by B.B. Pelletier
I’m doing part 2 of the Walther Lever Action report because the wind has been too strong to shoot outdoors. As soon as it lets up I’ll get on to some other things. Let’s look at velocity, shot count, noise and some details I left out of the first report.
The CO2 mechanism
I didn’t mention last time that the CO2 mechanism can be removed from the rifle fully charged. It contains a valve that seals the moment the mechanism is removed from the butt of the gun. There will be a loss of gas approximately equal to one shot or a little more, because there’s a probe in the butt that opens the valve in the mechanism. It exhausts when the mechanism is removed.
Michael in Florida wrote about a small brass power adjustment screw on the front of the CO2 mechanism, but I was unable to find one on mine. I’ve photographed the front so Michael can look and see if I’ve made a mistake. As far as I know, there’s no way to adjust power on the gun.
How loud?
This rifle is about as loud as other CO2 rifles, which is to say loud enough to be noticed in close quarters. It’s about as loud as a Blue Streak on 5-6 pumps of air. Yes, I have the carbine, but I doubt the rifle is appreciably quieter.
Velocity
With RWS Hobby pellets, the rifle averaged 615 f.p.s., with a spread from 604 to a high of 636. The first shot was the high one, which was with a fresh CO2 cartridge, as is always the case. Shot 2 was 622 and shot 3 was 612, which is close to where the rest of the shots stayed.
With Gamo Raptors, the average was 661 f.p.s., with a spread from 644 to 673. They were shot when the cartridges were well broken-in, so no comments about the high and low, other than they happened.
Crosman Premier 7.9-grain pellets fit very tight and averaged 570 f.p.s. They ranged from a low of 562 to a high of 585.
How many shots per fill?
A funny thing happened during testing. With the first two CO2 cartridges, one did not puncture and I got about 30 good shots on just one cartridge. When I discovered it, I used the unpunctured cartridge again and got 60 good shots. The power starts dropping somewhere above shot 50, but Hobbys are still going 515 f.p.s. by shot 60. Over the next 8 shots, however, the velocity drops off to 400 f.p.s. even. So 60 shots it is.
I confirmed velocities with two more fresh cartridges, so the unpunctured one really was full when I used it the second time. I checked it after the second use and it was very clearly punctured. The puncturing mechanism uses a steel flange to press down on both cartridges for puncturing. I think it just didn’t press the one quite far enough, so I made extra effort to puncture it the next time. I’ve never see this before with this rifle, but if you own one it bears watching.
Sights
Sights are one thing I didn’t cover in the first report. The rear sight on the Walther is adjustable for elevation but not windage. The front can be adjusted for windage by drifting it in either direction. When I tested the rifle for Airgun Illustrated, it was right on for windage, so let’s see where we are now.
Another thing I didn’t mention is the saddle ring. All variations of the rifle have it, and it looks authentic.
Many of you have commented on how realistic this rifle is, and a few have mentioned the accuracy. I’ll get to that next.
BB–
If you still have the ‘unpunctured cartridge’, measure it for length. I know that they’re supposed to be uniform, but in my experience they are not.
–Joe B.
BB,
Very good report on the Walther LA. Sounds like a real winner.
I’d like to give A report on the Remington Genesis.
I do love this rifle. I was getting Quarter size groups at 45 yds. with rws hobbies and super domes. I reread your test of the Genesis and saw the statment about the Gamo Tomahawk pellets. I got two tins. WOW! what A difference.
I’m getting Dime or less groups at the same 45 yds braced against A 8×8 deck support beam. When I went to the bench, I got two thru the same hole and the next three were touching. The day was sunny with very little wind.
When I get A digital camera I will try to match those shots and send in some pics.
I have at least 2000 pellets through the Genesis and it is very smooth with just a mili-second of vibration right after the shot. I don’t know what the velocities are (no chrony) but the pellets are buried in A 2×8 board.
BobC NJ
Joe B.,
The length is probably what caused the problem. I don’t have the cartridge to measure anymore, but I do know they can vary.
B.B.
Bob C.,
You’re scaring me, Bob. I can’t usually shoot dime-sized groups at 45 yards with a spring gun. You must be some shot!
