Weihrauch HW110K

The HW110K from Weihrauch has caused quite a stir. Mark Camoccio takes a closer look to see what the fuss is about

The HW110 in its standard form is by all accounts, a very tidy rifle, although I must admit that before this test, I hadn’t properly tested one. I was, however, well aware of the concept and the thinking behind the design, as I was lucky enough to be invited to visit the Weihrauch factory in Germany, back in 2017, along with my old friends Terry Doe and Graham Allen, plus some other journalists. It was a totally absorbing trip, meeting Hans Weihrauch and his team, and seeing for ourselves the level of commitment and design work that goes into this company’s products.

Production of the HW110 was, of course, covered and witnessed, and with the action built around a main block constructed from ballistic polymer instead of traditional metals, it’s a massive departure for Weihrauch, and a seemingly risky strategy, given their standing and perception as an ultra-traditional manufacturer.

Moving with the times

Times are rapidly changing though (look at 3D Printing!), and modern space-age materials are creeping into areas where simple metal constructs have always held sway. So, the HW110 project suddenly looks rather prescient. The factory visit in Germany coincided with Weihrauch’s release of their first PCP pistol, the HW44, and this radical design builds upon much the same polymer breech block base. As Hans Weihrauch explained to us, ballistic polymers are widely used in the firearms world, and these modern production methods represent the future for the company.

As it turns out, project HW110 has been extremely well received, as customers loyal to the brand realise the new approach doesn’t represent a threat to all they hold dear! On test here is the HW110K, which is a super-compact version that offers shooters a serious alternative specification.

Compact

Up close, this Karbine model (denoted by the ‘K’), really does look super-compact, with that ultra-short cylinder, and correspondingly short forend. Weihrauch’s own silencer comes as standard, and with a host of other features aimed at the serious shooter, this model gets a good start in life. A 2-stage trigger, 10-shot magazine system (two supplied), side-lever cocking, manual safety catch, and Picatinny scope rail, all make the spec sheet.

The ambidextrous sporter stock grabs the attention, and the black is actually rubber-coated wood, which feels very nice to the touch. Laser cut chequering features on the forend and pistol grip, and a solid rubber pad caps off the butt nicely. Weihrauch manufacture and fit their own barrels, and this model gets a fairly short 12.5” tube (16” on the standard model) running through a plastic support. I didn’t encounter any problems on test, but for peace of mind, if this was my own rifle, I would probably remove that support, just so I could see full clearance around the barrel. Allowing for the perfectly normal expansion of the cylinder, throughout the charge, is the accepted wisdom these days, and I lose sleep about such matters. No, really!

Finish-wise, the barrel gets proper chemical bluing, whilst the cylinder, as per the HW100 series, gets a different matte-black coating. As for the silver mag release catch and safety on the original model, these are now supplied in black, apparently as a response to customer feedback.

One-piece

If you had to criticize Weihrauch’s HW100 model, it would be a fair observation to point out the fact that the receiver is a two-piece construction, and a potential source of weakness, in theory at least. The HW110 sees the new polymer receiver as a one-piece design, with the magazine housing enclosed within. Extra rigidity is therefore afforded, and with that Picatinny rail running the entire length, in one continuous strip, mounting a scope is a reassuring process, once you have the correct type of mounts that is. I can’t help thinking the trend for Picatinny/Weaver rails on airguns is overkill, but there’s no doubting the advantage of the positive relocating of a scope if it has been temporarily removed.

With glassware all bolted down, the final piece of preparation is to charge the main air cylinder. Weihrauch employs the same probe style of charging as their HW100 series, and it’s quick and efficient. Just pull out the small nylon plug in the inlet valve at the front of the cylinder, then fully insert the airline, complete with the charging adaptor probe supplied, and charge to 200 bar.

At this juncture, it’s worth pointing out that Weihrauch designed these models with removable air cylinders. They are meant to be charged in situ on the gun, yet are removable for testing further down the line. An unofficial testing regime of inspecting the gun’s cylinder after ten years has been adopted by the company, and this is what they recommend to their customers. It would seem good practice for the industry, given the age of some rifles now in circulation.

Filling the 10-shot magazine just needs a pellet to be pushed into each chamber, nice and flush. Then, to get the mag on board, pull the side-lever all the way back, and insert the magazine into its slot within the receiver, from the right side, whilst pulling up the mag retaining catch. This can prove a little fiddly if I’m honest, with the inserted mag occasionally needing a jostle to the side before the lever can be closed. Once the mag is in place though, cocking and cycling the ten shots, thereafter, is a slick operation.

Handling

In the aim, this pint-sized sporter feels amazingly versatile, but whilst I appreciate the ‘Karbine’ remit, I would still prefer a few extra inches on the forend. This would make no difference to the overall length, but would just accommodate the larger framed amongst us when at full stretch. As it stands, that front Picatinny accessory rail is a great feature, allowing lamping kit, lasers, or even weights to be attached. Weihrauch’s silencer, fitted as standard on this model, is well respected as one of the most effective on the market, and on test, the tiny report just added to the civilized experience overall. Clever things those hair curlers! Add in the fact that the multi-shot magazine system cannot be made to double load pellets, and the plus points of this premium product begin to seriously stack up!

As for the 2-stage trigger, despite the blade itself being plastic, it feels spot-on, and trips with a crisp, subtle release. A contributory factor for sure, in performance overall. The silky cycling of the side-lever is a massive confidence boost, and I had no blockages or misfires whatsoever on test, which speaks volumes for the integrity of the design.

As with the HW100 series, Weihrauch specifies the action as self-regulating, and states a guide of 60 shots in .177 and around 75 in .22. My test model came in the smaller calibre, and from a 200 bar fill pressure, I managed 78 shots over the chronograph, all within 19 fps, which is pretty impressive consistency. I used JSB-made Air Arms Diabolo Field pellets straight from the tin.

I decided to adopt the prone position for the main grouping, and then see how things shaped up from the kneeling and standing positions. Superb, ragged holes, around 9mm across at 40 yards from a rest was a great start. Plus, when I adopted the kneeling stance over my 25 yard range, I drilled groups easily within a 5p piece, showing the inherent accuracy of this pellet launching machine. OK, standing was always going to be tough, especially given my penchant for plenty of front weight, yet groups of around 1.25” weren’t a disgrace.

Conclusion

That silky, predictable trigger, and astonishingly muted muzzle report (especially given the short barrel) all add to the immensely satisfying experience. Also, given how those down-range groups were so easy to come by, I was genuinely sorry to see this one go!

Let’s face it, Weihrauch rarely disappoints, but the HW110K really is a superb airgun that’s cleverly designed, and brilliantly executed. How that tasty stock finish will survive snags and nicks in the field is my only real concern, for you simply can’t fault the performance on offer.