I have inherited a HW 50S (nice gesture from in-laws). Papers with the air gun show a date near 1979-80, made in West Germany. The air gun does not have a safety lever shown in manuals that I have read, videos demonstrating, reviewing this model. I see no visible safety mechanism at back of barrow. After loading pellet and cocking gun, trigger seems to pressure a trigger point, but not firing. Am I missing a safety somewhere else? Do I have a malfunction? Air gun has been sitting unused probably 10 yrs. Thoughts on safety location and other next steps? Thx!
Beeman Safety Location - older HW 50S
- Thread starter bskowron
- Start date
You have an earlier gun there, a "pre safety" model, with a standard beech stock, period correct Beeman scope using Beeman scope mounts. Nice AG!
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Is it cocked and won’t fire ? If so the trigger is out of adjustment or jammed up with dried grease from sitting. Old Hw Grease turns to glue.
Its a easy fix but first you have to get it unlocked which isn’t hard for someone familiar with them. For the mean time
KEEP IT POINTED SAFELY AWAY FROM ANY THING HAMFUL.
Its a easy fix but first you have to get it unlocked which isn’t hard for someone familiar with them. For the mean time
KEEP IT POINTED SAFELY AWAY FROM ANY THING HAMFUL.
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I would try to uncock the gun by cocking the gun and holding the barrel firmly (while in the fully cocked position) and pulling the trigger. Hopefully then you can release the tension on the spring.
But as mentioned, sounds like the original grease has turned to glue and is not allowing the trigger sear to function properly.
Or perhaps someone adjusted the “forbidden screw” (T-8 torx) to the point the trigger won’t function properly.
At the very least, I would get a cleaning rod and carefully remove the pellet.
Another thought - perhaps the rear trigger guard screw it too tight. Loosen this screw and see if that helps.
But as mentioned, sounds like the original grease has turned to glue and is not allowing the trigger sear to function properly.
Or perhaps someone adjusted the “forbidden screw” (T-8 torx) to the point the trigger won’t function properly.
At the very least, I would get a cleaning rod and carefully remove the pellet.
Another thought - perhaps the rear trigger guard screw it too tight. Loosen this screw and see if that helps.
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Above is all correct,Safety first,I would uncock the rifle , First.take pellet out then flood it with something like blaster to clean old lube , is now like thick wax,do not worry about seals,the rifle needs a rebuild.,actually all the advise is pretty much the same.
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Yes - first job is to take the pellet out!!!!!!!
Congrats on a great get - the HW 50 is one of my all-time faves. The stock is actually the factory upgrade "Monte Carlo" one, which Beeman put on all his HW 50's for a couple years before the R8 came out (which was the same action with plastic piston seal, crossbolt safety, and new stock). Specie's pic show the standard slender finger-groove wood seen on most examples.
It does not have a safety and as already described, the thick brown factory grease is probably gumming up the trigger. Especially if the gun was stored standing on its butt, that stuff migrates aft and creates a right mess.
You might wanna check the breech seal, but the good news is the piston seal is leather and it's probably still in good shape. If the gun is dismantled, cleaned, and lubed it's likely good to go for many years.
Below is a shot of a Rekord trigger. 1 is the pull weight adjuster, 2 is the sear engagement adjuster that Silver Ace mentioned (a torx screw on newer guns, but may be a simple slotted one on yours), 3 is a little window where you can check the sear movement. Pushing down the rear of the big lever at the top until it clicks, will cock the trigger and let you check this stuff.
Congrats on a great get - the HW 50 is one of my all-time faves. The stock is actually the factory upgrade "Monte Carlo" one, which Beeman put on all his HW 50's for a couple years before the R8 came out (which was the same action with plastic piston seal, crossbolt safety, and new stock). Specie's pic show the standard slender finger-groove wood seen on most examples.
It does not have a safety and as already described, the thick brown factory grease is probably gumming up the trigger. Especially if the gun was stored standing on its butt, that stuff migrates aft and creates a right mess.
You might wanna check the breech seal, but the good news is the piston seal is leather and it's probably still in good shape. If the gun is dismantled, cleaned, and lubed it's likely good to go for many years.
Below is a shot of a Rekord trigger. 1 is the pull weight adjuster, 2 is the sear engagement adjuster that Silver Ace mentioned (a torx screw on newer guns, but may be a simple slotted one on yours), 3 is a little window where you can check the sear movement. Pushing down the rear of the big lever at the top until it clicks, will cock the trigger and let you check this stuff.
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ALL correct info . maybe a step by step is in order ?
first locate a small rod wood or other wise to put into the muzzle and push the pellet out of the breach , To do this break the barrel over but not cocked , push the pellet out onto the floor . Next hold the stock in you armpit and cock the barrel over DO NOT LET GO! now pull the trigger back and hopefully the spring will release and slowly you let the barrel straighten out . if the spring does not release hold the barrel in the cocked position and kind of jiggle the barrel and the trigger at the same time possibly getting the sear to release the spring . AGAIN do not let the barrel spring closed .
first locate a small rod wood or other wise to put into the muzzle and push the pellet out of the breach , To do this break the barrel over but not cocked , push the pellet out onto the floor . Next hold the stock in you armpit and cock the barrel over DO NOT LET GO! now pull the trigger back and hopefully the spring will release and slowly you let the barrel straighten out . if the spring does not release hold the barrel in the cocked position and kind of jiggle the barrel and the trigger at the same time possibly getting the sear to release the spring . AGAIN do not let the barrel spring closed .
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Quick historical note - your gun is the first type of HW 50, which was made from around 1951 to 1998 or so. A lovely, solid design characterized by the thread-off rear section to access the spring and piston. There were MANY options and variations of it over the years - different triggers, with and without safety, leather and plastic seals, many different stocks, etc. An equally classic first-gen recoiling target rifle, the HW 55, was built around the same basic action.
The popular rifle which is now called the "HW 50" - no doubt the subject of the video you mentioned - is quite different. The receiver tube has exterior dimensions similar to the old one, to the point they can interchange stocks, but internally it is different. It's more powerful with a bigger piston, longer stroke, and shorter transfer port; and a different method of dismantling. It was originally called the "HW 99" (after the year of its introduction) and that name is still used in the UK.
Here's what the HW 50 looked like in 1959!
The popular rifle which is now called the "HW 50" - no doubt the subject of the video you mentioned - is quite different. The receiver tube has exterior dimensions similar to the old one, to the point they can interchange stocks, but internally it is different. It's more powerful with a bigger piston, longer stroke, and shorter transfer port; and a different method of dismantling. It was originally called the "HW 99" (after the year of its introduction) and that name is still used in the UK.
Here's what the HW 50 looked like in 1959!
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Thank you everyone. Wonderful information. The latest on this saga is that I stood the rifle, barrow down on a cushion, in a window in full sun, thinking the grease might loosen up. The sun did warm up the stock and trigger mechanism. After 3 days, the rifle began to fire. How about that?! I still want the have the rifle gone through. But for now, I know the spring is released and I can safely store it.
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