With regards to finish, both rifles are evidence of Weihrauch's wealth of experience, sporting a supreme chemical blue throughout. One point to note, according to Hull Cartridge, the UK importers, is that future carbines may be supplied with shorter barrels (by 4inches) and the larger Weihrauch silencer, to compensate for the change in balance.īy contrast, the ‘98 is fractionally lighter than its stablemate, by a quarter of a pound. However, 8.5lbs, in this type of rifle, is not for the feint hearted, so the ‘90 has to be labelled a serious adult sporter. I'd normally opt for a longer barrel, just for the balance alone, but in the case of this ‘90, the weight is well distributed. This obviously looks the part, and also gives much needed assistance when cocking the action. The barrel is capped off with a very smart and well proportioned barrel weight. The HW90K has that same robust level of machining, and the model I had for test here was the ‘K', denoting carbine – i.e the 14inch short barrel version, as opposed to the full length standard model. 75inch comprises of a 3mm thick barrel sleeve shrouding the barrel, neatly retained by grub screws to the underside. Several obvious features stand out straight away such as the chunky ‘bull' barrel, the large panels of black stippling, and the fully adjustable butt and cheek-piece of the stock - all adding to the precision target feel.ĭetails, such as the wedge shape applied to the breech end of the barrel add distinction, and a superior air. It's not actually that heavy for this type of gun, just built to last. It's a bit of a curio, and a very appealing rifle best described as a cross between a target rifle and a sporting rifle –and certainly looks the part.įirst impressions are one of a fairly heavy, very solid, adult rifle for the serious shooter. Something of an under-stated rifle, the HW98 offers something a little different – slightly departing from the conventional, and to my mind, has no obvious rivals. The air contained within the sealed unit should never escape, and in theory will give very long lasting performance to the rifle.īy contrast, the HW98 uses a solid, traditional spring/piston arrangement yet there's more to it than that. From this point on, the gun acts like a conventional springer, with the piston compressing the air in front of it, and powering the pellet. On firing, the piston is released, and the compressed air behind it forces the piston forwards. When the rifle is cocked in the conventional manner, a sealed chamber of air is compressed by the drawing back of the piston (instead of compressing a mainspring). Think of the gas-ram itself as similar to a motorbike air suspension fork (the initial inspiration to it's designers after all). The gas-ram is the result of a deal struck with the English company, Theoben, some years back, to utilize their revolutionary system in one of Weihrauch's own models. It's a case of German engineering housing on-board English know how in the form of a ‘gas-ram' and if you've yet to encounter one of these, then allow me to enlighten you. It's a high quality, no-nonsense gun, traditionally made, yet utilizing modern techniques and updated features were necessary. Visually, the HW90 looks conventional, in the classic Weihrauch mould. Whilst it could be described as a little plain, it certainly isn't basic! Weihrauch's HW90 model has been around for quite some while now, yet the very fact that it has managed to retain its place in their illustrious line-up speaks volumes for the original blue print, and the rifle's ever-green appeal. The HW98 and HW90 are, on the face of it, two of a kind yet looks deceive – and whereas the ‘98 is a conventional spring/piston design, the ‘90 takes a something of a different approach. This month I'm spotlighting two relative heavyweight, break-barrel designs from top German manufacturer, Weihrauch seeing what makes them tick, and what they have to offer.
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