HW/Weihrauch HW35 TLC

[sjs]

I keep reading folks saying they use the barrel latch not only for opening but also for closing the barrel.

Is This ?:
1. Necessary
2. May help some with long term wear
3. Just to be safe
4. Overabundance of caution
5. Other

 

[Motorhead]

Open .. YES
Close ... NO

There is no need to slap the action closed, just a firm bump upon closing is all that is required

 

[MDriskill]

Over time - a LOT of time, on a poorly-maintained example, lol - the face of the latch can wear a groove in the standing breech face. But keep it properly lubed (I use moly grease) and this will not be a problem.

The main advantage of thumbing the latch when closing is quietness - it eliminates the audible "pop" that happens when you let it spring shut (same for the typical auto detent on other barrel-cockers). This can be useful to keep from spooking critters when hunting, but if that's not an issue for you then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Motorhead]

Over time - a LOT of time, lol - the face of the latch CAN wear a groove in the standing breech face. But keep it properly lubed (I use moly grease) and this will not be a problem.

The main advantage of operating the latch when closing is quietness - it elimnates the "pop" that happens when closing a typical auto detent. Hunters tell me they often find this useful.

While true ...
If your keeping iron sights the use of latch upon closing works fine if wanting quietness .... BUT, if equipped with optics you need to have the breech locking up exactly the same every time & that can only happen when allowing the breech lock to auto set the same every cocking cycle .. IMO

Indeed a daub of moly on the skid path the lock tab takes along side of breech face

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

Over time - a LOT of time, lol - the face of the latch CAN wear a groove in the standing breech face. But keep it properly lubed (I use moly grease) and this will not be a problem.

The main advantage of operating the latch when closing is quietness - it elimnates the "pop" that happens when closing a typical auto detent. Hunters tell me they often find this useful.

Yes all true.
Also if you get in the habit of using the latch on opening and closing, it helps build the memory for the operation of this rifle. It’s to easy when owning other barrel cockers to just pound the end of the barrel to unlatch for initial break. Then on the occasion when using the 35, it’s easy to forget and pound the end of it also. This could damage the latch/groove if pounded hard enough. Doing both opening and closing using the latch helps one to remember you’re riding a different horse.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

No expert on that but ive read whrre the latch strikes and latches a cut or grove can wear in .. keep it lubed with good moly check latck striking face or polish and sharp or roughness to slow that down . It's not going to get that way soon but over time somthings got to give and that latch is easyer to replace but where it strikes the compression tube not so.

You can find posts around on this issue..

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/weihrauchowners/hw35-barrel-locking-catch-t23049.html

That just as periodic maintenance inspect goes a long way to help prevent.

HW35 Breech Wear

I have just finished rebuilding and cleaning up my 30 odd year old HW35 and have noticed significant wear to the breech face from the barrel lock. is this normal? what is the best way to stop it from getting worse? I doesn't as yet seem to be effecting performance. Many thanks

www.airgunbbs.com

 

[Mycapt65]

Yes all true.
Also if you get in the habit of using the latch on opening and closing, it helps build the memory for the operation of this rifle. It’s to easy when owning other barrel cockers to just pound the end of the barrel to unlatch for initial break. Then on the occasion when using the 35, it’s easy to forget and pound the end of it also. This could damage the latch/groove if pounded hard enough. Doing both opening and closing using the latch helps one to remember you’re riding a different horse.

Lol. Sounds like when I slap the end of my 97. I almost never shoot it, so muscle memory catches me trying the pop the barrel open occasionally. DUH!

 

[willy]

Iv been shooting this old beater for years and never had anything like that happen?

 

[two4spooky]

Iv been shooting this old beater for years and never had anything like that happen?

View attachment 383343

View attachment 383344

Nice looking well loved example. Since it looks to have been enjoyed and likely had a few pellets down the tube could you get a pic of the wear area being discussed? The front of the compression tube by the transfer port where the latch rubs between locked and fully open. I have not seen anyone post a pic of actual wear or lack of.

 

[MDriskill]

OK, I can't say how much these old warriors were shot before I owned 'em - probably not much - but here ya go. The mark of the latch is visible, but what you see is not so much wear in the metal, as just a "path" through the moly grease, lol. It hasn't even penetrated the blueing.

Also note - the latch is located so that even if you did wear a groove, it's well clear of where the breech seal touches, so should not affect performance.

I guess if you were really worried about it, you could polish the face of the latch...round its tip a little bit...or, yes - just get in the habit of thumbing the latch whilst closing the breech. But I'm thinking proper maintenance and lubing render it pretty much a non-issue.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

OK, I can't say how much these old warriors were shot before I owned 'em, but here ya go. The path of the latch is visible, but what you see is not so much wear in the metal, as just a "path" through the moly grease, lol. It hasn't even penetrated the blueing.

View attachment 383471

View attachment 383472

Also note - the latch is located so that even if you did wear a groove, it's well clear of the breech seal, so should not affect performance.

I guess if you were really worried about it, you could polish the face of the latch...round its tip a little bit...or, yes - just get in the habit of thumbing the latch whilst closing the breech. But I'm thinking proper maintenance and lubing render it pretty much a non-issue.

View attachment 383473

Seems at the bottom of that path where the latch locks some claim a indentation occures .. idk just from what i read ..

Seems a guy here a month ago showed that on his ( i think maintenance neglect helped)

But I'm all for the polish and sharp or burrs on that latch then insure that latch slide and spring assembly stays clean and lubed to easy work back and forth its full travel / least resistance to lactch or open without excessive drag on the receiver part .

Pretty much keep that a clean well oiled and should last a lifetime kinda thing.

 

[cjtamu]

Little moly goes a long way. Mine was dry when I got it and a little stiff. Rubbed in a little moly, smooth like butter.

 

[two4spooky]

OK, I can't say how much these old warriors were shot before I owned 'em, but here ya go. The path of the latch is visible, but what you see is not so much wear in the metal, as just a "path" through the moly grease, lol. It hasn't even penetrated the blueing.

View attachment 383471

View attachment 383472

Also note - the latch is located so that even if you did wear a groove, it's well clear of the breech seal, so should not affect performance.

I guess if you were really worried about it, you could polish the face of the latch...round its tip a little bit...or, yes - just get in the habit of thumbing the latch whilst closing the breech. But I'm thinking proper maintenance and lubing render it pretty much a non-issue.

View attachment 383473

Great pics MDriskill and thank you for sharing. If the "wear path" occurs outside the area the breech seal makes contact I have no concern. That and the fact your examples are not even through the blueing with correct maintenance. I have a HW35e stainless look on pre-order with AoA and have read of/been curious about this issue.