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47

GUN TEST | AIRGUN

machining, fi t and fi nish are still pretty
damned impressive. All the metalwork on my
test gun was well polished and chemically
blued to a high standard; only spoilt, and I’ll
continue to mention it, by that piece of
corporate vandalism on the left rear side of
the cylinder. Safety instructions actually
stamped into the metalwork still bugs me on
such a quality adult tool! OK; I’ll leave it there,
but you know what I mean?

SIGHTS INCLUDED...
OH AND THAT TRIGGER
Anyone purchasing this model and not fi tting
a scope to it should of course have their head
examined - yet the chance to play with
traditional open sights is always welcome;
especially when they are of such fi ne quality.
All-metal construction is a good start, as are
fully adjustable fi nger wheels on the rear
sight- but an adjustable notch plate, giving
four options, is a really nice touch. One
additional point to note is that the rear sight
can be unscrewed and re-positioned anywhere
along the dovetail rails, meaning a super long
sightline is afforded if desired.
Trigger wise, Weihrauch’s Rekord unit gets
taken for granted these days, but as the
industry benchmark for a sporting trigger for
so long, it still takes pride of place. Consider

that many low-end springers have trigger

mechanisms comprising of two sears and the

blade, against the Rekord unit’s cassette

containing around 18 separate components,

and it comes as no surprise that it led the

way for so long. It still does the business too,

but many others have caught up.

GOOD AS IT LOOKS?

9.2lbs is indeed signifi cant, so the serious

adult label applies here. If the weight is no

stumbling block however, then let’s proceed to

the business end of the test.

Weihrauch’s ambidextrous stock still

manages a pronounced cheek piece, and

comfortable grip, and this model certainly

handles well. To cock the action, the dummy

barrel end that acts as a button, is pressed at

the muzzle, and the lever is released. Cocking

effort is always a consideration, and having

owned four different versions of the HW77

over the years, for the record, all mine were

always ordered in full length barrel spec.,

where the sheer extra leverage would assure

a mechanical advantage to prime the action.

Given the short under-lever on offer here,

with this Special Edition model, I was

therefore pleasantly surprised to fi nd a very

easy and smooth cocking stroke. Chambering

a pellet is easy too, with the fully relieved

breech mouth, allowing easier access than

those earlier models, along with a machined

taper into the breech. Whilst this does eliminate

much of the ‘feel’ of the pellet entering the

rifl ing, it does allow for ammo to be easily

pushed fully fl ush to avoid deformation.

I’ll normally run a 10-shot string over the

chronograph, with a few brands of pellet, and

widen this if anomalies occur. I would hazard a

guess that Weihrauch set this model up using

JSB’s however, since my Air Arms Diabolo Fields

posted near textbook fi gures. An average

velocity of 787fps with a 12fps total spread,

and energy of 11.6ftlbs, is just what the doctor

ordered.

Shooting from my much favoured over-the-

arm, FT sitting position, and using a padded

arm, some simply astonishing groups soon

began forming, over my 30 yard test range. In

fact, it was soon clear that, if I did my bit, this

gun would clearly do the rest, with sub-1/4”

groups perfectly possible. Quite superb in fact,

despite a fairly noisy and twangy action, and a

trigger unadjusted, and still left at the factory

setting.

SAFE BET

The HW77 continues to impress, and this

Special Edition model is perhaps a fi tting

celebration of this all-time classic air rifl e.

Blistering accuracy, and great handling are a

given, so if you are in the market for a snazzy

looking, top class adult sporter; equally at

home in the fi eld or the national FT circuit, then

this just has to be on the short list.

Direct feed to the breech....just how it should be! She’s a looker no doubt and a shooter too!

The cheek piece and comb

are pleasantly angular

and well defined, note

that lovely Green Mount in

Camo laminate stock

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

■ Name: Weihrauch HW77 Special Edition

■ Type Spring-powered under-lever

■ Calibre .177 on test/.22 available

■ Weight 9.2lbs

■ Length 40”

■ Barrel 14.5”

■ Stock Green and brown laminate sporter

■ Velocity 10-shot strings Air Arms Diabolo Field

High 792 fps

Low 780 fps

Ave 787 fps

Spread 12 fps

■ Energy 11.6ft/lbs

■ Trigger: 2-stage adj. (Rekord unit)

■ Price £427

■ Contact: Hull Cartridge Company,

01482 342571