Webley Mark 3 vs BSA Airsporter

[Rapid7Nick]

Got a few airsporters here and the mk1's and mk2's are the best of the bunch. These early airsporters were built to such a high standards.

[andrewM]

I joined this site a year ago and have found it most informative. I have also found the members most helpful with regard to my queries and their assistance has been gratefully received. I have begun my own collection, in consequence, which is still at an early stage and my knowledge is somewhat limited compared with that of many members.

One of the things I discovered, relatively early, was not to touch on any question relating to the merits or otherwise between the Webley Mk3 and the BSA Airsporter, because it would revisit a festering and oft-visited sore, for which there was no definite conclusion.

That said, I have much enjoyed reading this correspondence. Probably, we are all slightly biased according to our experiences.

I had an Airsporter in the mid '70s. It was inconsistent, inefficient and certainly inferior to the BSA Mercury. I have never fired a Mk1 or Mk2 - a pleasure I have yet to experience.

Many complain that the Webley Mk3 was a copy of the pre-War Diana. Surely, in this situation, the same people must logically complain that the Diana was, in turn, a copy of the pre-WW1 BSA Standard?!

I have two near mint Mk3s but wish to widen my collection so shall probably offload one. I am, nonetheless, especially attached to the Mk3 because of its engineering: it holds the spring with the loading tap upturned. The tapered barrel is second to none in appearance. The grouping at 25yds is sub 1in with open sights, although the trigger leaves much to be desired, as does the scope ramp. The open sights are pretty good, once zeroed and perhaps this rifle should best be used with open sights only. The power is not bad at well over 10ft/lb (one of mine exceeds 11ft/lb). The Mk3 has a soul and a personality and every collector should have one.

As for the loading tap, I like it on the right but then I am left-handed.

It is unfortunate that BSA and Webley did not reinvest in research and development. As with so much of British industry at that time, the purpose was to extract the greatest return with the smallest capital investment. No wonder the Germans took over the airgun market in the UK. Happily, we invented the pcp but we also have a winner in Air Arms but, unhappily, we have lost Webley and BSA, both of which are now manufactured overseas.

I therefore submit my own tuppence worth with these views in mind.

[45flint]

I joined this site a year ago and have found it most informative. I have also found the members most helpful with regard to my queries and their assistance has been gratefully received. I have begun my own collection, in consequence, which is still at an early stage and my knowledge is somewhat limited compared with that of many members.

One of the things I discovered, relatively early, was not to touch on any question relating to the merits or otherwise between the Webley Mk3 and the BSA Airsporter, because it would revisit a festering and oft-visited sore, for which there was no definite conclusion.

That said, I have much enjoyed reading this correspondence. Probably, we are all slightly biased according to our experiences.

I had an Airsporter in the mid '70s. It was inconsistent, inefficient and certainly inferior to the BSA Mercury. I have never fired a Mk1 or Mk2 - a pleasure I have yet to experience.

Many complain that the Webley Mk3 was a copy of the pre-War Diana. Surely, in this situation, the same people must logically complain that the Diana was, in turn, a copy of the pre-WW1 BSA Standard?!

I have two near mint Mk3s but wish to widen my collection so shall probably offload one. I am, nonetheless, especially attached to the Mk3 because of its engineering: it holds the spring with the loading tap upturned. The tapered barrel is second to none in appearance. The grouping at 25yds is sub 1in with open sights, although the trigger leaves much to be desired, as does the scope ramp. The open sights are pretty good, once zeroed and perhaps this rifle should best be used with open sights only. The power is not bad at well over 10ft/lb (one of mine exceeds 11ft/lb). The Mk3 has a soul and a personality and every collector should have one.

As for the loading tap, I like it on the right but then I am left-handed.

It is unfortunate that BSA and Webley did not reinvest in research and development. As with so much of British industry at that time, the purpose was to extract the greatest return with the smallest capital investment. No wonder the Germans took over the airgun market in the UK. Happily, we invented the pcp but we also have a winner in Air Arms but, unhappily, we have lost Webley and BSA, both of which are now manufactured overseas.

I therefore submit my own tuppence worth with these views in mind.

Enjoying these thoughts. I too am pretty recent to this site and find it about the only place to share about these old collectables that have become a late acquired passion. I find it somewhat amusing that you share a discussion question like this may bring heated discussion given individuals deep seated feelings. I never knew these two rifles existed till a year ago! Lol late to the party.

[Powderfinger]

BSA still make guns in England.

[andrewM]

I think, 45flint, that it is not that heated but probably there are passions. It is an unresolved argument and it is inconclusive, it seems. It reignites from time to time but it is always an interesting discussion.

I did not know, Powderfinger, that BSA still produce in this country and I am pleased to hear this. Alas, Webley does not.

By the way, I noticed this link in which a Mk3 is advertised at what seems a considerable premium to me. They are not cheap, if in very good condition, it seems but they seem to come up here more frequently at a more reasonable price.

https://www.gunstar.co.uk/webley-web...ats_id=6648576

Rgds
A

[45flint]

I think, 45flint, that it is not that heated but probably there are passions. It is an unresolved argument and it is inconclusive, it seems. It reignites from time to time but it is always an interesting discussion.

I did not know, Powderfinger, that BSA still produce in this country and I am pleased to hear this. Alas, Webley does not.

By the way, I noticed this link in which a Mk3 is advertised at what seems a considerable premium to me. They are not cheap, if in very good condition, it seems but they seem to come up here more frequently at a more reasonable price.

https://www.gunstar.co.uk/webley-web...ats_id=6648576

Rgds
A

That’s a bit much but if truly mint you never know what it can bring. Over here it is more a issue of availability really. You just don’t see these guns. I’ve seen one at a Airgun show at a fair price last year but you never see these really early Webleys on our auction sites. Looking forward to a new round of Airgun shows this year, but will be surprised if these English classics appear.

[Abasmajor]

It's a pity Webley didn't put a bit more thought into developing a mount for their early telescopic sighted rifles instead of diving in with an obviously weak solution.

These early spot welded mounts were really only suitable for light plastic scopes and were prone to breaking away like opening a corned beef tin if the attachment screws were inadvertently over tightened.

I'm not a big fan of optical sights on these old rifles anyway, but if it was needed to keep up with the competition, I feel they could have come up with something a bit better.

For me the Supertarget version was the pinnacle of this particular design, but having said that, I would still opt for an Airsporter with a similar aperture sight arrangement fitted.

Brian