New Webley Service

[Troubledshooter]

With the Webley Mk.2 Service being one of my all time favourite rifles, I'm looking forward to the reports, and hopefully photographs, from those who have seen and handled the Sterling Mk.2 at the shot show.
My only criticism from looking at the photographs would be with the rearsight mounted on top of the barrel housing. It needs a peep sight on the rear of the breech block, as per the original.

[woodmister]

Thanks troubleshooter,

these rifles are prototypes, any feedback is always welcome before they go into production!

thank you!!

[Shed tuner]

My 2c on the springers:

HR81 - old one has a firing cycle that sounds like a car crash. Please make sure the basics, like properly fitting guides, and sensible transfer port volumes, are addressed to avoid horrendous slam and poor power.

Service - nice, just that horrendous rearsight. Nothing wrong with making it scope-able, but 90% will want either a peepsight or regular opens.

In terms of addressing issues with the original, in order of priority I would:
- reduce the transfer port volume / length to avoid slam and increase power
- shorter barrel (already seems to have been done) - 18" is plenty
- increase the stroke - making the main cylinder a little longer if needed would be easily accodomated - say +15mm
- parachute lip type piston seal
- shim the pivot pin each side
- take the slack out of the removable barrel mounting
- trigger

Finally, if you really want to sell something that will be very popular, make a modern Bonehill britiania - it's already a much better gun the the 40-year newer Webley to start with, so should be less work to repro

[Troubledshooter]

Service - nice, just that horrendous rearsight. Nothing wrong with making it scope-able, but 90% will want either a peepsight or regular opens.

Why not have both as per the original.

[Shed tuner]

Why not have both as per the original.

yes, absolutely...

[andrewM]

Certainly, it is not cheap at the price and most would desire it in blued gunmetal rather than stainless steel, I suspect. That would certainly be the case for those who wish to hunt with it. However, in addition to the remarks here, one must also consider the market more generally. Many collectors, who are in the minority, will want a similar sighting system to the old Mk2 or open sights that are as perfect and as sharp as possible. That said, a scope rail should be added: things have moved on from the '30s but, in addition, the majority shoot with a scope and to make a return on capital, their interests cannot be ignored.

What a wonderful and innovative team from Sterling: well done and it is splendid to bring air rifle innovation back to the UK again, from Germany. There is no reason why HW should lead the UK market forever.

Perhaps other old Webley designs could be taken and improved upon too: the Mk3 is a case in point. It had and still has a significant following here but also left much to be desired.

[Phil B]

Fantastic work Sterling. Lots to love there.

Open sights on the MkII and a scope rail (bolt on the side to be removeable perhaps?).

Stainless, good call. Where do I sign?

[Troubledshooter]

As the barrel is not currently designed to be interchangeable, I am extremely disappointed.
I can understand the thinking behind this, but it rather takes away one of the main characteristics of the Service rifle, and at the current estimated price it makes it an expensive half copy of the Mk.2 Webley Service Rifle, not to mention the lack of a peep sight.
I realise the models currently on show are prototypes, but would suggest a bit more thought needs to go into this project before the rifle becomes available for sale.