HW70 or the Tempest?

I've never shot the HW70, but I have shot a few Tempests. Both .177" and .22". Have to say I find the larger bore to be a more satisfying plinker. Though the pellets move more slowly, the whack of a .22" wadcutter into an aluminum can is just so much more violent than with a .177" pellet. If I were worried about longer range shooting with a Tempest I'd go with a .177" as the trajectory would be flatter, easier to estimate holdover out to maybe 30 yards. But these are not precision airguns. Though I've read the odd report from shooters (especially in the UK) who claim to shoot sub-1" groups at 10 metres, the best I've been able to manage was about 1.5" on a particularly good day. I've shot over 550/600 in several air pistol competitions, using a Pardini K12, so while no master, I am a fairly good shot with a pistol in one hand. But with the Tempest my average is closer to 2" groups at that distance. The thing just jumps too weirdly, and I've never been able to master whatever it is one needs to do in order to tame that forward-and-down motion which happens while the pellet is still in the bore. I've filled it at 300 frames per second and analyzed the frames, so yes, I have proof. It's a weird kind of recoil. So couple of British fans have told me the correct manner with which to shoot a Tempest is a two-handed trip with a medium strong hold. I can't bring myself to enjoy that style, but perhaps they're right.

Anyway, I really like the Webley pistols, but more for their aesthetic. I especially enjoy the look and feel of the older models. Excellent bluing, really nice design work, a rock solid feel with all that cast iron. My favourite inaccurate plinker of the bunch is the Senior in .22", followed closely by the Junior in .177" which has terrible accuracy but is really tiny and pocketable, then lastly the Tempest. The Tempest is just a bit too bulky for me to feel it's a convenient pocket pistol. And the plastic and aluminum don't offer the same appeal as its all metal ancestors. The HW looks significantly larger, so it doesn't appeal for the same reason, but of course everyone has different tastes. BB Pelletier wrote a four part reviewing the HW70 a few years back for pyramid. Might be worth looking into that. Here's part 4, which includes links to the first three parts:
http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2013/04/beeman-hw-70a-air-pistol-part-4/

^very comprehensive, and sort of echoes my opinions on the Tempest. I bought one for $165 over 25 years ago, and while it only comes out a couple of times a year now, it's a great pistol. Knowing what I know now, I would have opted for a .22 cal. one, but mine has done everything it's been asked of in .177 just fine. Still looks almost new too! :) Performance doesn't seem to suffer at all in various temperatures, and it's a remarkably quiet pistol too. I wish I trusted my eyes and hold more, as it would be THE gun for barn pigeons! :) Anyhow, there is no denying how well balanced it is, ease of function, robust/quality materials etc. Feels great in the hand, it's physically pretty small, and all edges (save for the sights) are smooth/rounded-over. Handy getting it in/out of shoulder bags, back packs, etc. quickly.

For what they're worth, I'd get a tempest, shoot the heck out of it..then decide if a target pistol is your thing. I rarely punch paper with mine so I can't remember what (if I even tried) "groupings" it was capable of. I've dispatched a few pests with it, punished countless tin cans and back in the day, used to swat glass bottles at a local, small-town dump. lol Back then, we'd seek out pellets called "Prometheus" (plastic skirt, steel tip) to get the ball rolling on hefty glass bottles then chip away with them using lead. We had a system. :) My buddy had a .177 Tempest and a .177 Hurricane, the latter I never really cared for to be honest. Shooting it 2 handed, firm grip seemed key...and after an hour or so of warm-up, you'd be surprised at the shots you could pull-off. I think it's a pretty consistent pistol, very decently accurate...just not the easiest pistol to shoot well right off the bat. Love mine, will never sell it.

Might consider one in .22 if I ever find one. :)
 
^very comprehensive, and sort of echoes my opinions on the Tempest. I bought one for $165 over 25 years ago, and while it only comes out a couple of times a year now, it's a great pistol. Knowing what I know now, I would have opted for a .22 cal. one, but mine has done everything it's been asked of in .177 just fine. Still looks almost new too! :) Performance doesn't seem to suffer at all in various temperatures, and it's a remarkably quiet pistol too. I wish I trusted my eyes and hold more, as it would be THE gun for barn pigeons! :) Anyhow, there is no denying how well balanced it is, ease of function, robust/quality materials etc. Feels great in the hand, it's physically pretty small, and all edges (save for the sights) are smooth/rounded-over. Handy getting it in/out of shoulder bags, back packs, etc. quickly.

