Weihrauch HW100KT Laminate Multi-shot PCP

Since the original Weihrauch HW100 pre-charged pneumatic rifle was first launched, I’ve tested it in all variants and more than sang its praises, so upon seeing the rifle dressed in Laminate furniture I was keen to try it out. Recently, Weihrauch offered special editions of their HW77K spring rifle in two colour options of Laminate – these being known as Summer Forest and Autumn Forest. The latter has the same blend of browns and autumnal colours used on the rifle featured here.

Although the ambidextrous stock retains that familiar over- large thumbhole, the stippling at the pistol grip is now far more aggressive. The relatively high cheekpiece has a slight hog’s back design ending in a slim full brown rubber butt pad with white and black line spacer. The forend is nicely proportioned, having a flat underside that tapers forwards to end in a stylish angled back tip. Scalloping has been crafted into both sides, ideally positioned for the fingers of the leading hand to aid grip. The stock also sensibly retains the finger channels that run either side of the stock from grip to trigger guard to allow the trigger finger to comfortably rest alongside on its way to make contact with the trigger blade. The new design configuration of the stippling and quite substantially sized steep drop down pistol grip offers a much more assured hold, which transfers over to give a better hand position for optimum trigger control.

It would have been nice to see a run of stippling applied to the underside of the forend, but that’s my personal choice, as many shooters will be happy enough with the original style of ‘ridging’ used. The Laminate stock isn’t heavier than the Walnut option but the weight is now felt more towards the rear. Personally, I prefer this as it does make the rifle handle better. In fact, for upward angle shots when the weight ‘naturally’ comes further back towards the shoulder, the rifle feels rock solid held on aim – especially when having to shoot freehand.

Action Stations

Obviously the superb metalwork and operation of the side-lever action hasn’t changed – the air reservoir with large forward facing ‘manometer’ is still detachable so it can be filled on or off the rifle. For on-gun filling a quick-fill probe (supplied) inserts into the fill point at the front of the reservoir, which when not in use is protected by a neat insert plug.

From a recommended 200 bar fill you can expect approximately 70 shots in .177 and 60 in .22 calibre as per the rifle on test. The side-lever action that runs the 14 shot removable rotary magazine is still, in my opinion, the system that endeared this type of cocking mechanism to the general airgun shooting public. It’s impressively engineered and as expected works faultlessly.

To recap on operation for cocking and loading – first the side-lever needs to be pulled back fully rearward. To access the removable magazine you then need to slide back the magazine retaining catch found on the right of the action block just behind the magazine’s housing. Then the large 14 shot wheel-shape metal magazine can easily be lifted clear from the action for loading. After thumbing a pellet into all chambers you simply place the magazine back into its housing in the right of the action block, slide the retaining catch forward and return the side-lever to its original position whereby it probes a pellet directly into the top quality 12.2-inch tube.

A feature not often mentioned but one that should be noted due to its usefulness and ingenuity of design is that you can’t double-load the gun, because if you have already cocked the rifle and cycled a pellet into the breech, a repeat action of the cocking lever doesn’t index the magazine again.

The HW100KT Laminate’s semi-free floating tube is also held and secured at the front by a chunky barrel band. This has a synthetic ‘o’ ring that protects the barrel from knocks, adds extra strength but doesn’t affect the semi-floating nature therefore accuracy is kept to the highest possible level.

Making the Grade

Like the cocking mechanism, the rifle’s 2-stage adjustable match grade trigger mechanism with manual safety is a superb unit. The black anodised alloy trigger blade is ideally sized and ergonomically curved, affording a very comfortable ‘finger fit’.

The manual, re-settable trigger safety lever operates very positively and is positioned on the right and to the rear of the action block. Push forward and you put the rifle into live fire mode, indicated by a red dot clearly visible on the block. Pulling it back puts the rifle on safe, whereupon you can clearly see a white dot on the action. Incidentally, the safety can only be operated and indeed only functions when the rifle is primed.

Another feature that is of equal quality is the now widely acclaimed ‘HE’ (High Efficiency) Silencer which comes included and already spun onto the tube’s screw cut muzzle. Upon firing it tames muzzle report to a mere whisper, proving it really does lives up to its ‘HE’ designation.

For scope fitting you have a lengthy run of railed action block with no protruding magazine to potentially foul on a scope body tube, and as the carbine is so well-balanced it handles just as well with big optics as it does compact ones. However, to throw a spanner in the works I chose to fit the unique ‘zero-eye-relief’ MTC Viper Connect 3-12x32 scope in the special ‘ConnectMount.’ A set-up I use on my own custom stocked HW100KT. As many now use this optic on rifles of this type I’m glad to say it handled superbly and performed equally as impressively.

After zeroing at 30 yards using H&N F.T Trophy’s I soon began producing sub 3/8- inch groups out to 40 yards and beyond. We all know the argument for a regulated rifle over a non-regulated one, but the superb internal selfregulating valve system this rifle employs makes a mockery of thinking a rifle is made more accurate if it has a regulator fitted. Fact of the matter is it just makes them more consistent which the HW100 has never had an issue with.

Conclusions

The HW100KT Laminate is a very appealing version of Weihrauch’s now highly regarded and very popular multi-shot PCP. Then again it should be as it uses such a top-performing, highly efficient, accurate and time proven chassis. If I have one ‘niggle’ I’d have personally preferred the stock to have been fitted with a height adjustable butt pad. However, though many will gravitate towards the rifle due to cosmetics alone, I hope my detailing of the handling of the rifle earlier due to the ‘felt’ weight distribution will be taken into consideration. I stress this point as this variant isn’t just about looks, because you have to take into consideration the fact that you’ll be paying approximately a hundred pounds more for the attributes this option offers.

PRICE: RRP £936 inc. 2x magazines, 2x fill adaptors and air reservoir ‘bleed’ unit
CONTACT: Hull Cartridge Co 01482 342571 www.hullcartridge.co.uk