Choice Hammerli AR20 or FWB 500

Brian Lafferty · Post by **Brian Lafferty** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:04 pm

Forgetting the price difference, which would most of you consider the better air rifle. I've always been partial to wood stocks, but the quality of the mechanical mechanisms is primary. BTW, The price of the FWB 500 is my upper limit as I am also upgrading a FWB P-11.
Thanks in advance for opinions and info.

Brian Lafferty · Post by **Brian Lafferty** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 5:46 pm

Bought the AR20. Wonderful and under $1K. I still stink standing, but that's ok.

BigAl · Post by **BigAl** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 7:10 am

I've never actually seen the FWB 500, only P70's and 700's. I have handled the AR20, and thought that it was really overpriced. Not only that but the one I saw had the stock made from a synthetic material, and it twisted on the section between the mountings for the pistol grip and cheek piece. Not at all impressed. The AR20 is made in the same factory as all the other Umarex stuff, and I think it shows; at least on the one I saw.

If you must buy new then I guess the FWB would be my choice, based on their other products. If money was an issue, and it usually is, then I would be inclined to look for a nice used FWB P700 or Walther LG300. Match rifles after all are unlikely to have been seriously abused, or tinkered with, unlike sporting rifles.

Alan

Brian Lafferty · Post by **Brian Lafferty** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 3:58 pm

BigAl wrote:I've never actually seen the FWB 500, only P70's and 700's. I have handled the AR20, and thought that it was really overpriced. Not only that but the one I saw had the stock made from a synthetic material, and it twisted on the section between the mountings for the pistol grip and cheek piece. Not at all impressed. The AR20 is made in the same factory as all the other Umarex stuff, and I think it shows; at least on the one I saw.

If you must buy new then I guess the FWB would be my choice, based on their other products. If money was an issue, and it usually is, then I would be inclined to look for a nice used FWB P700 or Walther LG300. Match rifles after all are unlikely to have been seriously abused, or tinkered with, unlike sporting rifles.

Alan

Thank you for your reply, Alan. Part of the stock is indeed made of a polymer. Stiff as can be on mine and no sign of any twisting. Polymer in guns doesn't bother me all that much. My S&W 9mm Shield has a lot of polymer supporting the firing mechanism. Never a problem. Same with my Sig P-250 45 auto. But, I digress.

Now the FWB 500 runs around $1,300. My Hammerli was had for close to $500 less than that. As both of them are what I would consider entry level guns fully sufficient for my purposes, I think the Hammerli is the better value. In fact, with the money I saved,l I just ordered a LH P-44 grip to use on a P-11 Piccolo and I still have money to spare.

I wouldn't by a FWB 700 Universal for the simple reason that if I were to want (not the same as need, necessarily) a match rifle up in level from the 500, I would likely buy something along the lines of a FWB 700 alu or 800 or a similar competitive brand of rifle. At that point I would be trying the actual models from FWB, Anschutz, Walther and/or Spyer. When buying air arms, firearms and automobiles I make it a point to avoid, if at all possible, buying used. I like new and simply work/wait to afford it.

Thanks again and good shooting to you.

BigAl · Post by **BigAl** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 7:51 am

Sorry Brian I had not realised this was an old thread. It showed at the top of the page for some reason as a new post. I then missed seeing that you were also the second poster. Glad that you are getting on with your rifle.

Alan

Brian Lafferty · Post by **Brian Lafferty** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 11:16 am

BigAl wrote:Sorry Brian I had not realised this was an old thread. It showed at the top of the page for some reason as a new post. I then missed seeing that you were also the second poster. Glad that you are getting on with your rifle.

Alan

No problem, Alan. Getting on with the rifle includes learning how rusty my standing skills have become after a lapse of 49 years. It's coming along though. I can see the benefits of the shooting jackets, pants and shoes used today. Might be fun to have events where the only equipment allowed is a single shooting glove.
Good shooting.
Brian

BigAl · Post by **BigAl** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 3:49 pm

Brian Lafferty wrote:Might be fun to have events where the only equipment allowed is a single shooting glove.
Good shooting.
Brian

Brian that would be called "Sporter Class" and AFAIK started on your side of the pond as a cheap alternative for youth programs. The Daisy 8?? as supplied by the CMP is popular in the US apparently. It is starting to become popular over here with the Scout Association as they only need a couple of rifles and gloves.

My daughter shoots ISSF (also sometimes now known as Precision Class) 10 m AR in the GB junior squad, where she is somewhat in a minority. Rosie came from a traditional 10 m club rather than through the Scouts, which is where they currently seem to get the majority of squad members from.

Alan

Brian Lafferty · Post by **Brian Lafferty** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:31 am

Alan, you're quite right. My thought was that it would be fun to see the top air rifle competitors shoot with only a glove. I wonder by what percentage the overall score would drop. I'm guessing maybe 5%.

I've tried to get my daughter into air rifle or pistol without much success. She was a fencer until a year or so ago when the one on one competition became too pressured and unpleasant for her. Her coach was also a former US Olympic team fencer and multil-NCAA champion who was not user friendly for the casual fencer. A sport like shooting where one can compete to simply better ones own score, will be better for her. She's shown an interest in archery. The fellow who fills my scuba tanks for shooting is a life long archer and he's been gently telling her about the fun that archery can bre. Of course, she'll listen to him more than her dad---nothing new there. lol
Brian