Solve a mystery about the new version of the FEINWERKBAU Sport air rifle

[patrikky]

50K vs. 727 is a vast difference ........
FWB produce about (170K) FWB124's, so the 727 units suggest a significant issue.

- For $899 it would have been nice to have a walnut stock, no plastic parts and better quality control on the internals.

That said, all guns have issues ........... Weihrauch is not immune.

Same comparison with 5 million+ 10/22s were produced in 22lr but only 50k in 22mag because of design issues. I agree that the new fwb sport didn't appear to be a great value for reasons you stated. I have had great luck with all of my Weihrauchs, fwb 124 or Dianas.

 

[PaulK62]

Once the Sport is tuned, they're likely great guns ......... mostly saying FWB didn't make many because they couldn't sell them.
This was not a limited edition, but a production terminated due to the above mistakes by FWB.

At the time I could have bought a FWB Sport for $495 from AOA, I got a .20 caliber R9 from Straight Shooters instead for $399.

I respectfully disagree with your logic. In my opinion, the fact that FWB continued producing the Sport for nine whole years at deliberately low production numbers tells me it was concieved more as a vanity project than a moneymaker, hence the high suggested retail price due to the expensive machining involved. If it was simply about making money, they would have either produced a lot more to get the price down, or they would have pulled the plug on production after the first year or two of low sales. But no, they soldiered on and produced them at a rate that suggests a specialty made hand-built production item, not a mass-produced, run-of-the-mill break barrel.

Lastly, the forums are packed with people who don't mind tuning a $750 HW97K, so at $495 the Sport was a steal, even if you did get the odd gun that needed a tune. Mine shoots great, and doesn't need tuning. And I wouldn't describe it as twangy, either. Like another Sport owner described it on the gatewaytoairguns.org forum, it has a quick shot cyle that cracks almost like a .22, but not as loud.

 

[PaulK62]

Yes Paul, That was my video. I'll tell you what,....When I bought that Sport, I was immediately impressed with the machining, the attention to the finish work and the overall handling characteristics of the rifle. As seen in the video, the rifle had a few issues out of the box but after holding the gun in my hands, there was no way that I was gonna' send it back. Instead, I decided to attempt to tune the rifle. I'm so glad that I went the tuning route. The rifle now shoots beautifully. The power was dropped (intentionally) by about 1 ft/lb. The cocking stroke is buttery smooth and quiet. The firing cycle is to die for. The trigger is phenomenal. The open sights are probably the finest that I've seen on any sporting air rifle. In short, the Sport has quickly become on of my favorite air rifles.

Thanks for joining the discussion, Kevin. Your reappraisal of the Sport is what helped me decide to pull the trigger on a purchase, so thanks for that as well.

 

[razor62]

Thanks for joining the discussion, Kevin. Your reappraisal of the Sport is what helped me decide to pull the trigger on a purchase, so thanks for that as well.

Certainly, Paul. So glad that you were able to get your hands on a Sport. Fantastic rifle that's certain to be sought after for decades to come.

 

[jkingrph]

I saw this thread earlier and it prompted me to get my Sport out and shot it a bit. I have a Hawke AirMax 2-7 mounte and took it off and reinstalled it using a set of Warne high QD rings, Tuned the zero with the scope then took it off and had some fun with the factory irons, I am amazed at the accuracy with those, at 10 meters I was shooting 3/8" groups, then put the scope back on and was hitting a 1 1/4" diamond spinner out at 40 yards. My gun is bone stock, and will stay that way, I honestly wish when AOA had them so cheap I had bought another for my son and grandson

 

[ChuckHunter]

Wow!
I knew there was low production numbers but didn't know it was actually that low!
I'm glad I nabbed one up when I did.
I got ahold of Tom at vortek when I purchased mine and had him cut me a special spring and used one of his VAC piston seals for an R1/HW80!
Have it shooting just under 12fpe in it's current tune and it's a wonderful gun and accuracy is incredible to say the least.
Pesting season is finally back here in Michigan and birds at the dairy farm are shaking in their boots at the site of the mighty FWB Sport!

 

[Wadcutter]

Has anyone among you SPORT owners experienced a locked-up rear sight elevation knob issue? On mine, I had to take off the sight and use a wood vice to clamp the knob, turning it 1/8" at a time until it came out. It turns out that the main frame was firmly clamped around it, obstructing its ability to easily rotate. It was fixed using a dremel and now functions flawlessly.
You can see the vertical lines that formed where it was locked in by looking at the attached photos. The white metal area is where the black finish was scraped off during the removal of the knob before the dremel process.

