HW 35 Mussings ?

[Blackrider]

One of the few Weihrauchs I've never had. Tell a lie, I did have one for about six weeks the sold it to John (Johnbaz) on here as he liked it but I never shot it myself !

During a visit to my local gunshop who doesnt trade in too many airguns, I noticed a pair of 35's sitting side by side in a gun rack. I did'nt enquire about them as was buying c'fire ammo and short on time but they've been on my mind since.

After attending the Spring Bash this weekend and having a few shots with members 35's, I think I'll pop down to the shop and check out the two air rifles later this week !
I dont know what calibres they are or what particular model but the appeared to be in very good condition with little usage.

Any particular points, characteristics or flaws I should be aware of and preferred calibre ?
It will be generally used for both indoor and outdoor range work, not hunting and I may mount a small period scope on it after trying out the open sights.

[Shed tuner]

Get one with a synthetic seal (and correct smaller trans port). The piston is a little lighter, the stroke is a little longer, and they shoor better / softer.

It is however not a big deal to buy a modern piston/seal and retrofit it.

I like them at 12FP, although the short stroke and wide bore, coupled with a long TP isn't very efficient, which explains the high cocking effort for a 12 FP gun.

[laverdabru]

My personal experience. Bought a new one in .177 back in 2014. Had to go back for a 'rework'. Maybe it was a Friday afternoon build? I kept it, but it is probably my least favourite rifle. Still find it quite harsh. My SMK B19 was smoother out of the box!
In complete contrast, bought an early '80's one in .22. Lovely, soft firing cycle, so smooth I thought it was underpowered. That is one of my favourite guns!
Try before you buy, if you can. Do find them on the heavy side as I've got older & had some minor health issues.
They made many thousands since the '50's(?), so don't rush into buying one - plenty about.

ATB

[maximus]

Lovely rifles, I think they suit 22 best but wouldn't mind either way. Heres a pick of my bitza 35 with luxus stock which I had nickel plated, love it.

https://i.imgur.com/iambkrS.jpeg

[wickerman]

I have 2 hw35e one .177 1979 easier to cock than my 1980 .22 the .177 nice smooth .....the .22 harder to cock and a bit harsher to shoot .....but still ok ....I had a .22 hw35k very hard to cock and harsh to shoot I sold it

[Mach 1.5]

Got a Venomac tuned HW35E .22 cal and yes shoots rather nice. Mach 1.5

[evert]

Got three, all .177", one nice 1977 leather sealed, one ca 2008 synthetic, and one 1980 with the piston machined to fit modern synthetic seals. The modern gun is definitely the best.

The biggest problem with the 35 is the barrel catch....

[Nikkormat]

I have had three HW35s, all .177.

The first was a HW35K, made in the early 2000s. It was well made, reasonable to shoot - neither harsh nor particularly smooth - but it showed noticeable muzzle flip, cured by adding a Pro-System moderator.

The second was a 1980 HW35E with the 22" barrel. It was beautiful to shoot; very accurate with open sights. Easy and smooth to cock. The long barrel was elegant but unwieldy.

I now have a recent HW35E (standard barrel), one of the last with the old style finger groove stock. It is well made, shoots well (post strip & lubrication) and handles very nicely.

I would not have another K (too barrel-light), nor would I have another 22" barreled E (too long). The standard barrel is perfect. Strip it, give it a spit & polish tune and it will be great, assuming it is not one of the dreaded badly brazed examples. They balance best with open sights or the lightest of scopes, nothing bigger than 4x32.

Matt

[Biker_Bob]

If it's an old one check the lock up.
I've seen a couple where there was detectable barrel droop - that positive lock mechanism is enticing and looks like a good idea, but it seems it's not perfect.

[Blackrider]

If it's an old one check the lock up.
I've seen a couple where there was detectable barrel droop - that positive lock mechanism is enticing and looks like a good idea, but it seems it's not perfect.

Good advice when checking out used air rifles !
Cheers Bob

[TonyL]

Got a Venomac tuned HW35E .22 cal and yes shoots rather nice. Mach 1.5

I bet it's absolutely delightful.

[TonyL]

I love the 35.

And I particularly like the manual barrel latch. Nice, quiet, smooth and refined. The gentlemen's way of opening and closing.

They've always pleased me. And I find it very satisfying that the design's now around 70 years old and can still show a clean pair of heels to many, many more modern rifles.

I like both the older leather sealed and newer synthetic sealed guns. One of mine, a 1970 pre-safety one, ran an "intermediary" set-up for a while. Older piston but fitted with the synthetic seal adaptor. So, heavier piston and shorter stroke, with stroke reduced further by the adaptor. When I switched it to a later piston, I found that the piston seal had gone very tight. Now, with that intermediate set-up, power was low, but the rifle did shoot amazingly sweetly. When I fitted the later piston, I did the leaky breech fix, the later piston increased the stroke and the new piston seal was a much better fit. Power output greatly improved. But I don't know for sure which of the three "elements" contributed the most?

I do fancy doing a bit of a short stroke one again.

I also prefer them on opens for that "pure and classic" character.

[les allam]

I love the 35.

And I particularly like the manual barrel latch. Nice, quiet, smooth and refined. The gentlemen's way of opening and closing.

They've always pleased me. And I find it very satisfying that the design's now around 70 years old and can still show a clean pair of heels to many, many more modern rifles.

I like both the older leather sealed and newer synthetic sealed guns. One of mine, a 1970 pre-safety one, ran an "intermediary" set-up for a while. Older piston but fitted with the synthetic seal adaptor. So, heavier piston and shorter stroke, with stroke reduced further by the adaptor. When I switched it to a later piston, I found that the piston seal had gone very tight. Now, with that intermediate set-up, power was low, but the rifle did shoot amazingly sweetly. When I fitted the later piston, I did the leaky breech fix, the later piston increased the stroke and the new piston seal was a much better fit. Power output greatly improved. But I don't know for sure which of the three "elements" contributed the most?

I do fancy doing a bit of a short stroke one again.

I also prefer them on opens for that "pure and classic" character.

I was rather smitten with new Bash member Paul’s hw35 with the Paul Short 22mm conversion and shortened bull barrel.superbly blued and a highly figured stock.
And it shot very nicely.
Les..

[Blackrider]

Missed that one Les but maybe Paul will produce it next time around !

[TonyL]

I was rather smitten with new Bash member Paul’s hw35 with the Paul Short 22mm conversion and shortened bull barrel.superbly blued and a highly figured stock.
And it shot very nicely.
Les..

That did shoot very nicely indeed, Les. Beautiful looking thing, too.

Gav's was very, very nice too. V-Mach kit fitted, I seem to remember.