How about a guest blog or two?
B.B.
Have you ever addressed the quality of CO2 bulbs and the impact of wear on guns with dirty gas? The UMAREX site has some interesting info and there has been discussion on the yellow forum. I’d love to see a report.
Oerlikon,
“Dirty” gas? That’s a new one on me.
Because I don’t know anything about it, I’m probably not the guy to do the report.
B.B.
I have been blasting away at starlings for the past two weeks and I really need something lighter than my 13- pound RWS 350 “Howitzer” (kinda like using an AA battery on flying squirrels) and I have been looking at a Crosman 2250, do you recommend this gun? What version, air source or 12g? And would you say to upgrade the barrel (tiny!!) and breech (plastic) or is it a waste?
PCP Shooters,
I’ve never owned or shot a PCP before buying a Discover. Mine seems to be leaking a bit of air at the breacg bolt. I can feel the puff of air hit me in the face.
It didn’t leak for the first few hundred shots. When it started leaking the accuracy went south. So I set the gun asside and finally called Crosman for support. They offered a RMA to fix it. Waiting for the RMA to show up in the mail.
No the funny thing. Shot it again today for first time in over a week and it still leaks a bit but the accuracy has returne.
Why has it suddenly got better? Are such things normal for PCP guns?
BTW… PCP is way better than springers… for me anyway. Really like the Discovery.
DB
Are
Hi B.B.
This is ES from Canada. It’s been a while since I had a chance to enter a note to you. (It’s been real busy the last little while at work, and before you know it a couple of years have passed!…)
I happened across your article on the Walther lever, and had to write to you as I have owned a pair of these lever carbines for over 2 years now and they are one of my primary “kicking around rifles” when I head out into the woods. The quality of workmanship and construction of this carbine is excellent! I have made a few modifications to mine to make it a little more “outdoor friendly” however, the basic rifle is unaltered.
My Walther carbine will shoot a group that neatly wraps around a wood pencil at 10 meters (free hand held.) The chronograph readings I took from my rifle starts at 690 fps on a fresh CO2 bulb, and drops to about 650 average after 3 magazines. (Tested with Crosman 7.9 gr. hunting wadcutter pellets.) I put a tin soup can up at 15 meters and am able to continually punch holes through it, up to about 10 magazines (~ 80 shots.)
You had mentioned about a lever safety in your article: Part 1. True to the original Winchester 94 carbine, this Walther also has a lever safety located just behind the trigger. (I know you are not able to receive e-mails, so I will try to insert a link to some pictures of my carbine.)
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/Diogenes_OED/Leversafety.jpg
If you are able to see in that picture, there is a little tab that sticks out just behind the trigger. When you are aiming the rifle, you must squeeze the loop closed so as to engage the tab. If the loop does not engage that tab, the trigger will be locked and you will not be able to fire the rifle. This lever safety system can be found on many of the real Winchester rifles from the 80’s onwards.
In Part 2 of your article, you had made mention about the sights. I had found the sights zeroed in find for me right out of the box. I also have a scope mount for the carbine, but I find it difficult to use a scope for targets under 100 meters. (I started out shooting a M1 Carbine and prefer open sights on a rifle if I am shooting under 100 meters.)
On the other hand, I found that the plastic Walther sights were not as sturdy on a woods rifle. Since I prefer not to have a hood on the front ramp, I found that the plastic ramp and rear sights could be easily bumped out of place while hiking around in the rough.
In the end, I acquired a set of metal QB78 sights which I shaped and fitted to my carbine.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/Diogenes_OED/Ramp.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/Diogenes_OED/Rearsight.jpg
Once zeroed, I have not had any further issue with my sights being shifted.
