Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 16 to 21 of 21

Thread: Bsa airsporter .177?

  1. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Bruton
    Posts
    6,591
    Quote Originally Posted by Abasmajor View Post
    It's my understanding that the first full sized, underlever air rifle BSA produced after the war was launched in 1948 and called the Club initially made in .177 calibre only until the option of a .22 calibre called the Airsporter became available a few months after initial introduction. Both of these rifles were essentially Airsporters, but only the .22 calibre rifle was actually named as the Airsporter. In 1959 a number of changes were made to the design including the designation of the model as the Airsporter whether the rifles were chambered in .177 or .22 calibres. The Club models are very rare and consequently attract higher prices on the few occasions they do appear for sale.

    Brian
    I believe that is true. It is certainly the case that Clubs are rare and sought after.

    The same applies to the contemporary Webley MkIII, also first introduced in .177”.

    Despite the pre-war popularity of .22”, lead was expensive and in short supply in the war-ravaged (basically broke) post-war economy. So, in 1947-48, .177” made sense.

    As soon as the situation began to ease, .22” moved back to being the preferred sporting option until the late 1980s when, probably influenced first by FT and then by modern PCPs, .177” started increasing in popularity for pest control.

    Author’s note. This is please please please not the start of a “1.77 vs 2.2 - which is powerier?” thread derail.

  2. #17
    Hsing-ee's Avatar
    Hsing-ee is offline may also be employed in conjunction with a drawn reciprocation dingle arm, to reduce sinusoidal repleneration
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    18,217
    Quote Originally Posted by Geezer View Post
    I believe that is true. It is certainly the case that Clubs are rare and sought after.

    The same applies to the contemporary Webley MkIII, also first introduced in .177”.

    Despite the pre-war popularity of .22”, lead was expensive and in short supply in the war-ravaged (basically broke) post-war economy. So, in 1947-48, .177” made sense.

    As soon as the situation began to ease, .22” moved back to being the preferred sporting option until the late 1980s when, probably influenced first by FT and then by modern PCPs, .177” started increasing in popularity for pest control.

    Author’s note. This is please please please not the start of a “1.77 vs 2.2 - which is powerier?” thread derail.
    'Fred Grimwade' who I believe was Eddie Barber of AirgunAid in Essex was the first to champion the .177 as a sporting proposition in 1980 or so, on the basis of its accuracy. I bought a Hammerli 401 in .177 on the back of it and did quite well in early FT shoots, it made about 7.6 fpe using RWS Meisterkulgen. I never used it on live quarry, but it would slap the tin chickens down out to 45 yards OK.

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Runcorn right by the bridge
    Posts
    7,567
    Quote Originally Posted by Lakey View Post
    I have one exactly like that one but in 100% better condition with no rust , anyone any Idea of value ? Not thinking of selling it just curious

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Hemel Hempstead, Herts
    Posts
    972
    Back in the day manufacturers put the same spring in both calibres, and because the .22 is inherently more efficient, that calibre always gave more power. This and the fact that the bigger is best philosophy ruled then, meant far fewer .177's were sold. It is a different story now when both calibres are performing at or near the legal limit, and the .177 at 11.9 ft lbs is far more enjoyable to shoot.
    That however still doesn't stop the .22 being more popular, probably because of its greater 'stopping power' when slightly off in the aim against vermin?

  5. #20
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Chester
    Posts
    5,486
    A local shop claimed there was next to no demand for the smaller calibre, but they could special order from either of the two british makers.
    That was in the seventies,how times change,but not the retailer in question.

  6. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Rainham, Kent.
    Posts
    1,610
    I have 2, a ""MAY OF LONDON" field target prototype, and a Mk 4 or 5 (I can't remember which one), it came to me re-sprung and re- lubed and shoots very nicely.

    Both supplied by a very nice chap on here who goes by the name of kevin ronnie.
    master(dot)shriller(at)gmail.com

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •