Weihrauch HW Model 35 .177 caliber Rifle
Hello to all;
Fast forward to 1990, I received a flyer from “Precision Sales International” (same folks I got my BSA Supersport.22 from) advertising an HW Model 35 .177 caliber Deluxe, I immediately ordered one, recalling my 1973 exposure in the ARH Catalog!! Actually the HW- 35 series rifles were the predecessor to the HW 80- series/Beeman R-1 etc. which has a slightly longer stroke, delivering a bit more velocity. The unit I received from “Precision International Sales” had a Walnut stock, no finger grooves, with stock cheek rise, checkering in the pistol grip area, and rubber butt pad, “Rekord” adjustable trigger, adjustable rear sight etc. .177 caliber; a classic looking rifle indeed! Serial number indicated 1988 build date.
After receiving the rifle I put a couple hundred pellets thru the unit for a break in period using Crosman 7.9 grain pellets; adjusted the trigger pull to 2.5 lbs sighted in @ 25 yds , groups of ¾--1 -1/2 inch were the norm. I then pulled the stock off cleaned all take down screws and slots and reassembled using Blue Loc –Tite. My intention all along was to scope this unit, so at this point I removed the sights installed a Bushnell Scopechief 4x32 AO Scope and what Beeman called a Universal Muzzle Brake (really just a muzzle cover) but it covers the front sight mounting area well.
The HW-35 is a big rifle; 45.5 inches OAL, 8.5 lbs, (10 LBS WITH SCOPE) cocking effort 30 lbs; the safety is a push button at the rear of the receiver activated upon cocking! The heavy duty thumb operated breech latch; in my opinion contributes to more consistent accuracy; adds a step to cocking and requires a small relief cut for the thumb latch on the stock for clearance, but worth it in my opinion! Others may disagree.
I had run some accuracy/velocity checks on this Rifle many moons ago, but decided to run a new series for this write up; for one I had a larger selection of pellets to choose from, and two it just seemed like fun to do it once again!! I used Crosman 7.9 grain pellets for the velocity testing. Ten rounds gave me a high of 765 fps and a low of 746 fps. For an average of 755 fps 10.0 ft. lbs. pretty good numbers for a 36 year old!! Actually these numbers are equivalent to the numbers I ran some 15 years ago!!! I have replaced the breech and piston seal twice(synthetic) and piston spring once over the last 34 years as I recall. All accuracy testing was performed at 25 yards from a benchrest . I used 6 different pellets: Crosman PMHP, JSB EXACT, Predator Polymag, Beeman FTS, RWS Superdome and RWS Match; 5 shots each.
Crosman PMHP – 1.130” Center to Center
JSB EXACT – 1.320” Center-Center
PREDATOR POLYMAG .690”Center-Center 4 INTO .320”
RWS Match 1.410” Center-Center
RWS Superdome 1.030” CC / Beeman FTS(H&N) .710” Center-Center
The clear winner was the Pedator Polymags , this pellet is capable of sub half inch groups @ 25 yds, next would be Beeman FTS @ sub ¾” , all the rest were 1 inch groups. I guess by today’s standards these groups would not be to impressive; 36 years ago however, they would be hard to beat!!! In fact with the Polymag Predator pellets and 10 ft. lbs , I think this HW 35 would be pretty competitive with most non magnum spring powered .177 caliber Air Rifles of today , just my opinion!! Also has a very smooth shot cycle.
One thing not in question on this HW 35 is the overall craftsmanship and enduring build quality of this 36 year old Air Rifle, it is extremely well made, dark rich bluing, Walnut Stock with Pistol Grip checkering and cheek rise with Rubber butt pad; hard for me to not tout the Elegance of these Air Rifles from yesteryear!! Been in production since 1951 and still being produced today!!!!
One other thing I might mention, the Bushnell Scopechief 4x32 AO scope has been on this rifle since late 1990, it has not slipped once, nor have the crosshairs rotated or in any way give me any trouble, a $12.95 purchase at Wally World, this also speaks to the quality of products in that time frame!!!
Course with us air gun aficionados, one thing is constant; exposure to one Air Rifle seems to require another Air Rifle. In my case; yep a HW model 80!!!!!!!! Maybe next time!!!