I am currently looking into the cause, but it's possible that the aluminum metal bent at the weakest point due to a hard bump or that it was affected over time by recoil. I bought the rifle secondhand, so am leaning towards the rifle, having had a hard knock. However, if there are others, then it might be a design flaw.

 

[PaulK62]

Nope, my Sport's rear sight works just fine. Sorry to hear about yours, though.

 

[SpiralGroove]

Contact (tuner) John in PA as he has worked on the Sport or Motorhead ......... I think replacement parts (if needed) maybe scarce.
Hopefully FWB/AOA can supply them?
Good Luck ......

 

[Wadcutter]

You know...the more I think about it, those vertical lines in the recessed area were fairly deep. It would have been an extremely hard impact to the top of the sight to bend it and also cause the ridges on the knob to dig in like that, yet there appears to be no visible damage to the exposed area on top of the sight. The rest of the gun is like new.

 

[c801tfd]

I bought my FWB Sport, serial number 12400504 from Airguns of Arizona on 11/23, it was in the preowned listing and described as used for a video review model. Curious I searched the internet in hopes of finding a review with this rifle. I found the video review Ben Pierson recorded on 10/30/2021 for Airgun101 (Shooting Gear Review) at about 1:35 - 1:45 of the video I noticed a serial number 12400504 on the breech. As Mr. Pierson stated this is one awesome rifle.

Here is the link the the Airgun101 Review: https://www.airgun101.com/68-whiske...view-50-yard-accuracy-this-is-an-break-barrel. I also captured an image of the serial number on the rifle in the video.

Spring noise and vibration were not an issue, neither is the safety. she does have a stout recoil but all you need to do is take control, the accuracy is there for sure. This one will be with me for a very long time and a great addition to our family collection.

 

[Richely]

. . . I bought the rifle secondhand, so am leaning towards the rifle, having had a hard knock.

I’m leaning towards the sight having been removed and not put back together properly. Tricky to do as there are small springs and small steel balls that don’t want to stay in place. DAMHIKT. There should have been three small steel balls not shown in your photos. One between spring and adjustment knob for the detent and one each under the two springs at front/bottom of sight. Doesn’t work if not together properly.

Even if all are present I still suspect prior owner mucking it up absent any evidence of impact damage.

 

[ChuckHunter]

I bought my FWB Sport, serial number 12400504 from Airguns of Arizona on 11/23, it was in the preowned listing and described as used for a video review model. Curious I searched the internet in hopes of finding a review with this rifle. I found the video review Ben Pierson recorded on 10/30/2021 for Airgun101 (Shooting Gear Review) at about 1:35 - 1:45 of the video I noticed a serial number 12400504 on the breech. As Mr. Pierson stated this is one awesome rifle.

Here is the link the the Airgun101 Review: https://www.airgun101.com/68-whiske...view-50-yard-accuracy-this-is-an-break-barrel. I also captured an image of the serial number on the rifle in the video.

Spring noise and vibration were not an issue, neither is the safety. she does have a stout recoil but all you need to do is take control, the accuracy is there for sure. This one will be with me for a very long time and a great addition to our family collection.

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Nice history on that one!
Mine is #514 and got it second hand also from Johnny Piston.

 

[Wadcutter]

I’m leaning towards the sight having been removed and not put back together properly. Tricky to do as there are small springs and small steel balls that don’t want to stay in place. DAMHIKT. There should have been three small steel balls not shown in your photos. One between spring and adjustment knob for the detent and one each under the two springs at front/bottom of sight. Doesn’t work if not together properly.

Even if all are present I still suspect prior owner mucking it up absent any evidence of impact damage.

Yes, every component, including the three ball bearings, was there and fitted properly. Although the sights aren't complicated, reinstalling them can be a little challenging, as you mentioned. The two on the bottom were held in place with moly grease, and the detent spring was kept forward by a slave pin while the pivot pin was being reinstalled.
In summary, the knob for adjusting elevation was tightly pinched. It's a mystery how that happened.

 

[Richely]

Yes, every component, including the three ball bearings, was there and fitted properly. Although the sights aren't complicated, reinstalling them can be a little challenging, as you mentioned. The two on the bottom were held in place with moly grease, and the detent spring was kept forward by a slave pin while the pivot pin was being reinstalled.
In summary, the knob for adjusting elevation was tightly pinched. It's a mystery how that happened.

