We all love German springers, but...

[Hoosier Daddy]

Not seeing much Love for the FWB.
I have owned an R-9 a TX-200. Still have my R-10 and HW-98 ... Even a old Diana (Winchester)
But my FWB-124 deluxe is amazing!

[tjk]

Strictly speaking of late model German spring piston guns, I think the GenII Feinwerkbau Sport stock is second to none in quality, craftsmanship, beauty of wood grain and fit and finish. To actually hold one in hand is a pleasure, and the pictures on the internet do not due it justice. Better than HW yes, better than Diana,…. Way better.

[north country gal]

Love for the FWB Sport? Count me in. I was even mildly accused of being an FWB Sport enabler at one time.

I have two of them and I love them even more when I shoot them. Oh, the new Sport has its share of critics and some design shortcomings, but all is forgiven when I get the groups the Sport lets me shoot.

[Novagun]

I do not think I am being deliberately perverse. Note that the title of this thread ends with BUT.
I have four German springers. My Diana 34 Compact is nice but nothing to get excited about. I would say ok but not enough power.. My HW95 is very good but not really powerful enough at 12.6 ft/lbs. It is everything that it is meant to be. My HW77 is not that good. Accurate enough. Not enough power. Heavy and an awkward loading breach. Then there is my HW35S. It has a sliding barrel latch on the port side, a thumb hole stock that is not very nice and not much power. They all have the Record triggers and the irksome automatic cross bolt safety catch.
For my purposes my Gamos are just as accurate and more convenient for rabbiting and they don't cost nearly as much. They are more powerful and do the job very well but all had to be fettled to get them where they are. One of them at 10 ft/lbs leaves all the rest behind for accuracy.
Maybe a square peg syndrome.

PS. I have no intention of parting with any of my German springers. Maybe one day I will appreciate them more.

[SpiralGroove]

Weihrauch do not have a stock that is anywhere near as nice as the stock on my Diana 340 N-tec.
The walnut Hogsback stock is gorgeous!  With the possible exception of a few very special HW stocks from the 80's, theogback wins hands down!!!
I agree that the finish on my 340 N-tec is not as nice as Weihrauch's.  But Weihrauch's blueing in pretty lame compared to either FWB or Air Arms beautiful black finish.

-Yogi 

I always thought Weihrauch's blueing was as equal to most powder burners, which is perfect. 
AA's are simply overdone .... kinda like a pretty boy ....... I was always worried about scratching mine when tuning it ...........

[splitbeing]

Know it was said already, but the Diana sidelevers are somethin special.

[SpiralGroove]

Know it was said already, but the Diana sidelevers are somethin special.

Yeah Rion,
At this point I think were yacking about do we prefer, Blonds, Brunettes or Redheads.

[splitbeing]

Know it was said already, but the Diana sidelevers are somethin special.

Yeah Rion,
At this point I think were yacking about do we prefer, Blonds, Brunettes or Redheads.

[chuckling]

[Kragman1]

Yes, a bit. 

But the original question was how many of us have switched allegiances once we got to really know our German springers.  Or even, have we changed our opinions about a particular brand.

Also, those Diana side levers are really something...!  👍

[IanC]

My first air rifles were Diana’s a 24 and then a custom 34. They were my choice due to local availability back before we could just google. I enjoyed them but yes never did like the plastic bits. My older brother was a wealth of info and a collector so I got airguns from him mostly. My first Weihrauch was a 95 which I still have. I thought the quality was so much better without the plastic bits and Record trigger. A couple years back I picked up a 34 classic TO5 for a steal. Like the other Dianas it has those plastic bits but you know what else does just about every semi auto shotgun out there. So it really doesn’t bother me now. After a fair amount of adjustment I got the trigger set at a decent pull. I shoot it with peep sights and also replaced the front sight for an HW one.
I do prefer Weihrach though as I find the chambers a bit shorter and the K length barrels make it a bit more mid weighted and balance better for me but thats a personal thing. Quality though I would say is about the same for examples I have come across.

