weihrauch hw 40 pca /beeman p3 review

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Average Ratings
Value for Money9.3/10
Reviewer Rating9.3/10
Overall Rating9.2/10 Based on 28 ratings
95% Recommended21 out of 22 Reviews

expert review of Weihrauch HW 40 PCA /Beeman P3

By Thorvald Rank: Corporal on 1st Feb 2005

Thorvald's Ratings
Value for money10/10
Overall value9/10
yes Thorvald's recommendation

Good Points

Lightweight
Styling
Accuracy
Build quality and materials
Price

Bad Points

Strength required to close pneumatic piston can be tiring if shot over aperiod of time

General Comments

Weihrauch HW 40 PCA /Beeman P3 - Returning to air rifle and pistol shooting after my childhood years meant I had no real idea of the significant advances made in the design, materials used and means of powering air guns / pistols. By buying some current magazine titles was obvious that the kind of build quality and accuracy previously only open to olympic target shooters was now available to people off the street who were willing to part with not much money at all. It also seemed that the .177 calibre was no longer the bridesmaid to the 'mans calibre' of .22 (because it packed a bigger punch)
After checking specifications, prices, availability and of course looks (and by reading favourable reviews) I narrowed it down to either the HW 40 or the Webley Tempest.
The Webley looks so ungainly, where the HW40 wouldn't look out of place in the holster of a special forces bodyguard. What clinched it was a local shop had it for under £90 - sold!
Straight out of the box it looks like it has a purpose, and that purpose is to sit comfortably in your hand and put pellets into small groups at 10m without any bother at all. If I was an air pistol designer I would have loved to have made this beauty. So to cut to the chase:The HW40 is comfortable to hold, has excellent fully adjustable rear sights, is really well put together (and I always tend to find niggles in things) and is capable of real accuracy. I have only had it a few weeks but already wish I had got one years ago - even my young sons think it 'really cool'. The trigger I have not adjusted at all and is capable of 'thinking the shot' because it is so light. The reinforced plastic construction also means that corrosion and scrapes to blueing are not an issue.
The down side being of course is the effort needed to return the barrel / shroud to prime the pneumatic piston. I find the best way is to rest the underneath of the barrel against my thigh and when the barrel is nearly closed grab the topmost grip finger (trigger finger) with my left hand free finger and close it by tightening my grip. I also alternate hands every 10 hots or so to avoid giving myself tennis elbow.
Get one-you won't be dissapointed.

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4 Comments on Review by Thorvald for Weihrauch HW 40 PCA /Beeman P3

  1. smashingpunkin Rank: Sergeant on 8th Feb 2005

    I got the HW40/Beeman P3 just after Christmas '04 and I've already fired about 3000 pellets through it. I confess its almost an addiction. The accuracy is uncanny and that trigger; well I've never fired a gun with such a sweet trigger.

    I pinched myself once when I closed the gun's barrel and that really stung! I don't want to repeat that again.

    If you don't want to spend the money for a match pistol then this gun could be you're dream. Its priced competively and beats everything in its price range. Recommended without reservation.

  2. Thorvald Rank: Corporal on 9th Feb 2005

    I was out shooting (with a rifle) on a friendly farmers land last weekend and his son came with me for company. I produced the HW40 and his reaction was 'wow give us a shot!' needless to say I felt obliged to leave it with him this week since he absolutely loved it, fired about 200 pellets with it and he never managed to pinch himself (fortunately) when closing it. Hope I manage to get it back...

  3. snickers Rank: Corporal on 6th Mar 2006

    Good review. I've decided to order one today. Thanks.

  4. tranceaddict27 Rank: Corporal on 5th Aug 2008

    I found this review helpful because...I am seriously thinking of getting one and have been saving up for weeks however i was having some niggles when i read about reviews of the beeman p3 on this site which is essentially the same gun (though maybe a clone) there was apparently some issues with the trigger becoming faulty after only a couple of tins of pellets. i already knew and was prepared to accept the dodgy elevation screw and the wear and tear on the piston seal which (understandably) is rather excessive compared to spring piston guns. but after reading yours and some other reviews on weihrauchs own original version im sold



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