FWB 124 Deluxe

[Yatzee982]

Hello all,
 I am in need of some advice on a FWB 124 Deluxe air rifle. I have a chance to purchase one but I am not sure of the price range they go for. The rifle I am speaking of is in pretty good condition but does have a few spots of surface rust on the barrel and spring tube. I believe the rifle is a deluxe because of the rubber buttplate/white spacer, sling swivels, and the checkering on the pistol grip. The seller doesn’t know when it was last serviced or shot. It has the barrel sights but the front globe sight is missing. I also have seen the serial #39,600 range. Any help or guidance is appreciated, thank you in advance.

[Motorhead]

 Likely never serviced ... rust etc ... with the cost of service and not being in that great of shape externally a few 100 tops IMO.
Yes a DX version

[Yatzee982]

Likely never serviced ... rust etc ... with the cost of service and not being in that great of shape externally a few 100 tops IMO.
Yes a DX version

Motörhead,
Thanks for the input. I am reading up online about these air rifles. Seems to be one to get and reseal/restore if possible. That maybe the course here is it’s priced reasonably.

[Yatzee982]

Pics provided

[lizzie]

If you are happy with the price asked, and it's in reasonable condition, buy it and have it re-sealed and tuned. They are WONDERFUL guns to shoot!

[Mark 611]

I agree with Scott, few hundred at most, missing sight and the rust is kinda a bummer but it is what it is!

[Yatzee982]

Thanks for the added input. I think I will go forward with this air rifle and see if I can bring it back to life. More to come !

[limbshaker]

After owning a couple, I wouldn't pay a few hundred for one, especially one that needs rebuilt. Parts arent cheap for them and there are only a couple places to get them. If you do it yourself just a spring and piston seal and breech seal will be near $75. A tune kit will be near $100 in itself.  And they are a pain in the butt to get apart and back together without a spring compressor. Break a plastic trigger doing it and you are out another $100. Factor in the cost to ship it and have it fixed plus parts if you can't do it yourself.

But as with everything, if you like it, buy it and be happy. Life's too short to do it any other way!

[dtdtdtdt]

This is what the blue book of air rifles says. 


MODEL 124 - .177 cal., BBC, SP, 780-830 FPS, early version with plastic trigger, rear sight marked 50m, 7.2 lbs. Disc. 1989. Ref: AR3: 61-62.

Grading   100%95%   90%   80%   60%   
Price:         N/A $400 $395 $295 $195   

Add 5% for San Rafael address. Add 10% for San Anselmo address.
Add 35% for factory deluxe with walnut stock.
Add 10% for left-hand deluxe version (rare).
Add 100% for custom select or fancy.
Add 110% for custom extra fancy.
Subtract 10% for no Wundhammer palm swell on Deluxe models.
Last MSR was $490.

[Motorhead]

Forgot to add a BIG minus for no factory sights with any version

[dtdtdtdt]

Forgot to add a BIG minus for no factory sights with any version

I print what the book says. AND YES.  No factory sights is a big deduction. 

The wonderful FWB sights are a "sight" to behold.  I have the full set with some really fancy diopters, adjustable irises, and colored inserts for my FWB300SU.  Most of which I don't know how to use effectively.   The guy I got it from was a serious competitor in the UK.  A friend of my daughter!  I put a scope on it as soon as I got it and haven't looked back.  They are in the box with the other bits and pieces he sent along. 

[limbshaker]

The sights on the FWB124 are cheap plastic. At least the rear is, the front is metal but has no inserts and is rather crude compared to Weihrauch sights.

[Dennis22]

Forgot to add a BIG minus for no factory sights with any version

I print what the book says. AND YES.  No factory sights is a big deduction. 

The wonderful FWB sights are a "sight" to behold.  I have the full set with some really fancy diopters, adjustable irises, and colored inserts for my FWB300SU.  Most of which I don't know how to use effectively.   The guy I got it from was a serious competitor in the UK.  A friend of my daughter!  I put a scope on it as soon as I got it and haven't looked back.  They are in the box with the other bits and pieces he sent along.

Huge difference between the sights on the 300 (micro adjustable diopter sights, about $150-$200 on e bay) and the open sights on the 124.  but would still make a difference

If you are a collector one thing if you are a shooter and going to scope it not as big a deal

Dennis

[OleTomCat]

The rebuild kit from ARH is about $100.00, if it was never serviced and still has the original seals it will need to be rebuilt.

[Yatzee982]

Well unfortunately I wasn’t able to close the deal on the FWB 124D. The seller never got back to me and I see it’s now sold ...oh well. As a side note I guess someone high up wants me to have a nice German air rifle. I bought a lot of three air rifles from a friend that keeps a lookout for me locally here. In the lot are two Benjamin’s (392pa, NP Trail) and one RWS Diana 54 Air King in .177 (was told it was a Chinese side-cock) All the air rifles need work and were sold as parts guns. Sometimes when a door closes a windows opens up. Thanks for all the responses/advice !!

[spevie]

I had wanted to ask this question earlier but didn't want to discourage you from getting your FWB, but is it economically wise to restore a gun in that condition or is it better to just spend more and get a better one? It seems to me that airguns in general are underpriced for the technology and build quality compared with other things: special interest cars, motorcycles, collectible cameras, etc.?

[dtdtdtdt]

ok

[dtdtdtdt]

Not sure how I got the same note in here twice.  Perhaps it wanted to be read twice?

I had wanted to ask this question earlier but didn't want to discourage you from getting your FWB, but is it economically wise to restore a gun in that condition or is it better to just spend more and get a better one? It seems to me that airguns in general are underpriced for the technology and build quality compared with other things: special interest cars, motorcycles, collectible cameras, etc.?

There are several theories on "toys for big boys" be they guns, cars, motorcycles, rocks, giri friends, etc.  First economics have nothing to do with it!!!!

1. Get them and put it in storage on the theory that they will get more valuable with age.  There are a lot of "safe queens" out there.

2.  Get a junker and restore it to its original glory while learning about what makes them glorious.

3.  Get an "ok" one and use it.  Replace it when it is old and gray.

4.  Use it and abuse it until it doesn't work anymore.  Discard it so a Number 2 can have something fix up.

The original poster is probably a number 2.  If he does well, someone who isn't are mechanically inclined can get a nice one to use at a reasonable price in the future and let Number 2 go find another one to work on....

The very short answer is:  when talking about big boy toys - whatever you like to do is the correct answer... 

That way we all get our way!!!

[Yogi]

I had wanted to ask this question earlier but didn't want to discourage you from getting your FWB, but is it economically wise to restore a gun in that condition or is it better to just spend more and get a better one? It seems to me that airguns in general are underpriced for the technology and build quality compared with other things: special interest cars, motorcycles, collectible cameras, etc.?

Like the above mentioned items, how much of the repair/restoration work can you do yourself?

-Y

[Dennis22]

Doing the repair work is actually fairly simple

Doing it so that is tuned and a solid shooter is another story. Did mine ,still doing it and hopefully getting close. A ton to learn a lot of help here. But when you are truly new you don't even know what a smooth shooter is

So much to know when you don't even know what you don't know.  The trip is rewarding the closer you get

Dennus