Venom Arms Company Story

[Paul Be Careful]

Hello all,
My blog domain is up for renewal, and I’ve decided not to keep it going—truth be told, the spark’s faded a bit. Blog will be gone end of month. Still, the pieces I wrote about the Venom Arms Company seemed to strike a chord with many of you, as they did with Ivan Hancock and his family. So I thought it only right to gather them here in one place, as a single story—where they belong.

The Venom Arms Company Story​

Originally written December 29, 2022

The story of the Venom Arms Company is one of those satisfying tales of a couple of capable guys who beat the odds and raised the art of spring-piston airgun tuning to new levels.

Ivan Hancock.

Throughout the 80s, with the rise of Field Target shooting, airguns experienced an unprecedented boom, with even the plainest models reaching new levels of power and technical refinement. At the forefront of this airgun renaissance, the Venom Arms Company stood out. Led by Ivan Hancock and Dave Pope, this English airgun tuning and customization firm set the pace for the entire industry.

Airgun development had been relatively stagnant in both Europe and North America before the surge that occurred from the 1970s into the 1980s. In England, government regulations restricted air rifle power levels to 12 foot pounds (ft/lbs)—adequate for small-game hunting and field target shooting, but a hindrance to technological innovation that comes from pushing boundaries. Consequently, most English airgun manufacturers and importers were satisfied with selling products that had remained unchanged for the past two decades: reliable but lacking excitement and often similar in appearance.

English shooters increasingly sought something fresh. In the United States, rising ammo costs and restrictive legislation prompted shooters to look for advanced airguns to complement their traditional firearms. This burgeoning market provided the perfect opportunity for Venom Arms to innovate, leading to a groundbreaking revolution in airgun technology and design.

Ivan Hancock and Dave Pope first crossed paths at a local pub in response to an advertisement in an English airgun magazine. The ad sought to establish a field target shooting club in the Birmingham area. Airgun shooting clubs had been part of the English sporting landscape since World War I, with teams and clubs often formed for paper punching or “bell target” shooting, typically hosted at local pubs. However, these traditional shooting styles were quite different from the emerging and popular Field Target shooting sport, which required high levels of discipline and top-performing rifles to gain a competitive edge.

Ivan and Dave quickly formed a bond over their mutual love for field target shooting and airgun tuning. Their dedication and commitment to the sport set them apart, marking the beginning of a shared journey in the airgun world.

"They were doing things with the Weihrauch HW35 that no one quite believed"

The HW35 was the first internationally popular Weihrauch airgun. It was a full-sized, well-made rifle with an undeserved reputation for high power. When tested by the British Home Office, the test gun had dieseled so powerfully that it was only released to holders of an FAC (Firearms Certificate). The misunderstanding was eventually cleared up, but the reputation stuck, so shooters who bought an HW35 and got only the normal 9 ft/lbs of power felt disappointed. Ivan’s and Dave’s highly customized HW35s, however, performed at greater heights. Intrigued by each other’s alterations, the two enthusiasts decided to dismantle and inspect their rifles. To their astonishment, they discovered that their modifications were like mirror images. They had both conceived and executed the same complex alterations independently, or so the legend goes.

This discovery— and the fact that they were practically neighbors—led to frequent workbench and target shooting sessions, each pushing the other to see just how far they could improve spring-piston air rifles. Their favorite line of airguns was the Weihrauch series. By merging their skills and passion, Ivan and Dave showcased the untapped potential of these rifles. Their collaboration would establish a company that set new standards in airgun performance and innovation.

In 1981, Venom Conversions was born, with Ivan and Dave beginning their trade from shared premises above a well-known gun shop, Trapshot in Lye. At this early stage they specialized in tuning and customizing the Weihrauch HW35, HW80, HW50 and HW55T.



Quickly gaining a reputation for quality and innovation, Venom Conversions relocated to the aptly named Gun Barrel Works Industrial Estate in Cradley Heath in March, 1984. With the move came a new trading name, transforming Venom Conversions into Venom Arms Company. This move marked a significant expansion as they began offering conversions not only for Weihrauch rifles but also for other brands like Webley, Diana (Original), Air Arms, BSA, Feinwerkbau and others. They enhanced their facilities with a spacious showroom alongside their workshop, where enthusiasts could test and purchase rifles. Additionally, they stocked a wide array of airgun-related accessories such as rifle scopes, pellets, rifle slings, and more.

