Weihrauch HW 35E with Redfield 3x-7x

When I was about 17, I worked 55 hours a week. It didn’t pay that much, but it paid the bills. Often, my pals and I would hunt rabbit, squirrel, or pigeons with air rifles after work.  

The Sheridan blue streak, and silver streak air rifles (5mm) were the best available in our area. However, German spring-piston rifles were entering the market at more exclusive firearms shops. 

Back then, I used an entire paycheck to buy a Weihrauch HW 35E, from Germany. This rifle is still in production since 1951, and five times more costly than four decades ago - it's a tack driver - same as I remember.

The Weihrauch 35E is a beautiful wood and blued steel, .177 caliber spring-piston air rifle, rated at 850 fps on lightweight pellets.

On hunting pellets, you lose about 80 fps, but make ethical shots on varmints to the head. You will use that headshot option with a rifle you shoot confidently. That means good optics!

After trying several scope brands, and being dissatisfied, I looked up Vintage Gun Scopes. I went to this website and purchased several old Redfield scopes. I have three on my old standard rifles and thought how beautiful and aesthetically pleasing they would be on my HW 35E. 

The look and feel is stunning, and I can zero most rifles in three to five shots, since I have worked with Redfields for decades. Now, I pull out one of my air rifles, wipe it down, check screw tightness, and put it on the bench. Then wipe down the wood with a nice fresh coat of Watco wood oil, and polish the blue and scope. Ready to go.

Then it's time for target shooting gongs on my range. I test at 25 yards, 40 yards, 60 yards, 80 yards, and 100 yards. The experience is always fulfilling and brings back good memories of my youth. 

If you want your air rifles to look and feel luxurious and slick, then outfit it with a vintage optic to accentuate the wood, and gun blue - you'll be grinning ear to ear.

-Blake