I have three HW 77, HW 97, & HW 100, KT. & love all three I had carried one around the fields of three farms until my stroke at 84, four years ago, and I have made myself a gun carraige from a golfers trolly & tote it between four & five hundred yards down one of my daughters fields to a hide where i mainly shoot grey squirrels I must admitthe HW 100 the easyest to handle these days . Thanks for the review really enjoyed it Cheers Tippo. UK.GB.
Hey friend can you tell me what is the best rifle for you... (because you have shooting both of them)...HW 77...or 97...with..(k)...or without...and why...!!!...The only problem for me is that in my country (Greece)...not allowed guns with scopes...and i think that the HW 77...in...177 with open sites is the only way...!!!...But if you tell me that for some other reason....the HW 97 4.5mm is better...and why...I will take this with a scope...even it is...little...illegal...!!!...Hahaha...
@@ΝικΛεων I'm sorry for not getting back my preference was the 97 mine being the K the 77 also being the K. My four guns are all in 22. the last 177 gun I had was in 1945/6 a BSA Cadet. Nik don't break the law has they have the last word. Cheers Tippo.UK.
Take note everyone. As someone who has owned a 97KT for nearly a decade along with several other guns many of them PCP's including a HW100 i can tell you that with a tuning kit, the right pellets and some practice. After you have a few tins of pellets out of this and it beds in it is basically as accurate as any PCP i have ever shot. These are a lot cheaper to run than a PCP as well. No pump or bottle, no paying to have your bottle filled. A lot less to go wrong with them.
I'm in the U.S and want a HW97k are they powerful enough to kill small game out to 50 yards. And what do you think is better for accuracy and power for hunting a 177 or 22.
@@johnnyventurino8947 In the UK we're limited in terms of our airgun power output unless the gun is on a firearms certificate to a muzzle energy of 12ft/lbs. I hit targets out to 70 yards with mine. Although admittedly maybe not with the most perfect accuracy. I have both .177 and .22 rifles. This is the oldest debate there is. I use my .177 PCP for ratting and it is very nice for target shooting. I like having a magazine and I find it perfect for slotting pellets in just behind the eye. The .22 I prefer for larger prey like pigeons. If I could only have 1 gun it would be my .22 HW97. The .22 pellet takes more practice to master at longer distances due to the drop but I find it a more stable pellet to use in wind. .177 will often be all over the place if its windy. I like the greater stopping power of .22 as well. Especially for pigeons. So it depends what you're shooting and where. I have seen people pop rabbits with .177 HW97's at almost 60 yards with standard UK power rifles. If you get a gun from Europe their standard power is 10ft/lbs or less - there are plenty of tuning kits available. My advice if you buy a 97. Put a couple tins of pellets through it before you make any decisions. They tend to come quite "twangy" from the box but will bed in after a while and you might find where it settles perfectly satisfactory. There are plenty of videos about how to strip them down or install a basic tuning kit.
I've shot this rifle in the Special Edition (laminated) and this is blowing my mind, honestly, the build is just tops, but what's just amazing is the accuracy! I must say, this is the very best Springer I have had without a doubt!
After sighting in at 60 feet, I could easily cover 5 shots with a nickel ru-vid.comUgkxQt2uORDRfFOVSrO4idv4B90ThT6EOnEL ! Truly a pleasure to shoot! Scope was easy to adjust for eye relief. Only problem the varmints must have seen it delivered lol!Update: So impressed with shot groups at 30 yards I purchased a Hammers 3×9 with adjustable Objective scope! Now a true nail driver!
Just got mine in .177, love it very accurate 5p group at 30m JSB Diablo 4.52 8.44 grains, shooting off a bag, got the HW97 silencer for it superb in the garden. Saw your review Steve and the artillery hold video. made my choice easy goes well with my HW100T love it. Weihrauch know what they are doing.
Mine is .22 and I've used it several years. Absolutely love it (except as you said, for the weight, but you can cradle carry it comfortably). Mine was very pellet fussy in .22 but with H&N FTT's it is amazingly consistent and accurate.
