In praise of Webley air pistols

[pushbikeman]

Very interesting stuff, just a thought but has anyone got any views on the way a .177 shoots as opposed to a .22

[Abasmajor]

Very interesting stuff, just a thought but has anyone got any views on the way a .177 shoots as opposed to a .22

I have always been a one handed precision target shooter and was used to shooting high quality PCP pistols, always in .177 calibre, so naturally chose this calibre when I got interested in vintage Webley spring air pistols. I did however pick up a couple of Seniors and a Premier in .22 which I didn't expect to be as accurate as their .177 counterparts. In practice this has not proved to be the case and the .22 pistols appear to just as accurate at 10 metres. I shoot H&N Match flat head pellets in .177 and RWS Hobby pellets in .22. The main thing I have found which affects accuracy in these old springers is follow through. If you hold the pistol on aim for a couple of seconds after pressing the trigger the results are improved dramatically. Of course you still need to use the correct, stance, grip, breathing, sight picture and trigger control, but I have found follow through to be most important for me anyway.

Regards

Brian

[trevor1]

I've noticed barrels on early Mk1s and Mk11's tend to "banana" if they are .22.Simply not enough steel to be a cocking lever.
Trev

[laverdabru]

I really like Webley pistols, having started with a tin grip Junior back in the '70's. I have an early Hurricane now, but wish I still had my placcy grips Mk 1.
I was interested in Trevor's remark re the banana barrel on the .22. Mine had this, & at the time I assumed that it was due to 'bear trapping' - I think that's the term for when the trigger is operated when the action is open.
Does anyone make wooden grips for the Hurricane? If so, what's a ball park figure re cost?

[ggggr]

I really like Webley pistols, having started with a tin grip Junior back in the '70's. I have an early Hurricane now, but wish I still had my placcy grips Mk 1.
I was interested in Trevor's remark re the banana barrel on the .22. Mine had this, & at the time I assumed that it was due to 'bear trapping' - I think that's the term for when the trigger is operated when the action is open.
Does anyone make wooden grips for the Hurricane? If so, what's a ball park figure re cost?

think some of the earlier pistols could benefit from a slightly lighter spring to reduce the stresses on the guns. On a lot of old rifles, I just fit a spring that will do for plinking. A lot of ASI paratroopers get trigger failure because strong springs have been fitted.

A few people on here or that auction site do grips. Airgunner.177 has done me a few pairs of Walnut grips. Prices usually around the £28 mark but seen them go for more at auction.

[Muskett]

I have two Tempests, one in each calibre. To me they are the nearest thing to shooting handguns pre ban. Both are a bit new and shoot well off to the right but that I put that down to the twist in the spring firing cycle. Accuracy wise they are excellent and overall, including their size and the triggers, mimic full bore handguns well. Get your marksmanship and full bore handling right and these air pistols deliver. Other makes, and specifically target air pistols, are very different animals and just don't give "the real deal". Tempests are just the best in my book. Older Webley's are pretty great too.

[Abasmajor]

I have two Tempests, one in each calibre. To me they are the nearest thing to shooting handguns pre ban. Both are a bit new and shoot well off to the right but that I put that down to the twist in the spring firing cycle. Accuracy wise they are excellent and overall, including their size and the triggers, mimic full bore handguns well. Get your marksmanship and full bore handling right and these air pistols deliver. Other makes, and specifically target air pistols, are very different animals and just don't give "the real deal". Tempests are just the best in my book. Older Webley's are pretty great too.

I fully agree with Muskett that these spring powered air pistols do feel alive when shot and not at all like the dead, recoilless feeling you get from PCPs. However, I much prefer the earlier steel Webleys with the pre-war slant grip Senior being my favourite combination of appearance and functionality.

Regards

Brian