Tell me your thoughts on the HW95L vs R9?

[airgunner69]

Hey guys,

I don't know how many of you caught my intro, but a quick recap... I was into precision air rifles close to 20 years ago but sold them when the firearm bug (specifically BRD) hit hard. I'm still very much into firearms but I miss not having a nice air rifle in the safe to plink and target shoot with in the backyard with.

I am a quality over quantity kind of guy meaning I'd rather have one very nice rifle rather then 2, 3 or more mediocre guns.

Back in the day, I had a Beeman R7 and an AA Pro Elite. I really liked the R7 but it was on the small side for my 6' 2" frame and wanted something with a little more thump. The PE gave me the size and extra thump I was looking for but it was a heavy rig (especially with the Weaver V16 that I had mounted on it) however, the biggest problem I had with it was... even though I am a righty, I've learned I need to shoot left handed when accuracy matters as I am left eye dominant and see much better with my left eye.

So all that said, I want a new air rifle. I want something "full size" but not overly heavy or powerful. I'm thinking something in the 12-14fpe would more than suffice as I have no plans or desire to hunt with it and "pest control" would be rare if ever. It needs to be truly ambidextrous. Mostly I want quality, accuracy, smooth shot cycle and relatively easy cocking.

With those criteria in mind and after hours of thought and research to see what's currently available, I'm left thinking the HW95/R9 would best suit my needs and wants? The 95/R9 is probably a tad more power then I really need but figure I can always have it detuned with the focus on smoothness and soft recoil in mind? Your thoughts?

So assuming that's the one I go with, I have to pick the exactly model I want? There is the HW95, HW95L, R9, and maybe more? At first I was leaning towards the R9 but I'm thinking HW95L now. Basically looks exactly like an R9 but if the pics on AoA are correct, the Weihrauch HW95L Field Pro model (airgunsofarizona.com/spring-piston/weihrauch-hw95l-field-pro/) the breech block on the 95L is not drilled and taped which I think gives a cleaner look. I also like the muzzle break on the end but will probably with replace it with a true moderator later.

So last question is caliber? I've always shot .177's and I know they are lasers in a gun like the 95 and have the flattest trajectory but I'm really thinking of going .22 on this one? Partly because I think at this power lever, a .22 is more likely to have a smoother shot cycle and I won't be shooting past 20yrd anyway but mainly because I have big 'ole sausage fingers and those tiny .177 pellets are a PITA for me! lol

Anyway, any input you would be willing to say is welcome. Thank you.

[fwbsport]

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=163513.msg155823685#new

Here's my report as of today on the .22 model which I ended up putting the Swarosvky on (my best scope).

I have problems with .177 for two big reasons in an air rifle:

1. The pellets are too small to manipulate comfortably
2. The speed does not make up for accuracy

The .25 95L is where it's at for me and that's because I KNOW this rifle from shooting it FOR FUN!  It is incredibly fun to shoot.  It is totally accurate to 25 yards--as accurate as a .177--and while shooting over a lake of a pond/river nearby I discovered it would land 80 yards away with a lot more precision that I ever imagined.

The .22 is probably my favorite caliber all around for One rifle.  The .20 is good but too much like the .177 sometimes, and not as traumatic as the .22 in most times.  The .20 costs more and is truly a specific type to be used in something powerful like the HW80 or the Diana 54 Air King.  The .22 never disappoints since even my own days with a pistol in CO2 (SW 78G) and rifle (Benjamin 322).

In the springer things really come to life when using the .22.  It may not be as popular as the .177 but you can find enough pellets anywhere to buy without worrying price.

My other favorite .22 is my HW30S.  I've had a scope on it bigger almost than the rifle, it is a tack driver to enjoy just shooting over and over like the famed R7.

In my HW50S .22 there is a noticeable kick and cock to the rifle.  It is not as nice as my HW35Es by a long shot--the stroke is too short and stiff and it stacks at the end. 

Velocity readings of the HW35E .22 and the HW50S .22 are similar with the HW35E being the more accurate to shoot off hand.