Great video Steve, thank you. I purchased a HW97KT - Synthetic Silver line four weeks ago after taking up shooting (Airguns) again since semi-retiring. I still have my first air rifle - an Original .177 (Austrian I think) which is a very accurate little springer with open sights. Frankly the HW knocks everything I've tried into a cocked hat for accuracy. The rifle came with a Hawke scope attached - in black, which didn't look great on the stainless Nickel barrel, so I have imported a Barska Colorado silver rifle scope, which at £32 plus carriage, looks good (OK I'm vain) but I found is easier to use and more accurate for me. Yes the rifle is heavy, but I'm nearly seventy and still have a few muscles left! I'm really enjoying the HW97, thanks again for your video.
Have owned Airbus for decades, I bought an HW77 when they came out now have a HW97 Beautiful gun, also HW80K what a powerhouse as for P.C.P.s HW100KT fantastic. Pistols include HW45 HW45 Blackstar 1.77 and .22 also HW75 Single stroke pure class, these guns were all game changers for me. My Thanks to Hull Cartridge Company
I have the tactical version .22 with the composite stock. Yes, it is really heavy and the safety caught me out a few times, as well. But it’s build, quality and accuracy, makes up for its downfalls. I suggest anyone buying this rifle, will also need to buy some weights, to improve your upper body strength. 😊
Hi Steve, I agree with you about the 97 particularly as regard to the weight. Apart from that, it's awesome. I've also got a HW99s break barrel in .22 cal. It's much lighter and I find it much easier to shoot. It's also very accurate, I hit 1" chalk targets at 50m. You're welcome to have a go if you want.
Steve, HW 97 negatives to add for me: the safety click is too loud for hunting and closing the lever makes for an unpleasantly sharp sound. Gun cannot be de-cocked because of anti bear trap design. On the TH version, stock hole does not allow for easy thumb up position (no shelf). Harmonics of cocking lever are not well isolated from barrel. Internals and shot cycle not same level as TX 200 or LGU. More difficult to take apart than TX & LGU. Non-UK specimens are loud & rough. Positives: Strong points vs TX & LGU: trigger, balance, compactness, body fit and ease of loading ! For these reasons, I take it up more spontaneously than the other two. THX for your buoyant reviews Steve and keep them coming !
There is no TH version dont you mean the KT. Mine was good out of the box, but now its superb, buttoned and banded piston, short stroked, sits at 11.2ft llbs. When chronographed its more consistent than my daystate huntsman! But i must say a do love a tx200hc great rifles also.
I had a 177 , the rifle was a German rifle weihrauch, I bought it cheap at to Rod and Gun in Torrejon Spain. I could knock over empty shot gun shells at 30 yds and very consistent. It was a new gun and it shot extremely well. A Spaniard that I shot with liked it and he eventually hit a dollar amount I could not refuse. I sold it on the spot for cash, but thanks to you, I have found my next gun. Great video.
got the black line stl .177 loves 7.9grn crossman premier domed.sub 5p groups at 25mtrs , brilliant rifle that will last long after the PCP's have blown out seals and run it of air
I have the 97 K without the Thumbhole... awesome bloody rifle. The end of the muzzle is not a moderator, but you can remove the front of it with a 7mm Allen key and fit a Weihrauch Mod if wanted, though this does make the barrel far too long in my opinion. Good review as always Steve. They also like H&N FTT in .177.
I've had both. Had the sporter originally, followed by the thumbhole version as I wanted to upgrade, which I then got rid of and went back to my original sporter as I found it a lot more versatile. It has a vmach spring and guide kit fitted and a tbt insert kit in the end which made a nice difference.
