Walther Century GT

There’s no disputing the fact that German gun manufacturing giants, Walther (distributed by Armex in the UK), have gone from strength to strength in a relatively short space of time, establishing their growing roster of full-power spring and piston powered air rifles. Little wonder when you consider the quality of the ‘core’ rifles they launched – namely the LGV break-barrel and LGU under-lever action models, which boast integral highly efficient performance enhancing attributes of both a Vibration Reduction System [V] and the use of what they simply termed [S] denoting Super Silent Technology. Both those systems deserve their denotation (because they work!) and the shooting public quickly embraced them.

However, not content to rest on their laurels, the company has steadily introduced more quality springers, such as the Walther Terrus [V] [S] available in wood or synthetic stock options. The latest to emerge is the Walther Century GT and in-keeping with certain predecessors, this too is available in wood or synthetic livery. Both come bundled with a Walther 6x42AO scope plus two-piece mounts and as the synthetic version (in my opinion) takes the lead in the ‘looks’ department, it’s this model that features on test.

Neat & Sleek

First impressions leave you in no doubt that this is a very cosmetically appealing and stylish-looking rifle, while closer inspection shows just how well-engineered the action is and the high-lustre finish of the metalwork is quite frankly – flawless. But looks don’t bag quarry, so let’s start with the livery the high-quality action sits in – that of course being the sleek, ergonomic and very practical no-frills synthetic stock.

A major feature that immediately struck me upon first handling the rifle is that, in contrast to the Walther LGV and LGU models, the Century GT is far trimmer and slimmer. No bad thing as long as the performance of the action doesn’t over rule its ‘seat bed’ and as I discovered later in the test, it doesn’t in the slightest. But I digress. The stock sports a fully ambidextrous and quite slim, medium-height comb – I stipulate this as a cheekpiece is hardly discernible, which can’t be said of the well-sized ventilated black rubber buttpad. The neck has quite a shallow rake, is relatively slim but thoughtfully the design is such that the pistol grip has a generous palm swell that affords a solid and very comfortable grip. The equally slim and quite lengthy forend has a flat underside and features stylish stepped panels, which hold a distinctive pattern of stippling. These panels are found both fore and aft (in other words) at the key holding areas of pistol grip and forend. In use, you soon realise they’re not only cosmetically appealing but equally effective at aiding grip, but as the panels are set too far forward on the forend to be of any real use, thankfully the stock redeems itself by having an inherent ‘non-slip’ feel.

 

True to Form

An interesting and unique feature to certain Walther break-barrel air rifles is that the barrel is held ‘doubly’ secure at the breech, due to an underslung ‘barrel release lever.’ Only when this fail safe, yet unobtrusive mechanism, is manually disengaged by pushing it up towards the barrel can the breech be opened to enable the rifle to be cocked and loaded. Walther have seen fit to name this as the ‘Form-fit and force fit barrel locking’ mechanism. Quite a grandiose denotation, but one that serves to highlight the level of manufacture and attention the company has installed into the build, at what is a key area of any break-barrel air rifle.

Incidentally, although it isn’t a feature many shooters will be familiar with, you do quickly get the knack of operating it. Due to the positioning of the ideally sized and proportioned lever it’s easily operated (depressed to disengage) with the thumb of your leading hand while holding the barrel. The breech can then be almost effortlessly ‘snicked’ open (no banging topside on the barrel with the palm of your hand needed here!), and once the detent is unlocked the lever can then be released back to its original position. This allows you to slide your hand forward to grip the stylish slab-sided aluminium muzzle weight to help draw the 15.75 inch Lothar Walther tube back to lock securely in the open position for direct pellet loading. Not only does the muzzle weight make a handy cocking aid, but of more importance is the knurled screw-on cover, as it protects a ½ inch UNF threaded ‘spigot.’ A thoughtful addition for those who decide to fit a can up-front. Whether you need one or not, I’ll give my opinion on later.

Incidentally, upon cocking, the rifle’s auto-safety is activated. I mention this as if you’re a shooter who dislikes this feature on a mechanical action air rifle – it can easily be de-cocked by holding the barrel in the fully cocked position, and squeezing the trigger; this allows you to return the barrel under control back to its original closed position.

 

Add-ons

As mentioned earlier, the rifle comes bundled with a good quality and in my opinion – though some may feel it slightly left-of-field – very useful specification fixed magnification parallax adjustable scope. This Walther branded optic is range marked on the smooth operating AO and has low-profile cover capped ¼ inch MOA turret adjusters. Unsurprisingly, the scope has a German post design reticle. Granted not very in-vogue with today’s high-tech fully-featured airgun specific optics but in low light conditions and when you need to place the crosshairs quickly on aim, it’s still very practical and effective. Incidentally, while scoping up I noticed the top of the ‘muzzle break’ has rails machined along the top forward area, intended, I presume, for fitting a foresight assembly. There are also two threaded holes machined into the top of the breech block, so it stands to reason that there are or will be the option (although only maybe in the country of origin) to purchase a set of open sights for the rifle. As I like a good set of irons on springers in this price bracket, it’d have been a real bonus (if they are available) to see them supplied with the rifle/scope combo. Then again, as almost all hunters scope up from the ‘off’ maybe I’m being a bit too overly expectant!

Once I had it dressed to impress (scoped up!), a 25 yard zero was soon established for the .22 calibre test rifle and impress it did. The 2-stage adjustable trigger unit with auto-safety was very reminiscent in layout of the mechanism fitted to the Walther LGU I tested a while back. That being a broad, well-curved metal trigger blade, while the rear positioned auto-safety slide catch is ideally positioned for ‘thumbing off’ (pushing forward) without you having to alter your hold at the grip. It can also be slid back to put on safe if you decide to hold fire. After some deliberation, I settling on using Air Arms 16 grain Diablos, as they consistently produced ¾ inch c-c groups out to 30 yards. That’s not to say the rifle was overly pellet fussy, as it wasn’t.

I was pleased to note the ‘GT’ showed little recoil and a surprisingly ‘muted’ level of muzzle report. However, even though it was so ‘ear friendly’ I did shoot it with a small selection of my favoured cans up-front. Many hunters, such as myself, will see this rifle as a general purpose all-rounder and I would think few will feel it needs one. In my opinion this is a plus point, because at 43 inches from nose to tip and weighing just shy of 10lbs plus scope, it means this desirable sporter is a manageable and relatively compact (albeit rather weighty) package.

 

Conclusions

While the company’s LGV and LGU models of mechanical action air rifles undoubtedly illustrate the innovation and design capabilities Walther are capable of. The Walther Century GT proves they’re also able to manufacture very solid and highly efficient air rifles that can rival many other brands of established springers that are priced far higher. A bold statement maybe, but one I feel is valid as the Walther Century GT is very well-built, the metalwork superbly finished, is accurate and has the solid dependable feel that befits an air rifle designed to handle the rigours an all-round workhorse such as this can be subjected to in the field.

PRICE: SRP £285.99 Synthetic stock. £299.99 beech wood stock option (Prices include optic and mounts)
CONTACT: Armex 0121 643 4900, www.armex.co.uk