By this stage, Venom had firmly established itself as a market leader in airgun tuning and customization. Ivan and Dave were also heavily involved with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), promoting the use of air weapons within the respectable sphere of the shooting scene. Many top field target shooters of the day, both in Europe and the United States, used Venom-modified rifles, winning numerous titles and trophies, including a World Championship on international soil.

In 1983, Steve Pope, Dave’s son, joined the company. An avid Field Target shooter, Steve won countless trophies with his heavily tuned and customized Weihrauch HW80. Eventually, his passion for engineering took precedence, leading him to set aside his competition boots and follow in his father’s footsteps at Venom Arms.

A young Steve Pope in the Venom Arms shop. Photo courtesy of Georgios Gkoutis.

The key to Venom’s approach has been to leave no part of an air rifle untouched if it could be improved. While airguns have been tuned by various “experts” since they first hit the market, this typically involved little more than polishing the walls of the compression tube and the piston, changing the spring for a stouter one, a lube job, and perhaps a tweak or two to sweeten the trigger. In the hands of a skilled individual, this process could result in a spring-piston airgun that’s more pleasant and accurate to shoot.

However, it took Ivan’s and Dave’s work to show the shooting world what spring-piston airguns could really do. Part of this process was natural for two guys who were completely at home with guns and machines, viewing it as a technical challenge.

Ivan (left) and Dave (right) on the cover of Airgunner Magazine Sep, 1990.

The heart of every Venom gun is the spring, and Ivan and Dave have made groundbreaking advancements in this area. They invested heavily in developing superior springs, even traveling to Sweden to source the highest quality steel and developed special lubrication treatments. This meticulous care allowed them to use lighter springs with lesser coils than the standard, crucial given the power-to-weight ratio of modern spring-piston rifles.

Beyond the spring, every component of the gun’s mechanism was upgraded and balanced. Piston and compression chamber weights, dimensions, and movements were altered in Venom’s fully equipped workshop. New seals were created, the air-transfer port was modified and polished, original lubricants were replaced with special ones developed by Ivan and Dave, and trigger units were fine-tuned to clockwork precision. Every part was radiused, polished, and perfectly fitted to make the rifle perform as they believed it should have from the start.

Ivan and employee Roger at the Venom Arms shop in 1987. Photo courtesy of Georgios Gkoutis.

After meticulous effort, the result was a wonderfully performing rifle with a effortless cocking action and a smooth shot cycle that minimized recoil. The consistency was remarkable, evidenced by the narrow standard deviation readings of just 3 or 4 over the chronograph. This precision translated directly into heightened accuracy and a truly enjoyable shooting experience. Even the FAC Venoms, which rivalled the power of PCPs in those days, were fantastically smooth to shoot, with no disturbing vibrations and low recoil.

Handling and aesthetics played a crucial role at Venom Arms. Ivan designed custom Venom stocks with input from field target shooters, and they were cut using duplicating machines. For special projects, Ivan built them from scratch. The finishes ranged from lacquer to oil or French polish and some were even left in the white for the competent amateur to finish them to his own liking. The first thumbhole stock from Venom, the “Varminter”, was Ivan’s tribute to his transatlantic shooting cousins. Since its inception, the Varminter style has been repeatedly refined and widely imitated. Some of the examples in circulation today are considered as close to perfect as any stock ever made. Other famous Venom stocks include the “Hunter”, a Tyrolean design, the Monte Carlo-style “Vantage” and the “Trophy”.


Ivan working on Venom stocks.

Venom Arms added an extra touch of elegance with an engraving service, commissioned to legendary master engraver Don Blocksidge. Don began his journey in 1946, learning the art of hand chasing—engraving by tapping chisels with a hammer to chase the design through metal—during a rigorous 12-year apprenticeship at gun manufacturer Webley & Scott. Known for his intricate detail, precision, and artistic flair, Don’s work garnered high regard, not only in the gun industry. His engravings often featured ornate patterns, wildlife scenes, and custom designs tailored to the preferences of individual clients. These unique, collectible pieces enhanced the aesthetic appeal and value of the rifles, further cementing Venom Arms’ reputation for producing high-quality, finely crafted airguns.


