Will the HW 50s be too much rifle to cock from the factory? I figure he could handle the R7 fine but we will eventually need a bit more power for UKAHFT. I was thinking that if the HW 50 was too much right now I could take it down in power for a while till he grows into it. It’ll be harder to increase the power of an R7 I think. What’s the consensus gentlemen?
Have you considered a HW57? about the weight of the HW50 or R9 but it is an under-lever. It also separates the cocking and loading to keep kids fingers out of harm. Early models of the HW57 had problems due to misalignment of the loading block to the barrel but that has been fixed for a long time. If a few people started shooting them and posting about them, I think they would become very popular.
David Enoch
Will the HW 50s be too much rifle to cock from the factory? I figure he could handle the R7 fine but we will eventually need a bit more power for UKAHFT. I was thinking that if the HW 50 was too much right now I could take it down in power for a while till he grows into it. It’ll be harder to increase the power of an R7 I think. What’s the consensus gentlemen?
Depends really how big of a 12 year old he is but that would be a great gun he could grow into. Yes, start out with a tune that decreases the power. Air rifle headquarters has a kit for the newer hw 50 called the Indoor Plinkers Kit #10mck97 that will reduce the power and cooking effort to that of the r7. Then when he gets alittle stronger you could always install the stock spring or one of Maccari's other springs and bring the power back up.
I think you are right on track and congratulations for planning to buy the boy a top quality gun. Nothing can discourage a youngster faster than poor equipment that fails or isn't accurate. If he can cock it depends in part on how strong he is, but part of it is also coordination. Don't despair if he struggles at first . Give him a chance to learn to coordinate his motions before dismissing the gun as being too much in factory form. If he struggle to the point that you think his safety is at stake, a lesser spring is an easy solution for the short term. I bet you'll be putting the factory spring back in before you know it. You may also want to wipe his barrel clean of oil with rubbing alcohol before he shoots it to reduce the chances of it slipping from his grasp during cocking. Just be sure to wipe it down again with oil before storing it away. Good luck friend.
I agree with r1lover. With your intended use, I think you're on the right track in considering the HW50S. I think it would be a great choice. I have one and it's right at the top of my favorites list. It's the most consistent springer I have, both in accuracy and power. It was pretty twangy out of the box, though, so it now has one of JM's full power SG2 kits in it. Also agree that it would be the better option as far as reducing the power, if needed, and then going back up in the future rather than trying to get more power out of an HW30S/R7.
As far as cocking the HW50S goes, I don't think it would be a problem for most average 12 year old boys. BUT, having said that, there were two issues that needed addressed out of the box on mine. The barrel pivot was very tight making it hard to even break the barrel open to cock it. This seems to be a common issue with HW break barrels. My HW30S was the same way and others have reported this with other HWs as well. But it's a simple turn of the screw to get the pivot tension adjusted properly.
The other issue was the "hinge" in the 2-piece cocking lever was too tight as well (my 30S was the same way here, too). I removed the barrel assembly and worked the hinge in the cocking lever as far as it would move in both directions until it was limber and moved freely. Once those two issues were addressed it wasn't bad to cock at all.
Good luck with your decision.
I have one and I disagree that it is good for a 12yo,I think there are many better suited pellet rifles for him....You should Never make it hard for a boy to learn the basics of air gunning and trying to cocked that gun plus the weight may be too hard.....now I am only talking in general.
I t would Much better to get a less expensive easier to cock model ;say a Beeman R-7 or the model you are looking at in the 30s....you want it easy to cock, hold ,aim and shoot....
You never will grow out out a Good easy shooting pellet rifle,sure you may set it aside when you go for a more powerful rifle,but when you get mmmuch older the easy to shoot pellet rifle will come back in your life.
It is Better to grow out of a good pellet rifle that to grow into one,,,and that is words to the wise!
