46 SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
AIRGUN | GUN TEST
Mark Camoccio shoots an old favourite under-lever with some impressive upgrades
W
hen it reached the HW77,
Weihrauch’s literature used to
state: ‘The one that started it all’;
and these profound words sum it up nicely.
For this rifl e was indeed a historic ‘game-
changer’. At a time when Field Target
Shooting (FT) was still in its relative infancy, I
and others like me were competing week in,
week out, with highly tuned, break-barrel
spring guns. These models, such as the FWB
Sport, and Anschutz 335, were highly
effective, but over time and with heavy
usage, the breech jaws at the heart of the
break barrel system, could wear. Small
changes in zero, and other curious
anomalies would set the mind racing down
the path of ‘cause and effect’.
So when Weihrauch’s HW77 fi nally hit the
market, (around 1985 if my memory serves
me correct), us rabid FT types lapped it up.
Successful shooting is all about peace of
mind and confi dence in one’s equipment and
whilst today’s ever more sophisticated
manufacturing techniques have improved the
situation - certainly at the top end of the
market, there’s nothing better than fi xed-barrel
accuracy to put a smug grin on the face.
SPECIAL EDITION
On test here is the Special Edition model of
the HW77 and it really is quite a stunner. OK;
those radical looks may just be a step too far
for many a traditionalist, but for discerning
airgun shooters, that appreciate fi ne
engineering, and slickly fi nished woodwork,
this laminate stocked version just can’t be
ignored.
Based on the carbine action of this
famous German thoroughbred, the multi-
colour laminate sporter stock inevitably grabs
the attention. The green, grey and brown
pattern is called Green Mountain Camo and is
one of the most popular designs in both air
rifl es and fi rearms for this sort of furniture!
For those who do fi nd the distinctive looks
appealing, the superior properties of laminate
when compared to conventional timber are a
major asset.
The stock blank is fi rst formed from
several layers of pre-stained or coloured
wood, then bonded together with glue at
extremely high pressures. The resultant blank
made in this way is far stronger and
importantly more stable than conventional
wood and is far less affected by temperature
changes and humidity. As the stock shape is
cut out the individual layers reveal different
colours, shapes and variations as they are
exposed. It would be right in saying that and
though similar each multi-coloured laminate
stock is uniquely visually different! Sealed
with a thick, water-repelling varnish, the end
result is not only stunning, but tough and
strong!All the benefi ts of an artifi cial compound
stock, yet still fashioned from wood. One
possible downside though, depending upon
your physical state, is the overall weight, since
laminate is also extremely dense. That said,
physics dictates that recoil generated from a
spring powered airgun, is more effectively
absorbed by sheer mass - in other words, the
heavier the gun, the less felt recoil.CLASSIC SPECIFICATION
As previously mentioned, this model is based
on the carbine action, and that means a
relatively short 14.5” barrel. The under-lever
confi guration gives the HW77 a defi nite and
distinctive look, yet with the classic sliding
breech, Rekord trigger, and Weihrauch
features throughout, the profi le and features
are reassuringly familiar!
The standard model has now been treated
to a stock revision, and with the wavy profi le
now cheekily similar to that of Air Arms’
TX200, the circle of imitation is perhaps
complete. Yes it is the best form of fl attery,
and the original HW77 blueprint had many a
manufacturer double taking and rushing to
the drawing board!
For the sheer no-nonsense robustness of
the mechanics is what keeps this rifl e at the
top of modern spring gun design. Build quality
is typical Weihrauch and despite a few lapses
with shallower chequering for example,The HW77 is no lightweight,
especially in its laminate
furniture, so weight might be
something worth considering