Weihrauch HW80k Luxus

When first launched, the HW80 and 80K took the airgun scene by storm due to their accuracy and tank-like build. The FT boys mainly flocked to the underlever HW77 or 77K, but for the hunters, the 80 was an adult-sized break-barrel springer that virtually everyone owned at some point, or aspired to own.

These models also set the trend for spring and piston-powered air rifles to be tuned. In fact, a whole tuning and customisation industry was created around them in order to get the most out of the airguns by way of smoothing out the firing cycle to reduce recoil, which in turn helped the shooter control the gun to achieve optimum accuracy. However, as the years have passed, Weihrauch themselves have made the internals of the newer 80s far smoother in operation and also made slight stock modifications that are more for style than function.

When the superb Weihrauch HE (High Efficiency) silencer was launched, it wasn’t long before certain springers were sold with screwcut barrels and the HE silencer already fitted.

Anyway, on test is the HW80K Luxus with silencer. Incidentally, ‘Luxus’ means Luxury in German, and it’s the stock they’ve really paid attention to. It’s a very well-thought-out design.

Ergonomically correct

The Luxus stock is not only very aesthetically pleasing, but this stylish and ergonomic furniture now relays many useful features back to the shooter. These all play a huge part in the transformation of this rifle’s overall ease of use and shootability.

The ambidextrous beech stock now boasts a very well-configured, medium to high, generously proportioned cheekpiece that’s made even more distinct due to its straight, angular edges. Shoulder fit is catered for by a nicely contoured rubber butt pad with a black line spacer.

Moving forward towards the trigger, you will notice the stock has been paired back so that the grip is much easier to hold, as the heel of your shooting hand is given more allowance to nestle into the stock before your hand meets the palm swell of the steep pistol grip. In addition to this, a slight thumb shelf now sits on the top edge of the neck. Overall, these features make a big difference to how the rifle feels in the hold.

Now, an intriguing part of the butt section is the flattened underside that runs from the heel of the pistol grip, right back to the butt pad. Whether this is a style inclusion or to give the rifle a stamp all of its own is anyone’s guess. In the hold, you could say it does lighten the stock weight at this point. However you look at this feature, it adds to the airgun’s rather fascinating appeal. And if that wasn’t unique enough, it’s at the forend where the design really gets interesting.

Looks familiar

The forend is yet again a standout area of change. However, it’s not unlike the forend as seen on the HW97KT, although it is much slimmer. That being said, it still does show a definite look and feel of its own. While the forend now curves gently upwards, it morphs into a very stylish and practical end tip. At this point, the woodwork curves downwards quite dramatically and protrudes out to form a pronounced angled back tip. This also gives the rifle an even more individual and stylish look, but would only act as a natural hand stop for the leading hand if you had very long arms.

In use, the curvaceous crafting of the woodwork, combined with the rounded underside, feels very comfortable and secure in the hold. In the past, I’ve seen this type of style on certain custom-stocked guns, and it always proves to be a bonus.

Yet another standout design change is the unique chequering found on the grip and the forend. However, simply using the term chequering is a misnomer, as what stock makers have cleverly done is designed a new type of ‘skipline chequering’. The reason being, there’s as much line as chequering! It is stylish and practical, and this design is by far amongst the best aid to grip you’ll find on any wood stock rifle currently available, and that in itself is high praise indeed.

Breaking good

The cocking stroke is very smooth, and not overly strenuous. You are also helped out by the company’s HE silencer, which doubles up as a very useful cocking aid.

When returned to the closed position, the lock-up is solid and inevitably airtight, due to the wedge-shaped steel detente and the generously sized breech seal. At this stage of operation, the automatic trigger safety also engages.

Another plus is there’s no anti-beartrap mechanism, meaning the rifle can be de-cocked at any time. Simply push in the protruding safety button at the rear of the cylinder, on the left-hand side. Then, while holding the barrel in the cocked position, pull the trigger, allowing the barrel to return (under the control of your hold) to the original closed position.

Trigger unit, safety & silencer

As you’d expect, the company install their now legendary Rekord trigger unit. It’s a 2-stage, fully-adjustable unit that is still classed by many as the industry standard by which similar trigger mechanisms for a springer are judged. The nicely curved steel blade is broad and shows a ridged forward face for finger contact. Both it and the steel adjuster screw are strong and practical. Although it needs no more praise than has been heaped on it in the past, you have to acknowledge that this unit always releases shot after shot without a hint of creep.

Peak performance

This scope-only rifle has quite a lengthy run of dovetails, which are deep and well-cut. There are also three arrestor holes that can be used with the appropriate mounts to prevent scope creep. I opted to fit a Hawke 3-12x40AO Airmax with AMX reticle, which is an optic of a size and spec that certainly suits a rifle such as this.

I was soon printing sub ½” groups at my 25 yard zero with the .177 calibre test rifle, and further studied shooting showed it’s certainly capable of maintaining kill-zone accuracy out to 40+ yards. The firing cycle is silky smooth and reminded me of the 97, though I’m reliably informed it’s still the same powerplant fitted to the previous model of HW80. Even so, I’d say there’s been some further attention given to the internals, or maybe the stock now does the action even more justice in all departments.

As a matter of interest, the Luxus stock now brings the rifle’s overall length down to an incredibly manageable 37.8”, which in itself is a superb achievement. The recoil is very low for a full-power 12 ft/lbs springer, and the company’s HE silencer does an excellent job of quelling the muzzle report.

Conclusions

While Weihrauch has concentrated on PCPs in more recent times, it’s good to see they’ve not forgotten the stalwart springers that make up their comprehensive roster of mechanical-actioned air rifles. And although they’ve added silencers to many break-barrel rifles in recent years, plus upgraded the stocks on equally as many models, this latest addition is going to garner much interest and is surely going to find favour with any springer supporter. In fact, it must be said and highlighted in summing up that the stock now totally transforms the HW80K as we’ve known and loved it over the years.

Overall, the HW80K Luxus with silencer is a superb option for those looking to get a smooth firing, highly accurate, well-balanced, and ready silenced springer straight off the shelf. In use, the firing cycle even feels as if it’s been custom-tuned.

Considering the whole package in terms of performance, this is an air rifle that’s up there with the best in this price bracket.

Thanks to T & J. J McAvoy LTD for supplying the rifle on test