Don Blocksidge engravings. Pictures courtesy of Paul Dodds.

 

[Paul Be Careful]

Venom Arms operated from the Gun Barrel Industrial Estate until 1995, experiencing some of its most innovative and exciting years there. One of the standout developments during this period was the Lazaglide conversion, which resulted in rifles with a remarkably smooth shot cycle—free from vibration and twang, and offering minimal recoil compared to standard out-of-the-box springers. The Lazaglide system was widely regarded as the pinnacle of spring-powered technology in its time, praised by many match-winning shooters around the world.

Lazaglide development began in the early ’80s. Ivan Hancock and Dave Pope, in between their regular tuning work, were on a mission to tackle the metal-to-metal contact issue that was sapping efficiency from spring piston air rifles. The usual fix back then involved internal honing and lubrication—helpful, but far from revolutionary. Ivan and Dave, however, were convinced that a major change in materials was the key.

After a lot of experimentation, they came up with a system that performed quite well in a quality springer, particularly the Weihrauch HW80. The hitch? It only lasted about 60 rounds before conking out. So, they put the project on hold. Then, in 1983, the Weihrauch HW77 arrived on the scene. This sparked the next phase of development. They revisited their experimental system and applied it to the HW77. This time, the prototypes managed up to 6,000 rounds before breaking down. Venom was close to a breakthrough.

They handed out two or three prototypes to trusted shooters, who acted as test pilots, bringing the rifles back every few thousand rounds for inspection. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. It was clear that if they could solve the materials issue, Venom was onto something big.

The solution came with synthetic Delrin bearings on the piston, which created a snug fit with ultra-low friction. This allowed the piston to “glide” like a “laser” within the compression chamber, eliminating metal-to-metal contact. Meanwhile, legendary airgunsmith and Venom contributor Ken Turner was running similar experiments. After testing dry-running pistons, Venom concluded that moderate lubrication was still essential. To this day, there’s no known combination of materials that allows for true dry operation in a spring piston airgun, and a bit of lubrication remains beneficial.

They also added a conical-shaped polyurethane head to the piston, designed to control lubrication and ensure complete air evacuation during firing. The spring’s movement was tightly controlled using dual guide tubes, one at each end. These tubes just barely met when the spring was cocked, bringing all random spring motion under control, with steel washers at the ends of the spring to prevent torque during cocking and firing. This spring system was dubbed the Venom Powr-Lok.

Further refinements led to new piston designs known as Powr-Pulse. These included a lightweight Powr-Pulse piston, available in 25mm for UK legal-limit sub-12 ft-lbs, or 30mm for FAC power—each topped with a high-grade seal. This setup allowed for tens of thousands of shots without any sign of breakdown.

Soon after its development, the Lazaglide system became available for several models, including the HW77, HW80, HW85, Diana 52, and the Webley Eclipse. Part of the Lazaglide job also involved finely tuning the trigger for optimal balance.

Lazaglide-tuned rifles were adorned with a black sticker reading “Lazaglide” in gold Old English lettering or, if requested by the customer, engraved in the stock by Don Blocksidge. This distinctive mark symbolised a significant leap forward in air rifle performance, cementing Lazaglide’s place in airgun history.


Lazaglide pictures, courtesy of David Richardson & Matt Aston.

 

[Paul Be Careful]

The Venom-Mach 1 and Venom-Mach 2 rifles emerged as highly acclaimed models during this era. These rifles represented a major achievement for Venom Arms, being their first designs developed entirely from scratch, with invaluable contributions from renowned airgun engineer Ken Turner. Produced in extremely limited numbers, both the Mach 1 and Mach 2 models gained renown as some of the finest spring-piston air rifles ever created.

Unveiled in 1986, the Mach 1 was crafted as a break-barrel airgun with a strong emphasis on high power, targeting the US market where most of these rifles were sold. The Mach 1 achieved an impressive 28 ft.lbs of energy, making it a standout for its era. Its name reflects its capability to launch 7-grain pellets at 1200 fps—surpassing the speed of sound.