With the rifle performing in top form, I decided to increase the sight radius of the carbine by adding a Lyman Winchester Tang sight:
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/Diogenes_OED/Tang.jpg
As for the accuracy of this carbine; allow me to tell you a little story. I was out with 3 friends when we decided to take a shot at a small travel sized Tylenol bottle placed at 53 meters. (Yes! 53!) The other 3 guys had scoped magnum air rifles, including a HW100. Well the 3 of them missed the bottle on their first shot! I stepped up for my first shot with my little Walther carbine with open sights. I sighted and aimed 2 inches above the target and fired. Suddenly we heard this “whack” and the bottle toppled over! 😉
On the other hand, I’ve been shooting lever carbines for as long as I’ve been shooting my Blackhawk. The trick to a lever is to grip at the rear stock and only rest the front stock on your other hand to aim. This is due to the construction of the lever carbine where the balance of the weight is located at the rear of the rifle. (Same as the Walther. Pick it up at the middle and see which end is heavier.) If you tightly grip the front stock, you will cause the rifle to jerk when it is fired.
Finally, you can’t beat the Walther for it’s authentic appearance! Here are a couple of pictures of my Walther along side my Winchester 92, and my Henry Rifle:
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/Diogenes_OED/Henry-92-Walther.jpg
Also, along side my favourite 92 shorty (16″ barrel) in .454 Casull:
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/Diogenes_OED/92Carbine-Walther.jpg
I really hope you get a chance to enjoy your Walther ’94 as much as I have with mine!
Take care!
ES.
BB,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. The screw I mentioned is right in the center of the brass insert in your first photo. You’ll need a small jeweler’s screwdriver to reach it. That screw interfaces with the valve, and I think (again, I haven’t tried this) by adjusting this screw in or out, you would open the valve less or more, depending on the direction that you turn the screw.
As far as the (mis)puncturing goes, if you tighten the powerlet clamp slowly, you can feel (and hear) each powerlet being pierced. Don’t overtighten the clamp.
Kind regards,
Michael in Florida
2250,
The 2250 will do for starlings, and there is a host of aftermarket options you can use to dress it out.
I’m going to send you to the Crosman forum, where they will answer all your questions. They live to modify and tune Crosman guns:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/275684/
B.B.
DB,
No, leaking at the breech is not common for PCPs. As for the accuracy, you don’t give enough detail for me to comment.
When you get the rifle back, keep the breech bolt seal lubed with silicone oil of grease.
B.B.
ES,
Thank you for all the pictures. I see that your rifle does indeed have the lever safety stop. But the U.S. rifles still don’t have it. You can read the manual online and see that it isn’t mentioned, nor does it appear in any of our photos.
You are getting great accuracy from your rifles. Thanks for the report.
B.B.
Michael in Florida,
I see the screw. But I don’t think it regulates power, because that isn’t the firing valve. That’s a valve that dumps CO2 to the firing valve located in the gun. That screw regulates the amount the reservoir is held open by the probe.
While that sounds like it would control power, I don’t think it does. As long as CO2 gas is flowing at all, if that valve is open the firing valve gets all the gas it can handle.
I am reluctant to fool with that screw because the gun is working so well. However, I will photograph it so the readers can see what you’re talking about.
B.B.
B.B.
Allow me to be more specific. CO2 cartridges, it is alledged, are not all created equally. Although I can’t find it now a discussion on one of the forums had a link to Umarex which warned of the dangers of non premium powerlets. Inferior neck design which could damage the gasket at the piercing valve as well as inconsistent dimensions and, dirt inside the bulb which could be tranfered to the gun. At least one forum posted agreed. They claimed to have cut open several different namless budget powerlets and found some unknown grit. I only thought it might make for a good blog topic.
Best Wishes,
Oerlikon
Michael in Florida,
Just saw your “Russian” 2250B. Very nice!
I bet our readers would like to know how you built it and how it shoots.
Guest blog?
B.B.
BB,
I would be honored. I have a few things on my to do list to take care of first. I’ll let you know when I have a first draft together.
Kind regards,
Michael
Dirty CO2 – I have an 850 that quit shooting and was returned to Umarex. They fixed the gun and blamed not using the Walther CO2. They said they have cut in half empty containers of the other brand and found dirt particles. Issue is, it is almost impossible to find the 88 gram Walther CO2. Way too expensive straight from Umarex, I did ask them for a new gasket, so I could have a spare, and instead they sent a pair of shooting glasses???
