Whiscombe Impressions

[Rapidnick]

Had a big smile on my face yesterday! My Whiscombe JW65 FB serial number 5 arrived around midday. Thanks Richard! Was going to treat myself to a new one for my 'special' birthday next year but this one came up on the bbs so I bought it. Absolutely gorgeous. Quality oozes out of every portion of this magnificent piece of craftmanship. Took it to the Club last night and my friends there couldn't believe how well made it was. Enough of this-what is it like in action?
This particular model is-unfortunately for me-equipped with a lovely grade 3 hyedua FT thumbhole stock but unsurprisingly made for a right hander. I am left handed so was a bit worried that it would be unusable which would've been a real shame. However with the cheekpiece completely retracted and the butt plate adjusted for me the only element of funtionality that I lose is the thumbhole or thumb up position. This is a pity but no real problem.
I fitted my Simmons Pro Air 4-12x40 scope and went off to zero the rifle.
I was a little concerned about the cocking action. I needn't have been at all. Many of you will know that the special feature of the Whiscombe is the lack of recoil made possible by two opposing pistons and cylinders. This obviously adds to the weight and needs two go's with the cocking lever before you can fire. The first stroke of the underlever is pretty easy and ends with a satisfying 'click'. The return of the lever is also punctuated by a 'click' which means you are ready for the second stroke. This requires a little more effort but is not in any way difficult.At this stage the safety button situated on the top and back of the action moves back to set but you don't hear that. Then you operate the beautifully made side lever to reveal the breech to insert the pellet. Insertion of the pellet is not difficult but I suspect that someone with very large fingers may find that operation a bit more difficult than I do with my little paws. All the time you operate any feature of this stunning rifle you cannot fail to be impressed by the supreme quality of everything you touch. It really is fabulous-no other word describes it adequately- it is in a class of its own for quality.
Now the firing. The match trigger is pretty light and when the safety is thumbed forward-which incidentally is almost impossible to do without intending to-you are ready to fire. My first shot was -well just like firing a pcp! No recoil at all. Fairly quiet but not absolutely silent-maybe a bit quieter than a GML with a muzzle brake. However, for this type of rifle absolute silence is not really a requirement. I proceeded with zero'ing and once the scope was adjusted, the rifle put pellet on pellet and I was soon amazed at the accuracy even with me firing it. It is as good as my GML and I can offer no greater praise than that. Would I use it in a competition-not sure?. The effort of double cocking and the risk of scraping or damaging the rifle would probably put me off. I have no doubt however that it would hold its own. Is it possible to employ a loader I ask??? :confused:
Clearly I have not owned this masterpiece long enough to say any more but first impressions are better than good. Fantastic is my chosen word-I can think of no other. As to the price, mine was bought used and usefully cheaper than new plus 'no wait'. For only a little more than the cost of a Daystate Mark 3/Rapid 2/MFR I have bought something really special and am delighted that I did. I will almost certainly have a left handed stock made-any ideas please contact me- which will add to the cost but I expected to have to do that anyway.
Good shooting everyone! :)

[Ed W]

Hello RN,

Congratulations on your Whiscombe - I've got one, too - very nice! :)

It may be worth have a word with JW about any replacement stock.

So much wood has to be removed from the fore-end area to accomodate the action, I "think" I remember another post from a while ago saying the screws had a critical torque to avert disaster...!

HTH, Regards, Ed

[Rapidnick]

Thanks Ed much appreciated. I had heard the same! :) If JW reads this post: 'feel free to email me!!!' :)

[andy_scouser]

congrats on your new purchase mate. You like your toys, don't you. And why not ;)

[Rapidnick]

congrats on your new purchase mate. You like your toys, don't you. And why not ;)


Tell you what Andy I have never handled anything with the same quality feel of this rifle. Everything is so precise and beautifully made. I have wanted one for some time and am well pleased that I took the plunge! :) :)

[loiner1965]

Tell you what Andy I have never handled anything with the same quality feel of this rifle. Everything is so precise and beautifully made. I have wanted one for some time and am well pleased that I took the plunge! :) :)
magazine is on its way nick,,,,, ;)

[jag]

Congratulations and welcome to the club ;) :) .
I have been the proud owner of a JW 60 FB,for about three years know superb :D .( happy Hunting / Shooting) ;) :) :) .