The accuracy depence on the wight of the rifle! And one more thing; these guns do not lose any penny over decades . My´n 77k I bought in 2005 rize in price , even more bec. it´s a 17 fpe version in .177! I´m happy with that gun
I hunted with a full length 77 for years in the 80's & 90's..No sling on it...I used to stalk the hedgerows for hours at a time..I'm a 6 foot tall guy but I was very skinny at the time & only weighed 10 & a half stone..You get used to the weight very quickly & it helps actually to hold it steady on aim...I'm sure if I could do that you certainly could as you are a bigger build than Ive ever been mate.lol Fantastic guns....Ive owned the 35 ,77 ,95k & now the 99s..all have been brilliant & all were deadly accurate & built to last...Hope you do many more springer tests so you can get used to them & see their true accuracy .I tried pcp's but find them really boring.
have the weihrauch for 3 years now, it's an excellent springer; my favorite .22 pellets are the H&N FTT power (the best groups for me) and H&N baracuda power.
@The Manure Plough what do you mean with fettle it? like cleaning? i did buy some grease and i did change the spring with a spring kit; other than that just regular cleaning with browning legia spray
Do you think the 22 is better then 177. I live in the U.S and dont have to worry about power restrictions so do you think 177 would be good for target and hunting or do you think 22 would be better.
@@jules1983 Jules is the kit worth getting with the spring or is the HW97k good enough right out of the box for target and hunting. What does the spring do to make it better and is it easy to replace.
Hi Steve, just watched this, as said a heavy rifle but love mine in .177 and owned for a few years. Not a true silencer fitted more a barrel weight but you can unscrew end cap, I think a 7mm hex and a unf adapter for your silencer of choose can be fitted 😎
I'm thinking about buying one of the HW97K even though I love my LESHYI AND LEYLA. But I been wanting something different and accurate with low sound and all the good reviews say this is the one.
Had a 97kt liked it a lot then bought a TX200hc.. so much better out of the box than the HW97...Then... I fired a walther LGU, has the best of both worlds the TX and the 97... LGU best springer i have ever owned, straight out the box.
My .177 TX200 and TX200MKII and Prosport .22 are my two fav springers (hubby and i are heavily in to PCPs and super hooked on our FX and RAWs right now) we do have a .177 and .22 HW97KT in stainless and a sub12 HW95 .177. The Air Arms springers are works of art and such beautiful guns and superbly accurate. The HWs are very sexy guns as well and the triggers are totally amazing (slightly better then the AA triggers imho all being highly adjustable but the Rekord trigger just feels slightly better.) But not as pretty as the AA guns and the AA springers out preform them out at 50y. At 25y they all group about the same but at 50 the TX200s and Prosport shoot tighter groups 9 out of 10 groups. The AA guns are less hold sensitive as well and just easier to shoot. My .22 TX200mkII and the .22 Prosport at 50y will out shoot budget PCP guns all day long. Something like a .22 Mrod at 50y will not shoot 10 shot groups as tight as my TX or Prosport. Something like a Discovery, Maximus, Gaunlet etc etc will have a very hard time beating them at 50y. The HWs are close but the TX just group slightly better at longer ranges and that likely isn't the gun but rather the shooter. The TX guns are just less hold sensitive and don't punish you as badly for slight variations in your hold as much as the HWs. If your really skilled with springers im sure the HWs will perform just as well as the TXs and may even out perform them.
I Have A RWS #350 Diana Magnum..In.177..Have It Used At 1375++ FPS..Gold Raptor Ammo..Loud..No Muzzle Brake..Love Steel Tip Ammo!! Great German Gun..8.5 Lbs..Paid $300.00..
I have one of these and definitely not a gun to carry around a field hunting rabbits but what a super quality gun. You have to have one in your collection. Garden plinking is great fun.
You didn't seem to mention that additional accessories required to own a PCP and their cost. A Hand Pump is $200/$300 and most people claim a hand pump takes the joy away very quickly. A Tank is $400/$700 plus the constant hunt for a refill vendor and the $$$ each fill. A compressor is $700/$3,000. So if you want a quality accurate Rifle and it's your first. You may want to consider this one simply because you get the accuracy of a PCP but the simplicity of a self-contained springer.
my pcps are one holers at 20 yards this is close but not quiet for springers they are excellent if you get one in the states they are not as accurate because they are pumped up to 15 to 16 ft lbs you have to get the kit and slow them down to the 11-12 ft lbs to get the accuracy back where it should be
Can't help wondering if a significant contributing factor to this rifle's amazing accuracy is the weight itself. The more inertia the gun has the less it gets perturbed by all other disturbing forces. Just a thought. I'm about to buy one of these for hunting and will just have to get fitter to lug the extra mass around but above all else I want to be able to reliably put a .177 pellet through a rabbit's head at 50 m.
