In praise of Webley air pistols

[Rob M]

While researching for the article I've written about Hy-Score air pistols, I found that for research purposes, the designer of the Hy-Score bought a a Diana break-barrel, a Haenel that was cocked by pushing the grip towards the back of the pistol, an Em-Ge Zenit overlever, and finally a Webley Senior. The Webley was his favourite of the lot.

The Webley overlever is a classic, there are no two ways about it. It's compact, simple, reasonably safe and if looked after will last a lifetime, and was part of our heritage for getting on for seventy years. You can scoff, if you don't like it, it's your choice, and your bad taste, but you can't change the fact that hundreds of thousands of them were manufactured and the vast majority have been loved by many airgunners.

[Abasmajor]

While researching for the article I've written about Hy-Score air pistols, I found that for research purposes, the designer of the Hy-Score bought a a Diana break-barrel, a Haenel that was cocked by pushing the grip towards the back of the pistol, an Em-Ge Zenit overlever, and finally a Webley Senior. The Webley was his favourite of the lot.

The Webley overlever is a classic, there are no two ways about it. It's compact, simple, reasonably safe and if looked after will last a lifetime, and was part of our heritage for getting on for seventy years. You can scoff, if you don't like it, it's your choice, and your bad taste, but you can't change the fact that hundreds of thousands of them were manufactured and the vast majority have been loved by many airgunners.

Definitely agree with all of the above sentiments. The Webley air pistol is compact, manufactured to firearm standards and an iconic part of our airgun past. You also experience a satisfying recoil sensation when the trigger is released instead of the dead nothingness you get when you shoot a pre-charged air pistol. Finally, if you follow the normal precision shooting techniques especially "follow through" you may be surprised with the accuracy these pistols can produce.

Regards

Brian

[trevor1]

Rob,I love my pre-war Webleys,I truely do.But if I could fit them all out with .177 barrels I'd be happy. The firm eventually strengthened their .22 barrels-but not quickly enough. Design-wise,the J/F/C idea was grand.They came up with the "RR"of airpistols! As far as I can ascertain,Webley pistols are more envied than mocked.Not withstanding the fact the MkI pistol is as difficult to cock as the Senior,Junior and Premier are easy!Regards,Trev

[Abasmajor]

Rob,I love my pre-war Webleys,I truely do.But if I could fit them all out with .177 barrels I'd be happy. The firm eventually strengthened their .22 barrels-but not quickly enough. Design-wise,the J/F/C idea was grand.They came up with the "RR"of airpistols! As far as I can ascertain,Webley pistols are more envied than mocked.Not withstanding the fact the MkI pistol is as difficult to cock as the Senior,Junior and Premier are easy!Regards,Trev

Hi Trev,

Isn't that yet another advantage of owning Webley air pistols in that you can easily interchange .177 & .22 barrels ?

Regards

Brian

[trevor1]

It is indeed BrianGot a spare .177 barrel for a MkII Target??????;-)

[Abasmajor]

It is indeed BrianGot a spare .177 barrel for a MkII Target??????;-)

Hi Trev,

Ok maybe not always easily but still possible. I do agree that pre-war Webley .22 barrels weren't the strongest but I have shot my .22 pre-war Webleys quite a lot and have never experienced any barrel bending although I have heard of these barrels being carefully straightened when they have become a bit deformed.


Regards

Brian

[Rob M]

Hi Trev,

Ok maybe not always easily but still possible. I do agree that pre-war Webley .22 barrels weren't the strongest but I have shot my .22 pre-war Webleys quite a lot and have never experienced any barrel bending although I have heard of these barrels being carefully straightened when they have become a bit deformed.


Regards

Brian

Those bent barrels were probably bent by excited young lads being over-enthusiastic when cocking, pulling hard against the limit of the piston's movement rather than just cocking gently until the sear engages.

The .177s are a bit more hold-sensitive than the .22s I find. I prefer the .177s myself, and my .177 Tempest is the pistol I plink with most often, it's sometimes hard to relearn the knack of shooting it when I've not had it out for a while but when I get the knack back again, it's so satisfying, I love it.

[I. J.]

it's so satisfying, I love it.

All joking and jibbing apart - thats all that matters.