[lionel]

I have a JW80 on order and this thread has started me salivating again :D . I ordered the match trigger option, but since its primary use will be hunting I'm wondering whether to change to the sporter trigger? I suppose if the match trigger can be adjusted to feel like a sporter then I can keep my options open. ;)

Lionel

[Rapidnick]

I have a JW80 on order and this thread has started me salivating again :D . I ordered the match trigger option, but since its primary use will be hunting I'm wondering whether to change to the sporter trigger? I suppose if the match trigger can be adjusted to feel like a sporter then I can keep my options open. ;)

Lionel

My trigger is very sensitive. I think I would order the sporter trigger for hunting. Presumably yours will be in FAC? :D

[Ed W]

Hello Lionel,

According to the info that came with my JW, the "standard trigger" can be adjusted to a minimum of 150gms (6-7oz).

I think the match trigger will go as low as 50gms (2oz) - JW recommended the standard trigger as I expected only to use it in the field.

HTH, Regards, Ed

[jag]

I have the match trigger on my 60, as well as a whiscombe adjustable cheek piece,'' which was expertly done for me by a friend''.
And weather I am hunting or participating in F.T , it is superb.( go for the full upgrade ), you won't be disappointed .

[Scooby]

I have two JW50's, one with the standard trigger & one with the Match trigger, I prefer the match trigger & you can always increase the weight & you would still have the option to reduce it if required. It would also increase it's appeal if you ever decided to sell it. :)

[lionel]

Thanks all. I'll call the maestro tomorrow and see if the match trigger can be adjusted to give a sporter let off.

Lionel

[lionel]

I've bitten the bullet (pellet?) and changed to the sporter stock and sporter trigger option. It's hunting I'll be using it for, so I think I'll be happy with that. Thanks for the advice.

Lionel

[Rapidnick]

Another bit of good new. I phoned JW today and was delighted to learn that he has a Left Handed Grade 3 hyedua thumbhole stock all ready to fit to my rifle. I will have it fitted next week. What a result-no wait!!! :) :)

[familytales]

Can anyone please advise whether it's worth ordering more than one barrel? Chat on the Yahoo group suggests that the spare one more than likely will remain unused, perhaps because of the hassle of changing them over, setting up again etc......? :confused:

[lionel]

Can anyone please advise whether it's worth ordering more than one barrel? Chat on the Yahoo group suggests that the spare one more than likely will remain unused, perhaps because of the hassle of changing them over, setting up again etc......? :confused:

If you read Terry Doe's review on the Whiscombe site you'll see that he didn't fancy changing the barrel himself - although he said John Whiscombe did it in five minutes or so.

Lionel

[familytales]

If you read Terry Doe's review on the Whiscombe site you'll see that he didn't fancy changing the barrel himself - although he said John Whiscombe did it in five minutes or so.

LionelThanks Lionel, yes I did see that. Just wondered whether it's worth the extra cash to have the alternative barrel or whether I should choose one way or the other to begin with.

[Rapidnick]

Thanks Lionel, yes I did see that. Just wondered whether it's worth the extra cash to have the alternative barrel or whether I should choose one way or the other to begin with.

I think it will depend on price. Also bear in mind that if you have a .177 running at legal limit, when you fitted a .22 barrel on the rifle it would be running 'over' without adjustment. Personally I would only consider multi barrels with an FAC rifle. :D

[familytales]

I think it will depend on price. Also bear in mind that if you have a .177 running at legal limit, when you fitted a .22 barrel on the rifle it would be running 'over' without adjustment. Personally I would only consider multi barrels with an FAC rifle. :DThanks Nick. Forgot about the power factor. It will be sub-12 ft/lbs so I'll stick with the .177. :)

[pipesmoker]

Saving up money to join the Wiscombe club :D :D :D ! May have to sell my HW97k Lazaglide too :eek: !

[nurek]

I think it will depend on price. Also bear in mind that if you have a .177 running at legal limit, when you fitted a .22 barrel on the rifle it would be running 'over' without adjustment. Personally I would only consider multi barrels with an FAC rifle. :D

Congratulations Nick, that is a lovely rifle... and I am glad that you managed to get a LH stock as well!

Whiscombes have an easy way of adjusting the power, so you could have two barrels, and two 'power adjusters' which would need replacing each time a barrel was changed to bring the gun back to 12ftlbs (unless FAC)

Most Whiscombes are capable of higher power and are limited by the 'power adjuster', however the FT models are limited to around 12ftlbs with .177 no matter what.

