Question(s) on the HW97

[Mug08]

In my searching for a "nice" underlever, I noticed that both Beeman and Weihrauch market the HW97. I'm pretty sure that Weihrauch makes the gun for Beeman. One thing I picked up on, the Beeman is .4 lbs. heavier than the Weihrauch with both having the beech stock.
The Weihrauch is only .1 inch shorter. Does that mean there's a difference in the parts between the two? The Weihrauch is quite a bit cheaper than the Beeman - is that just a marketing thing, or does the Beeman have a better barrel or something else I'm not thinking about?

       Mark

[Gene_SC]

There is only one HW-97. It is a fantasticly accurate air rifle. No matter if is sold under Beeman's name or Walhrauch's name, it is the same gun.

[Mug08]

OK -thanks Gene. Looks like Christmas might come 7 months early this year

    Mark

[Gene_SC]

Well your money will be well spent my friend. I love mine and it is probably my favorite bench shooter.

[creeper]

Mug08 - 5/29/2010  6:18 PM  In my searching for a "nice" underlever, I noticed that both Beeman and Weihrauch market the HW97. I'm pretty sure that Weihrauch makes the gun for Beeman. One thing I picked up on, the Beeman is .4 lbs. heavier than the Weihrauch with both having the beech stock. The Weihrauch is only .1 inch shorter. Does that mean there's a difference in the parts between the two? The Weihrauch is quite a bit cheaper than the Beeman - is that just a marketing thing, or does the Beeman have a better barrel or something else I'm not thinking about?         Mark

Hi Mug,

Weihrauch has been making the HW97 for over two  decades... always for themselves and later, for Beeman. The Weihrauch name is synonymous with high quality and exceptional accuracy.

There have been HW97 Mk I, Mk II and Mk III... the  last of which is more commonly referred to as the 'K'.

I don't  know how long Beeman imported Beeman marked HW97s. Some say the  Beeman wood, or bluing finish is more "select", but I've seen enough  Weihrauch 97s to know this to be untrue... I've never seen a 97, Beeman  marked or not that wasn't of fine quality.

Beeman, as you may have  known it 6 months ago, no longer exists. The Beeman marked Weihrauchs  are imported directly by Pyramyd Air, who, as I understand it, purchased  that "contract" from Beeman when they were sold. That contract is good  for another 4-5 years... then it's possible that Beeman marked  Weihrauchs may cease to exist as well. (Gene... please correct me if I've got any of this wrong)
 

Beeman or Weihrauch marked... as Gene says, you can't go wrong.  Brilliant quality and excellent accuracy come as "Standard Equipment" on  the HW97K. I have two Beeman marked HW97Ks in .177... not because they say Beeman, but rather because I got them for a good price. I would let that be your guide rather than a name.  :emoticon:

Cheers,
C

[Andrew]

Just a comment on Creepers response, what a shame all that hard work Robert Beeman has put into airguns and to see it all go by the wayside, it really saddens me, I still have all those old Beeman catalogues that were more like reference books than mere brochures, Beeman Australia has closed down, end of the golden age of airguns but those great pioneers will not be forgotten. Andrew

[Gene_SC]

Crhis is right on the money with his statement.  I have only one HW-97K. Wish I had two...

[Mug08]

And the opinions. I didn't want to fall into the "cheaper is better" trap - but in this case, it doesn't seem to matter. It really is too bad about Beeman. I had heard some things about the "re-structuring", but it's been a little confusing to say the least.
 Let's hope PA does things the right way -bring in a few Beeman people who know what they're doing, etc.  
 "Just picked up a Pyramyd R1 today" just doesn't sound right.  

[Gene_SC]

On the other side of the coin,  I have $100.00 springers that shoot exceedingly well. But not right out of the box.. They take a bit of TLC and then they become real diamonds.  I am proud to say that I love to shoot some of my Chinese and Spanish  $100.00 made springers just as much.

I am not one to get hung up on just expensive guns. Sure there are some very sweet shooting high end and cost springers but I enjoy the cheap ones just as much..  And I am also proud to say I love most all air rifles with springs...

[creeper]

Gene_SC - 5/31/2010  10:17 AM  Crhis is right on the money with his statement.  I have only one HW-97K. Wish I had two...

Ah... but you do have a couple of AAs... the "other gun" as I call them, that I'd be happy to own. Then perhaps I can jump into those fun, never ending arguments about which is the "better gun"... from a new perspective.  

Cheers gents. Time to go do some work, so I can afford those AAs... or perhaps another 97.  :emoticon: