First, a word about FWB. FWB stands for Feinwerkbau, a German gun maker in Obendorf, Germany, that is widely known and respected in the air gun world for its superb quality and accuracy, but little seen in the powder gun world, outside of Olympic and biathlon rifles with the FWB label.
FWB has always concentrated on competitive target rifles and pistols and have only produced a few models in their history for general purpose shooting, starting with the original FWB 124 and 127 spring piston rifles in the 70s and now a fancier re-introduction of those sought after vintage break barrel springers in this new FWB Sport.
Historically, FWB wasted no time in moving right into the high end match PCP rifles in the 80s and for many years only produced PCP guns for serious competition (with a serious price tag). In fact, it was quite a surprise when they went retro and introduced a spring piston rifle, again, a few years back.
So much for the history. As a springer lover, I simply couldn't resist, now that the price has come down a bit. I had an 80s vintage FWB 124 in the early 90s that I picked up as a lightly used gun. That was the gun that introduced me to spring piston guns and the gun that taught me the basics of shooting these unique types of air guns. I was forced to sell it to make ends meet, but vowed I would get another, someday.
Fit and finish is typical FWB, which is to say, superb.
As a fan of open sights, one thing I have always admired and appreciated with German airguns is the excellent factory open sights they supply. German air guns, weather HW, RWS or FWB, take open sights, seriously. They make the typical open sight supplied on American guns look like the crude sights they are. All click adjustable with interchangeable blades of different widths.
This is no shrinking violet of a spring piston rifle. It shoots 177 cal pellets at 900 plus fps and has the recoil to let you know it. Fortunately, FWBs have an unusually fast lock time and like all quality German air guns, FWB have superb triggers. That really helps. And, oh yeah, they are accurate. No such thing as a mediocre FWB when it comes to accuracy.
We had a sunny day in the 40s, today, which is a heat wave for us in December. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get out and shoot this new gun for a first time till late afternoon. By then, our range was deep in shadows and the lighting was barely doable for shooting iron sights, especially open sights. Nevertheless, I jut had to shoot this beauty.
This FWB will eventually wear a scope, but today I wanted to shoot the FWB just the way it came out of the box with the open sights. All shooting was at 30 yards from what I now call a "bench offhand" shooting position, meaning I sit at the bench, but I do not support the rifle at all, otherwise shooting it as I would from a standing position. Offhand, either standing or sitting is my standard way to shoot spring piston air guns. I find that springers shot offhand are far less fussy about flyers and changes in POI that plague shooters when they shoot springers off a rest.
So here's my first shots, out of the box after cleaning the barrel and lubing the gun, shooting without a rest, using open sights in rather dark conditions. Only did a few clicks in elevation to move the POI, today, but will come back when conditions are better for a fine tune of the sights.
Have to say, I am thrilled with the consistency. New gun and no flyers or annoying changes in POI that sometimes plague spring piston guns. Love shooting this FWB with the open sights so much that I am now in no hurry to scope it.
Fine rifle and a bit unique in its shooting qualities as spring piston rifles go. Great addition to our springer collection or for any lover of spring piston air rifles. Hope you enjoyed another peek into the ever-fascinating world of air guns and air gun shooting.
