Goodbye HW97kt synthetic,hello TX200H.C.

[harry palmer]

I started off wanting an under-lever 0.177 to go with my ancient V-mach`d 0.22 HW80.So I boought a HW97KT synthetic (which I`ve reviewd on this forum) ; I was seduced by the look of the thing.But although it was deadly accurate,I had to strip it and give the spring a proper lube and I also had to reduce the trigger sear engagement.Even then there was still a slight buzz that again became a slight  twang that told me that I was going to have to shell out for some tuning bits (not so good for a rifle that was already more expensive to buy new than a TX200).I feel that Weihrauch have really only made cosmetic changes to their under-levers ;it`s old tech (from the 1980s) and high time that they did a re-design, how difficult would it be to incorporate synthetic bearing rings as Air Arms has? (thereby reducing spring size/pre-load!).

Soooo,I bit the bullet and traded it for a slightly used TX200HC .It shoots smooth and the trigger is just right, also the accuracy with Falcon and 4.52 JSB pellets is second to none.

If Air Arms start putting TX`s in synthetic stocks (as Weihrauch have with their 97`s) ,then I can see very few HW97s being bought over TX`s!

Take care

Kenny

[SAADE]

Kenny: I wonder how much of the "feel" of that 97-Synthetic is just that, the syn-stock? And, reducing sear engagement on a Rekord trigger? Ok... if you say so.

[harry palmer]

Kenny: I wonder how much of the "feel" of that 97-Synthetic is just that, the syn-stock? And, reducing sear engagement on a Rekord trigger? Ok... if you say so.

I`m 50 years and have spent most of that time working with machinery, I know when something is needing tweeked or improved.I also have been shooting since I was 14 and I`ve used every type of airgun you can think of (including Ripley,BSA......).There is a lot Weihrauch could do ,but havn`t. as for adjusting the sears in the trigger here you go; http://www.airguns.net/general_rekord_trigger.php

Byee!

[hendrick]

Hi Kenny man,

I couldn't agree more with you on the state of that HW technology.
But then we have to remember they started out a bike maker.... The obvious arrogance of not listening to customers must finally be punished by "the feet vote". But we consumers walk a thin line: switching to another make in large numbers will no doubt make for another arrogant seller/brand...resting on its laurels sooner or later in its turn !
The best is to voice our misgivings in the most convincing way we can, either or not in direct contact with them. I'm afraid manufacturers  just don't read our forums to the extent we would like.

Cheers,

Hendrick

[hendrick]

Afterthought:
The synth stock can be filled out and indeed photo's on another forum showed how hollow the butts are. Filling with the right material may dampen out spring twang, etc.  a lot. Last week I took my Venom Laza HW 77 out on the range wearing muffs (indoors, many pistoleros banging around loud). When I touched the butt stock with my ear muff I did for the first time find out that even this highly tuned and customized gun had twang....Therefore the possibility of filling the synth stock occured to me but since I have none I cannot test myself.  However, upon asking HW about what material to use they replied they never tried and therefore did not know!  Thusfar, this stopped me from buying the synth 97 KT....
BTW:
My blue laminated 97 K stock may me a factor in making the twang more noticeable.
Maybe this is of some help to others,
In addition, I found out that wearing muffs even when out in the open, makes you hear inside spring piston noises you never knew existed. A trick to find out that your gun can use some work on the internals.

Hendrick

[Mark 611]

That's good info to know that these stocks are hollow!

[Onebaddj]

I definatly recommend filling hollow stock. I used self expanding foam in my big cat stock and it worked very well. A hollow synthetic stock i basically an old school mega phone right next to your head. It will amplify everything.

And i also noticed how much more you can hear the cycle of your gun by wearing ear plugs. It stop your ears crom being overwhelmed by the initial crack of the gun allowing you to hear what twang is there.

[Calmark]

I've had the chance to shoot a regular stocked HW97k .20 cal. before and I found its only fault to be some twang and buzz.  I've noticed it in other HW guns I've shot too.  I shot it when it was fairly new, so don't know if its still like that.  Regardless, it was an extremely nice rifle for sure.  Sorry yours with the synthetic stock didn't work out for you. 

But, you did get yourself a nice TX200HC, that you seem to be pleased with, so that's what matters!  I'd like to shoot one of those someday too and experience one first-hand to see if they are as nice as most people say. 

And I agree, it would be great if Weihrauch would come out with some type of new springer, utilizing the newest technology.  I really think they have the capability of doing that, but I'm just not sure if its something economically feasible for them to produce.  We can all hope they do though!

[harry palmer]

I've had the chance to shoot a regular stocked HW97k .20 cal. before and I found its only fault to be some twang and buzz.  I've noticed it in other HW guns I've shot too.  I shot it when it was fairly new, so don't know if its still like that.  Regardless, it was an extremely nice rifle for sure.  Sorry yours with the synthetic stock didn't work out for you. 

But, you did get yourself a nice TX200HC, that you seem to be pleased with, so that's what matters!  I'd like to shoot one of those someday too and experience one first-hand to see if they are as nice as most people say. 

And I agree, it would be great if Weihrauch would come out with some type of new springer, utilizing the newest technology.  I really think they have the capability of doing that, but I'm just not sure if its something economically feasible for them to produce.  We can all hope they do though!

As far as Weihrauch go ,I think they makre the best break-barrel springers you can buy ,the little HW30s/R7 and it`s bigger kin are superb and I have a 25 year old HW80 0.22 which ha been tuned by V-Mach (the successors to Vemon tuning) and shoots if anything smoother than my TX200.It`s the under-lever "flag-ship" models that need a re-vamp.They lok great and handle well,but need to be smoother shooters "out of the box" to compete with the TX/Prosport family.

Shoot safe

Kenny.