Ivan Hancock and Dave Pope had long aspired to create their own airgun from scratch. However, their remarkable success in airgun tuning left little time for such a passion project. This changed when legendary airgun engineer Ken Turner approached Venom in search of a spring for a custom rifle he built. Ken already had an established relationship with Venom Arms through Bennett Engineering, which machined custom parts for them. He named his rifle the KT85, with “KT” representing his initials and “85” signifying the year it was built. This was one of several meticulously crafted rifles Ken had produced since the early ’80s.

Ivan and Dave were captivated by the KT85, admiring Ken’s work ethic and exceptional craftsmanship. The synergy between these airgun pioneers was undeniable. Their detailed discussions about the rifle led to a fortuitous collaboration, merging their airgun expertise to lay the groundwork for the Mach 1.

Ken brought a wealth of knowledge from his experiments and started crafting the components for the first Mach 1 prototype. The initial prototype was a hit, with the team nailing most of the specifications right off the bat. Just a few tweaks were needed to tackle the muzzle flip caused by the rifle’s impressive power, ensuring it met Venom’s high standards for accuracy. They refined the latch mechanism and muzzle brake, integrating these enhancements into a second model. This version was ready just in time for Ivan to showcase it at Shot Show, the premier annual trade fair for shooting sports in the United States.

The latest prototype performed exceptionally well. Despite its high power output, it remained surprisingly stable, with minimal recoil that pushed straight back, ensuring its accuracy. The American testers were thoroughly impressed and really liked it.

The Mach 1 is slightly shorter than its main competitor, the Weihrauch HW80 but weighs a fraction more. It’s a marvel of engineering, where every component is meticulously matched to ensure peak performance and durability. The fine steel action is expertly blued to high standards, while internally, it benefits from Venom’s precision LazaGlide tuning. Adding to its allure, the metal work and trigger guard features intricate engravings by Don Blocksidge.

Highlighting its excellence is the Mach 1 trigger, celebrated for its Swiss watch-like efficiency, marking it as one of the finest triggers ever designed for an airgun. This innovation became the foundation for the much loved Air Arms CD trigger and was introduced first time in the TX200 model, which was designed by Ken Turner.

Unfortunately, the question of “who created the Mach 1 trigger” has sparked controversy among keyboard warriors, with wild accusations of design theft aimed at both Venom and Ken Turner. Without written evidence or signed schematics of the trigger design, and with some key figures no longer available, it seems this debate may remain an unsolved mystery.

In the end, this debate might seem a bit trivial, especially considering that both Ken Turner and the Venom team were celebrated for their skill in customizing the legendary Weihrauch Rekord trigger, which forms the foundation of the Mach 1 trigger and thus the AA CD trigger. Doesn’t this put the drama seekers in a bit of a bind? After all, many innovations come from refining existing technologies to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, or usability.

Regardless, the fact remains that without the combined efforts of Ken Turner, Dave Pope, and Ivan Hancock, the Mach 1 air rifle—a true testament to their craftsmanship and innovation—would never have come into existence.

The Mach 1 was produced in very limited quantities, with fewer than one rifle crafted each week. Most of these exclusive rifles found their way to American enthusiasts. In total, only 17 pieces were ever made for customers, transforming this powerful airgun into a highly coveted collector’s item.

 

[Paul Be Careful]

Surprisingly, the tale of the Mach 2 rifle doesn’t start in the expected locale of Venom Arms in the West Midlands, England. Instead, it unfolds through the unexpected inspiration of a zookeeper in Rock Creek Park, Washington, USA. It was this man’s dream that ignited a remarkable journey.

Trooper Walsh, a dedicated field target shooter, was no stranger to Venom Arms. He had previously sent his beloved HW77 overseas for tuning, a common practice among American enthusiasts who sought that unique Venom touch. While he cherished his custom HW77, Trooper’s ambition burned brighter; he envisioned his own ultimate, personal airgun, crafted from scratch.

