HW80 dilema

[Ruger Red]

I recently bought an old 1980's HW80 (square end stock). Mechanically sound and stock in excellent condition. The bluing was poor so decided on sending it way to be reblued (ISP) in order to bring it back to its former glory. I am however starting to question the money I'm spending on what is in effect an old second hand rifle. Thought of getting a v-mach kit but the overall expenditure would be the same as if I'd have bought a new HW80 from JSR. I have no intention of selling it but don't know whether I should continue spending on it.

Any advice?

ps how do you correct your header as I've mistyped dilemma.

[Hsing-ee]

The blueing will be better than a new gun, and a proper tuning kit will make it perform much better than a new gun as well.

Some people say that Weihrauch quality is not as good as in the 'old days', and quality was excellent in the 1980s, so you probably have a good one.

All you are really missing out on is a polystyrene box and a warrenty, which basically means that you are missing out on cluttering up the environment with non-degradable plastic and having your rifle deisel for a year because you can't strip it down and relube for fear of invalidating your guarentee. My HW77K is from the late 80s and I put a Venom Stage 1 in it and I wouldn't change her for a new one ever. Do read Spring gun tuning article in the Advice and Tips section.

http://www.airgunbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115108

Go ahead and tune her up!

[Lightyear]

Hi,

Percieved wisdom generally seems to be that the older HW's from the 80's were maybe better made than they are today. If well used and looked after they are supposed to be able to tune themselves

The addition of the v-mach kit should improve the rifle a fair bit...but open her up and see what is inside before you do anything anyway.

My HW77 is from late 1987 and while a re-blue would make it look nice as would some attention to the stock, what I really like is the way it shoots - accurate, powerful and a nice predictable recoil. One day i would like to add an old HW80 in .177 to the HW77.

Indeed, the fact that the rifle is not cosmetically perfect means that it is one less thing to worry about when crawling about in a field !!!

Cheers + ATB

Philip.

[Raygun]

My own view it continue.
ISP will have it blued far better than original and with a V-Mach kit the gun will also perform better.

When you have finished you will have returned an older classic to better than it's former glory. Better in fact than a new gun.

ATB
Ray.

[michaeladkins]

NO its not worth it, sell it on here. OK OK ill have it £50 any good?

No seriously - it wil;l be a great gun when done, Only thing to watch on older guns is the rifling, make sure its good, i have had a couple of lovely old BB 80s rifl;es that were great apart from rifling ruined by metal pellets,nails etc etc!

Regards Michael

[whiteleggHW77K]

BY having an old one, especially will one of Steve Pope's kits, you miss out on one of thos lovely German chopped springs

OK, it will probably never be £worth the same as an Airmaster or Venom origional.....but that doesn't mean you cannot strive to improve what you have to approach them...

You could buy an Subaru Impreza Turbo......(like th e thousands of other Chavs) OR you could buy a Mk1 Escort, give it wide arches 16v costhworth engine on big webbers etc etc look like Roger Clark......better by miles in my oppinion....Fun to do the work yourself

Apologies for any Subaru owners

Pete

[Paddy_SP]

You could buy an Subaru Impreza Turbo......(like th e thousands of other Chavs)

Oi - I have a Scooby Turbo, and I'm no chav! I've never seen a chav in one either - possibly because I live in a civilised part of the world. The reason I bought it was that my Cosworth just wasn't up to the beating I gave it, so I went Japanese - six years on, I have no regrets about doing so.

[Ruger Red]

Thanks chaps for the advice. Its what I was hoping for you to say. I'll tell my wife that you made me do it.
There was very little wear in the gun with just a little grazing on the rear of the piston. It also has a square section spring which was perfectly straight. ISP are also polishing the piston so think I'll give Steve Pope and get a stage 1. It is only money after all.

[Raygun]

Thanks chaps for the advice. Its what I was hoping for you to say. I'll tell my wife that you made me do it.
There was very little wear in the gun with just a little grazing on the rear of the piston. It also has a square section spring which was perfectly straight. ISP are also polishing the piston so think I'll give Steve Pope and get a stage 1. It is only money after all.

If you need a note for your wife just let us know and we'll get it sorted.


ATB
Ray.

[Ruger Red]

Just had a chat with Steve Pope whilst my wife happened to be out.Thanks Ray for the offer of the note. It should be set up as a downloadable form on the forum

[whiteleggHW77K]

Along with 'genuine' valuations of expensive air rifles
Honestly dear it only cost £99, look here's something like it, it's called the B2 as in the very expensive US bomber, quality woodwork isn't it, dear!

[look no hands]

I thought ISP did tuning as well why don't you find out how much they will charge to do the whole job, saves getting your hands dirty.

Pete

[Ruger Red]

I saw that ISP advertise servicing and restoration. Thought I would like to get my hands dirty to some degree and claim a small amount of credit for its tuning. When I bought a HW97k I had it tuned at time of purchase. The gun is great but I got more initial satisfaction shooting the webley longbow I tuned myself.

Myles

[Chief Wiggum]

whats the going rate for a reblue at (ISP)?
a mate of mine has a hw77 that is in need of one.. would he just send the action? and take the stock off? were is ISP based?

cheers

Liam

[Ruger Red]

All details on their website
http://www.isp-airrifles.co.uk/