Other Death of the springer

The loss of velocity problem with factory HW springs is something that I have read about here before. A few years ago, there were also a lot of reports about this happening with Vortek kits. Those anecdotes are less frequent today, but for a while many reported this problem. My hw97k and one R7 both lost about 2fpe and 1fpe respectively within a thousand shots after installing a new Vortek kit (with seal). Some speculated that this was the result of both HW and Vortek seeking to maximize power in their choice of spring diameter and length. The overly stressing springs start strong, but sag a bit or even break after a thousand shots or so. ARH spring design seems to optimize shot cycle quality over power, and in my experience they have had far better longevity. Still requires that you spend $$$ to mod a basically new gun. But when I calculate cost per hour of enjoyment, even expensive spring guns are far ahead of other options. ☝️
R
You really " calculate cost per hour of enjoyment, " ? Really ?
 
I am starting an airgun club in Iowa and I am starting from scratch. I have to get people interested in airguns then maybe some will graduate to competition. But getting people who are not interested to think about it. The PCP compressor doubles the price for someone thinking OK 500 bucks for a gun and scope and go shoot some targets. Suddenly is a lot more. So a springer is more approachable for a totally new shooter. And they shoot a 500 rig for a while they learn to appreciate better stuff. I shot Field target with a Browning leverage under lever and a UTG scope. Did just fine.
 
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I am starting an airgun club in Iowa and I am starting from scratch. I have to get people interested in airguns then maybe some will graduate to competition. But getting people who are not interested to think about it. The PCP compressor doubles the price for someone thinking OK 500 bucks for a gun and scope and go shoot some targets. Suddenly is a lot more. So a springer is more approachable for a totally new shooter. And they shoot a 500 rig for a while they learn to appreciate better stuff. I shot Field target with a Browning leverage under lever and a UTG scope. Did just fine.
A compressor and tanks might run $500 or more, but these days there are decent hand pumps available for $50 on Amazon. Another option would be to get a good compressor for the club and then fill members tanks for free.
 
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I agree with you because I am experienced with all of this. But a beginner is put off by the added complexity of a PCP.

Personally I bought a Hill pump for 200 dollars. The compressor is 500 dollars.

I made the big leap to PCP from a springer with a Silhouette pistol and the pump was great.

With my HFT-500 pumping it was a chore and I had to do it in 100 pump seasons so I did not burn up the pump.

And I had to wait to get my heart rate down. But that was OK just pump up the gun and come back. Or pump it back up ever ten -twenty shots. But then the gun broke and I needed to fill it from empty a couple times for the repair. First I cooked the O ring in the pump . That’s was only 10 bucks to fix. But then I got the compressor.

I am just thinking how frustrating it can be when you have to keep buying stuff. I like it but newbies might not
 
I agree with you because I am experienced with all of this. But a beginner is put off by the added complexity of a PCP.

Personally I bought a Hill pump for 200 dollars. The compressor is 500 dollars.

I made the big leap to PCP from a springer with a Silhouette pistol and the pump was great.

With my HFT-500 pumping it was a chore and I had to do it in 100 pump seasons so I did not burn up the pump.

And I had to wait to get my heart rate down. But that was OK just pump up the gun and come back. Or pump it back up ever ten -twenty shots. But then the gun broke and I needed to fill it from empty a couple times for the repair. First I cooked the O ring in the pump . That’s was only 10 bucks to fix. But then I got the compressor.

I am just thinking how frustrating it can be when you have to keep buying stuff. I like it but newbies might not
And newbies might have extended their $$ to the limit just to buy the gun and pump in the first place . This is what i do not like about telling newbies "buy once / cry once " . they max out their money and then maybe have to wait just to buy another item just to keep the new gun working or aired up .

Stan in KY.
 
I really really like springers. I started with a Browning leveraged and now have a tuned TX200. The leverage has always held great groups and shoots just fine and cost under 200 dollars .i added a 150 dollar scope and that gun will do well once you learn the gun. And for a beginner that is important. Get a 2000 pcp and you get spoiled real quick .
 
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Circling back to the OP: if the fit-and-finish quality of new springers is an issue for you...well...just buy old ones!

There are tons of interesting used guns out there, many in great condition and with parts readily available. WIth a minimum of research and the most basic mechanical skills there is absolutely no reason to fear buying a gun that's not new. I've owned north of 200 guns the last 40 years, and I can count the new ones on my fingers.

This Walther LGV target rifle from the 1960's is one of my favorite finds. It looks about as good as the day it left the factory...
IMG_1787.jpeg


IMG_1803.jpeg


...and with new springs and piston seal is capable of this:
IMG_0143.jpeg
 
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Circling back to the OP: if the fit-and-finish quality of new springers is an issue for you...well...buy old ones!

There are tons of interesting used guns out there, many in great condition and with parts readily available. WIth a minimum of research and the most basic mechanical skills there is absolutely no reason to fear buying a gun that's not new. I've owned north of 200 guns the last 40 years, and I can count the new ones on my fingers.

This Walther LGV target rifle from the 1960's looks about as good as the day it left the factory...
View attachment 518975

View attachment 518976

...and with new springs and piston seal is capable of this:
View attachment 518974
A new HW97K at 75 yards!

20241127_172236.jpg
 
I had a thought. Given that every big box store with a sporting goods department sells springers/gas piston rifles, I would bet that the vast majority of air guns sold in 2024 are still springers and not pcps. I would bet you’d see something like 90% of air rifles sold with only 10% pcp. Just given the plug and play nature of a springer they will always have a healthy place in the airgun world.
 
according to a .177 pellet held up on the screen this is possible a 4x enlargement . 😎😎😎
Ok I'm not sure about that, but here is actual size. One inch squares with a 1.25 inch group C to C @75y. The bullseye is 1/2 inch.
The point though is that this accuracy represents Weihrauch's current product. 👍


20241127_172236.jpg
 
Ok I'm not sure about that, but here is actual size. One inch squares with a 1.25 inch group C to C @75y. The bullseye is 1/2 inch.
The point though is that this accuracy represents Weihrauch's current product. 👍


yesView attachment 519019
yes i know just teasing , but that is the size on my screen as it fills most of my monitor .
 
I forget some folks looking at monitors and others on phones.
The monitor on my p/c is 55 inches. Lol
55 inches , nice ! did you see the post where a guy bought a CHEAP Amazon baby monitor camera ($23 ) to see his POI
@ 50 yards +