SSP 10m rifle ?

[rapidboy1]

Thanks for the info, a dry fire facility would be good.
Are there any UK dealers who deal in this sort of rifle ?

[RobinC]

Just be aware of some facts, in SSp's you are looking at 30 year old plus rifles, some a lot older.

They are now considered classics, and parts may be needed, not always easy, and best with specialists to work on them. To continue the cons, they are not so ergonomic as newer 10 mt match rifles, balance, set up, adjustability, trigger quality, and effort and ease of use, modern ones are easier to use. And, they are old rifles and may have been through the hands of amateur repairers/restorers and may have been bodged. And, lets be honest, technology in 10 mt match rifles has moved on a lot in the last 40 years!

The pro's, they are classics, so unless in poor condition or been bodged they will not likely go down much in value, and may likely go up, and they can be very satisfying to use. and great fun. In good condition they will be as accurate as modern ones, and lets be honest, in most cases are a thing of beauty!

So the first question is, do you wish to take up club level 10 mt match target shooting? Or do you wish to shoot a classic SSP because of what it is, and enjoy it for what it is accepting its limitations?

If its the first, but you don't have a big budget, forget the SSP and look for a more modern PCP, Walther LG300, FWB P70 or 700, for not a lot more than you will pay for a good, nice condition SSP.
My advice for any one starting 10 mt, is first join a club, use club rifles, develop, understand where you wish to go, is it just have fun regardless, or to develop to a certain standard?
Then if you wish to shoot to a standard, when you buy your own kit buy the newest and best you can afford!

Now if its the second, just accept its 30 + years old, shoot to the best of your ability, have fun and enjoy it as the classic it is! Just like driving a classic car, OK they are awful compared to a modern one , but boy are they fun!

Am I biased to modern? Sort of, but I do still have my first match air rifle, a Walther LGV Spezial Junior, but my wife used it to win her first national championship (was NARPA then!), she went on to shoot GB team, and internationally, she still has her Original 75 Special that she won her first International medal with, and also her later Walther LGR pre production prototype, but she finished her air rifle shooting career a couple of years ago with a state of the art Walther LG400 Special, and at a retirement demo shoot she used all her rifles from her history from the first through to the last, ask her which one is her favourite? its the LG400!

Whatever ever you get, have Fun.

Have Fun
Robin

[rapidboy1]

Thanks Robin, my club has a 10m range and I already shoot air pistol, I just fancied a rifle to shoot during the winter months, it's really just practice for LWSR, nothing more serious.
I have never owned one but always fancied a SSP, i have PCP's already but i like the idea of a self contained rifle.
I would have to buy blind hence asking if there are any dealers that maybe specialise in this sort of rifle.

[RobinC]

Thanks

In that case a SSP is ideal, there are no real dealers who specialise in classics, although some may have the odd classic, the best bet is on this forum.

The FWB 600 range is the most commonly available ones, although I just think Walthers are better, but its mostly down to personal preference, I'll PM you with a likely guy who may have some thing.

Have Fun
Robin

[Adam77K]

A few months ago I picked up a FWB 600 for occasional bell target and informal 10m. And because I've wanted a nice self contained match rifle for years, just because. If I start doing 10m more seriously I'd get a more modern PCP, but this 600 is a lovely thing to own.

[Brimfire]

Wise words from Robin C there.

My AG club is predominantly HFT and rested plinking but there's a couple of us who can't be bothered with all that rolling about in the mud malarky and get easily bored of shooting from a table and prefer to challenge ourselves with standing unsupported shooting. Very informal "10m lite"/Bell Target is the order of the day so modern, top end guns are a bit OTT for us.

That said, one of the guys treated himself to an Annie 9015 recently and there is indeed a world of difference between it and my FWB 600. The most immediate thing that struck me was the balance. A knife edge best describes the balance point of the near 40yr old '600 but the 9015 has a much longer and easier to deal with centre of gravity. I reckon that alone would make a notable difference to my shooting.

Top of the tree in their respective days, there's also no comparison between the amount of adjustment options with the Annie being so much more tweakable for fit.

However, the FWB 6xx series and their Anschutz/Walther SSP counterparts have the advantage of being a fraction of the price of even a second hand current 10m PCP, an important consideration for those on a budget or merely wanting to have a casual dabble.

[rapidboy1]

I still have a notion for a SSP rifle and finally might have a FWB 600 lined up, actually have several to look at, I had a very quick look tonight at a couple of 600's, one isn't holding air, one is but i don't know how healthy it is, the others i will get a better look at maybe next week.
Who has spares / seals for these ?

[vbull]

Thinking of selling my near mint Walther LGM-1. Contact me if interested.