shotty12 Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 (edited) Hi guys im a newby here,im thinking about getting my first springer air rifle,maybe a hw80 hw77 hw97 hw95?which would be the best?im in the republic of ireland so all airguns need a licence,so i want something reliable with nice power for rats rabbits pidgeon etc!is break barrel or underlever best?how many shots can you put through one of these before the spring weakens?its going cost about 500e plus 80e for alicense so i want the best springer i can get.how much would you need to spend on a scope that wont break on the airgun? Edited January 31, 2011 by shotty12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoTshoT-16 Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 air arms prosport, tx200hc or a wierauch hw97k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmar fudd Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 for a first springer i'd go for a tx200 mates got one and its a beautiful gun to shoot although you may want to try one before you buy one because with a scope etc they are a little on the heavy side. or failing that ive never heard a bad thing said about bsa lightnings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotty12 Posted January 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 you dont like the hw makes?you can get bsa lightnings xl here for roughly the same price (459e)as the hw,the hw models are between 450 and 550,i read bad reports on review center on the lightning havnt found anything bad about the weinrauchs,tha aatx200 is ment to very good but iv never seen one here so will be expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmar fudd Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 i wouldnt say i dont like them as such, but i dont know anyone who owns one so i cant comment on them, they are supposed to be very good guns though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 Underleavers have a fixed barrel so theoretically they are slightly more accurate but tend to weigh more. Anything Air Arms or HW80, 77, 97 etc will be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotty12 Posted February 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 is there much to keeping a springer working well?as iv never had one im afraid ill get one and after 6mths it will be shooting underpowered or something what i mean is if you fire one everyweekend say 200pellets how long before the spring weakens?its a big investment they are expensive here more than a 22lr rifle so want something that will last! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 Just a light oil now and again, don't keep it cocked for hours at a time and don't dry-fire it and it should last for a couple of years - but it does depends on how often you use it. I would get it checked over by a gunsmith every year or two just to make sure the power is ok, it's not too expensive to get a service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigchap Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 Just a light oil now and again, don't keep it cocked for hours at a time and don't dry-fire it and it should last for a couple of years - but it does depends on how often you use it. I would get it checked over by a gunsmith every year or two just to make sure the power is ok, it's not too expensive to get a service. should last a couple of years!!!! don't be daft man,any good quality springer will last a lifetime if looked after properly.my personal preference is for the prosport,expensive and heavy but very good quality and super accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotty12 Posted February 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 thats good to hear ill have to check how easy it is to get them serviced over i dont know of anywhere that does it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garden gun Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 Try before you buy. Any half decent RFD should let you "have a go". It is all about individual fit and what you are doing with it, walk through shooting, hides etc. In our case we are very local vermin control - have shot a Gamo Magnum 3000 for almost 6 years now, light oil and a clean, Mrs gun got a Gamo Whisper X last year as the Magnum was to heavy to hold and cock. Light as a feather and no effort to cock (double spring). Stock better for her to grip as it is synthetic. The pro hunters on here are Air Arms, BSA & HW adherents - would go along with them for the pure hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 Much as i,ve spent many happy years of Weirauch ownership i have to be honest and admit that the TX200 i owned out performed them all in one way or another.The gun oozes quality and is very gentle and smooth to shoot-AA have obviously got the internal specs spot on and you sometimes need to chrono the gun to convince yourself that its a full power rifle.They are heavy which can be a benefit but the balance is superb-as for a scope i think that the gentle firing cycle would allow most reasonable quality units to be used-pop a one piece mount on with arrestor pins and you will most likely never have to worry about zero shift.Because of the quality they tend to hold their value-bit of a ****** now but pays dividends when you come to sell.If PCP,s were banned tommorow i would be hard pressed to think of any other rifle to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 I have a HW77K in .177 and also a TX200 in .22 - of the two, whenever I am going out to get some bunnies it is always the TX that I pick up. It is just a lovely rifle to shoot. The HW is nearly as nice but the TX just pips it...you need to learn to shoot a springer, more difficult than a PCP but then more rewarding and less faff with bottles and pumps etc. If you want something silent which you can sit on a bipod an never miss a bunny, get s PCP, if you want something with more character and less faff, get a TX200 and make sure you have a decent sling with it as they are heavy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 should last a couple of years!!!! don't be daft man,any good quality springer will last a lifetime if looked after properly.my personal preference is for the prosport,expensive