Older vs Newer HW 80's

[Be Ready]

Ok ... I pulled the trigger on a HW80 yesterday. It popped up on CL. Previous owner said the gun was only a few years old but when I drove over an hour to see it. This gun looked older. It had some character marks on the stock and barrel. Bottom line it was not as he advertisiesed.  It shot great with no issues there. So I bought it. I didn't drive that far to come home empty handed. After a good cleaning the gun is a keeper. Still concerned about the age , I ran the serial numbers and it came back born in 1980-81. That make a lot more sense so the gun is really not in bad shape for its age. So my question is.... Do the older Hw80's have an advantage over the newer models or vise versa ? I'm pleased with the gun but I can't help to want to call this guy back and give him a peace of my mind about his repentation of the gun. What would you all do in this situation?? Thanks for the input!

       Brent,

[EMrider]

I'd just let it go since the option of walking away and not buying the gun was available. 

http://www.beemans.net/odyssey_of_the_beeman_r1.htm

Congrats and enjoy the new to you gun. 

The cocking shoe may have been updated in newer models, but the design of these has been very consistent for decades.  They are easy to service and new parts are still readily available from ARH and specialty shooting sports.

At some point a tune kit from vortek or ARH may be helpful. Very easy to install.

Good luck

Rob

[grobe1458]

if the price was right and the gun is in good mechanical condition I don't see any reason not to buy it, there's a lot to be said for some older model guns compared to their new renditions. I wouldn't trade any of my older springers for their new counterparts.

[JimL911]

According to JM he believes newer versions of the current models are more consistently made and therefore better than ones from 30 years ago.

[MikieG]

Is this an HW80 or a Beeman R1?
If it is a Beeman, there are marks than can be used to date the "era" the gun was made.
What was the serial number range?

[Be Ready]

Is this an HW80 or a Beeman R1?
If it is a Beeman, there are marks than can be used to date the "era" the gun was made.
What was the serial number range?

It is a HW80 for sure.... I ran the serial numbers. Mtg. 1980-81is what the website said.

[MikieG]

I think 81 is the first year.

[Duckfish]

I think the older ones were better made.

Billy Kizy says they have "good tubes" what ever that means.

Duck

[DOKF]

From the posts on most legacy guns, it seems the older guns had better care in workmanship.

Since you bought it, let us know how it shoots; accuracy and chrony numbers.  Also let us know if you open it up for a full inspection.

Just curious ...

[gard72977]

We need pics or it didn't happen

[MikieG]

I have 1983 guns. Although, rule of thumb says that older things are usually crafted better, one must also observe that there have been vast advances in metal and machining technology in the last 30 years.

[DOKF]

I have 1983 guns. Although, rule of thumb says that older things are usually crafted better, one must also observe that there have been vast advances in metal and machining technology in the last 30 years.

Unfortunately, technology advances often allow the manufacturer to cut corners on legacy designs.  New designs utilizing the new technologies tend to be improvements, but new technology doesn't always mean a better final product to the end user. 

IMHO

[MikieG]

If it were not better, then why spend the money to do it?
Today, factory rifles are doing things only customs did just 10 or 15 years ago.
Technology has only helped guns. But it comes at a price. So to keep it affordable, they skimp on things like finish.