In 1987, Trooper approached Ivan Hancock and Dave Pope with a visionary proposal for a custom-built underlever spring rifle, which he named the “Wonderlever.” Trooper’s goal was to achieve an extraordinary combination of elegance, power, and accuracy. He sought a radical redesign of traditional underlever air rifles and was prepared to provide the necessary funding to bring this innovative concept to life.

Eager to bring Trooper’s vision to fruition, the Venom team enlisted the expertise of airgun specialist and engineer Ken Turner, just as they had for the Mach 1 project. Ken Turner had previously garnered attention in 1982 with the KT82, a unique hidden underlever springer that showcased his ingenuity and exceptional craftsmanship. The KT82, itself inspired by the Weihrauch range and BSA’s hidden underlever Airsporter, served as a foundation for Trooper’s “Wonderlever” and the legendary Mach 2. In early 1988, the team dove into the project, dedicating the next 16 months to designing Trooper’s dream rifle while balancing their other customization commitments.

The combined expertise of Ivan Hancock and Dave Pope at Venom, along with Ken Turner’s invaluable input and work, was crucial in developing Trooper’s “Wonderlever”. This collaboration ensured the creation of a rifle that pushed the boundaries of air rifle design and performance, aligning perfectly with Trooper’s ambitious vision.

Finally, by May 1989, the moment arrived: the unveiling of the “Wonderlever.” This .22 caliber marvel delivered 18 ft/lbs of power and was a sweet shooter. Trooper had made the journey to the UK for this pivotal occasion, and when he saw the result, his excitement was palpable—his dream had truly come to life.

The development of this custom underlever sparked widespread admiration among everyone involved, leading to a clear decision: more units had to be produced. Thus, the Wonderlever was reborn as the Venom Mach 2, proudly standing as the company’s second rifle designed entirely from the ground up.

The Mach 2 exhibits influences from the Weihrauch HW77. It’s important to note that the HW77 was considered the premier rifle of the time, setting the standard by which all other rifles were measured.

This infuence particularly shows in the Mach 2’s sliding compression chamber, which allows for direct pellet loading into the barrel. The Mach 2’s loading port is conveniently accessible when the rifle is cocked and features a large slot at the bottom, ensuring that any pellets that slip from the hands can fall through safely.

The safety mechanism mimics the HW77’s design but features a more reliable engagement. Uniquely, the guys centrally located the transfer port in the compression chamber, enhancing the flow of high-pressure air. The knurled surface of the chamber not only reduces friction but also boasts a beautiful blued finish that seamlessly blends with the rifle’s meticulously crafted metalwork.

To elevate its visual appeal, Venom turned to the talented engraver Don Blocksidge. He delivered an extraordinary artistic touch, transforming the rifle into a stunning piece that radiates character and sophistication.

The hidden cocking lever, cleverly nestled beneath the forearm, releases with a gentle tug, allowing it to drop smoothly and snap back into place effortlessly. Cocking the rifle is a delightfully light operation—far different from the rather tough cocking of the BSA Airsporter, the mother of the hidden underlever. There is no dragging or hesitation as the lever retracts the piston, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.

Additionally, a discreet anti-beartrap mechanism latches securely onto the piston, ensuring finger safety during pellet loading. It goes without saying that the internals were LazaGlide tuned. With a fixed, shrouded barrel that significantly reduces noise, the Mach 2 delivers a remarkably quiet shooting experience.

One of the rifle’s standout features is its unique trigger. At first glance, it resembles a standard Weihrauch Rekord trigger, but the true innovation lies within. The Mach 2 trigger offers extensive adjustments for both first and second stages, allowing shooters to customize the feel to their exact preferences. It provides a crisp break, ensuring precision and enhancing overall performance.

In 1995, Venom Arms partnered with Simmons Optics to produce a special edition rifle called the ProMach. This collaboration aimed to showcase Simmons’ new Whitetail Classic range of rifle scopes and paired a Mach 2 with a Simmons Whitetail Classic ‘Black Granite’ 3.6-10×40 riflescope. It was shot around the competitive field target circuit by Simmons founder Richard North who was an accomplished shooter and one time world winner. The ProMach boasted a stunning French walnut stock, meticulously finished with Indonesian Rosewood accents and skip-line checkering. Enhancements included a gold-plated trigger guard and end plug on the cocking lever, while the action was adorned with exquisite engraving by Don Blocksidge. It remains unmatched as one of the most visually appealing spring-piston airguns ever crafted.