I agree the Weihrauch HW97 KT is a nice kit. I tried it but found it too heavy like my older BSA PCP. I learned that the best rifle is the one you use, the weight turned me off based on my neglect of my heafty BSA.
HI Steve, I had a 97 but got rid of it because it was too heavy, especially when I had all the DIY night vision gear on it. I subbed it for a 95 - much lighter.
@@airgunology I love my HW95 in 177. I prefer a break barrel and don't like bear catches! The break barrel doesn't affect the accuracy in a beautifully made gun like the HW95.
I have two HW97KTs. I love them both, but I also have a Feiwerkbau 124 Sport. And I have to say, it outshines the HW97s. It is lighter because it is a breakbarrel, and it is more accurate than the 97s, and it is more accuate than my Air ArmsTX200.
Love mine ! All I did was polish the spring ends, getting those groups out to 40 yards off a bag. Weight is your friend, but I discovered trigger control is still vital. Squeeze straight back and follow through after the shot for a tighter group. Using cross sticks mines become quite the squirrel sniper.
only heavy when you first handle it, balance point found weight disappears to nothing, carry it all day rabbit hunting with no problem and no sling, if you like the 97 try it tuned! I've got a blue one with a vortek kit in it, shot variation of 2 to 3 fps! 10mm groups at 55 yards!
Just bought a standard one enjoying it very much trigger action & accuracy are supurb the one criticism I have is weight wise your correct it's an absolute brute hunting wise you'll definitely need a rest!
The lgu is everything weihrauch tuners have been charging small fortunes for for years. Out of the box it’s far superior. The horrible bear trap is the only thing that puts me off one and the tx200. I tuned my 97k myself and on a 28yard range it would single hole Crosman lites I had to chase the hole to make sure they were on target. I couldn’t miss the 4.5mm bell target,I’ve not had that accuracy from a pcp on the same range! Great review👍🏻
Brilliant review buddy! 👍🏽👍🏽 FYI for anyone reading - you can decock it just by holding the bar with care & strength, & pull the trigger to release the spring/bar.
Hi Arif. You can't decock a standard HW97 by holding the cocking lever down, taking off the safety and pulling the trigger. There's a second trigger block (not an anti-bear trap, that's a different thing found on the AA TXs), which prevents the trigger being pulled unless the cocking lever has been returned into position under the barrel. If you can decock your HW97 by holding the cocking lever down, taking off the safety and pulling the trigger it's either faulty or a previous owner has removed the trigger block (which some people deliberately do so they can decock the rifle).
Great video mate. Not sure if its already been said but it doesn't matter how long the scope is as you'll still be able to easily load them. Also, you unscrew the front of the standard silencer and it has an internal thread for an aftermarket one. Happy shooting
a great video and a very great rifle I am on my last to buy rifle so I will buy this rifle or a 77s standard barrel a little bit longer as I like long barrels this will be my 3rd 77 or my first 97s
Awesome review, Steve. The Accupels are amazing in that rifle. I shoot a TX200HC and it loves the AA Diabolos but I think I should try a sample pack of Accupels. You never know. Well done mate 👍👏👏👏 And honorary mention for your wife/partners hair. 😂 Mrs me says she has lovely hair. 😂👍
it carries just like the old SLR used to hold cross ways point down front stock rested on left forearm buststock just outside of right bicep, left hand over right forearm, right hand on grip index finger extended, you can carry it for miles. quick adendum, love the video, have this rifle, love it only air rifle i have more accurate is my ole anschultz 250
They are great rifles. Had a few and all have been excellent. Had a TX200 that pipped them all but that was a special rifle. You won't go wrong with one so highly recommended. Watching this has made me want another one. Could literally last a lifetime.
hi Steve nice job on the review i have a 97 in black it cost £340 it's as accurate as my bsa r10 but I gotta work much harder to get it . quality springers are very rewarding atb
I can keep up with the benchrest competition's PCP boy's with my HW97K, .177 but then I've been a shooting couple of times a week for 54 year's, I think it maybe paying off 🤣🤣🤣 at last, great rifles.
