I went and did it . I couldn't help myself . I tried to talk myself out of it . Nobody I knew had one in stock, so I figured I was going to be OK, because by the time they were available again (rumors were late August ) I would have changed my mind and be wanting something else . I remember Rick here had said he had seen a couple at Precision airguns last week . I figured they were .20's or .22's . Well, I called Jim at Precision today to order a scope eye cup and got to talking to him and asked about a HW97K in blue laminate and he said he had one , I asked in .177 , he said , "I looking right at one in the rack." OH NO !!!! This strange feeling came over me, I could feel the blood rushing into my index finger , Within seconds I pushed the order button!!!!! I said "send it to me". I can't believe I ordered one, they don't have one bit of checking on them , they are heavier than a beech stock , and from what I've been told the stock is a little more "robust" than the beech . BUT THEY ARE SO DANG PRETTY !!!! It should ship tomorrow and be here the first of the week . kirby

You never saw this coming! Jim took you down-town as an innocent victim. How can you ever live with the shame of it all?

Keep us posted...

LL

It's just not meant to be . Jim , just called and the only blue laminate stock he had , has a crack in it. He noticed it when packing it up to ship . He said he would call Beeman for a replacement , but he was sure they'd send a beech . BUMMER !!!!!! I'm glad Jim noticed it . Now I going outside to shoot my TX200HC .kirby

Imagine the hundreds of airgunners missing their bullseye because of what Jim noted and addressed? Good for you, you dreamer, and great job by the man who caught it before sale!

LL

Jim is a good man . He said he had a guy in the shop that said he could fix it , but Jim said he wouldn't sell it fixed that way as a new gun. Now I can start dreaming Prosport . LOL kirby

Get that gun of your dreams because you only live once.

LL

one of these guys?

 Not sure the trigger would be as nice as the other guns you are looking at. Does have some style though!

Jim

But the price always scares me off . kirby

Sorry about the bad news...the standard HW97's don't look too bad...



Here's one of each in .22, .20, and .177.....

You have airgun life by the balls!

LL

would you happen to have a picture or two of an AirArms Prosport in beech . I'm thinking this maybe what I'll get instead . I'd love walnut , but it's over $100+ more. kirby

Pro Sport in beech in .22 on top of pics....177 in walnut by JM in bottom for comparison...

The beech looks nice , I like it . kirby

out to pump the S200 and shoot a few hundred pellets. Pests beware! Here I come ...

LL

It took me some time to warm up to the laminated stocks but now I see magic in all of them.
Those are some really nice looking shooters. I hope that quality never suffers as time goes on with the manufacturers.
That is a bummer for Kirby, I doubt I would have noticed a crack in the stock had I examined it for you.
I shouldered that particular rifle many times when I have been at Jims shop. It sure feels right for me.
I have a feeling that Mr. Crafty Jim will pull a Rabbit out of the hat for you.
He is pretty resourceful.

jusr rick in Michigan

A laminate stock that has been repaired is probably less noticeable than a Walnut one, and as long as it is done correctly, it will be stronger than one without any problems.

I have had a couple stocks that I have repaired, and they were better than new when finished.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

Cheers, David.

I went Prosport .177 in walnut. The most I've ever paid for a rifle period , let along a BB gun. LOL kirby

have fun...

where is the picture? Now you owe us a picture and groups. Best of luck with the new hardware, and may it deliver the best groups ever!

LL

Just as soon as I get it . LOL it should be here one day next week ; and trust me I'll be spreading some pictures around. kirby

Hey Kirby
I saw the crack in the handle of the Blue laminate stock, it is parrell with the laminate. It certainly was a great catch by Jim. Man is that rifle smooth, I cocked it and it was like butter. Jim is going to send it back to the supplier as he does not want to be responsible for selling anything that will not represent his intentions or integrity.
I know there are many dealers out there that would just ship it and then leave you stuck to deal with if you happened to spot it. I doubt I would have seen the crack myself ever.
I know Jim certainly could have used the sale but his reputation is more important to hime than a few bucks, speaking of which while I was there I saw a Doe and two fawns in his yard. Pretty awesome.
Who if anyone here is coming to the fun shoot on the 18th of July????
It would be great to put some faces to the letters.

jusr rick in Michigan

I would have loved to have done business with Jim. I've purchased several airguns from him . I think it must have been fate that the laminate had the crack in it. Afterward I realized how close to price of my true dream springer I had came and ordered the Prosport . BTW an hour after Jim called a friend of mine PM'd me that he'd found another dealer that had the blue laminate in stock for the same price , but I had already changed my mind . Wish I could make it to the shoot , but it's just too far away for me down here in Georgia. And the deer .... I had a doe less than 15 yards from me in my backyard just last week . I tried to take picture of her with my cell phone , but when I pointed it at her , she bolted . LOL kirby