Yes, not complicated but more fiddly than one would expect. Not designed by someone concerned with efficient production assembly. Heads up to anyone foolish enough, like me, to remove it without a very good reason.

Glad nothing was missing and it now works well for you.

 

[Richely]

I purchased one of the last FWB Sport rifles AoA had, number 635 for those keeping track. Read everything I could find before purchase. Most complaints seemed from those echoing what they read/heard or just wanting to throw rocks, not often from those with personal experience. Found @razor62 videos of journey from critical to loving the rifle very beneficial. Absolutely no regrets with this purchase, the Sport is a very fine rifle. My compare tos are my FWB 603 and AA Pro Sport.

I have opened mine up. Internals are not substandard by any means. Good materials, high quality machining fit and finish. Choice to use a loose guide was unfortunate and piston seal some found lacking, otherwise definitely up to standards I expected.

Initially exhibited definite twang, but that moderated significantly after 300 or so rounds. Calming down as gun breaks in.

That said at about 400 rounds I did replace the piston seal (mostly because this was a common criticism and I was curious) and applied tar to the spring guide. With those minor changes the shooting manners are quite pleasant, see no need for any extensive tuning, tune kits or further mods.

New Vortek piston seal made no difference in chrony numbers but did soften (buffer) end of piston stroke eliminating hard stop, so worth it for that. I assume difference is from concave face of Vortek seal. Flat face of original showed signs of impacting end of cylinder. A thin coat of tar on stock guide eliminated remaining twang.

Finally I also replaced the breach seal (flattened somewhat from sitting compressed for 6+ years after manufacture). Earlier tissue test of breach seal had been inconclusive. New seal made no difference in chrony numbers, gained peace of mind is all.

Overall pleasant shooter. Sharp report but now relatively mild mannered otherwise. 850 rounds through it to date, putting out approx. 14fpe with QYS 8.48gr domes.

 

[Keene]

The interweb is awash with threads of owners complaining about their issues with TXs, HW77, 97s, LGVs, yada, yada, yada......

Pretty much, and I say pretty much, all the moaners dissing the FWB Sport have either never seen one in person, let alone owned one.

Mine had some issues out of the box (but so did the HWs I own), that were easily fixed.

Players may stay and play, Haters may leave.

Arrivederci!

 

[Keene]

I purchased one of the last FWB Sport rifles AoA had, number 635 for those keeping track. Read everything I could find before purchase. Most complaints seemed from those echoing what they read/heard or just wanting to throw rocks, not often from those with personal experience. Found @razor62 videos of journey from critical to loving the rifle very beneficial. Absolutely no regrets with this purchase, the Sport is a very fine rifle. My compare tos are my FWB 603 and AA Pro Sport.

I have opened mine up. Internals are not substandard by any means. Good materials, high quality machining fit and finish. Choice to use a loose guide was unfortunate and piston seal some found lacking, otherwise definitely up to standards I expected.

Initially exhibited definite twang, but that moderated significantly after 300 or so rounds. Calming down as gun breaks in.

That said at about 400 rounds I did replace the piston seal (mostly because this was a common criticism and I was curious) and applied tar to the spring guide. With those minor changes the shooting manners are quite pleasant, see no need for any extensive tuning, tune kits or further mods.

New Vortek piston seal made no difference in chrony numbers but did soften (buffer) end of piston stroke eliminating hard stop, so worth it for that. I assume difference is from concave face of Vortek seal. Flat face of original showed signs of impacting end of cylinder. A thin coat of tar on stock guide eliminated remaining twang.

Finally I also replaced the breach seal (flattened somewhat from sitting compressed for 6+ years after manufacture). Earlier tissue test of breach seal had been inconclusive. New seal made no difference in chrony numbers, gained peace of mind is all.

Overall pleasant shooter. Sharp report but now relatively mild mannered otherwise. 850 rounds through it to date, putting out approx. 14fpe with QYS 8.48gr domes.

Started shooting AADFs, but settled on the QYS domes as a tad more accurate.

 

[Richely]

Started shooting AADFs, but settled on the QYS domes as a tad more accurate.

Same.

 

[zrman27500]

I own #160, I have had zero problems with it ever.it is in my opinion a work of springer art!