Weihrauch HW 45 Owner’s Guide

The HW 45 has a bit of competition pedigree to it, the micrometer sight alone tells you that. This applies whichever finish you’ve got, standard, Silver Star or Black Star, since those are cosmetic variants with the same spring piston action, trigger and two power settings underneath.

This guide covers sight and trigger adjustment, the two power settings, cocking and loading safely, plus how to look after a spring pistol while it beds in.

How Do I Adjust The Sights On The HW 45?

The HW 45 uses a precision micrometer sight, similar to what you’d find on a competition pistol.

Small turns of the adjustment screws move your point of impact, so make one adjustment at a time and test on target before making another, rather than guessing multiple changes at once.

Can I Mount A Scope Or Red Dot On The HW 45?

Yes, the HW 45 comes with a Picatinny rail for accessories, along with a built in dovetail rail for optics. Fit your chosen sight into the grooves on the top section and secure it properly before shooting.

If you’re shooting with a shoulder stock attached, Weihrauch’s own recommendation is to mount your scope roughly 5.5 to 7.5cm from your eye for a comfortable, consistent sight picture.

With the optics side sorted, the next thing to get your head around is how the power settings work.

What’s The Difference Between Position 1 And Position 2?

Position 1 is the lower velocity setting, suited to target work and indoor use. Position 2 is the higher velocity setting, intended for outdoor use such as hunting, plinking or longer range shooting where you need the extra power.

Which one you use comes down to what you’re doing on the day, not a right or wrong choice.

How Do I Cock The HW 45?

The HW 45’s safety catch is manual, not automatic, so make a habit of engaging it yourself before you start rather than assuming the pistol will do it for you. Lift the upper assembly and move it forward in a circular motion. Stopping it at the vertical position gives you position 1, while continuing further through the motion takes you to position 2.

Keep one hand supporting the grip throughout, and never rest the pistol on a hard surface while cocking, use your hand or a proper rest instead. Be careful of your fingers as you do this too, the underside of the upper assembly is a pinch point.

How Do I Load And Decock The HW 45?

With the upper assembly open at your chosen power position, load a pellet into the barrel so it sits flush with the end. Close the upper assembly back down, using your thumb to ensure the hammer snaps back and retains properly rather than just letting it drop shut.

If you need to decock without firing, press the muzzle firmly against something soft like a mat or piece of cardboard, then pull the trigger, never force the upper assembly closed any other way.

Can I Dry Fire The HW 45?

No, never dry fire a spring piston pistol like the HW 45. Firing without a pellet loaded sends the full force of the spring through the mechanism with nothing to absorb it, which puts a lot of strain on the pistol and can damage it over time.

Always keep a pellet in the barrel when you fire, and store the pistol with the spring uncocked rather than left under tension.

What Calibre Does The HW 45 Come In?

The HW 45 is manufactured in .177 (4.5mm), .20 (5.0mm) and .22 (5.5mm). Check with us on current stock before ordering if you want to get your hands on one, since not every calibre is always held for every model.

Whichever you’re using, only load diabolo pellets, never steel darts, ball bearings or damaged and reused pellets.

Can I Adjust The Trigger On The HW 45?

There are two adjustment screws under the grip. One sets the trigger slack, the initial travel before you reach the pressure point, turning it right shortens that travel, left lengthens it. The other sets how the letoff point feels, turning it right makes the break feel softer, left makes it feel harder.

Weihrauch’s own guidance is to leave the trigger as supplied rather than lightening it yourself, since altering the letoff point too far changes how the sear engages and can make the pistol unsafe if it’s not done correctly. If you’re not fully confident doing this yourself, take it to a qualified airgun gunsmith instead, it’s a small job for someone who does it regularly.

Once you’re loading, aiming and firing comfortably, the last thing worth knowing is how the pistol behaves as it settles in and how to look after it long term.

How Long Does A Spring Pistol Like The HW 45 Take To Break In?

Spring piston pistols like the HW 45 typically need a few hundred shots before they properly settle in and shoot at their most consistent.

It’s an old fashioned bit of engineering, but a well looked after HW 45 will comfortably outlast plenty of newer designs, so don’t be put off if things feel a little inconsistent early on, that’s normal for this style of action and it smooths out with use.

Any Tips For Better Accuracy With The HW 45?

Take up the trigger smoothly and squeeze through the pressure point rather than snatching at it, and hold your aim on target for a second or two after the shot breaks rather than dropping it immediately, this matters more with a pistol than most people expect.

Different pellets shoot differently out of the same gun, so it’s worth trying a few types, heavier, good quality diabolo pellets tend to give the most consistent results.

How Should I Store The HW 45 Between Sessions?

Never leave the pistol stored with the spring cocked for longer periods, since this can lead to accidents and also causes the spring to fatigue over time, which reduces the pistol’s power.

Always decock it and store it unloaded, with the safety on, somewhere dry and out of reach of children.

With the trigger and sights dialled in, the HW 45 rewards the extra bit of care that spring pistols ask for, a precise, well built pistol that’ll keep performing for years if you look after it properly.