Should all Weihreichs be tuned? Thinking about an HW30S or HW50S

[Broadus]

You may have seen my thread in the Air Gun Gate asking to be talked out of ordering a Weihrauch HW30S. I should have known better than ask a bunch of enablers. 

At any rate, through that discussion and more research it seems that it is widely held that most mass produced air rifles need, or at least can use, a good tuning in order to avoid any manufacturing issues and enhance the guns' smoothness and longevity. At least that is how I read it.

So that brings me to the HW30S and HW50S. I think the 30 will satisfy what I'm after: an accurate plinker and occasional squirrel gun on a 3/4 acre lot in our subdivision, one that my wife can also use if she likes. I know the 50 will have more power and remove any question about enough power for the squirrel kill.

However, the 30 puts me at the top of what I can justify paying for an air rifle for my needs/desires, and I may can squeeze the 50. However, getting a professional tuning would put them out of the question.

If a tuning is necessary, I would probably talk with Mike Melick about a full tune of an Xisico XS25, perhaps even detuning the power a bit. I would even perhaps talk with Shootist about the RWS 34P he has for sale in the classifieds, but I'd rather not have a synthetic stock.

So what about tuning the 30S and 50S? I remember some saying that a tuning of their 50S made all the difference in that gun.

Oh . . . and what about the galling issues with the 30S. I've read that Weihrauch has incorporated a fix in the newest 50S's, but I cannot find out anything about the 30S.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[Hangtown-Shooter]

Even the most expensive springers can benefit from a tune. That said, it isn't always "necessary"...

For example: I have 2 HW97k's. The first one I purchased in .177 and out of the box it shoots well with no noticeable spring twang or excessive vibration. Unfortunately I wasn't so lucky with the new .22 HW97K. It makes a substantial (irritating) spring twang and produces some felt vibration as well... This one won't be getting shot anymore until I get it tuned (it's going to Motorhead!)

[joek]

Both of my HW30s are as smooth as my Walther LGV .22 so imo don't need tunes out of the box. As far as galling my last one took about a tin of pellets to wear in.  Are you going with the standard or deluxe ?

[Broadus]

Both of my HW30s are as smooth as my Walther LGV .22 so imo don't need tunes out of the box. As far as galling my last one took about a tin of pellets to wear in.  Are you going with the standard or deluxe ?

I'm thinking about standard. The only difference is cosmetic, right? Admittedly, the deluxe is a pretty nice cosmetic upgrade.

[joek]

It's subjective but the deluxe feels and handles better for me, and it's nice to have checkering for a better grip.

[bReTt]

Needed?  NO.  Would the rifle benefit from some simple (DIY) clean up and lube?  You bet!  I wouldn't worry about a "tune" for your 30 right away.  Shoot it and enjoy it.  If an issue arises OR you get the tinker bug, then you can open it up and "tune" it.  Usually just a simple clean up, deburr, relube will make a positive difference in how the rifle feels while using it but but it shouldn't be needed, just desired and not necessary. 

[k-man]

Really for the price we pay for these weihrauchs they should shoot smooth out of the box. My 2 didn't. Had them both tuned now life is good. I feel sorry for the guys who spend almost a grand on that new fwb and then those need a tune . For that price that gun should come with a new widescreen tv or i- pad......somethng

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

I want to see how the unit works, and I live by the if it ain't broke don't fix it program. You can always get it tuned if needed. Through my stupidity I had a spring break in my 30 and installed a JM tune up kit.

My 50 purchased earlier is shooting great and it's untouched.

[chuckinohio]

  Buy it and shoot it, don't worry about tuning.

  The rifle will probably get slicker the more that you shoot it, most do.

  You'll be perfectly happy with your rifle assuming that it will group reasonably.

[grauhanen]

Some guys seem almost infatuated with "tunes," whatever they may be, so much so that they have them shipped directly to an airgunsmith without having fired or even laid eyes on them.  A tune can make a springer better.  Should it be de rigueur?  No.  You should shoot the air rifle at least until it has had a good chance to break in.  Both the HW30S and the 50S are fairly light shooting rifles.  I would give either of them a long chance to show me how well they work as they come from the factory before I thought about tuning.  I have had a number of HW's that performed admirably right out of the box.

