I rock...OR How I STOLE a Feinwerkbau

[Steve Smith]

Picture this:

A Distinguished Rifleman, winner of the Rattlesnake Award (a National Trophy awarded to the highest scoring individual in the National Trophy Team match at Camp Perry) and a whole ROOM full of other awards has a few guns for sale. I missed some of them, but was encouraged to go to his house yesterday to see what he had. When I got there, the only thing left was a .17 cal Feinwerkbau 300S with Feinwerkbau aperture sights, a pellet trap, 6000 10 meter targets, and a huge box of match pellets. He wanted it to go to someone who would use it. It has a beautiful wood stock (inletted with a hand stop rail and fitted with an adjustable buttplate, and Feinwerkbau multi-adjustable trigger of couse). Now, I'd use it, but not knowing the air rifle market, I didn't know what the price on this gun should be. I asked Jon Coppenbarger (used to be JC121) a few times "should I get it?" lol. I finally got it. Went home and checked the Fleyderman's gun blue book. They list it at $1150 for 100% (this one is at least 98%), and I hear they were $1200 at Perry this year without sights. My price?


















$300

 

[Sven]

Modesty is your chief attribute.

Seriously, congrats!

 

[Harry Tuttle]

sweet

maybe you can type out "Merry X-mas" with it
and send "Mr Rattlesnake" a range made Christmas card this season

 

[JohnKSa]

$300 is a VERY good price, but Fleyderman is nuts.

Even retail, a used FWB300S in as new condition probably won't go for more than $900.

Still, that is less than half what it's worth in the condition you describe--a really good find.

Welcome to the world of FWB owners!

Unlike most airguns, the FWB spring piston rifles do not use a conventional seal. The piston is ringed, like an internal combustion engine. The life of the rifle is measured in the millions of shots, and should require virtually no maintenance if properly maintained. After many years, some of the synthetic parts (like the recoil buffer) may need to be replaced, but that's nothing major.

When initially designed and built, and for many years thereafter, the FWB 300S rifles were THE FINEST olympic style competition air rifles made. While new technology has moved state of the art a bit forward, they are still very sweet shooters and are far more accurate than all but the most advanced shooters.

FWB300S rifles were discontinued approximately 2-3 years ago.

Shoot it a LOT. If you take care of it, your great grandkids will still be enjoying it.

 

[Steve Smith]

Hmm...either way, I know I got a steal, but apparently Champions Choice was selling some like this one for $1200 this year at Perry. It is an older design, but that's ok by me...it'll teach me how to shoot on my hind legs.

 

[Atlas Shrug]

First, congratulations on the FWB 300s purchase. I've used these guns since 1981 and love them (shot one in college in the early 1980s). Yes, technology is now two generations downstream, but the 300s guns are very, very well built.

I agree that the 1200 is absurd. That's just $100 - $200 below what the current top of the line guns go for (sans sights). Perhaps they were at a premium as the last of the factory new 300s guns. Otherwise, way overpriced as noted by others. Check the used market at you'll see. Nonetheless, $300 is clearly a GREAT deal for what you got. Now go enjoy it!

WARNING WARNING WARNING

#1 Absolutely, positively, never ever under any circumstances dry fire this gun! Too many people don't understand spring air guns. They MUST have a pellet
In the breech prior to firing in order to build up sufficient back pressure.

#2 Absolutely, positively, never ever under any circumstances use any oil
in the innards of this gun. All you should need is a very light grease
applied to the cocking linkages periodically. A breech seal every few years
(or after 5,000+ rounds or so) is likely all you'll need.

 

[El Tejon]

AHHHH! What a deal. You must be living right, sir.

I have loved and shot FWBs since Uncle Mel praised them in his last book, c. 1980.

 

[JohnKSa]

Now you need a FWB 65 pistol to go with your rifle.

Nothing like shooting indoors!

I should add, that a good friend recently offered to sell me a FWB300S Universal with all accessories except the low sight-line front sight. Metal was in 95-98% condition, stock was cracked but repaired nicely. Breech seal was new.

He tried to sell it to me for $350 but I made him take $400 so I wouldn't feel too guilty...

So, I didn't mean to say that you didn't make a good deal--$300 is a steal by anyone's definition--I was just pointing out that Fleyderman's number was on the high side.

 

[Steve Smith]

Nope, the only thing I need is a good handstop and a match rifle sling. Will get those from Neil Johnson's when I get back in town, unless someone has some they want to donate.