For what they're worth, I'd get a tempest, shoot the heck out of it..then decide if a target pistol is your thing. I rarely punch paper with mine so I can't remember what (if I even tried) "groupings" it was capable of. I've dispatched a few pests with it, punished countless tin cans and back in the day, used to swat glass bottles at a local, small-town dump. lol Back then, we'd seek out pellets called "Prometheus" (plastic skirt, steel tip) to get the ball rolling on hefty glass bottles then chip away with them using lead. We had a system. :) My buddy had a .177 Tempest and a .177 Hurricane, the latter I never really cared for to be honest. Shooting it 2 handed, firm grip seemed key...and after an hour or so of warm-up, you'd be surprised at the shots you could pull-off. I think it's a pretty consistent pistol, very decently accurate...just not the easiest pistol to shoot well right off the bat. Love mine, will never sell it.

Might consider one in .22 if I ever find one. :)

Great review! I just need to find a place with the .22 version in stock. Maybe a .22 pellet rifle for the barn pigeons? A scope may make it too easy. :D

update: I've noticed it is sold out everywhere, so I've emailed Webley to see if they are still making it.
 
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There was a post in a UK forum saying the Turkish-made Tempest was going to be phased out. I've not seen an official confirmation so far. The Alecto seems to be their focus now. One pump gets you decent back yard target speed with a very quiet report. Two pumps gets you a bit more distance and noise. Three gets you up to peering level power at closer distances. Huge grip though. I have big hands and it feels okay to me, but for anyone with smaller hands it might be hard to use.
 
Webley stopped making airguns in the UK sometime around 1998, selling the rights to a Turkish manufacturer. Webley in the UK is no longer a manufacturer and so no, they won't be making any more pistols there.
 
I think the HW might be better construction, Webley aren't made in England anymore and I've heard the new ones aren't as good
 
I received an email reply from Webley, and regarding the Tempest:

"We are still making this, however production will be ceased soon due to
costs contraints etc."
 
I have a Beeman P17, and it's a great little gun, super accurate and a good plinker. If you're looking for an upgrade though you can buy it's big brother the Beeman P3, same design just better materials.
 
Those are really interesting, they look different, I'm just not sure of the quality? I really like the linear and basic lines of he HW70 and break barrel pistols, although the HW70 seems to be the smallest, the Diana looks way too big!
 
I had a Brit made Tempest from the 1980s and loved it. I put in a new spring & I think it was rated for not far from 150 M/s, also had slip rings. I never handled a HW 70 but they are probably one of the only European made conventional layout springer pistols still made. The German " Wischo S-20" mystique is very appealing from an aesthetic standpoint.

Why not a Hurricane? Slightly longer bbl, slightly better pointability?

Finally, the Daisy 747. General Dean Grenell gave them good reviews. Too bad they could not be hot rodded.
I've been having a lot of trouble deciding which air pistol to buy and plink with this fall. I've watched reviews, and read all I can.

Can any of you share your experience? Who here has owned either a Weihrauch HW70 or a Webley Tempest (either .22 or .177)? Pictures welcome, especially of targets! Accuracy matters, but which pistol is more fun?

Is there a 'wildcard' I'm not considering that I should? :)
 
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The Hurricane's don't have a longer barrel but the rear of the frame is extended and the sight radius is a bit longer. There is also a plastic scope mounting rail that can be attached in place of the click adjustable rear sight.

The HW45 and HW40 are worthy of consideration. The 40 is easy to shoot with no spring recoil.
 
Your right Tony, I hadn't looked at a tempest in a while..... I'm pretty sure the barrels are the same but the hurricane has a longer shroud with the hooded front sight attached.

In the Movie Strange Brew there is a scene where one of the brothers is shot by a tranquilizer dart fired and the gun they used as the prop was a Webley Hurricane.
 
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