Weihrauch HW97
Weihrauch (Arminius) · Rifle · In Production · 1990
Also known as: HW 97, HW97K
Overview
The Weihrauch HW97 is a German spring-piston underlever air rifle renowned for its match-grade accuracy. It uses a fixed barrel with a sliding-breech (Taploader) underlever cocking system that loads pellets directly into the rear of the barrel, eliminating the accuracy losses associated with break-barrel designs. Fitted with Weihrauch's celebrated adjustable Rekord two-stage trigger, the HW97 is widely regarded as one of the finest field-target and hunting air rifles available, sold chiefly in .177, .22 and .25 calibers.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4300 g (151.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1030 mm (40.55") |
| Barrel Length | 300 mm (11.81") |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 12 N (2.7 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 16 J (12 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 12 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .177 Air (4.5mm) · primary — also known as .177 caliber, 4.5mm pellet, .177 pellet
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Automatic Safety, Anti Beartrap
- Features: Underlever Cocking, Fixed Barrel, Sliding Breech, Rekord Trigger, Scope Rail
Variants
- Weihrauch HW97K — Carbine
Production
Production years: 1990-present
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Weihrauch
Notes
Sub-12 ft-lbf versions are sold for the UK market without a firearms certificate; higher-power export versions exceed 16 J. The short-barrelled HW97K is the most popular variant.
Background
Weihrauch's HW77 underlever pioneered the fixed-barrel design in the late 1970s; the HW97, introduced around 1990, refined it into a slimmer, scope-friendly action that became a benchmark for field-target competition airguns.