I have been thinking about getting a new 80 but looking for reassurance

[Barryg]

I made my own R1, look nice but cheek piece best for open sights

https://imgur.com/gallery/zqNAf33

I like that

[TonyL]

Most BSA's back in the 80's had their breech blocks covered.

Shame they couldn't be bothered to fit a proper breech bolt, though!

[look no hands]

Shame they couldn't be bothered to fit a proper breech bolt, though!

The annoying thing is Tone, they did for a while to a few of their rifles and then reverted back to a pin, I know their bolt setup may not be as good as HW's but it's worked for me over the years and I've never had a problem with it.

[TonyL]

Yep, they were a bunch of very, very naughty boys, Pete.

[32:1]

The HW80, set up correctly, even retaining the 30mm piston, can still shoot nicely at sub-12 power. But a reduced cylinder one will be even better, generally. However, I have tried one or two beautifully fettled 30mm examples that shot sublimely (take a bow, WonkyDonky - others also qualify)

Like any rifle it can be worked on and improved but why spend even more money on a new gun trying to get it to shoot better, just buy the right one in the first place, for me the 80 isn’t that great out the box compared to the Cometa Fenix it’s quite brutal and both are designed for big power but the 400 feels nicer at our legal limits. Now the 35 felt better to me more like the Cometa 220 I have very smooth, I didn’t get to shoot the 99, now the only thing I can say about the hw stuff is the triggers are good like the tx, the 400 needs adjustments to get it right, but I like the Cometa stock especially the pistol grip better.

Each to their own as always and enjoy

[NickG]

Don't buy a new one, but a sorted MK1 , better gun and save some money 🤑

[ToniD]

Like your style Paul


Slightly off topic (sorry Barry) but the HW99s seems to be my niche those buggers find me most folks think I’m nuts but I can’t resist them, I’ve messed about with them for too many years now to stop although I’ve got about another 90 to get to your level

Nothing wrong with a 99s

[TonyL]

Like any rifle it can be worked on and improved but why spend even more money on a new gun trying to get it to shoot better, just buy the right one in the first place, for me the 80 isn’t that great out the box compared to the Cometa Fenix it’s quite brutal and both are designed for big power but the 400 feels nicer at our legal limits. Now the 35 felt better to me more like the Cometa 220 I have very smooth, I didn’t get to shoot the 99, now the only thing I can say about the hw stuff is the triggers are good like the tx, the 400 needs adjustments to get it right, but I like the Cometa stock especially the pistol grip better.

Each to their own as always and enjoy

The Cometas seem like very nice rifles and offer excellent value. A mildly fettled 99 is an absolute joy. I think too many people might wrongly assume that the graceful old girl that is the HW35 might be past it. But it's not. It can shoot beautifully and show many young pretenders how it should be done.

[gsxrman]

don't buy a new one, but a sorted mk1 , better gun and save some money 🤑

this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Barryg]

One of my pet hates is the stock not covering the breech block, the R1 stock and the HW85 deluxe stock I like very much as they have the classic lines, the modern HW stocks are too angular.

How do you feel about the half-covered PE stock I think that I would have preferred it fully covered although it might be less robust

[look no hands]

How do you feel about the half-covered PE stock I think that I would have preferred it fully covered although it might be less robust

Not good, and the barrel shroud not touching the breech block is another no no

[Barryg]

Not good, and the barrel shroud not touching the breech block is another no no

I guess this more what you would like then

[look no hands]

I guess this more what you would like then

Oh yes, I have that exact setup on my Longbow, makes everything look seamless and the lines flow beautifully.

[maximus]

Although I fully understand why people like hidden breech blocks etc, I actually also like exposed breeches too, I guess its the honesty of seeing the working bits and the fact that there is more to look at than just the wood and two cylindrical shapes. I'm thinking a good example of how this can look good is a fwb sport mk1/2. Heres a pic of my mk1 with my mk4 next to it. I know the mk4 is more of an acquired taste but I like that too.

https://imgur.com/a/zYPbRYM

[Mach 1.5]

Another FWB MK4 owner. Welcome to the club. Mach 1.5