[hawk45]

A tune can be for two reasons.
1. It's needed
2. It's wanted

I agree that you should spend some time shooting it with a tin or two of pellets.  And get through your 30 day return phase.  Once done with those, if you feel like it's way to loud, or torquey or twangy, and if you have the $$ to fund a tune, go for it.  In the end, it may not need anything. 

If you feel it needs a tune, you just want to tinker or you require the utmost out of your rig, then you have the option to do it yourself with one of the available drop in kits (another topic) or send it out to one of the pros here and get the works.  Obviously one is more affordable than the other, but it's going to depend on your level of comfort working on your rifle.

This isn't a question just about Wehreichs, but all airguns.  Each is individual in it's build quality.  Sometimes you get a Tuesday gun, sometimes you get a Friday gun.

[wimpanzee]

I recently had to replace the spring in a 4month old R9. I was happy with how the gun shot from the factory - a little buzzy twang, but it was accurate! However, after putting the pg2 kit in, it is far, far better. A little less hold sensitive, maybe, but the smoothness of the shot cycle is incomparable. If I had known how much better it could be - how much more enjoyable to shoot - I would have done a PG2 kit off the bat.

[shootist]

ALL guns, air or powder benefit from a tune. Some issues you can feel or hear, some you can't. ALL guns that have stamped metal parts benefit the most. I've tuned many brand new guns and it's surprising the issues I have found. The one that gets me the most is cut piston seals. At the factory I don't know if they are on piece work or what, but it seems they just ram the piston into the compression tube, cutting, scraping, or chaffing the piston seal on the way without de-burring anything first. Also they are quite dry of any lube. You may find a little, but in dire need of more. I've tuned a number of R9's which each customer has said they didn't think I could do much because they were so nice to begin with. When they got them back they were in shock with the difference the tune made. Much smoother, quieter, easier cocking cycle and just a much nicer gun to shoot. With that said, you can imagine the difference it makes to a Gamo. Did a Gamo Hornet last fall. The owner said the last time I talked with him he was shooting a ragged one hole at 43 yards. Don't know as I would want to shoot against him at a rifle range!!! That's some awesome shooting!!! Next he was going to his Dad's farm to stretch it out some more!! Even just a lube tune helps, but a total tune is best. ARH has some wonderful piston seals and springs that really enhance the gun's performance. Doesn't make the gun shoot faster and most of the time a bit slower but usually a lot more accurate. Usually once someone has shot a tuned gun, they have a totally different opinion of a tune. Happy shooting and ALWAYS remember and practice the 10 commandments of shooting - Lee

[ptpalpha]

Great post, Lee.  Touched all points, and summed them up nicely.
-Paul

[Yak54]

Bill

Back to your original question,  I think if you took a poll, you would find fewer people found a tune necessary for their 30S than did for the 50S.  That has been my experience personally and I own both. Just sayin. 

[Broadus]

Bill

Back to your original question,  I think if you took a poll, you would find fewer people found a tune necessary for their 30S than did for the 50S.  That has been my experience personally and I own both. Just sayin. 

Thanks, Dan. That's what my search of posts seems to indicate.

Plus, being new to springers, I suspect the smart thing is to get the 30S first, learn to shoot it well, and then move up if I want something with more power. I don't know how hold sensitive a 50S is, but it seems a 30S has to be less so. And I know my wife could handle it well, though I would be surprised (though pleasantly so) if she cared that much about it.

Then again, the 50S seems like a great all-round air gun.

[Jtlittle]

They both will shoot in with a couple of thousand pellets. No rifle must be tuned it's all in what you want. If you love a rifle and plan on passing it down and keeping it forever then you may consider a full tune. Tossing in a kit and lube is not a full tune. A full tune is so much more so no is my answer. This comes from a guy that has a few tuned springers.😜

[Oldgringo]

The difference between my original un-tuned HW50S and Diana 34 and my Shootist tuned HW50S and Diana 234 was/is the difference between day and night in all regards.   

That's all I have to say about that.

[EMrider]

This is easy.

Pay up for HW quality and get the hw30 or hw50.

Shoot away with confidence that the factory spec gun will perform just fine.

Save a bit and invest in either a tune kit or pro tune later if you prefer.

Good luck choosing.

R

[Brazos]

Just buy the HW30S and a boatload of JSB RS 7.33 grain pellets and never look back.  HWs don't need a tune.  The 30 will shoot great from day one.  Other HW's just need to be shot 1500+ times and they are as good as they get.  No fear, no tunes, just buy the 30 and enjoy.