Break barrel springers - what to shortlist?

[robs5230]

Do any of the current BSA range have a breech-bolt rather than a breech-pin? Given that an HW99 will need about 6 hours of fettling to get right, and an HW95 will need about 3 plus a short stroke conversion, it actually is starting to make sense to try a BSA. The spec of the Lighting XL is really very good value for money and I am thinking that if it HAS got a breech bolt then if one was to buy one and spend 6 hours tweaking it, it would match the HWs in most respects while being nicer and lighter to hold and to look at.

The issue of the Rekord trigger often comes up, but lesser triggers can be used to great effect with enough practice. The HW80 never beat the Feinwerkbau Sport consistently, because the Sport is inherently the more accurate rifle, IN SPITE OF its rather crude trigger.

So Pete may well be right. A top of the range BSA break-barrel Lightning XL SE from the SGC is £255, compared to the HW95 at £300 and HW99 at £220. With fettling and guides, the cost could be £280 for the BSA and £330 for the HW plus the time taken...

I think they all have pins rather than bolts. Shame.
The lightning has lovely proportions and handles like it looks. The shooting experience is a little worse than it ought to be.
They've had barrel issues. I'm no fan of the breech design and lockup. I don't like the spring retention pin design or the raised scope rail. Triggers could be a lot better. Spanish quality overall isn't the best.
BSA have fallen way behind, using age old design and just choosing to improve looks.
I've owned both and I'd choose a cometa 400s before a lightning. Both can be fettled but even when sorted won't match some of the better offerings

[look no hands]

I think they all have pins rather than bolts. Shame.
The lightning has lovely proportions and handles like it looks. The shooting experience is a little worse than it ought to be.
They've had barrel issues. I'm no fan of the breech design and lockup. I don't like the spring retention pin design or the raised scope rail. Triggers could be a lot better. Spanish quality overall isn't the best.
BSA have fallen way behind, using age old design and just choosing to improve looks.
I've owned both and I'd choose a cometa 400s before a lightning. Both can be fettled but even when sorted won't match some of the better offerings

Not all Supersports had a pin, the Supersport Custom had the bolt and nut from the later Mercury/Challenger but for some stupid reason (probably Gamo penny pinching) they stopped using one, I real shame as the Custom model is a really nice rifle to use.

Pete