BSF B55 what are they like?

[Geezer]

Agree, but every gun had flaws from that era.ol.
My 35 breech lockup ate its way into the cylinder and
the 124 used to puff out of the breech a bit.
BSF bluing wore out real quick on my S70, B55 and the 54
i had was no better than a Relum Tornado plus the triggers were pretty horrible, slightly better than a Vulcan though.
The trigger on my S200 and the often slated Rapid gamo unit feel like state of the art Olympic match units in comparison to some of the older guns...bar the 35.

Let’s not start on the 54, which is a dog.

[Drew451]

Yes, but the whole point of the 55 is that it is short, light and, by 1950s-70s standards, powerful.

The 60 and 70, especially if lowered a bit in power, lose that historical unique selling point, and become just another alternative to the Diana 35, Anschutz 335, Webley Vulcan, etc. Still good rifles (and, beyond the trigger, the BSFs seem to have no constructional issues like the A335 stock bolt mounts, the many FWB Sport flaws, the HW35 porous breech) but are not just as distinctive as the 55.

I recall a Tom G blog a while ago which essentially said that, looking at the top late 70s springers (D35, D45, FWB 124, BSF55), the BSF 55 was essentially a Diana 27-sized rifle that beat the Diana 35 and matched the other bigger heavier guns on power. By the same logic, de-tune a 55, and you might as well have bought a Diana 27.

By that measue, I would probably pass on the 55, myself. It its designed? power it would be fine as an interesting collectors piece but I would much prefer it made as sweet as possible in order to get maximum enjoyment from it. I do like owning and shooting BSF's.
I do rate some of the other rifles you mentioned above the BSF's and to give a 55 it's best chance of competing against them in terms of sweetness and accuracy, it would need to be fettled. Pegged back to 10ish they do shoot nicely. Of course there may be other was to do it.

[Drew451]

Let’s not start on the 54, which is a dog.

I'm afraid to say that I quite like them.

[DM80]

B2 springs to mind

Dave.

[I. J.]

Let’s not start on the 54, which is a dog.

Very Hungarian Swamp Donkey esque.

[TonyL]

Hi all,

Does anyone know what BSF B55 rifles are like, mainly build quality and the way they shoot and are things like the triggers any good.

Cheers

Pete

I just fancy something a bit different, querky and interesting.

Pete

Certainly a little more quirky than some and interesting, Pete. I've never owned one but I have enjoyed a few brief shots with some, especially a couple that IJ brought along to a Bash once. They shot pretty nicely. Sturdy and "basic" feeling. It all depends what you want from a gun. Personally, my take would be that if you're taking the plunge and going German, I'd lean towards something with a little more finesse from the HW stable, a FWB 124/127 or Anschutz 335? Maybe an old school HW50 could tempt and is a lighter, yet solid offering?

[look no hands]

Certainly a little more quirky than some and interesting, Pete. I've never owned one but I have enjoyed a few brief shots with some, especially a couple that IJ brought along to a Bash once. They shot pretty nicely. Sturdy and "basic" feeling. It all depends what you want from a gun. Personally, my take would be that if you're taking the plunge and going German, I'd lean towards something with a little more finesse from the HW stable, a FWB 124/127 or Anschutz 335? Maybe an old school HW50 could tempt and is a lighter, yet solid offering?

I only ask as I've seen one in a gun shop that looks nice and you know I like "different" just got to find out how much they want for it.

I totally agree with you about getting something more refined, which I will, I'll wait until something interesting comes up on here or see what's kicking about at the next bash but in the mean time I'll keep an eye out at local gun shops as the odd gem pops up every now and then.

Pete

[evert]

Like many have said previously in this thread, they are compact, powerful, and overrated. Plus their sights tend to break.
They are not a gun to buy if you are looking for something to shoot a lot, but they are nice in their own way, and a historical reference that is worth to own if you are into springer mechanics.

[les allam]

I am in the never had one camp as well.
I do remember seeing some of BBS member( Kevin Ronnie) collection of Bsf guns , Kevin is definitely a fan.
I will probably get one if something turns up and maybe a Heanel.
Les..

[GreenwayJ]

I had a BSFS60N bought new from D R Hughes. It was the same as the 55 but different. It had a longer barrel and walnut stock (N = Nussbaum? . Loved the rifle but got rid because of something that niggled me about it. It was accurate desite the barrel hinge pin being too close to the rifling causing an "impression" or tight spot. Quite visible when looking down the barrel, from the breech end of course, as well do.

[Maple]

Is there a repair specialist of these on the forum ? I've got a .177 one which needs assembling.

[I. J.]

BSF 60s and a model 65.



BSF 35 and 50.



BSF 70s

[Duggan]

I am lucky to be custodian of a BSF 55 Venom Bavaria. It is a compact beautiful rifle, with a semi Tyrolean walnut stock and with a Venom compact moderator. I spoke in detail about it with Steve Pope around four years ago and he mentioned if it still had the leather piston seal (it does) he said that they were going to change it as per their adverts, but the synthetic version didn’t improve things so they left it as is. As has been mentioned it is a full power rifle, that could also be shot by a junior shooter. I still have the BSF S70 Continental and that is a fine full power rifle, but built on a much smaller scale to what we have available now ie AA and Weihrauch. I very much like the S80, but for sure there are not many around even in the hands of collectors.

[junglie]

I've got a nice s70s in .177 that shoots well at around 10ft/lbs, reminds me of a supersport ie they need a certain hold to be accurate, hardly used it since last time i replaced the trigger that had broken though after hankering after a bsf since i was 17. Thanks to kevin ronnie as they are like rocking horse s**t to find spares for.