I use only open sights on my .22 HW35E because for some reason the rifle works better shooting with irons at 25 yards that with a scope.

I'm 6' 2" at 185 lbs.  The HW80s are too heavy for fun shooting.  The HW95Ls are the ticket in either .22 or .25.  Except the .25 is more elite with the usual things that follow---like KILLING something for GOOD!

[airgunner69]

fwbsport - Thanks for the input.

I know a lot of guys think the .20 is the sweet spot but I equate it to the .40S&W in the 9mm vs .40S&W vs .45ACP debates. I do not own any .40cal guns for the same reason I have no interest in the .20cal pellets, it doesn't have the speed of the .177 and doesn't have the mass of the .22. Maybe its just me but I find compromise choices that try to give you the best of both worlds tend to be very disapointing?

As for hunting, not really my thing but if I needed to, I have a suppressed .22LR that's as quiet as any air rifle but just not something I want to use in a subdivision lol

So it still sounds like the HW95L in .22 is the right choice for me. Do you know if the 95L is drilled and tap'ed for iron sights or is the breech block solid like in the pics? How about the muzzle break, I'm assuming it's a slip fit with set screws and not threaded?

Is the scope that comes with the 95L any good or is it just something to hold you over until you get a better scope?

Thanks again

[Mark 611]

I have a new to me HW95L in .177cal and a standard HW95 in .22cal, the only reason I purchased the 95L was I'm a southpaw shooter and the ambi cheek piece seems like a no brainer to me!!! other then that it the same rifle!!!

[Bayman]

I have a 177 HW95 that I bought about 4 years ago. It was what got me addicted to airguns. My favorite to shoot is the lower powered Hw30. Listen, everyone has their favorites when it comes to guns and calibers. All I'll say is no matter what variation of the Hw95 / R7 you go with you'll have a good shooting rifle. A 95 in 177, 20 or 22 caliber will be a nice gun. Aiming is easiest with 177 because it is the fattest shooter and it will be as deadly as any of the other calibers

[nced]

Hey guys,

I don't know how many of you caught my intro, but a quick recap... I was into precision air rifles close to 20 years ago but sold them when the firearm bug (specifically BRD) hit hard. I'm still very much into firearms but I miss not having a nice air rifle in the safe to plink and target shoot with in the backyard with.

I am a quality over quantity kind of guy meaning I'd rather have one very nice rifle rather then 2, 3 or more mediocre guns.

Back in the day, I had a Beeman R7 and an AA Pro Elite. I really liked the R7 but it was on the small side for my 6' 2" frame and wanted something with a little more thump. The PE gave me the size and extra thump I was looking for but it was a heavy rig (especially with the Weaver V16 that I had mounted on it) however, the biggest problem I had with it was... even though I am a righty, I've learned I need to shoot left handed when accuracy matters as I am left eye dominant and see much better with my left eye.

So all that said, I want a new air rifle. I want something "full size" but not overly heavy or powerful. I'm thinking something in the 12-14fpe would more than suffice as I have no plans or desire to hunt with it and "pest control" would be rare if ever. It needs to be truly ambidextrous. Mostly I want quality, accuracy, smooth shot cycle and relatively easy cocking.

With those criteria in mind and after hours of thought and research to see what's currently available, I'm left thinking the HW95/R9 would best suit my needs and wants? The 95/R9 is probably a tad more power then I really need but figure I can always have it detuned with the focus on smoothness and soft recoil in mind? Your thoughts?

So assuming that's the one I go with, I have to pick the exactly model I want? There is the HW95, HW95L, R9, and maybe more? At first I was leaning towards the R9 but I'm thinking HW95L now. Basically looks exactly like an R9 but if the pics on AoA are correct, the Weihrauch HW95L Field Pro model (airgunsofarizona.com/spring-piston/weihrauch-hw95l-field-pro/) the breech block on the 95L is not drilled and taped which I think gives a cleaner look. I also like the muzzle break on the end but will probably with replace it with a true moderator later.