Anyway, the rifle was under warranty, but customer pays for shipping both ways. So I would like to avoid the “dirt CO2” but don’t know how at this point.
evening BB
I know you said the walther is not good for the rifle range, after the comment about “traffic”…well I’am still just testing product, I won’t open for awhile yet. If you don’t mind..or anyone with advise for free…or maybe partners in my venture…
my vision is for english pub style indoor ranges combined with outdoor ranges where you can shoot targets, moving or fixed at any range, (i have some great ideas on this that i don’t want to make public), but indoor you can shoot your own or rent a 675fps and less rifle for 10 or 15 meter shooting while you drink and visit or talk business, like the do in the uk.
so for the indoor range is the walter ok?
thanks, wayne
Ashland Air Rifle Range and Rentals
Wayne as a retired insurance agent, I would guess that mixing pellet guns and drinks would make for some pretty hefty liability insurance premiums. However, if it is done in the UK, don’t see why not here. Good Luck and please keep us posted.
bruce
thanks, still in the research mode…I am thinking of strapping the guns down like in a carnival or something too…also we may be only a member owned and customers also be members if insurance becomes an issue
keep the input coming…
thanks
wayne
thanks again, bruce;
I have thought about your concern for a long time… the average consumer in the US. is more into watching sports than doing them, getting drunk and getting into fights, while the uk consumer is more likely to want to show that they are better at throwing darts or shooting air guns, while helping each other due better in business, I am trying to change that here in the US, any ideas.
Wayne
Ashland Air Rifle Range & Rentals
BB
I am with BobC from NC if you had an easy way on the blog to include pictures, we could send photos of our claims of shot groups, and we would also get detailed info about the hobby..
Wayne
Michael in Florida,
When you are ready, please send an email to me.
B.B.
Dirty CO23,
Well, there may be a story here.
What I’m hearing is that the 88-gram AirSource cartridges are the culprits. Are 12-gram cartridges also involved?
Walther obviously doesn’t make CO2 cartridges, as that takes a complete and very specialized production line. I have see the Crosman line in operation and I know the steps they take to ensure a clean cartridge.
I believe Crosman makes CO2 cartridges for Daisy, because a 500-cartridge bulk box I bought has both Crosman and Daisy cartridges in it. If I’m right, both Crosman and Daisy cartridges are okay.
I don’t know where Walther has their cartridges made. They are substantially different than Crosman cartridges, so I don’t think they buy them there, but I really don’t know.
Does anyone know which brand is accused of being dirty?
B.B.
Wayne,
I think the combination of drink and shooting will turn off all insurers. Since you also have an outdoor range, what’s to prevent someone from drinking inside for a while, then going outside to shoot?
The Walther lever action rifle will probably work okay for what you plan. I was envisioning a public shooting gallery (which I sometimes ran at Frontier Village) where the guns get used by all kinds of people. Before he put the limiters on the guns we had an incident where a guy turned around with a gun and shot a duck in the lake behind the gallery.
B.B.
Wayne,
The easiest way I have for you to post pictures at this time is for you to write a guest blog. If you want to do that, please contact me.
B.B.
Hi B.B.: Another Benjamin Discovery question. Is it ok to mix CO2 and air in the gun? Are there any pros or cons? Ordered the Red Alpha Chrony, thanks for your recommendation, and amy looking fwd to answering some of my questions with it. Also, the picture taking is being eagerly awaited by a whole bunch of us thanks. We are on the same page about Wayne’s insurance issue.
Bruce,
No, it’s not okay to mix CO2 and air. There are moisture problems with that.
You’ll like the Chrony. Give me a report after you’ve used it.
B.B.
Thanks BB;
Perfect, we have 3 ponds on the 12 acres, and lots of special birds that move thru here. I only shoot the starlings that rob the wood peckers nests. I don’t want any one shooting the wild life. (But I did have a vision of a large caged area for rabbits, pheasants and the like, that members or customers could shoot and have us cook up for them.)
Thats is why I am researching still, I have a test range not open for the public yet, maybe never to the public sounds like. I think it might be better to be a LLC company with a club type atmosphere. LLC’s are great because everyone owns a little piece of the company, you don’t have to have employee’s, members can take salaries which the company deducts on taxes, members pay their own taxes on salaries and members liability is limited to their investment only.
