The machining is better in the new ones in most areas.
The triggers now have redesigned and machined sears that have better tolerances and better finish.
The tight spot in the barrel is less on the newer ones with the threaded nut at the lead in. The lead in chamfer is done cleaner as well.
The sides of the barrel breech blocks are machined square and much more even than the older ones which were done by hand. Look at the wear patterns under the breech shims on old vs new to see this.
The inside of the receiver forks are machined smoother.
I've noticed less barrel droop on the new ones as well.
The models with double jointed cocking linkage also have a revised linkage to prevent galling.
There is a bolt on receiver detent wedge that also houses the threads for the front stock screws. This allows the piece to be replaced when the threads get messed up, vs having to weld and redrill and tap with the earlier ones with the welded tabs. It also has a spring to prevent the cocking arm from rattling.
So there is more to the new ones than one might notice right on the surface. And much more than guides and cocking shoe.
But all that said, the guns from the 80s still have a certain charm to them and I prefer them.
But then again I've had some real turds from that era. An HW80 with a horrific chatter pattern on the cylinder walls. Basically useless. An R10 with an off center and oversized lead in chamfer that you couldn't seat a pellet in securely. An HW77K in .22 with a barrel so big that a JSB would basically fall through till it hit the choke. And another 77K with very pronounced barrel droop.
If you are just collecting and looking at them instead of shooting then none of that matters I guess. But for my uses that won't work. And for rolling the dice on a great performer every time, I'd roll them on a current production model.
The triggers now have redesigned and machined sears that have better tolerances and better finish.
The tight spot in the barrel is less on the newer ones with the threaded nut at the lead in. The lead in chamfer is done cleaner as well.
The sides of the barrel breech blocks are machined square and much more even than the older ones which were done by hand. Look at the wear patterns under the breech shims on old vs new to see this.
The inside of the receiver forks are machined smoother.
I've noticed less barrel droop on the new ones as well.
The models with double jointed cocking linkage also have a revised linkage to prevent galling.
There is a bolt on receiver detent wedge that also houses the threads for the front stock screws. This allows the piece to be replaced when the threads get messed up, vs having to weld and redrill and tap with the earlier ones with the welded tabs. It also has a spring to prevent the cocking arm from rattling.
So there is more to the new ones than one might notice right on the surface. And much more than guides and cocking shoe.
But all that said, the guns from the 80s still have a certain charm to them and I prefer them.
But then again I've had some real turds from that era. An HW80 with a horrific chatter pattern on the cylinder walls. Basically useless. An R10 with an off center and oversized lead in chamfer that you couldn't seat a pellet in securely. An HW77K in .22 with a barrel so big that a JSB would basically fall through till it hit the choke. And another 77K with very pronounced barrel droop.
If you are just collecting and looking at them instead of shooting then none of that matters I guess. But for my uses that won't work. And for rolling the dice on a great performer every time, I'd roll them on a current production model.
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