Underlever springers (fixed barrel) What is your favourite

[Geezer]

HW77K 25mm.

I do like the older stuff though, like the Webley Mk3.

Two that, to my surprise, I’ve never owned but think would be really good are the BSA LJ and the mark one TX200.

Also quite fancy some of the fairly recent Dianas like the 46, 440, and 300R. For me, the 460 doesn’t make sense at sub-12.

[Ryde]

I really like my HW77, but I detest the automatic safety. So probably the Diana 50.

[HW777]

I really like my HW77, but I detest the automatic safety. So probably the Diana 50.

There's an easy way around that, remove the safety catch

[HW777]

HW77K 25mm.

I do like the older stuff though, like the Webley Mk3.

Two that, to my surprise, I’ve never owned but think would be really good are the BSA LJ and the mark one TX200.

Also quite fancy some of the fairly recent Dianas like the 46, 440, and 300R. For me, the 460 doesn’t make sense at sub-12.

I had a 300R but was not impressed with the loading pin, it was not straight but at an angle from the start And looked rather fragile.

The Diana 460 and 52 are potential power houses, perhaps why Diana brought out the 430, if only they'd do that with the 52 what a neat scaled down rifle that would make

And you had to mention the 46 The compact model is still something I seek.

[Geezer]

The Diana 460 and 52 are potential power houses, perhaps why Diana brought out the 430, if only they'd do that with the 52 what a neat scaled down rifle that would make ldwink.

What a neat idea. A sort of Webley Tracker/Viscount with a sliding breech and a good trigger. 🙂

(I thought the 430 pre-dated the 460, though.)

[Barryg]

(I thought the 430 pre-dated the 460, though.)

Just a bit of info

The 46 was 1998

The 300r was 2003

The 460 was 2006

The 430 and 430 stutzen about five years later

The only underlever to survive is the 460 and still going strong.


Pics of 430 stutzen if anyone has not seen one, also a 46 breech, they were a fixed barrel 34

[Dornfelderliebe]

Again Stutzens are the best lookers pity it's got no Schnabel.

[hwtyger]

Webley mk3, nr 2, Webley Eclipse

[TonyL]

HW77K 25mm.

I do like the older stuff though, like the Webley Mk3.

Two that, to my surprise, I’ve never owned but think would be really good are the BSA LJ and the mark one TX200.

Also quite fancy some of the fairly recent Dianas like the 46, 440, and 300R. For me, the 460 doesn’t make sense at sub-12.

Yep, I do love my 1906 BSA LJ.

Of newer tap loaders, the Original / Diana 50 has always held great appeal to me.

[TonyL]

I really like my HW77, but I detest the automatic safety. So probably the Diana 50.

There's an easy way around that, remove the safety catch

Absolutely; just remove it. Having said that, on all my HWs I always click the safety off once I've returned the underlever / barrel anyway. It sort of becomes an instinctive "muscle memory" reflex action. I only use mine for informal targets these days but was also always brought up not to rely on safety devices but good gun handling, so a safety catch has ever been something I've valued. When I used to hunt, if crossing a fence / stile etc. I'd always de-cock the rifle anyway. And, where possible, prop it up / lay it on the ground where safe.

[James77]

I’ll cheat and say my new to me Webley mark 3 as it’s the only one I own, unfortunately it’s currently a bit off a dog.
I’m surprised there are stutzens in air, they will become favourites when I know a bit more.

[Buzzard]

Had mine for 50 years and it was second hand then.

[Barryg]

The World's Best-Looking Springer, careful it don't bite
😚😎

[Dornfelderliebe]

The World's Best-Looking Springer, careful it don't bite
😚😎

But it's got no nostrils, how does it smell?

[Muskett]

The Webley MKIII is a great looking rifle. Just never shot well enough to go beyond farmyard ranges. Same might be said of Airsporters. The Airsporter BSA Centenary is a fantastic looking rifle, but shoots no better than the standard.
The Webley Eclipse is a good looker, but the trigger wasn't good enough, though at least an underlever rather than the Viscount/Tracker side lever.
BSA Silver/Goldstars?? were better but looks are so "average".
Original 50 and BSF 54 just so old school.

I have a superbly accurate Park 91. It's just fugly.

HW77 can shoot superbly. Customised in so many ways, so has to be a contender.

The Theobens were very lovely, especially the '88.


One day I will get an AA Prosport, if only for their looks. TX's aren't bad either.