HW75 Air Pistol Impressions and Experiences

The Weihrauch HW75 is a German-made single-stroke pneumatic (SSP) premium air pistol. It grew from an early pneumatic prototype of the HW45/Beeman P1 and was sold in the US as the Beeman P2.

Specification HW75
Caliber .177 / 4.5 mm
Action Single-stroke pneumatic; single shot
Published muzzle velocity Approx. 125 m/s / 410 fps
Overall length 280 mm / 11.0 in
Barrel length 170 mm / 6.7 in
Weight 1.06 kg / 2.34 lb
Trigger Adjustable two-stage match trigger
Grip Ambidextrous walnut

Actual speed depends on the pellet and individual pistol.

Appearance and Build Quality

The HW75 feels premium as soon as I pick it up. The weight and substantial metal frame give it a dense, solid feel. The matte black finish and walnut grip suit that character: simple, traditional, and well made.

HW75 with its upper assembly partly open, exposing the compression mechanism

Bottom view of the HW75, showing the walnut grip base and the underside of the frame

The adjustable two-stage match trigger adds to the HW75’s target-shooting character. Its first stage provides take-up before the second-stage release, allowing a deliberate trigger press. Two adjustment screws control the first-stage take-up (trigger slack) and the second-stage let-off point, respectively. The HW75 manual also identifies a separate trigger-weight adjustment beneath the wooden grip. The close-up below shows the broad, grooved trigger blade.

Close-up of the HW75’s two-stage match trigger, showing its broad, grooved blade

The accessory rail is is the only plastic parts and is removable. However, the screws are secured through the rail and cannot be refitted directly into the bare frame, so removing it leaves two visible screw holes.

Close-up of the plastic accessory rail beneath the HW75 frame

The manual safety sits just behind the trigger, with a lever on each side. These close-ups show safe on the left and fire on the right, where the red dot is visible.

HW75 safety engaged, with the lever upright and the S marking visible

HW75 safety disengaged, showing the F marking and red dot

Alongside the HW45 and HW40

The HW45 and HW75 frames look almost identical externally, especially around the upper assembly and trigger guard. The grips and rear controls are clearer differences. Inside, the HW45 uses a spring-piston action, while the HW75 uses compressed air. Their similar appearance hides a very different firing cycle.

HW75 above a silver-and-black HW45, showing their closely matched frame profiles

The HW40 is closer mechanically: it also uses a single compression stroke. Its polymer exterior gives it a different character, and Weihrauch lists it at 780 g, compared with the HW75’s 1,060 g. The HW75’s appeal is easy to feel in its weight, metalwork, and wood grip.

HW75 above the smaller HW40, comparing the walnut grip and metal frame with the HW40’s polymer exterior

Shooting Experiences

The separate hammer and manual safety give the HW75 a routine that reminds me of a traditional firearm. Each shot involves a few distinct steps, giving the shooting session a deliberate pace.

  1. Release the upper assembly. Hold it securely just behind the rear sight, then press the small metal release lever beside the hammer forward.
  2. Open it fully and load. Swing the upper assembly all the way up and forward. Insert one .177 pellet into the exposed breech, with its skirt flush with the barrel end.
  3. Close and compress. Bring the upper assembly back down and press it fully closed until the latch engages. This return stroke compresses the air.
  4. Cock the hammer. Pull the hammer backward until it catches.
  5. Disengage the safety when ready to fire. Align the sights on the target, then press the trigger.

Thumb operating the release lever beside the HW75 hammer as the upper assembly opens

Pulling the HW75 hammer backward to cock it

During shooting sessions, I notice more vibration from the HW75 than from other SSP pistols I’ve used, such as the HW40, V10, and FAS 6004. I suspect the impact of its relatively heavy hammer may contribute to this, making the firing action feel more like that of a traditional firearm.

The HW75 feels capable of accurate shooting. The barrel sits relatively high above my hand, so I pay attention to keeping my hold consistent. This reflects how the pistol handles for me.

Sight Picture

The metal rear sight feels solid. Its narrow notch gives me a tight sight picture, with little visible space on either side of the front blade. I personally find a wider notch easier to read.

View along the HW75 sights while held in the hand, showing the narrow rear notch

Lighting also affects the sight picture. Under strong light, the sloped upper surface can catch a reflection and reduce contrast around the notch. The photo below shows this clearly, with the surface appearing almost white. (This applies to almost all the HW air pistols)

Bright glare on the sloped upper surface of the HW75 rear sight, reducing contrast around the notch

For comparison, I describe the sight picture I prefer in my FAS 6004 shooting impressions.

Grips

The walnut grip feels well made. Its textured surface provides good friction without feeling too rough.

Close-up of the HW75 walnut grip, showing its textured surface and upper contours

For my hand, the grip is a little slim at the web between my thumb and index finger. I find myself using more pressure from the other three fingers to steady the pistol. A fuller shape in that area may suit my hold better.

Side view of the HW75 grip in the hand, showing the thumb rest and the three fingers supporting the pistol

HW75 held in the hand, showing the fit around the web between the thumb and index finger

Angled rear view of the HW75 grip, showing how the upper contour meets the hand

Close-up of the thumb resting higher alongside the HW75 frame and walnut grip

I’ve ordered a Rink universal grip to explore that fit, though I haven’t tried it yet.

Trigger-Guard Undercut

The trigger-guard undercut also affects how the HW75 sits in my hand. The underside where the guard meets the grip is flat (just like the 1911 pistols), without the upward curve of the HW40. Because the HW75’s grip does not give my hand enough support, I feel my middle finger taking most of the pistol’s weight. The flat undercut keeps the pistol sitting higher on that finger, making my hold feel a little unstable.

The red arrows in the photos below highlight this contact area: the HW75’s flatter contour on the left and the HW40’s upward curve on the right.

HW75 held in the hand, with a red arrow pointing to the flat underside of the trigger guard resting on the middle finger

HW40 held in the hand, with a red arrow pointing to the upward curve beneath the rear of the trigger guard above the middle finger

Muzzle Velocity

Starting with a cold bore, I recorded 25 shots with a Garmin Xero chronograph.

Measurement Full session (shots 1–25) Shots 8–25
Shots recorded 25 18
Average velocity 430.1 fps 431.6 fps
Minimum velocity 421.8 fps 424.8 fps
Maximum velocity 434.7 fps 434.7 fps
Extreme spread 12.9 fps 9.9 fps
Standard deviation (population) 3.50 fps 2.54 fps

Garmin Xero chronograph showing the HW75’s 25-shot session, with an average velocity of 430.1 fps

Although the extreme spread across the full session was 12.9 fps, I noticed that the velocity became more stable after the first 7–8 shots, settling around 430 fps. The graph below shows the lower initial readings and the more consistent later shots, with a few dips.

Velocity graph for the HW75’s 25-shot session, showing a low of 421.8 fps, a high of 434.7 fps, and shot 7 at 430.3 fps

My take so far

Its build quality, substantial weight, accuracy potential, two-stage match trigger, adjustable sights, and match-like walnut grip give it many qualities I associate with a match pistol.

However, to me, the separate safety and hammer add steps to each shot, while the rear sight’s narrow notch and reflections, together with the grip fit, may make a consistent shooting routine harder to find. Taken together, these details make it feel less suitable for serious competition for my own use. Even so, I still think the HW75 is a very good air pistol. I appreciate its craftsmanship and character, and it has plenty to offer for enjoyable, unhurried target shooting.

References