In 1996, Ken Turner adopted the design for the Air Arms Pro Sport model. Apart from differences in the stock contour and cocking lever shape, the Pro Sport closely mirrored the Mach 2. However, enthusiasts noted that the Pro Sport, while impressive in its own right, did not match the silky smooth operation and Swiss watch efficiency of the Mach 2. Air Arms supposedly copying the design has also been a topic of controversy which i rather not go into. Its too much of a pottle calls the kettle black story.

Venom didn’t hesitate to put their mark on the AA Pro Sport. Custom versions rolled out their workshop including a custom model with a redesigned barrel shroud, updated trigger and trigger blade, Lazaglide internals and an enhanced underlever mechanism, effectively transforming the Pro Sport into a Mach 2. Buyers could choose between a walnut stock or a laminate skipline checkered stock. This model was named the Venom Black Shadow.

The exact number of Mach 2 rifles produced is uncertain, but it’s whispered only 9 were ever made. These rifles were expensive, costing £2,000 in 1989, which is over £6,200 in today’s money. This high cost and limited production has established the Mach 2 as a unicorn in the world of air rifles.

While the term “legendary” is often overused, it fittingly captures the essence of the Mach 2.

 

[Paul Be Careful]

The first bull-pup rifles, built around the Daystate Huntsman, Webley Tracker, and Sharp Innova, also emerged during Venom Arms’ time at the Gun Barrel Industrial Estate.

In 1995, Venom moved from their shop at Gun Barrel to significantly larger premises, becoming Venomac Sports. This expansion was made possible through a collaboration with the MacWilliams, local industrialists and entrepreneurs, adding the ‘Mac’ to Venomac. The new three-tier location featured a dedicated ground-floor workshop with an approved test range, a custom-built gun room displaying Venom’s custom products, and a wide range of air rifles, shotguns, rimfire, and centerfire rifles.



Beyond their established markets, Venomac collaborated with Daystate to offer limited edition specialized sporting rifles and expanded into firearm customizing, including re-barreling, restocking, and rifle building.

After three years at Venomac, Dave Pope retired from full-time work in the industry.

Venomac ceased operations in 1998 due to economic challenges. Following this, Webley approached the Venom team to create the Webley-Venom Custom Shop at the Webley & Scott facilities in Frankley and acquired the Venom Arms Company trade name.



Under the Webley & Scott International banner, the Webley-Venom Custom Shop was integral in many new developments, improvements, and design projects, including the Tomahawk and Longbow, both derived from Venom designs. The Venom Cobra and Viper series was developed alongside the Raider range, and many existing Webley product lines benefited from Venom’s expertise.

Ivan Hancock retired in 2004, and Steve Pope assumed the role of Webley-Venom Custom Shop Manager. Development continued, including the Webley Venom TDR concept rifle, limited editions of the Tomahawk and Raider. The firearms side of the business grew, with Webley-Venom leading in sub-caliber switch barrel rifles based on Ruger and Sako models.

Economic pressures led to Webley & Scott’s closure at the end of 2005, marking the end of the Venom Custom Shop as a customizing outfit. Webley’s name, assets, and intellectual property – this includes the Venom brand name – were acquired by Air Gun Sport (AGS) in 2006. UK production was now abandoned in favour of collaboration with gun-making firms in Turkey. AGS knew they needed a UK facility to service and repair the guns, which is where Darren Hartshorne and his company Mid-Counties Blacking (MCB) enter the tale.

Steve Pope, with little hesitation, founded V-Mach Custom Rifles Ltd in February 2006. The name V-Mach reflects Steve’s lifelong Venom association, with ‘Mach’ paying homage to Venom’s famous Mach 1 and 2 custom-built spring rifles, which Steve had helped develop. Steve continued in the historic tradition of custom and bespoke tuning work, also offering an extensive range of self-fit tuning kits and accessories, primarily for spring-powered air rifles. In 2009, Darren Hartshorne from MCB, leveraging his longstanding relationship with Webley & Scott, obtained permission to use the Venom Customs name, provided its owners had no other plans for it. Like the original Venom, he specialises in Weihrauch airguns, offering tuning, restocking, polishing, refinishing, and engraving services as needed.

