WH 97 or try a PCP?

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hawk45

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Mar 27, 2023
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Ohio, USA
Hi all, long time GTA member been out of the game for a few years. Just found this forum and really digging the topics and interactions so thought I would post over here.
I've had an RWS Meisterschutze Model 34 Pro Compact in .177 for some time and is my nicest air gun. I have a few other Crossman/Gamo referbs I picked up cheap for plinking and letting friends use. Been some time since I got anything new and have always wanted an underlever either a Air Arms TX200 or HW 97. I was then thinking about maybe trying a PCP as something a little quieter would be nice for backyard. I'm not looking for a super power PCP, just looking for something with good consistency (I'm guessing regulated) that I can use off-bench or off-hand.
I understand there is a greater cost of getting into PCP, but if the benefits outweigh the added initial investment, I'm good with that. Not like there are any cheap hobbies anyway.
But man, those underlevers sure look good and they are pretty much grab-n-go. I imagine the PCP always has some setup before you can use.

If I go PCP do any of ya'll use a hand pump? Or are you getting tanks filled at a local shop?
 
I've never owned a hand pump but hear it gets old real quick. Only owned one break barrel & sold it after about 6 months. Been a PCP guy all the way since then. Their accuracy, range & Smoothness are unbeatable! Some are incredibly quiet out of the box. It's NEVER just the cost of the gun with pcp's but the needed fill peripherals one needs to consider also. Good luck on whatever you decide. Welcome aboard AGN, great forum & community.
 
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MY take on your post is , stay with TX200 or HW97 . Makes no sense to me to get into the PCP money pit . I am speaking from personal experience as i have 2 moderately high end PCP and after the initial thrill i mostly (95 percent ) shoot my TX200 or HW97 , or HW35 . and i have about $4k invested in the PCP and associated "stuff " to keep them running . $4000.00 buys a lot of pellets , think about it !

EDIT: $4000 buys both guns and a lot of pellets .
 
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Hawk,
Welcome, glad to have you join. Two years back, or so, got into hobby when neighbor sold a "cursed" springer for $25. Worked with it and found decent accuracy, then stumbled onto PCPs, never looked back. Many members swear by, and deeply enjoy, precision crafted springers, and I can't argue with that, however, the easy, consistent accuracy of the PCP, that I find, is a no-brainer. Started, like most, with a handpump, now use a Yong Heng compressor, with guns pressurized and magazines full (less one in chamber), I'm ready for quick reaction pesting or target practice, at any time. WM
 
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I own all of the above. If you just want “one,” simple perfectly enjoyably air rifle for 50 yards or less back yard fun, get a 97, tune it yourself or have it tuned, don’t scrimp on the optics, test for the right pellet, and you will have a lifetime of enjoyment with no further investment.

If you enjoy spending money, maintenance tinkering, then go the pcp route.
 
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hawk45 said:
Hi all, long time GTA member been out of the game for a few years. Just found this forum and really digging the topics and interactions so thought I would post over here.
I've had an RWS Meisterschutze Model 34 Pro Compact in .177 for some time and is my nicest air gun. I have a few other Crossman/Gamo referbs I picked up cheap for plinking and letting friends use. Been some time since I got anything new and have always wanted an underlever either a Air Arms TX200 or HW 97. I was then thinking about maybe trying a PCP as something a little quieter would be nice for backyard. I'm not looking for a super power PCP, just looking for something with good consistency (I'm guessing regulated) that I can use off-bench or off-hand.
I understand there is a greater cost of getting into PCP, but if the benefits outweigh the added initial investment, I'm good with that. Not like there are any cheap hobbies anyway.
But man, those underlevers sure look good and they are pretty much grab-n-go. I imagine the PCP always has some setup before you can use.

If I go PCP do any of ya'll use a hand pump? Or are you getting tanks filled at a local shop?
Click to expand...
If it was me, I would choose the HW 97.
The 97 is cheaper, accuracy is on par with the TX200...TX may be pricing itself out of market right now.

Off hand with the HW 97? May take some time for you to get used to. It's 8.8 lbs? without a scope about 1.5 lbs heavier than your RWS 34. You should be fine if you are not carrying it around all the time.

The HW 97 deserves a good scope (no iron sight). or a red dot if you don't like scopes.

Neighbor friendly? Depending on how close, how acute their hearing, and how friendly they are. They can probably hear you shooting the 97. Might want to invite them over to "feel" them out and maybe have them take a few shots.

---
If you have your heart set on PCP, they are easier to shoot.

Might wanna shop around and google PCP reviews around the $500 range (approximate price for a new HW 97). That's without the supporting accessories and not including a moderator...add another $200-$500 for all that. I'm sure you can find something you like there.

Was just looking at some PCP around that price range. Umarex Notos (was getting good press), Gamo Urban, Avenger, Marauder, (then you are in the $650 range with a lot more choices with higher quality)

Good luck.

Edited:
Good point post #16. I have a Beeman R10 (another option is the HW50). It's nice and light. Perfect for plinking (but not ideal for competitive target shooting).
 
