WEIHRAUCH HW95K 2023

It’s a peculiar thing with some of Weihrauch’s long-term guns in the range because we get so familiar with them just being there, meaning they often get overlooked. A classic case in point is the HW95K on test here. Checking up and down my records in disbelief, it would appear that the last time I gave one the once over, was way back in 2012. Flippin ‘eck as they say. What a worryingly quick 11-year interlude! Hope you enjoyed it!

Latest spec

Opening the box, I instantly knew that the stock was subtly different from what I’d seen before, but as it turns out, the minor revisions were actually carried out back in 2021. It’s an understatement to say we’ve had a few global interruptions and valid reasons for being sidetracked in between, so forgive me for failing to notice at the time. Anyhow, here it is - the very latest version of the HW95K.

I was going to start by stating that this model is the lightest adult break-barrel in the line-up, but with the trendy little 99S still much in evidence, the ‘95K just nudges over its stablemate. At 7.5 lbs though, the HW95K is still the go-to, full-power break-barrel sporter in the range, for ultimate refinement, and the sleek High-Efficiency Silencer (H.E.S), as Weihrauch calls it, that you see in the photos, is all part of the deal. The Rekord 2-stage trigger is here, with the famous push button auto safety, adjustable breech jaws, dovetail rails with arrestor holes, and the ambidextrous beech sporter stock.

Setting the standard

It’s that unmistakable feel of a Weihrauch, which so many rivals still fail to deliver, that sets this famous old German brand apart, for whilst the latest offerings may not quite be up to the models’ of yesteryear, they still largely set the standard for the industry, along with just a few notable rivals. So, what am I bleating about when it comes to the models of yesteryear? Well, anyone who remembers Weihrauch in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, with the more angular stocks and gloriously deep hand-cut chequering, will have to concede that the modern operation doesn’t quite compare where the woodwork is concerned. That, said, back in the real world, the latest laser-cut chequering is pin perfect, just a little shallower. The pistol grip is stylishly done, with extended panels, and the front patterns mean plenty of easy grip is afforded in the aim.

The configuration, in line with most other models, is ambidextrous, and that means dual cheekpieces. Looks-wise, these are well-defined, but I do think a little more height, properly catering for scope use, would make sense. The usual subtle and well-shaped rubber butt pad is here, and with the tapered, thinned-out forend tip at the other end, handling overall is hard to fault. Beef up any area, and you add to the weight, so as it stands, for this lightweight sporter, I suppose it’s all a good compromise.

Mirror mirror

Ask any airgun nut to sum up what Weihrauch stands for, and they’re sure to mention the quality of the chemical bluing at some point. All the main metalwork gets a ‘mirror finished’ surface, and that’s the result of fine polishing prior to the traditional bluing multi-tank dipping process. I still marvel at the results and the HW95K is a prime example of these time-honoured ‘dark arts’. It’s what we miss with the cheaper airgun brands.

Adjust & set

As mentioned, the usual long run of conventional dovetail rails tracks through the rear end of the main cylinder, and these come with several arrester holes pre-drilled. For spring-powered airguns, I have often gone straight to a one-piece mount, which offers a far greater clamping surface area, preventing the scope and mounts from moving at a stroke. However, given the setup with the ‘95K, we can either use a small arrestor block behind one of the mounts or use mounts that include a small arrestor stud, integral to their design. In the latter case, the mount stud locates directly into the ‘95’s receiver.

Moving briefly to the front, the muzzle comes with a ½” standard UNF thread, so we can unscrew the silencer and screw on some other barrel fitting in its place if we so wish. I get quite excited about this sort of thing, and just being able to play around and experiment with different add-ons up front, opens a door to further exploration.

As for the trigger, the famous Rekord unit is still a class act, and with the HW95K, Weihrauch has opted to gold-plate the rear adjuster bolt and the blade itself, adding further class along the way. I’m on record as being fairly timid where trigger adjustment is concerned, but with that large back bolt a good place to start, and finish, if you don’t know what you’re doing, some or part adjustment for the layman is easier than many rivals. The instructions will always advise caution and making any adjustments at a club or shooting range, where you have a safe backstop, is a prerequisite, and a good start shall we say. If in doubt, rope in someone more experienced.

Down range

OK, so we’ve stood and admired the fantastic finish, we’ve bolted on some glassware, and we’ve even contemplated tweaking the trigger. So, how does it shoot? Well, that’s all coming up next.

Breaking the breech open is nice and easy, courtesy of the added leverage and grip afforded by that generous silencer. The cocking stroke is fairly easy to complete, and with the customary Weihrauch ‘crunch’ at the end of the stroke, as the auto safety button and trigger are set, it’s all rather satisfying as we have come to expect. Chambering a pellet gets just the right amount of grip in the rifling too, and the beautifully machined and configured breech area works well.

The trigger breaks utterly cleanly, which is no surprise from the ‘Rekord’, and that original ridged blade still takes some beating. What was surprising, and a little disappointing on test, was the spring ‘twang’ and resonance on firing, although the recoil is more of a bounce than anything overly harsh. As I would always counter with Weihrauch, it is true to say that most of their spring-powered models, the ‘95K included, will hugely benefit from a careful lube and tune, and this is the reason why Weihrauchs feature so heavily where customized airgun specials are concerned.

Chrono & accuracy check

Ten shot strings are enough to show what a springer is capable of, and the HW95K was superbly consistent with several ammo brands on test over the chrono. Air Arms Diabolo Fields in .177 posted a total velocity spread of just 5 fps, which is excellent, and Rangemaster Sovereigns weren’t far behind with a total 9 fps spread. For some reason, the test gun’s barrel didn’t warm to the Air Arms pellets, which is a known good batch of pellets I hasten to add, when I began the accuracy test. I expect better than ¾” from a Weihrauch at 30 yards is what I’m saying. Switching to the Rangemasters soon had the ‘95K tearing ½” clusters, which is much more acceptable.

Verdict

In short, the latest HW95K is ideal for serious field work, be that HFT competition or demanding live quarry shooting. Again, remember these rifles respond to detail, so spend more time getting the trigger right, more pellet evaluation, and a judicious lube, or tune-up, to reduce the spring resonance, and performance will tighten before your eyes. As it stands, handling and performance overall are still something to get excited about. Consider a Weihrauch an investment for sure, and you won’t be far wrong. Built to deliver the goods for many years, and with a level of finish, fit, and feel that adds so much to the pride of ownership.

Thanks to Range & Country Shooting Supplies in Sleaford, Lincs., for the kind loan of this rifle.