So last question is caliber? I've always shot .177's and I know they are lasers in a gun like the 95 and have the flattest trajectory but I'm really thinking of going .22 on this one? Partly because I think at this power lever, a .22 is more likely to have a smoother shot cycle and I won't be shooting past 20yrd anyway but mainly because I have big 'ole sausage fingers and those tiny .177 pellets are a PITA for me! lol

Anyway, any input you would be willing to say is welcome. Thank you.

I have both a .177 Beeman R9  and a .177 HW95 and IMHO, unless you like "different furniture" it's six of one/half dozen of another since the "mechanicals" are the same. I do have to mention however that the older .177 R9 has a looser bore than the newer .177 HW95 which does affect the pellet choice being used, however both are more accurate than I can shoot!
My HW95 on the right and Beeman R9 on the left..........

Groups shot with the .177 HW95 ........


Anywhoo....over a decade ago after shooting .177 cal for a few years I went through the phase of trying a .20 cal R9 and a .22 barrel from a R1 on my R9 (.22 cal barrel wasn't offered for the R9 at that time). I shot the .20 for one season, then shot half of the next season with the .22 cal barrel and ended up selling both the .20 and .22 barrels, reverted back to .177 cal never to look back. The issue I had with the "fat pellets" was the loopy trajectory at R9/HW95 power levels that made hitting the target past my zero distance pretty much "lottery shooting". I personally had more success with a .177 dome than a .20 or .22 cal dome past 30 yards, however out to 30 yards there wasn't a "nickels difference" no matter what the caliber except the cost of the pellets.

[Artie]

Back when I was researching the 95/R9 a few years ago I'd read the gun was designed for .177 and that many users having owned both .22 and .177 preferred the .177 more.

[airgunner69]

Well I think my title was misleading and I'll see if I can edit it. I realize there really isn't any difference between the HW95 and R9 other then stock or sights depending on which exact model you get. The rest is luck of the draw.

My real question is... is the HW95/R9 the right gun for me based on my needs\wants or should I be considering something else?

ETA - I tried to change the title but I guess you can't edit a post after a certain amount of time?

[airgunner69]

The issue I had with the "fat pellets" was the loopy trajectory at R9/HW95 power levels that made hitting the target past my zero distance pretty much "lottery shooting". I personally had more success with a .177 dome than a .20 or .22 cal dome past 30 yards, however out to 30 yards there wasn't a "nickels difference" no matter what the caliber except the cost of the pellets.

Well that's good to know. I don't see a time where I will be shooting past 30yrds and the cost difference is minimal. I guess I'd be safe either way so that good. Thanks for the info!

[Mark 611]

As was mentioned and I also agree with! the .22cal in this rifle is smoother to shoot! and the report on the rifle it a bit quieter after you clean all the factory goop out of the tube! my .22cal is super accurate just like all the other HW's I own! It shoots the H&N FTT 5.53's or the Crosman Pointed Hunting pellets half the size of a dime or smaller @23yds, I have shot plenty of birds with this rifle @55yds! my rifle still has the factory spring with a fitted guides and JM lubes, it only shoot and ave of 629fps with the FTT's but its all the 30yd gun you would ever need for small game hunting! you to that distance! 

[uglymike]

There was an R11 very recently in classifieds, if it's still available, buy it. It's everything the R9/HW95 is....and MUCH MORE 

[fwbsport]

Well I think my title was misleading and I'll see if I can edit it. I realize there really isn't any difference between the HW95 and R9 other then stock or sights depending on which exact model you get. The rest is luck of the draw.

My real question is... is the HW95/R9 the right gun for me based on my needs\wants or should I be considering something else?

ETA - I tried to change the title but I guess you can't edit a post after a certain amount of time?

Ed and I agree the R9 and the HW95L are worth keeping as one or two rifles except for caliber.  I agree that Ed likes .177 after doing his rounds with the calibers in these rifles--he's right for most who are wanting flatter trajectory.

My input is the bigger calibers above .20 work better for me, but I don't have the precision Ed has with his set up to test differences since I shoot only off hand no matter what the range.

To me the .22 is the best of all worlds to START with!

