What a question... I've been askin' the same for YEARS so have taken the easy option and given myself a get out of jail free card: I'VE GOT ONE OF EACH ! Did lots of borrowing and testing first however, and now have a walnut Pro Sport in .177, and an HW97K in .22.

I believe I now have the perfect combination of underlever springers -- although the HW97K in .177 doesn't seem quite as smooth as the Pro Sport, so would/could benefit from a Venom or S.F.S. tweak. But I plumped for my HW97K in .22 and I LOVE IT!

Pro Sports in both .177 and .22 are as smooth as you like straight from the box however (not withstanding the story in the general info section at the moment, but thats got to be a rarity), and deliver time after time.

Both are good weighty rifles (I hate lightweights as they don't absorb as much recoil) and I have conservatively put 20,000+ rounds through my Pro, and 10,000+ through the HW97K since I've had them with no problems whatsoever (haven't had the HW as long).

So for what its worth, I'd say let the lines of the rifle you like the look of best guide your choice, but remember that if you go for an HW97K in .177, it may benefit from a tune by one of the better gunsmiths once you've run it in whereas you'd do best to leave the Pro Sport well alone (?). These are my thoughts only however, but I'm pretty sure I ain't too far off the mark.


Cheers all: Gareth W-B.

PS/ If its factory walnut you are after though, the Pro is your only choice. Bye again: G W-B.