HW 57 ! What do we think ?

[Blackrider]

It seems to be the "forgotten" Weihrauch !

I've never had one or in fact seen one and I have no feelings one way or the other on its appearance, performance or otherwise.
What I will say is, I'm getting older and after many years of handling various "hand cannons" of several makes, I find lightweight airguns easier to handle and shoot.
This particular modal has always (from a distance) taken my interest and now seems appealing !

Whats the verdict out there, especially with owners and users obviously, are they fun guns and worthwhile the ownership ?

[Winceby]

Have to agree with every word spoken.

I had to see myself so went out and purchased a nearly new one. I found it was quite loud and recoiled heavy as though it was dieseling. I purchased a Welsh Willy kit and a new seal and deburred the action and correctly lubricated it. It now shoots like a dream. I prefer to use the open sights rather than fit a scope. I would recommend one. Fixed barrel and light.

I have read on another forum that a question was raised regarding accuracy with a scope and that a cheek raiser helped considerably. It’s a great pity custom stocks don’t make a better stock.

[tinbum]

The early ones had an occasional issue with the pop up breech. One retailer made a big deal of it and the gun sunk with barely a trace!

My customers seem to love them, I would get one if the opportunity arose

[cptman]

I had a .22 and really regret getting rid of it if you want a short range ratter it’s great far better and more accurate than the bsa lightning for example.
I also had a .177 but it was very lively!

[Blackrider]

I had a .22 and really regret getting rid of it if you want a short range ratter it’s great far better and more accurate than the bsa lightning for example.
I also had a .177 but it was very lively!

Good stuff, what pellets did you use ?

[cptman]

Good stuff, what pellets did you use ?

Air arms.

[Shed tuner]

the one I had was great. Just needed the std HW tune (de-burr, dress the spring ends, tight fitting guide, re-lube) and it shot nicely and accurate too.

[Captain Bongo]

For me it's a mental thing. The pellet needs to be seated in the breech. Not shoved into it once the piston has started moving.

If you can ignore this and get along with the boring straight stock then it's a fine gun. Mine definitely benefited from a strip and degrease/relube as it smoked heavily on purchasing. The alloy rear block does not take as well to multiple removal/refits as the steel screw on 77/97 equivalent and the four metal plugs will soon be lost. It's not a bad gun, but I just don't love it.

[Blackrider]

For me it's a mental thing. The pellet needs to be seated in the breech. Not shoved into it once the piston has started moving.

If you can ignore this and get along with the boring straight stock then it's a fine gun. Mine definitely benefited from a strip and degrease/relube as it smoked heavily on purchasing. The alloy rear block does not take as well to multiple removal/refits as the steel screw on 77/97 equivalent and the four metal plugs will soon be lost. It's not a bad gun, but I just don't love it.

A fair assessment !

[Moonbuns]

A yes from me. I have a fairly early one and it’s light (for a Weihrauch) pointable, easy to cock and accurate within reasonable parameters.

I’m not a tinkerer I’m a plinkerer, in .22 it really is very sweet at 10.5 ft/lb with Air Arms. It was the first rifle I (randomly) bought getting back into it about 15 yrs ago when my sons where interested and it’s the only one I haven’t moved on.

Bit of an all rounder and you’ll definitely get guns to out perform it in each of the tasks but it’ll cost you and you’ll likely be more precious with them.

I’m a fan, can you tell? 😀

[Hsing-ee]

My customers seem to love them, I would get one if the opportunity arose

Zut alores! Surely the TBT R&D budget could stretch to investing in one of these ‘pop tart’ 50s?

I am a terrible one for slagging them but that’s because I’m thinking BSA Merlin rather than Hammerli Match rifle or even my B-97 gated .22 Match pistol … I’m sure HW wouldn’t sell it if it wasn’t a good rifle.

[TonyL]

The early ones had an occasional issue with the pop up breech. One retailer made a big deal of it and the gun sunk with barely a trace!

My customers seem to love them, I would get one if the opportunity arose

Exactly this.

As a HW fan it's also missing from my collection currently. The reasons for this were the scare stories over the pop-up breech and, as Bongo points out, my preference for direct-to-breech loading.

I have shot a couple at Bash events at Mick's - one belonging to our sadly missed dear friend, Gwyn and the other, I think, belonging to Blackbeard. Both shot beautifully. And, as when I shoot a tap loader, I love the ultra-safe loading procedure - cock, return lever, then thumb the pellet in, close the loading gate and shoot.

There were a few threads on here in the past covering removing and carefully lubing the pop-up breech to promote better operation.

As and when I get one I think it would have to be a .22 for ease of loading. I think this minor annoyance had also been mentioned before and it may have been Blackbeard who made a "loading shuttle" to help further with this?

I agree - it'd be nice if you got one and did a strip-down / tuning video on one, Nick.

[Blackrider]

Seems the loading system is a major concern which I was prepared for. The only air rifle I’ve owned with a similar design but not the same was a Mk. 1 Eclipse .22 which once I got accustomed to wasn’t an issue !

I’d like to check out the 57 but dedicated airgun shops are few and far between in Scotland so that particular excercise will have to wait until a trip down south. And .22 Cal. would be the preferred pellet choice !

[Bsa2]

Ive just recently traded my HW 77 in for the HW57 (.22). The 77 was tiring to use due to its weight but I’m really pleased with the 57 as it’s so much easier to use. On a 35 yrd range it’s quite accurate don’t know if it’s worth tuning etc ?

[Blackrider]

Like the HW 30 and 35, Customstocks not available but personally its not a game changer.