I reckon it makes sense to have just the one barrel (.177 if it is used for FT or .22 if used for hunting) as you get used to the gun and its trajectory, or simply get two guns one in .22 and one in .177 :D

[michaeladkins]

Sounds nice! Any FAC whiscombe users got detils of their rifles power/performance?

Michael

[Rapidnick]

Congratulations Nick, that is a lovely rifle... and I am glad that you managed to get a LH stock as well!

Whiscombes have an easy way of adjusting the power, so you could have two barrels, and two 'power adjusters' which would need replacing each time a barrel was changed to bring the gun back to 12ftlbs (unless FAC)

Most Whiscombes are capable of higher power and are limited by the 'power adjuster', however the FT models are limited to around 12ftlbs with .177 no matter what.

I reckon it makes sense to have just the one barrel (.177 if it is used for FT or .22 if used for hunting) as you get used to the gun and its trajectory, or simply get two guns one in .22 and one in .177 :D

Thanks Nurek-I must say I was pleased to find out that JW had a LH stock all ready to fit to my particular model. :D

[lionel]

Sounds nice! Any FAC whiscombe users got detils of their rifles power/performance?

Michael

Not yet - but come December I will have ;)

Lionel

[Rapidnick]

I visited JW today to get my LH stock fitted. A really friendly welcoming man and also a really nice piece of Hyedua ready to fit my rifle. What a result to find that he had one left handed stock ready made to fit MY rifle :) :) After fitting and adjustment to ensure proper use of the cocking lever I am just waiting for some dry weather to refine the butt plate and cheekpiece settings to suit me. And shoot off a few pellets as well-it would be rude not to!
In the meantime I suppose I should get on and do a bit of work :D

[Rapidnick]

With a bit of good weather I was able to get everything adjusted to my liking. I find the thumb up position very comfortable indeed. My shooting has improved proving that a non-dedicated stock is a compromise at best.
The only issue I have with the rifle is the weight. I would not like to be lugging this one around a muddy field! In fairness it is set up as a target rifle in which guise it is fantastic.
In terms of competition use, my understanding is that the JW rifles are not eligible to be used in springer categories. Having used one I think this is totally fair as in operation they are clearly in the 'non recoiling' category. The real joy of this machine is that it is all down to you. No diving cylinders, no running out of air just you, the rifle, the pellet and your target whatever it might be.
Lionel, if you read this, I saw your name on the list! I hope it won't be TOO long now for you. I think you have made the right choice on sporter stock etc and the power of the JW80- around 28 ft lb with three cocks- should be fantastic. I tried out JW's own hunting rifle-a JW75- and it is just as smooth as my FAC Rapid. I can give it no greater praise than that. :) :)

[lionel]

Thanks Rapidnick - I'd better start bracing my bank account.

Lionel

[Minty]

Hi Guys

Yeah they are fantastic guns I love my JW65 mk11 it's a .177 l/h target stock version. I went to Johns to pick it up and spent an enjoyable 3 hours there chatting to him and shooting his own guns. That .22 FAC - 3 strokes but wow what a gun so smooth like shooting a rimfire but with no movement :D John is one of the good guys for sure and his guns aren't bad either :) It was a bit of a wait to get it but more than worth it so hang in there Lionel.

Cheers Mark

[Rapidnick]

Sounds nice! Any FAC whiscombe users got detils of their rifles power/performance?

Michael

Sorry for the delay in responding to this. Lionel will be your man when he takes delivery of his JW80FB and he will be able to give you his considered view then.
I shot JW's own JW75 FB which is running at about 27 ft lb. I only 'played' with it but was very impressed especially with how smooth it was. I was not exaggerating when I said in an earlier post that it was as smooth as my Rapid. Clearly the power is limited and needing three cocks of the lever every time you want to shoot makes it 'less spontaneous' in the field, but it is a really effective, totally self contained air rifle operating at a reasonable-but not extreme-FAC power level and I am thinking about ordering one. There again you can buy a Rapid 2/MFR/Daystate Mk 3 for a lot less and have plenty of money left over for trips to the dive shop and pellets!!
It is undoubtedly a VERY expensive rifle!!
Hope that helps! :)