HW/Weihrauch Just restored HW50

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FWB127

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Mar 29, 2021
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balwyn, Australia
Just finished restoring this 1970 HW50 ! Boy struggled to find a decent mainspring so ordered a Maccari for it ! No powerhouse but lovely gun

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Nice job, it looks great!

The current "HW 50" (nee HW 99) is quite different internally and makes more power, but those old 50's are a personal favorite. Kinda what an HW 30 wants to be when it grows up - a little more power, a bit more size and weight which is better balanced for many adult shooters, and the only HW sporter to combine their smaller receiver tube with the nifty solid threaded-on rear section. I have one with a stock like yours; plain lines and details, but ergonomic perfection for me.
 
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MDriskill said:
Nice job, it looks great!

The current "HW 50" (nee HW 99) is quite different internally and makes more power, but those old 50's are a personal favorite. Kinda what an HW 30 wants to be when it grows up - a little more power and better balanced for many adult shooters, and the only HW sporter to combine their smaller receiver tube with the nifty solid threaded-on rear section. I have one with a stock like yours; plain lines and details, but ergonomic perfection for me.
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Really struggled finding a spring Everything I tried necessitated machining the rear guide which I didn't want to do . The the cocking lever would rattle over the spring when returning the barrel to closed! So I sleeved the piston and fitted a Norica 73 ! Feels average so hoping the Maccari kit will solve all my problems Fingers crossed
 
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If I wasn't clear above...we're talking about TWO DIFFERENT GUNS. The current "HW 50," introduced in 1999, was originally called the HW 99. It has a bigger piston (26mm vs. 25mm), a longer stroke, and a shorter transfer port whose diameter is optimized for its plastic piston seal.

But the Maccari spring is great in the old ones, and increases power a little. I have an early-70's HW 50S exactly like yours, with a Maccari kit and the original leather piston seal. 15-shot strings averaged 660 FPS with Superdomes, 667 FPS with RWS Meister Pistol, and 715 FPS with Hobbys, all right around 8 FPE. The latter two had speed deviations of about 12 FPS, and standard deviations under 1%, which is outstanding.

It's interesting to place the old HW 50 action next to an HW 35 of similar age. The receiver tubes (and piston stroke) are the SAME length, but the HW 35's tube and piston are 5mm bigger in diameter. It's very difficult to get 12 FPE out of a 35, and impossible out of the smaller 50.

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MDriskill said:
If I wasn't clear above...we're talking about TWO DIFFERENT GUNS. The current "HW 50," introduced in 1999, was originally called the HW 99. It has a bigger piston (26mm vs. 25mm); a longer stroke; and a shorter, smaller transfer port than the old HW 50; plus it uses a plastic piston seal.

The Maccari spring is great in the old ones and increases power a little. I have an early-70's HW 50S exactly like yours, with a Maccari kit and the original leather piston seal. 15-shot strings averaged 660 FPS with Superdomes, 667 FPS with RWS Meister Pistol, and 715 FPS with Hobbys, all right around 8 FPE. The latter two had speed deviations of about 12 FPS, and standard deviations under 1%, which is outstanding.

It's interesting to place the old HW 50 action next to an HW 35 of similar age. The receiver tubes (and piston stroke) are the SAME length, but the HW 35's tube and piston are 5mm bigger in diameter. It's very difficult to get 12 FPE out of a 35, and impossible out of the smaller 50.

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Thanks M. Cool observation and useful information. I bet the 50 is much nicer to shoot.
Be well
Ron
 
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MDriskill said:
If I wasn't clear above...we're talking about TWO DIFFERENT GUNS. The current "HW 50," introduced in 1999, was originally called the HW 99. It has a bigger piston (26mm vs. 25mm); a longer stroke; and a shorter, smaller transfer port than the old HW 50; plus it uses a plastic piston seal.

The Maccari spring is great in the old ones and increases power a little. I have an early-70's HW 50S exactly like yours, with a Maccari kit and the original leather piston seal. 15-shot strings averaged 660 FPS with Superdomes, 667 FPS with RWS Meister Pistol, and 715 FPS with Hobbys, all right around 8 FPE. The latter two had speed deviations of about 12 FPS, and standard deviations under 1%, which is outstanding.

It's interesting to place the old HW 50 action next to an HW 35 of similar age. The receiver tubes (and piston stroke) are the SAME length, but the HW 35's tube and piston are 5mm bigger in diameter. It's very difficult to get 12 FPE out of a 35, and impossible out of the smaller 50.

View attachment 504994
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Thought as much ! Thanks for reaffirmation!
 
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A recent discussion on a UK forum discussed that change, which was frequently done with the Venom company's tune of the old HW 50 (and HW 55 target rifle). They apparently got 10 FPE or more, with the original spring! The work needed would be waaaay beyond my pay grade, but is certainly interesting.

Scroll down to posts 27 and 28 in this long thread. Post 34 has a link to an even longer related chat.

Weihrauch HW55 Wanted - Page 2

No longer looking for a HW55 as had a change of direction.
www.airgunbbs.com
 
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Nice work, I didnt know they had the threaded end cap. I guess that explains the HW50s. I have a 1968 HW35 which I bought in the summer. It has the original leather seal and spring and has been well maintained. Velocity is a little lower than what it should be but am getting 680fps with RWS 177 super domes. I took the stock off and it is lubed and doesn’t smoke just has that leather smell when shot. I do plan to tear it down and rebuild it some day but am very happy with it as is. No twang with a very smooth shot cycle. Enjoy your old rifle!
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