considering it too.....

MartyMcFly · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2019, 04:45:21 PM »

The thumbhole version is more comfortable to shoot over long sessions. It does feel more like a pistol grip, but your mileage may very depending on your anatomy. The Walther LGU with traditional stock has a grip that is somewhere between the 97kt Thumbhole grip and the regular 97k, in case you want to consider another option in the same class of gun. I doubt accuracy will be any different between traditional and Thumbhole.

I should add, the TX200 has a similar setup as the LGU.

-Marty

gonzav · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2019, 05:03:02 PM »

I prefer a thumb up position when shooting my springers-HW97K and LGU. I prefer standard stocks over thumbhole ones.

Mark 611 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2019, 05:17:26 PM »

I have a Walther LGU Varmint .22cal synthetic TH stock tho it is a nice gun, I prefer a traditional style stock like on the 97K, My Walther is the Thumb hole stocked gun I have and I just cant get use to it! event tho it is a 1 hole shooter! I would have preferred the standard wood LGU stock on this rife, after owning a LGU Master! .177cal, I guess I'm old school when it comes to a stocks fit! but every one is different when it comes to that!

triggerfest · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2019, 05:23:27 PM »

Wait, wait, wait, wait.....

It is very, very personal !

I have owned both the standard stock 97 and the thumbhole stock 97. Although I have sold both, if I ever would buy a 97 back, it will be a thumbhole for sure.

Especially the thumbhole stock and benchrest shooting is a great combination. Although the thumbole stock worked well for the HFT position too.

But both positions are supported positions, so then the thumbhole works great. Since you have support of the for end of the stock and the thumbhole gives good support of your shooting hand. So it gives you a very stable set up.

But... I can imagine that if you are shooting pests off hand that the standard stock works better since your shooting hand is not limited by the thumbhole. The only question is then if the 97 is the best choice. The 97 is not the best option for off hand shooting given its weight. Then you can better contemplate the 95 or the 50. Or the Diana 34 if you don't want to limit yourself to Weihrauch only.

Mark 611 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2019, 05:59:55 PM »

Rudolph, I agree with what ur saying!

on the 50's or 95

north country gal · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2019, 09:06:18 PM »

My grip is like Cliff's. I don't lay the thumb against the wrist of the stock, so I have no use for a thumbhole stock.

I have both the HW97K and the HW 77K. Love them both, but the one I choose for a given range session is a matter of which sights I want to use. The 97K wears a scope and it does have a higher comb for scope shooting than the 77K. The 77K wears a peep sight or sometimes I use the excellent factory open sight. Really is a delight to shoot offhand without a heavy scope.

abqjoe · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2019, 09:14:14 PM »

Once again I want to say thank you to the community! After looking at the views here as well as wrestling with myself and taking into consideration the fact that most of my shooting experience is with military style weapons, I decided to go with the black & stainless HW97k with thumbhole stock. I already placed my order from KRALE and ordered a HAWKE Airmax 4-12x40 for it from Pyramid........ I also found a decent deal on a lightly used HW77 with green laminate stock with a UTG Bugbuster scope too.... No more Air Rifle crack for me lol, I'm just going to enjoy these 2 and my 54 now!

EMrider · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2019, 11:17:24 PM »

Congrats. I think that you will be very pleased with the hw97k. It is my favorite springer.

R

Bayman · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2019, 11:59:24 PM »

The new 77 comb height is exactly the same as the 97. Just buy the one you want. It's really just looks and whether or not you want iron sights

fwbsport · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2019, 02:20:33 PM »

I'm late in the game to reinforce the K-T over the regular stock. I like having the .20 in this particular rifle more than any other. The right hand had more comfort in shooting off hand, but to blame the bulk and weight of the T version as undesirable to the HW77 version is kinda meaningless--holding either one is heavy enough.

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HW97k; thumbhole stock or non-thumbhole?

Author Topic: HW97k; thumbhole stock or non-thumbhole? (Read 3405 times))