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hawk45 said:
Hi all, long time GTA member been out of the game for a few years. Just found this forum and really digging the topics and interactions so thought I would post over here.
I've had an RWS Meisterschutze Model 34 Pro Compact in .177 for some time and is my nicest air gun. I have a few other Crossman/Gamo referbs I picked up cheap for plinking and letting friends use. Been some time since I got anything new and have always wanted an underlever either a Air Arms TX200 or HW 97. I was then thinking about maybe trying a PCP as something a little quieter would be nice for backyard. I'm not looking for a super power PCP, just looking for something with good consistency (I'm guessing regulated) that I can use off-bench or off-hand.
I understand there is a greater cost of getting into PCP, but if the benefits outweigh the added initial investment, I'm good with that. Not like there are any cheap hobbies anyway.
But man, those underlevers sure look good and they are pretty much grab-n-go. I imagine the PCP always has some setup before you can use.

If I go PCP do any of ya'll use a hand pump? Or are you getting tanks filled at a local shop?
Click to expand...
There is a Daystate Regal
22 in vg condition on Air Guns of Arizona"s used page for 749.00, right now...been watching it for a couple weeks now, surprised it lasted this long...get a Hill hand pump with the fliter mounts and scope and you will be set...I posted a reply to "best out of the box pcp's" a few days ago concerning unregulated Huntsman's...suggest you look it up and review it....you will be hard pressed to find a bettet pcp for the price...I also recommend HW97's but can't compair to the Huntsman...you asked, chech it out. BTW the Regal comes with a reflex moderator, helps a little.
 
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hawk45 said:
Hi all, long time GTA member been out of the game for a few years. Just found this forum and really digging the topics and interactions so thought I would post over here.
I've had an RWS Meisterschutze Model 34 Pro Compact in .177 for some time and is my nicest air gun. I have a few other Crossman/Gamo referbs I picked up cheap for plinking and letting friends use. Been some time since I got anything new and have always wanted an underlever either a Air Arms TX200 or HW 97. I was then thinking about maybe trying a PCP as something a little quieter would be nice for backyard. I'm not looking for a super power PCP, just looking for something with good consistency (I'm guessing regulated) that I can use off-bench or off-hand.
I understand there is a greater cost of getting into PCP, but if the benefits outweigh the added initial investment, I'm good with that. Not like there are any cheap hobbies anyway.
But man, those underlevers sure look good and they are pretty much grab-n-go. I imagine the PCP always has some setup before you can use.

If I go PCP do any of ya'll use a hand pump? Or are you getting tanks filled at a local shop?
Click to expand...
All good options there. Forget the hand pump if you go PCP, like someone else said it gets old real fast. You don't need and expensive electric pump just to fill the guns, tanks are a different story.
 
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TX200 or HW97 are the best of the best. Great for competitive shooting, but if all you want is for plinking, pesting or just shooting targets in the back yard, they are on the heavy side. After adding a scope, it will weigh around 10.5 pounds or maybe more. An HW 95 break barrel has the same quality and accuracy, but it's a lot lighter. I've had them all at one time or another.
 
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Struckat said:
Well you will get many different answers as you are mixing two questions a bit.

I see no reason to stick with one or the other.

I hand pump and have 4 pcp. My two springers will never leave me, but there is use for both in my world.
Click to expand...
Ya, theres some fine @$$ pcp guns at decent springer cost more or less id love to have and try , then comes the support part i just cant come to terms with. Maybe if younger and in a less hot humid area may be different hand pumping or 300$ + compressor that you hope lasts its moneys worth ( that compressor money near buys a springer or a lot of pellets for one).. in the end its that fill part that kills my pcp experience / turnoff..
 
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Hateful McNasty said:
Ya, theres some fine @$$ pcp guns at decent springer cost more or less id love to have and try , then comes the support part i just cant come to terms with. Maybe if younger and in a less hot humid area may be different hand pumping or 300$ + compressor that you hope lasts its moneys worth ( that compressor money near buys a springer or a lot of pellets for one).. in the end its that fill part that kills my pcp experience / turnoff..
Click to expand...
No, it’s a $250 compressor that has failed twice in 20 uses. Back to hand pumping.
The key for me is pcp with smaller tubes, less hand pumping.

It is nice to shoot the HW30, what a work of art it is.

I could likely do all my airgunning with the HW30, but I want more variety.
 
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First off, if you are in fairly good shape using a hand pump is not hard up to 3000psi,so if getting a PCP keep that in mind.
PCP is not quieter than a springer unless has a moderator at end of the barrel.
Get the HW97, keep in mind it is bigger and heavier than your other springer.
There are plenty of cheaper accurate easy-to-pump PCPs ,I am talking $300 to $500; then hand pump or cheap compressor and a $100 moderator.
I hand pump all my PCPs, some are a pain,most are OK,remember to know the filling pressure...
If it were me I would get the HW97....Another good choice that is easy is the RWS 850,,, check it out,it is different and a good choice.
 
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Hand pumping works great for me with a cheap Vevor pump. I get 40 shots out of my .22 cal Marauder starting at 3000 psi and stopping at 2000 psi. It then takes me about 90 pumps to fill back up to 3000 psi and that takes me under 2 minutes. If you avoid physical challenges then you will probably get tired of it pretty fast but I like the work out and the more you do it the stronger you get which leads to less felt effort.
 
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