SSP 10m rifle ?

[rapidboy1]

I am thinking about trying 10m rifle, its just something to keep me shooting when the nights close in and it gets colder.
Never tried a SSP rifle, what should i look at ?

[rancidtom]

The FEinwerkbau 600 (601-603) series were probably the most popular and longest around in championship points. Anschutz made a ver well respected model called the Super Air (2001 and 2002), Steyr LG10, prior to that there were the Walther LGR LGM1 and LGM2. There was a Hammerli but it had supposed reliabilty issues with the loading tap, never seen one myself though. There was also the Gamo SuperMatch, they worked well and were comparatively cheap but you cannot buy seals for them for love nor money any more, they used a double piston arrangement that nobody else used and no other seals will fit. They will all become wall hangers if there are any still actually holding air.
I beleive there were some of Eastern European origin made possibly by Aeron (again I haven't seen one) and possibly Baikal (Russian) as they made the IZH 40M pistols known as Izzy's, it certainly wouldn't surprise me if they alos made a rifle.

[rapidboy1]

Thanks for that, what would be easiest to work on / source parts for ?

[PhatMan]

rapidboy1,

For ease of getting consumables, and for less insane prices of said consumables, the FWB600,601,602, & 603 are the rifles to go for.

I have two (2) SSP 10m rifles - Walther LG90 & FWB602, and they are both very easy to work on.

Have fun

Best regards

Russ

FWB602 :





Walther LG90 :

[Brimfire]

I'll cast another vote for the FWB6xx series. I've had my '600 for about six months now and it's a lovely thing - consistent to 3-4fps, easy to cock, high build quality, reliable and, of course, very accurate in the right hands. The first '600 models lacked some of features later found on the '601-603 ones but don't let that put you off as it'll still outshoot you all day long.

It instantly became one of my favourite airguns and the one I look forward to shooting the most.

[AC all day]

I bought a FWB 300 and 601 from a retired National/ International comp shooter the 601 is immaculate, the box is plastered in stickers from its travels and it came with multiple spares in packets, 'just in case'....
There is something special about SSPs.... Good luck in your search

[bootneckbob]

I bought a Anschutz 2002 Super Air SSP off here a few years ago for around £500 IIRC. Never missed a beat, and despite being pretty old the metalwork is outstanding. Insanely accurate if I shoot prone but I bought it for 10m fun at home with 3P.

[rapidboy1]

rapidboy1,

For ease of getting consumables, and for less insane prices of said consumables, the FWB600,601,602, & 603 are the rifles to go for.

I have two (2) SSP 10m rifles - Walther LG90 & FWB602, and they are both very easy to work on.

Have fun

Best regards

Russ

FWB602 :

That's a lovely looking rifle

[thomasina]

I am thinking about trying 10m rifle, its just something to keep me shooting when the nights close in and it gets colder.
Never tried a SSP rifle, what should i look at ?

Any SSP Rifle that is produced by a firm good enough to be used in the Olympics, its good enough for you because the equipment is always better than a human.
For me specifically I owned two FWB 602 and 603. They are "better" than 600 and 601 simply because they can be dry fired. Other usual suspects including Walther LG55 and Anschutz Superair 2002.
Of course you neeuhd to read the user manual in order to figure it out whether it can be dry fired or not. If it does not say it can dry fire, then assume that it cannot.
Finally, you need to decide which side you want the lever to be at. If you are a left hander, but prefer to use your right arm to cock the lever then go for a right hand lever with a left hand stock.

[rapidboy1]

Thanks for the info, a dry fire facility would be good.
Are there any UK dealers who deal in this sort of rifle ?

[RobinC]

Just be aware of some facts, in SSp's you are looking at 30 year old plus rifles, some a lot older.

They are now considered classics, and parts may be needed, not always easy, and best with specialists to work on them. To continue the cons, they are not so ergonomic as newer 10 mt match rifles, balance, set up, adjustability, trigger quality, and effort and ease of use, modern ones are easier to use. And, they are old rifles and may have been through the hands of amateur repairers/restorers and may have been bodged. And, lets be honest, technology in 10 mt match rifles has moved on a lot in the last 40 years!

The pro's, they are classics, so unless in poor condition or been bodged they will not likely go down much in value, and may likely go up, and they can be very satisfying to use. and great fun. In good condition they will be as accurate as modern ones, and lets be honest, in most cases are a thing of beauty!

So the first question is, do you wish to take up club level 10 mt match target shooting? Or do you wish to shoot a classic SSP because of what it is, and enjoy it for what it is accepting its limitations?

If its the first, but you don't have a big budget, forget the SSP and look for a more modern PCP, Walther LG300, FWB P70 or 700, for not a lot more than you will pay for a good, nice condition SSP.
My advice for any one starting 10 mt, is first join a club, use club rifles, develop, understand where you wish to go, is it just have fun regardless, or to develop to a certain standard?
Then if you wish to shoot to a standard, when you buy your own kit buy the newest and best you can afford!

Now if its the second, just accept its 30 + years old, shoot to the best of your ability, have fun and enjoy it as the classic it is! Just like driving a classic car, OK they are awful compared to a modern one , but boy are they fun!

Am I biased to modern? Sort of, but I do still have my first match air rifle, a Walther LGV Spezial Junior, but my wife used it to win her first national championship (was NARPA then!), she went on to shoot GB team, and internationally, she still has her Original 75 Special that she won her first International medal with, and also her later Walther LGR pre production prototype, but she finished her air rifle shooting career a couple of years ago with a state of the art Walther LG400 Special, and at a retirement demo shoot she used all her rifles from her history from the first through to the last, ask her which one is her favourite? its the LG400!

Whatever ever you get, have Fun.

Have Fun
Robin

[rapidboy1]

Thanks Robin, my club has a 10m range and I already shoot air pistol, I just fancied a rifle to shoot during the winter months, it's really just practice for LWSR, nothing more serious.
I have never owned one but always fancied a SSP, i have PCP's already but i like the idea of a self contained rifle.
I would have to buy blind hence asking if there are any dealers that maybe specialise in this sort of rifle.

[RobinC]

Thanks

In that case a SSP is ideal, there are no real dealers who specialise in classics, although some may have the odd classic, the best bet is on this forum.

The FWB 600 range is the most commonly available ones, although I just think Walthers are better, but its mostly down to personal preference, I'll PM you with a likely guy who may have some thing.

Have Fun
Robin

[Adam77K]

A few months ago I picked up a FWB 600 for occasional bell target and informal 10m. And because I've wanted a nice self contained match rifle for years, just because. If I start doing 10m more seriously I'd get a more modern PCP, but this 600 is a lovely thing to own.

[Brimfire]

Wise words from Robin C there.

My AG club is predominantly HFT and rested plinking but there's a couple of us who can't be bothered with all that rolling about in the mud malarky and get easily bored of shooting from a table and prefer to challenge ourselves with standing unsupported shooting. Very informal "10m lite"/Bell Target is the order of the day so modern, top end guns are a bit OTT for us.

That said, one of the guys treated himself to an Annie 9015 recently and there is indeed a world of difference between it and my FWB 600. The most immediate thing that struck me was the balance. A knife edge best describes the balance point of the near 40yr old '600 but the 9015 has a much longer and easier to deal with centre of gravity. I reckon that alone would make a notable difference to my shooting.

Top of the tree in their respective days, there's also no comparison between the amount of adjustment options with the Annie being so much more tweakable for fit.

However, the FWB 6xx series and their Anschutz/Walther SSP counterparts have the advantage of being a fraction of the price of even a second hand current 10m PCP, an important consideration for those on a budget or merely wanting to have a casual dabble.