Webley Eclipse .22 vs Weihrauch HW77 .22 shootout-Big Dan's Airguns.

When the HW77 hit our shores in 1983 it took the air rifling world by storm thanks to its accuracy, consistency, handling and quality. It really was the beginning of the next generation of air rifles with stand out features such as the Rekord trigger unit and its sliding breech system.

A few years pass and Webley determined not to be left behind in the underlever market release their Eclipse to try and steal sales away from the HW77, the Eclipse was a longer rifle that came with Webley's own adjustable two stage trigger unit and an eye catching stock that matched what was mated to the HW77's action.

The Eclipse was a fantastic rifle in its own right and it can be argued that it was the prettier rifle of the two, but time wasn't on their side as not only did the Eclipse still rely on the tap loading system which had already been in use for decades but by the time the Eclipse was released the damage had been done and Weihrauch had already taken control of the underlever market.

After that the Eclipse sort of faded into obscurity compared to the HW77 which is still on sale today.

UNTIL NOW!

As somebody that is an owner of an Eclipse I felt it would be right that I gave the Eclipse another fighting chance to prove that despite its poor release back in the day, the Eclipse can still put up a fight against the HW77 and who knows? Maybe even win giving it a little bit more recognition that I think it definitely deserves.

Unless it turns out to be rubbish.