I got one of these used,. But, in immaculate condition for 300€ & I love it. You have to use the right pellets of course. My only criticism would be the weight. But, as I said I love it.
Heavy? I’m no Arnold Schwarzenegger yet I have no issue hunting with mine in .22, apologies if you’re physically handicapped. Yes I fitted a sling, not so much because it’s heavy but because I like crossing obstacles with both hands free. That weight contributes to its insane accuracy. Get over it. Silencer? In Australia they’re not allowed. Yes it does makes a bit of a crack, it’s powerful! Are you sure that’s a silencer? Auto-safety, you don’t like it. I don’t care what you like. Safety first, forget to disengage it once or twice and muscle memory will take over, problem gone. Cost? What do you expect for quality? During Covid, my mates with PCPs had problems getting air tanks filled. Not me, free air always! I wasn’t impressed by the thumbhole stock at first but it’s grown on me. Comfortable and secure grip, every time. Get a gym membership perhaps?
I have the 97 k , one of the best you will buy , mine is .177 5mm group at 25 yards , I disagree with jockgit about the moderater take the internels out of the mod and you will hear the diferance ,not much but it is there , got mine second hand for £275 ,brilliant gun mine is a keeper :-)
I bought this rifle a few months back and this is by far the most accurate gun I shot ever and I have shot a lot of guns in my life ,on a good day I can put pellets in the same hole all day long at 10m ,100% you can't be disappointed with this thing and if something is not right *its a dud or its your technique ,buy it and it will become your #1 with in a few days I got the .22 best 700$ I have spent on a gun ever
Do you think the 22 is better then 177 im in the U.S and want a HW97k but don't know if I want 177 or 22. It seems like more guys go for 177, what made you go 22, is it that much more powerful for hunting in your opinion then 177.
Great review on an amazing gun. I’m not a springer guy BUT This gun and the TX 200 have to be two of the best out there and would be proud to own either or both👍
check the horse bolt is tight , they come lose , add a bit of loctite and all is good. Its the bolt at the end of the rod that goes into the spring compressor
@@airgunology also mate, tbt drop in kit would virtually leave no recoil and be a lot quieter, done this to my hw99s and its made a hell of a difference. I think sandwell field sports also can do a cracking job with a hw97
There is a very specific reason for the automatic safety... I noticed that you hold back the cocking lever while inserting the pellet in the barrel... Not everyone does that... Imagine that you are loading a pellet in the barrel (not holding the cocking lever back) and accidentally activating the trigger!... That will most definitely amputate your finger!!! Therefore I believe it's a very important safety feature!...
It's NOT a built in silencer !!! It's "just" a shroud adding weight for compensating/balancing. You can add a special screw-in silencer on the newest models with removable port in the front.
Thanks Steve for that very informative and honest review. Just picked one up myself and completely blown away with it's all round build quality. As I'm in Spain I was able to get the FAC version although I dont see there being a massive difference as I will be using it at the range for plinking. I'm quite old school and still like a solid Springer although in the future I might venture into the world of pcps. Really enjoy your channel, regards from Barcelona
I started with springers, then got a few mid and high end PCPs. The PCPs are so accurate and easy to shoot, it became boring. I still have them, but I find myself shooting far more with my springers. It’s so much more of a challenge to shoot them well. Plus, no fiddling with all the equipment a PCP requires.
@@drameday I'm in the same boat as you! Sold my 97 and been using a hw100 recently... Incredible rifle, but just too easy.. About to buy another high end Springer... Looking at the hw80
hi. enjoy your videos, i found the accupell ft very good and then realised why, they are h&n ftt's in a different tin which seems to be the best pellet in both my guns.
do you know why you have such a high likes on this video? Essentially, for writing the distance you shoot down in target,something nobody does.Congratulations on your channel.