[SpiralGroove]

Yes, a bit. 
But the original question was how many of us have switched allegiances once we got to really know our German Springers.  Or even, have we changed our opinions about a particular brand.
Also, those Diana side levers are really something...!  👍

OK then,
I've tuned maybe 35+ Springers and believe HW's are my favorite, with AA having a more improved/modern design. 
However, AA falls short as often as HW does in internal finishing of that design.  I also shoot Spring guns weighing 7.5 lbs or less the most - by far .

HW's fit me best as their more streamlined; I don't especially care for Under-levers .... also AA guns are over polished (more for "Just Look At" it crowd).
If excessive bling is important to you - get an AA - however, it has to be an Under-lever ....... and your likely paying $200 more for the bling.

At a pawn shop, I picked up a D34 and shouldered it - I really disliked the bulky feel of that gun.  Not subtle at all .... more Hatsan like (crude/powerful).

Never owned a FWB or Sidelever gun ... so can't say, but we're talking more weight/fiddling to shoot issues ..... that I have learned NOT to like .

Lastly, I'm still tempted to by a FWB Sport as a number of respected members here love it (NCG - that's you).
However, would likely make a metal trigger guard, + Leary about getting replacement parts .........

[Mark 611]

I have owned just about every air gun worth having, except the NEW FWB sport and the HW57, Tom don't hate me, their several reasons the FWB is off my list, their weight plastic trigger guard and the angled barrel block and parts availability, the 57 breech block!!! as I have said before for what you get in buying an HW rifle their hard to beat for the money! and I like you kirk they fit me like a glove!

[SpiralGroove]

I have owned just about every air gun worth having, except the NEW FWB sport and the HW57, Tom don't hate me, their several reasons the FWB is off my list, their weight plastic trigger guard and the angled barrel block and parts availability, the 57 breech block!!! as I have said before for what you get in buying an HW rifle their hard to beat for the money! and I like you Kirk they fit me like a glove!

Yeah Mark,
I've owned a bunch of different brand Springers, but once I find a brand, clearly best (for me), I get rid of all the ones with deal breaking issues.
I mean, why keep 'em if you always thinking about what you don't like about them.
I have enough trouble holding on to my HW80's - as their too heavy for (MY) everyday shooting .... however, they're the most accurate at 50+ yards and pack a wallop.

Since, I've owned my RAW PCP's it's hard to shooting anything lesser quality unless it has a unique charm.  Thank God my BSA R10 and QB's do offer other things than absolute precision - I've sold everything else.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I somehow only considered break barrels in the topic.
But if we are talking ALL springers... My thoughts again turn to  FWB.
The 300S side lever I have is a simply awesome machine.
No wonder they were used in the Olympics dack in the day.

[lowpwrplnkr]

This all makes me think I need a Diana side lever.

[SpiralGroove]

This all makes me think I need a Diana side lever.

-> But such a need is contrary to your GTA member ID . 

While being an excellent gun, I would not consider a Diana side lever to be a low powered plinker .

[Denby95]

This all makes me think I need a Diana side lever.

-> But such a need is contrary to your GTA member ID . 

While being an excellent gun, I would not consider a Diana side lever to be a low powered plinker .

He's no longer after low powered plinkers if you look at his thread where he's attempting to shoot an hw97 at a target 215 yards away, still waiting to see the results on that!   

[853_okg]

Yes, a bit. 

But the original question was how many of us have switched allegiances once we got to really know our German springers.  Or even, have we changed our opinions about a particular brand.

Also, those Diana side levers are really something...!  👍

Diana side levers really are nice, they just take up too much valuable real estate in the safe.

[SpiralGroove]

I somehow only considered break barrels in the topic.
But if we are talking ALL springers... My thoughts again turn to  FWB.
The 300S side lever I have is a simply awesome machine.
No wonder they were used in the Olympics dack in the day.

Yes Hoosier,
If you're looking for a 10 Meter airgun, no one can dispute the FWB 300S as being an awesome trailblazer .

[lowpwrplnkr]

Never said I was attempting 200+ yards, just wondering if it was possible...

Turns out it is -

(Not my video)