A springer for my wife

J

Jerry Exeter

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Hi, my wife used to shoot .22 rimfire rifles, came to range today and enjoyed shooting my 97 and tx200 underlevers but found them hard to cock and heavy. (Fair enough!).
I'm thinking a Cometa 400 Fenix USC might be a suitable rifle for her to start on due to it's lighter weight and shorter dimensions. Any thoughts (I know HW95 might also be a good choice) and where to buy in South West? (Unless anyone out there has one for sale!)
Cheers Jerry
 
Jerry Exeter said:
Hi, my wife used to shoot .22 rimfire rifles, came to range today and enjoyed shooting my 97 and tx200 underlevers but found them hard to cock and heavy. (Fair enough!).
I'm thinking a Cometa 400 Fenix USC might be a suitable rifle for her to start on due to it's lighter weight and shorter dimensions. Any thoughts (I know HW95 might also be a good choice) and where to buy in South West? (Unless anyone out there has one for sale!)
Cheers Jerry
Click to expand...
Agree with what others have said, give the 99 a try, or even the 30👍
 
If she thinks these are hard to cock (especially in 12Ftp trim), teach here how to cock them properly. Im female too I cock everything from HWs upto 45j hatsans without issue. Dont let improper cocking technique influence the gunchoice. No rifle is hard to cock in 12Ftp.
Too heavy, thats fair, I dont like underlevers either.
HW95s are pretty big as well I have the 98s. Same action.
If you really want something light: HW30.
But imo its best to teach her how to cope with standard guns. Those have more capabilities for later on.
 
Check out a HW99. you can handle before purchase.
Cock gun, close barrel 90% of the way, without engaging final lock up on detent.
Barrel should hold position under its own weight but move when gun given a minimal jolt.
If not, gun will require work, walk away.
If barrel behaves as it should, and a shake from side to side, confirms pivot bolt has not been unduly loosened, confidence that gun has been properly assembled is enhanced.
Removing front sight allows cocking with maximum leverage.
 
I’ve been given a Norica Thor .177 with a blue stock. It has open sights at the moment. My daughter (22 years old) came shooting with me the other day, the first time she has shot anything. She loved the Norica above any of the other guns. Easy to cock, easy to aim with the open sights, easy on the eye!
I’ve had to leave it at her house 400 metres from the range, so she can go again whenever she likes!
She found it relaxing and therapeutic after her day job (ambulance paramedic).
 
I've 95, 30 and 400. The 95 is fairly easy to cock, the 400 not quite so easy, and the 30s easiest of them all. None are that hard though.
 
yana said:
If she thinks these are hard to cock (especially in 12Ftp trim), teach here how to cock them properly. Im female too I cock everything from HWs upto 45j hatsans without issue. Dont let improper cocking technique influence the gunchoice. No rifle is hard to cock in 12Ftp.
Too heavy, thats fair, I dont like underlevers either.
HW95s are pretty big as well I have the 98s. Same action.
If you really want something light: HW30.
But imo its best to teach her how to cope with standard guns. Those have more capabilities for later on.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your response Yana. I take on board what you're saying, I wasn't implying the 'weak and feeble ' stereotype. She's doing everything correctly but being an OAP and 5'2" it's a fair shout!
 
Underlevers are a it heavy and cumbersome I find but some really good suggestions there. I have a HW99 in .22 which is a bit of a bargain to my mind and a lovely thing to shoot. HW30 I know is good and the Cometta 400 is a lovely thing. Also have to agree a HW95 is a bit bigger, heavier and more cumbersome than my 99
 
For a new rifle, and one that doesn't need messing with, I'd go with a Cometa 400
 
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