Garey
Hello to all;
It was back in 1973 when I received one of “Air Rifle Headquarters” Full Line Catalogs that I got my first real exposure to the (Weihrauch) HW 35 series spring break Air Rifle; it was on the cover with a Custom Stock. It was impressive looking indeed; it also had a thumb operated heavy duty breech latch that provided a secure barrel breech lockup. The front sight was a Globe type with replaceable inserts, rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation, “Rekord” adjustable trigger; a really nice looking Air Rifle!! BUT A BIT OUT OF MY PRICE RANGE AT THE TIME!!Fast forward to 1990, I received a flyer from “Precision Sales International” (same folks I got my BSA Supersport.22 from) advertising an HW Model 35 .177 caliber Deluxe, I immediately ordered one, recalling my 1973 exposure in the ARH Catalog!! Actually the HW- 35 series rifles were the predecessor to the HW 80- series/Beeman R-1 etc. which has a slightly longer stroke, delivering a bit more velocity. The unit I received from “Precision International Sales” had a Walnut stock, no finger grooves, with stock cheek rise, checkering in the pistol grip area, and rubber butt pad, “Rekord” adjustable trigger, adjustable rear sight etc. .177 caliber; a classic looking rifle indeed! Serial number indicated 1988 build date.
After receiving the rifle I put a couple hundred pellets thru the unit for a break in period using Crosman 7.9 grain pellets; adjusted the trigger pull to 2.5 lbs sighted in @ 25 yds , groups of ¾--1 -1/2 inch were the norm. I then pulled the stock off cleaned all take down screws and slots and reassembled using Blue Loc –Tite. My intention all along was to scope this unit, so at this point I removed the sights installed a Bushnell Scopechief 4x32 AO Scope and what Beeman called a Universal Muzzle Brake (really just a muzzle cover) but it covers the front sight mounting area well.
The HW-35 is a big rifle; 45.5 inches OAL, 8.5 lbs, (10 LBS WITH SCOPE) cocking effort 30 lbs; the safety is a push button at the rear of the receiver activated upon cocking! The heavy duty thumb operated breech latch; in my opinion contributes to more consistent accuracy; adds a step to cocking and requires a small relief cut for the thumb latch on the stock for clearance, but worth it in my opinion! Others may disagree.
I had run some accuracy/velocity checks on this Rifle many moons ago, but decided to run a new series for this write up; for one I had a larger selection of pellets to choose from, and two it just seemed like fun to do it once again!! I used Crosman 7.9 grain pellets for the velocity testing. Ten rounds gave me a high of 765 fps and a low of 746 fps. For an average of 755 fps 10.0 ft. lbs. pretty good numbers for a 36 year old!! Actually these numbers are equivalent to the numbers I ran some 15 years ago!!! I have replaced the breech and piston seal twice(synthetic) and piston spring once over the last 34 years as I recall. All accuracy testing was performed at 25 yards from a benchrest . I used 6 different pellets: Crosman PMHP, JSB EXACT, Predator Polymag, Beeman FTS, RWS Superdome and RWS Match; 5 shots each.
Crosman PMHP – 1.130” Center to Center
JSB EXACT – 1.320” Center-Center
PREDATOR POLYMAG .690”Center-Center 4 INTO .320”
RWS Match 1.410” Center-Center
RWS Superdome 1.030” CC / Beeman FTS(H&N) .710” Center-Center
The clear winner was the Pedator Polymags , this pellet is capable of sub half inch groups @ 25 yds, next would be Beeman FTS @ sub ¾” , all the rest were 1 inch groups. I guess by today’s standards these groups would not be to impressive; 36 years ago however, they would be hard to beat!!! In fact with the Polymag Predator pellets and 10 ft. lbs , I think this HW 35 would be pretty competitive with most non magnum spring powered .177 caliber Air Rifles of today , just my opinion!! Also has a very smooth shot cycle.
One thing not in question on this HW 35 is the overall craftsmanship and enduring build quality of this 36 year old Air Rifle, it is extremely well made, dark rich bluing, Walnut Stock with Pistol Grip checkering and cheek rise with Rubber butt pad; hard for me to not tout the Elegance of these Air Rifles from yesteryear!! Been in production since 1951 and still being produced today!!!!
One other thing I might mention, the Bushnell Scopechief 4x32 AO scope has been on this rifle since late 1990, it has not slipped once, nor have the crosshairs rotated or in any way give me any trouble, a $12.95 purchase at Wally World, this also speaks to the quality of products in that time frame!!!
Course with us air gun aficionados, one thing is constant; exposure to one Air Rifle seems to require another Air Rifle. In my case; yep a HW model 80!!!!!!!! Maybe next time!!!
Garey
