Favourite threesomes

[andrewM]

I missed this thread when it came around first time but picked it up this evening and was both astonished and delighted to see some of the 'items' on display. There are some wonderful collections out there.

Johnbaz's, in particular, I thought was extensive and consisted of some of the best rifles available. Slightly surprised not to see any FWBs, given how popular they are here.

Given the size of many collections, I am wondering how it is possible to shoot all these rifles/pistols. I suppose the answer is that many are never shot. My collection - which I am building since I discovered this site and have been learning something of the various models and makes and their characteristics - is still in single figures but I am, at least, using the constituents at various ranges and with various pellets and discovering their strengths and weaknesses.

I wonder what the various collectors regard as their favourite rifles/pistols and why?

Abasmajor and Binners, if you read this and you are ever are in these parts - I am not so far from both of you - do drop in and bring some of your favourite items. I have plenty of space here and the warmer weather encourages shooting outdoors.

[I. J.]

Slightly surprised not to see any FWBs, given how popular they are here.

Is this better?

[andrewM]

Is this better?

Gosh - that makes up for it. Truly impressive and the lead piece was in mint condition too. Out of interest, did you buy it new or second hand? To find one in such pristine condition must be difficult. I bought mine in Jan, after a tip off here that one was available at a London gunsmith. It is not quite as spotless as yours but I am delighted with the performance. In fact, I showed it to the son of a friend of mine, who has an HW97 and he was astonished at its power and accuracy, given it is not so far off 40 years old. It is much lighter than the 97, too. I am not certain that there has been much development in the springer technology since the late '70s to '80s.

I was also a tad envious to see your magnificent three 45s. Three questions, therefore:

1 What do you prefer between the FWBs and the 45s? Difficult question, I know.
2 How does the .20 fare between the .22 and .177? I recall they were extremely fashionable at one stage, in theory at least.
3 I still have my .177 45, from new. The most accurate pellets in those days were Silver Jets but production, I gather, has alas ceased. What do you find are the best pellets for the .177 45? I am presently using Accupells but they are not as accurate as the Silver Jets.

As an after-note, I also saw you had removed the rear sites but had kept in place the foresights on the FWBs. I also noticed an interesting mount for the scope on the lead rifle.

[I. J.]

Gosh - that makes up for it. Truly impressive and the lead piece was in mint condition too. Out of interest, did you buy it new or second hand? To find one in such pristine condition must be difficult. I bought mine in Jan, after a tip off here that one was available at a London gunsmith. It is not quite as spotless as yours but I am delighted with the performance. In fact, I showed it to the son of a friend of mine, who has an HW97 and he was astonished at its power and accuracy, given it is not so far off 40 years old. It is much lighter than the 97, too. I am not certain that there has been much development in the springer technology since the late '70s to '80s.

I was also a tad envious to see your magnificent three 45s. Three questions, therefore:

1 What do you prefer between the FWBs and the 45s? Difficult question, I know.
2 How does the .20 fare between the .22 and .177? I recall they were extremely fashionable at one stage, in theory at least.
3 I still have my .177 45, from new. The most accurate pellets in those days were Silver Jets but production, I gather, has alas ceased. What do you find are the best pellets for the .177 45? I am presently using Accupells but they are not as accurate as the Silver Jets.

As an after-note, I also saw you had removed the rear sites but had kept in place the foresights on the FWBs. I also noticed an interesting mount for the scope on the lead rifle.

The top FWB Sport was produced by Beeman and presented to one of the two owners of Manchester Air Guns who sold it (and regretted it. ) for services rendered - the selling of Beeman products through their shop.

1) The FWB Sport.
2) .20 is good IF you can find the right pellet as choice is restricted. (Super Field in this case.)
3) Exacts.

The lower to (124 & 127) both have Maccari kits fitted and Apel o/p mounts and Tasco 615FM scopes. .

The mounts for the Beeman are Apel q.d. type which swing off and on and only require a small amount of adjustment to be back on zero (1/4" @ 30yds.)

HTH
Ian

[andrewM]

The top FWB Sport was produced by Beeman and presented to one of the two owners of Manchester Air Guns who sold it (and regretted it. ) for services rendered - the selling of Beeman products through their shop.

1) The FWB Sport.
2) .20 is good IF you can find the right pellet as choice is restricted. (Super Field in this case.)
3) Exacts.

The lower to (124 & 127) both have Maccari kits fitted and Apel o/p mounts and Tasco 615FM scopes. .

The mounts for the Beeman are Apel q.d. type which swing off and on and only require a small amount of adjustment to be back on zero (1/4" @ 30yds.)

HTH
Ian

Thanks for that, Ian.

When you say 'produced', I presume you meant acquired or did Beeman manufacture the rifle under licence for FWB? I wonder why they did not present one of their own rifles instead! What a magnificent specimen it is.

Any type of Exacts for your .177 45? I did a quick search and found numerous varieties under JSB Exacts and am rather keen to settle on one particular type, without trying numerous. With .22, I find that if one variety does not work well, it probably will with another rifle but, for .177, I only have the Original 45.

I did not understand your point about adjustment to the mounts returning them to zero. I can understand the zeroing in of the scope but not the mounts; I am of course on something of a learning curve on this site so have probably missed something!

Best
A

[I. J.]

Thanks for that, Ian.

When you say 'produced', I presume you meant acquired or did Beeman manufacture the rifle under licence for FWB? I wonder why they did not present one of their own rifles instead! What a magnificent specimen it is.

Any type of Exacts for your .177 45? I did a quick search and found numerous varieties under JSB Exacts and am rather keen to settle on one particular type, without trying numerous. With .22, I find that if one variety does not work well, it probably will with another rifle but, for .177, I only have the Original 45.

I did not understand your point about adjustment to the mounts returning them to zero. I can understand the zeroing in of the scope but not the mounts; I am of course on something of a learning curve on this site so have probably missed something!

Best
A

Beeman, according to his catalogues that M.A.G. provided, supplied after market parts to modify the standard FWB Sport plus other rifles (HW35/80 etc.). The rifle I own has a Beeman walnut stock, back sight plate etc. .

With regards to the mounts. When I removed the scope from the rifle using the Q.D. mounts, which takes just a few seconds, on replacing the scope the point of aim only varies slightly. (1/4" @ 30 yds approx.)

The Exacts I use are JSB.

HTH
Ian

[andrewM]

Beeman, according to his catalogues that M.A.G. provided, supplied after market parts to modify the standard FWB Sport plus other rifles (HW35/80 etc.). The rifle I own has a Beeman walnut stock, back sight plate etc. .

With regards to the mounts. When I removed the scope from the rifle using the Q.D. mounts, which takes just a few seconds, on replacing the scope the point of aim only varies slightly. (1/4" @ 30 yds approx.)

The Exacts I use are JSB.

HTH
Ian

Thanks Ian. I am now better informed. I had no idea it was possible to obtain such mounts - very useful too if one is alternating between open sites and a scope. I will keep this in mind.

Re the pellets, I discovered there were various types of JSB Exacts, ie Exact RS, Exact Diabolo, Exact Diabolo Heavy and perhaps one or two more. Can I ask which one you use, which suits your .177 45?

Many thanks.
Andrew.