I know that drinking to get drunk is why a lot of people go to bars, but that is not my vision of my customer base, if we were open to the public, limiters would be a must, both on the guns and the number of beers or wines.
Thanks once again, sure am glad to get input, and am happy to share test results on rifles at 2,800 feet elev. We are also thinking of electronic targets that can display online as well as to people in the bar or canteen. Any feedback on electronic targets? I found some great suppliers in Germany, they have a video of a guy shooting a high power rifle without a scope, from a very long distance, would not believe his shooting was possible if not on video.
Wayne,
Ashland Air Rifle Range & Rentals
Bruce,
I had the same problem with my first discovery, it came with the stock bolt stripped so the stock was loose. I just wrapped a thin latex glove around the stock and barrel, then 2″ plastic tape on top. That solved that problem while I waited for the new one I ordered. (loved it so much I did not want to be without one for two weeks). But after about 2,000 shots, the breech bolt seal broke into pieces, that is when I had to send it back. Since I have been lubing as BB says, they have been fine.
My other issue with the discovery is the wiggle in the barrel. BB and I discussed it on the end of the discovery blog. I want to test if the glued barrel gives enough to allow for the shrinking and swelling of the air tank. One of my discovery’s I glued the barrel to the air tank by the fill cap. The other one is not glued. They are both very accurate, it just bothers me that the barrel is so flimsy and it seems like it could get bent, but maybe it would just bounce back.
I thought Randy could shoot one down to the yellow, and I the other, then switch back and forth and see if we can see a trend. What do you think BB would that be a good test?
Wayne
Wayne,
Anything that has not been done already makes a good test. Yes, we’d like to hear what you discover – pun intended.
B.B.
Wayne,
There was a guy in PA who made electronic reactive airgun targets a few years ago, but he’s disappeared from the scene.
B.B.
B.B., it was Crosman 88 gram CO2they claimed had debris in it.
B.B.,
Thanks BB., I am not fully retired yet from the raised bed kit business I am growing now so it might take some time…but I am having so much fun exploring this seemingly exploding air gun market that I would take the time to try a guest blog on that discovery barrel test…..
My dad gave me a pellet rifle I think was a hy score by the looks of some of your photos on your blogs. It was 1958 and I was 8 yrs old, we had 6 acres in Fallbrook, Ca. of mature citrus. We were trying to plant and grow some young trees in between the mature ones, but the rabbits would eat the bark. We were also starving almost, the packing houses made it hard to sell the fruit for more than the cost of labor, we would have starved if we did not pick the fruit ourselves. Soooo, we shot and ate a lot of rabbits, my dad with his semi-auto remington .22 long rifle (which I still have) and me with that pellet rifle. We could both kill rabbits, but I had to be much closer and do eye shots.
The market has really changed, fruit sells for a lot more and I think the growers get some of the money, the 6acs my dad paid $28,000 for with a nice house, is probably selling for that much per square foot now. The funny thing is that my dad made $12 to $20 per hour as a skilled carpenter builder, my dad, papa Joe and I later built and sold houses all over southern cal for $10 per square foot. I don’t understand how the American people can allow their government to let costs go up, with out wages matching the percentages.
Those days with my dad are solid in my memory and I hope more dads have days like that with their kids.
Thanks Again,
Wayne
Crosman AirSource,
Thanks for that info. I will look into it.
B.B.
Wayne,
Thanks for that insight. I can see where you got yout love of airguns.
B.B.
on removeable scope lens protecters why is one always tinted yellow?
The Hammerli Storm .22
was tested here awhile back. Used mine today to take a crow with a RWS Superdome and it knocked it spinning down from the top branches of a high oak. First crow I ever shot with a pellet!
B.B.