Good springer , as some one who has owned that and the tx 200 hc( air arms) And trust me AIR ARMS TAKES THE 1st spot every time , the hw needs a tune up from the factory, the air arms needs nothing , I might have to dig the tx out and bring that to the plinking session, you will drool
steve just got back from the NEC for the brit shooting show , BSA have a new rifle out , ive handled it & shot it , it is beautiful , its a bull pup type , but light , side lever cocking , as light & easy & smooth , handles & fits the shoulder perfectly , only down side is the price , otherwise i`d be out playing with it instead of sitting in front of a screen
Try and get hold of a Air Arms Pro Sport for review, I had one a few years back and it shot pellet on pellet every time but like the HW it weighs a bloody ton, even heavier than the HW I believe but oh my god what a rifle it is, probably the best springer in the world.
Untill you tune the 97. Air arms are tuned in the factory with a laza glide replica ,buttoning and rear delrin piston ring .. plasic guides etc .. so out of the box yes ; untill you do the same to a 97 , then the aa tx.s take a second place ..german engineering beats all with a polish 😀
i have a 6-24x50 hawke 30 sidewinder on mine it blocks half the port 😆 but still room to feed a .177 as long as you dont have sausage fingers from being 25 stone you should be ok...dont mess with the trigger if youre new to rekord trigger as it is possible to set it to low making it randomly fire as you click the underlever back in place..and if youre supervisoring kids /non gun folk tell them about the safety everytime or they'll just bend the pin holding the trigger yanking on it ..ive had 3 for 20yrs an still forget the auto safety 🙂👍🏻 ..
Nice review defently honest and correct in most part... Try the hw98 same accuracy, but more futures than the hw77 cousin, like the adjustable chin pad.
Out of all the air rifles I own (I have a few !) I put it just in front of the TX200, and Walther LGU, but for anyone with half the budget you'd be very hard pressed to beat the Walther Terrus, I love mine...
A GREAT REVIEW , BUYING THIS OR A AIRMARMS TX200 HUNTER CARBINE , HAD A WEICHRAUCH IN THE LATE "90's , B4 that aged. 12 , BSA, then Webley , have a Walther Varmint R8 .22 , great rifle never missed a beat , from the moment I shot it bang on , but going to buy this one or AirArms springer , just more fun , then im buying a weichrauch hw100 , just better quality,
Steve Allan today my mates going to come round and say what he prefers, its still a toss up? The thing is Allan im wanting the Black line one , love the Composite stock - been out with the Varmint R8 , in pouring rain , got home wiped off moisture, but wood reminds me of my BSA SPORT AGED 12, keep it up great reviews ! BANG ON , got one for you , saw a remark on a Varmint R8 , the guy said could not hit nothing with it , so spent anither £1000 on a better rifle , I put you either a ok or good shot or a shit shot. Rifle is not going to make you better if your no good any way ? He was a snob , but got loads of likes , weve all dun shit shots , your only as good as your last kill any way , missed sitters ? Too , we all ave , thats wot makes shooting , hunting , the one that got away , this month had two foxes in my back garden, head shot , the old shake rackle and ROLL , FOX HEAVEN LOL !!!! 4 THEM !!!!
Personally I believe the the thing that hits the target is the shooter. All the right kit in the wrong hands means for nothing. Good luck with what ever you get, sounds fun.
I don't like a description saying the best. a good review of a good rifle Steve and thankyou for mentioning PCPs these commenters love their rifles and they should. but. the HW97 is not up to match shooting, it's too heavy (front) for rough shooting also single shot makes it impractable for plinking fun. it maybe midmarket money. ok at things but i would look further for what suits you better.
Nicely done Steve. I just picked up a Tony Leach tuned HW97KT Blackline and it’s an instant favourite, next to my HW100KT C. It has an Enfield 4-16x44 AO Mill Dot scope and looking to change it, so wondering what the Nicko Sterling is on your model?
![Weihrauch HW 97 KT [Review] - Is it the best Springer available](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