and heavy but very good quality and super accurate. He wanted to know how long the spring will last without loosing power, shooting 200 pellets a week - that's 20,000 pellets. I said a couple of years then get it checked, ie chrono'd and serviced. I don't think I worded it very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannon Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 I've used a BSA Lightning before and never really liked it. Using a HW97KT at the minute which is fantastic. Puts out around 18ft/lbs but the overall weight of the gun makes it shoot like it's 12. I wouldn't part with it. I'd also like to add an Air Arms Pro Sport to the armoury as I've heard they are rock solid tack drivers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albion Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 If you're worried about losing power, consider fitting a gas-ram or buying a gun already fitted with one. If you want a smooth shooting springer, consider getting your rifle tuned. As far as quality goes, Weihrauch or Air Arms will last a lifetime. It's really a matter of weighing up your preferences regarding weight, calibre, appearance etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotty12 Posted February 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 over here the only way you can try before you buy is if you no somebody who owns an airrifle most shops dont even stock airrifles,and i dont know anyone who has one as you have get a license the same as for a .308 hunting rifle and pay 80e for it even if its an 11ftlb airrifle.I just think they look like a great way to control rat and pidgeons inside barns and around the farm yard where you cant use your rimfire!i have a licence request in for my new cz .22 at the moment (waiting 7wks so far)so it will be a few mths before ill be getting an air rifle!what are they like to use on rats in say 22 or 17 cal?any body know of any videos on youtube you can see someone hunt rats with a springer,ican only find pcp ratting vids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 I'd go for the Weihrauch HW80 or HW97-it's my personal preference to go for these quality spring rifles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbit.slayer.no.1 Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 why not try a theoben , most of there rifles are gas ram so you can leave it cocked for longer plus you dont have to change the springs as often. ive a theoben evo.20 and i cant beat it for in feild shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deputy dog Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 Iv had all of the above guns. Hw77/80 and 97. Tx 200 and all of then are quality springers that will do the job required of them. Take a knocking in the field and still come out on top. I would highly recommend any of these for a first springer. Good luck what ever you buy and good shooting. DD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEAD SHOT NO1 Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 is there much to keeping a springer working well?as iv never had one im afraid ill get one and after 6mths it will be shooting underpowered or something what i mean is if you fire one everyweekend say 200pellets how long before the spring weakens?its a big investment they are expensive here more than a 22lr rifle so want something that will last! That is guaranteed with every springer.May be you should consider a theoben but even they will need seas eventually.Hws have shoddy chopped down springs in uk for our power limit.I am not sure what power you can have but if you can have over 12ft/ibs look at Dianas.FAC used are way cheaper then any legal (UK) limit air rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanishfly Posted February 4, 2011 Report Share Posted February 4, 2011 I've used a BSA Lightning before and never really liked it. Using a HW97KT at the minute which is fantastic. Puts out around 18ft/lbs but the overall weight of the gun makes it shoot like it's 12. I wouldn't part with it. I'd also like to add an Air Arms Pro Sport to the armoury as I've heard they are rock solid tack drivers My HW97K is Spanish spec - also 18 ft/lbs - and in .25 calibre it packs a wallop. I love it - recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorchyboy Posted February 4, 2011 Report Share Posted February 4, 2011 hi i have had a few springers and fancied a change i bought my first theoben fenman,in my opinion it is far superior to a springer theres none of that annoying twang when you shoot it,it sustains its power no matter how long it is cocked and a lot quieter when hunting,granted they are more expensive,but they tend to hold their price as opposed to a springer,i have now purchased a theoben evolution with a walnut thumbhole stock excellent piece of kit,in my opinion once you have owned a gas ram you will never go back to a springer,plus these rifles are self sustained,no re gassing etc dont take my word for it give one a try hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted February 4, 2011 Report Share Posted February 4, 2011 Basically, I'd shoulder a few in a gunshop and choose from there. If it starts with HW (perhaps other than 57) it will be spit accurate, pellet on top of pellet if you do your bit. Springs last for years!!!!! Forget Gas rams, they eventually fail too. The springer gets better with use as it beds in. I had an ancient 97K in .22 with its original spring and virtually no blueing on the under lever, not much on the barrel. It was still shooting pellet on top of pellet at 35 yards, with shot to shot consistency in single fps figures. Also had a 95k - a tad lighter, no less accurate and I found very easy to shoot off hand for some reason. A great walkabout hunting rifle I found and took countless rabbits with it. Both liked H&N FT Trophys. Still enough heft to be steady on aim (fitted a sling and swivels as it's still a medium heavy gun) and I personally wouldn't bother getting the silenced version - its a very quiet gun anyway, especially in .22 Had an AA TX200 too. A very decent rifle too, but my ultimate preference went to the Weihrauchs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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