Then get a .25 and a .177 later--only then will YOU be able to say which of the three calibers is best!

See I've got a thing going on here called standing room only to shoot, and that switches the paradigm to those who want to shoot off hand only or at least be able to take an accurate shot off hand.  The rifle is always in a rest and if that rest is JUST YOU standing it IS NOT THE SAME as a rest!  The gun shoots off of only you.  Even when I lean against a support behind my right shoulder the gun will shoot to a different point of impact! So I don't lean on anything anymore when shooting upright; and the rifles in my cabinet ALL shoot to point of aim while standing to shoot only.

Now, if I go in the field where the range is not exactly determined and squirrels are popping about all over the ground the rifle is ready to shoot repeatedly FAST from the upright position.

To me there is a difference in the HW95Ls and the R9 I have.  They do look the same.  But the actions of my HW95Ls are smoother.  Ed mentioned his 95 was the same as his R9 but my newer R9 and newer HW95L are different.  I prefer the HW95L over the R9.

My HW95Ls do not have muzzle brakes, they have all the insert sights and I've put scopes on all: R9, HW95L .22, HW95L .25.

The 95s in .22 and .25 work more accurately for me offhand.

[nced]

There was an R11 very recently in classifieds, if it's still available, buy it. It's everything the R9/HW95 is....and MUCH MORE 

It's also heavier considering the same "power plant". I've read that the R11/HW98 is better than the sum of it's parts and I tend to agree and the gun was rather easy to shoot accurately. The extra weight added by the very nice adjustable stock and barrel sleeve is a 'put-off" for me and IF I were to put up with an 8.6# break barrel springer I think I'd rather have an 8.8# fixed barrel HW97.

Anywhoo......
Here are a few groups (sittin on a bucket restin' the gun on cross sticks) after the tune.........

[Mrblonde40]

Airgunner, as for muzzle brake attachment, it's a set screw and epoxied on.  The receiver has a dovetail machined in to mount scope.  And if the scope is the 3-9x40 weihrauch scope, it's quite good.  I can dial the magnification all the way up or down with no POI shift and the lenses are sharp and clear. 

[airgunner69]

Airgunner, as for muzzle brake attachment, it's a set screw and epoxied on.

Does the epoxy make it non removable or is it used as more of a bedding material?

Thanks!

[airgunner69]

So I thought I had it settled, I was going with the HW95L Field Pro in .22 but the more I think about it, the more I think the HW30 Urban Pro makes more sense for my situation?

Like I said, I won't be hunting (other than possibly some close range pest control) and the majority of my shooting will be indoors (Basement/10yards) as my current backyard is just not conducive for airgunning (severe downward slope). I may do some shooting in my Stepson's backyard but that would be 30yrds max.

I went through this same thing last time between the R7 and R9 and ended up with the R7 for pretty much the same reasons. It was a great gun (within its know limitations of LOP and velocity) but I've always wanted and wondered if I would have preferred the R9 instead even though it is arguable slightly overkill for my needs?

I really like that the HW30-UP comes with a factory suppressor. I know its not really needed on a gun like that but I have a number of suppressors for my firearms and I can tell you, once you start suppressing your guns, you want to suppress them all! Even if I buy the HW95L, I will probably suppress it as well that's why I was asking about if the muzzle weight on the 95L-FP is removable?

I may just have to buy both, try them both out and decide which one I like better or just keep them both if I can't decide?

[Chouchin66]

Just one man's opinion here; either HW95L or R9 in standard guise = excellent choice. Standards have EXCELLET open sights, readily accept Williams peep sights + you can pick your own glass. Either may be tuned from comatose to O.M.G. ...+ Weihrauch makes a legit muffler.

[Artie]

So the conversation has evolved, HW30 or 95L? Why not split the difference and end up with a better gun altogether, maybe best of both worlds..
I'm thinking HW35E.

[Chouchin66]

Shucks, it's only money; they'll print more tomorrow... Am I on the radar as a notified enabler yet? Get 'm all.

[Chouchin66]

 Edit: should of read bonifide...silly spell check!