Steve Pope sadly passed away in 2020, followed by his father, Dave Pope, in 2021. Both are deeply missed by the international airgun community.

With Steve’s loss, the V-Mach business came to an abrupt end. Steve’s colleague and close friend, Lyndon Lewington of ARC Air Rifle Tuning, is the go-to person for some remaining stock of V-Mach tuning kits. Together with the German Air Joe company, he also developed a new range of V-Mach tuning kits.

Ivan Hancock is still with us today, and rightly so, we should continue to honour him as a true legend of British airgunning.



Disclaimer:
This article is a compilation of material gathered from various articles, forums, and social media posts, along with my own research and insights. Unfortunately, due to a computer crash, I lost the references and have been unable to trace the original authors. If you recognize any of your work in this article, please reach out to me so I can properly credit you for your contributions. I sincerely apologize for any unintentional oversight and appreciate your understanding.

 

[Nords]

Great stuff Paul, this deserves to be a 'sticky' on the forum.

 

[Mark Palmer]

Superb! A thoroughly good read

 

[Mjd237]

Fantastic read, really enjoyed that. Brought back a load of memories from seeing these adverts lol just realised I must be old .

 

[Vard]

Thanks for putting some great info /reference in one place.

 

[Nords]

A link from my HW77 Venom thread

Thread 'Valuation? Venom HW77'

May 29, 2024

I'm just wondering about my HW77. It shoots very nicely in the higher half of 11 ft.lbs, in 0.22" with Exact RS.

The story is, this is a 1983 rifle, when Venom were only making the HW80 and HW77. It came from their first premises, in Barrel Works Industrial Estate. The thought then was that Venom could get better accuracy than a HW77K by taking a full length HW77, and shortening the barrel and cocking arm to 15", adding their moderator/catch assembly and carrying out their in-house tune. The original owner of the rifle went to school with Steve Pope and was a good friend of his. He...

• Nords
• Replies: 35
• Forum: Vintage Collectable Airguns

• 
• 

 

[maz1]

Thank you Paul.
You are a top man for putting this information together and letting us know about it.
I am sure the other members will be very happy to read your threads.
Cheers Maz.

 

[Philthunder]

Amazing, linking unestablished tails and mystery into fact, a comprehensive story that may otherwise have got lost in time.

 

[Ratbagger]

Thankyou!! As a keen teen in the '80s reading AGW etc monthly , seeing the ads for Venom tuned models made me drool.. they were works of art..for me the Tyrolean stock models were the best looking. This was a fascinating read bringing back buried memories
Mod's.... as @Nord has mentioned, could this please be made a sticky? Imo it's an important chapter of the history/development of the AG world and been a benchmark for all the tuners to aspire to.
Regards
Rb

As a footnote, what would a 1984 Venom 77 priced at £206 , work out to now, given all the work done on it??

 

[TonySTS]

Very interesting

 

[Paul Be Careful]

As a footnote, what would a 1984 Venom 77 priced at £206 , work out to now, given all the work done on it??

It really comes down to what stock it’s sitting in, whether the internals have had the full LazaGlide treatment, if it’s still running well, engraved or plain, and whether it’s got the original paperwork and/or sticker. All of that makes a big difference to the value. End of the day, it’s worth what someone’s prepared to pay—and there are a few out there happy to fork out for a proper full-fat Venom custom with all the trimmings.

 

[MotorRacingBruce1980]

My second ever PCP was one of the last Venom edition Raiders called a Verminator.

 

[Paul Be Careful]

My second ever PCP was one of the last Venom edition Raiders called a Verminator.

Nice! Webley Raider 2 on steroids

 

[artygf]

Absolutely brilliant! Thanks for that

 

[Mostly Harmless]

Great to have this information on here. Thank you

 

[frenchy3]

What a great read,I was never fortunate enough to own one of these tuned rifles but it took me back to a time where dreams were enough.