Your welcome B.B., thanks for the chance to participate, yes I really did fall in love with that air rifle at 8 years old…it was really empowering to kill rabbits that were eating our trees with dad, especially when I had to move closer and shoot for their eyes….kids need to be needed, give them something important to do for “you!” and praise them when they do it…
The funny thing is I had not shot an air rifle since junior high school…until last fall, one of our members in the raised bed business brought in his benni 392 pump. We set up some plastic army men like I did in junior high and took turns blasting them. That night I found Pyramyd looking for my own..wow what I found..never dreamed there were so many types and brands. I got so hooked so fast, that I started thinking other “baby boomers” must be finding this a fun hobby too..maybe I should open a rifle range..then I could have a reason to buy lots of air guns, and boy have I been buying..9 months later Pyramyd gave me a dealers access id..cool huh.
having fun in southern oregon..
Wayne,
Ashland Air Rifle Range & Rentals
Hi B.B. When I get the Chrony, I’ll do a blog for you about a first time user and the “insights” it is giving me.
Removable scope protectors: I’ve always assumed the yellow lens is for enhancing contrast in bright sunlight, like the old “blue blocker” sunglasses?
Yellow lenses,
BG_Farmer is right. You can shoot with the scope protectors in place, so they tinted a lens for greater visibility.
Not all clear scope protectors are tinted, though. I have a couple pair that are both clear.
B.B.
First crow,
That’s a great shot. Crows are especially hard to kill and require good shot placement.
B.B.
Wayne,
You should give some thought to starting your own field target club. That can be a money-maker and you’ll discover lots of airgunners that way, too.
I’ll help you start, if you want to.
B.B.
Bruce,
You’re on!.
B.B.
B.B.
Thanks once again,
Sure, help me with the club idea, my email is wayne.burns@naturalyards.com or 541-552-1441…happy to pay you or trade some of my fine raised garden bed kits for your time also. see at http://www.naturalyards.com
We are still really busy this time of year.. I don’t know when Randy and I can do that test on the discovery barrel..it could be a week or so..kind of handy the recent blog on photography..I guess that will lead me thru that part of blogging, it has to be easy for this old carpenter.
Thank for your thoughts also Bruce..
Wayne
Wayne,
No charge! I’ll do it through this blog and let others watch as I explain how to set up a club.
B.B.
B.B.
your too cool
wayne
I saw some reference to CO2 cartridges not being clean. I’ve had this picture up on the net for many years. I used my lathe to cut open a fresh cartridge. Was surprised at the results.
http://www.pbase.com/image/26224548
Packrat1947
Packrat1947,
If that is the norm, then most CO2 cartridges are like that. And the guns still function okay.
However, if a company knows this is what they are producing, they should do an engineering study to see what might be done to improve it.
Maybe it’s a simple fix, but maybe there is no avoiding it.
B.B.
B.B.,
I have the Walther Wells Fargo Lever Action rifle & absolutely love it! It will ALWAYS be in my collection. I love it so much, that I was considering buying the Wells Fargo version,
but then I noticed that the price on it has gone up considerably, especially compared to other airguns.
I may be wrong, but I thought the Wells Fargo version was either under, or right about $400.00 just a few months ago. Now it's at $479.99
I was wondering if you knew why?
– The BBA –
BBA,
You are probably right about the price, but you must know that prices always increase in January? This one does seem high, and I don’t know a particular reason for that. I do know the model was almost cancelled a few years ago, so if you want one, act soon.
B.B.
B.B.,
Oh I hear ya & while it IS a great gun & nothing against PA, but I have to hope that, the price they have listed for it is a mistake. IMHO, it's just way too much for what it is when for that kind of money, you can spend $20.00 more & get a Career Fire 201S, a Sumatra 2500, or the Carbine model! A Career III 300 for the SAME price! Or… A Benjamin Discovery Rifle, Pump & Scope Combo for $40.00 LESS!
I don't know… Maybe Walther really did raise the price on it, but if that IS the correct price, you're 100% right about "if you want one, act soon" because IMHO, at that price I doubt they'll be selling very many & it just may get discontinued. Especially when you consider the guns I listed above for the same or even less money.
I really wanted a Wells Fargo version, but for that kind of money… I think I'll just consider myself lucky to have gotten one of the regular versions a couple years ago, & just stick with that one.
I mean it IS a great gun & probably my favorite backyard plinker, but these new prices? Whoa!
I think I'll try the classifieds, hope nobody has noticed yet, & see if I can get one at a decent price. 😉
Thanks for the quick reply,
– The BBA –