Theoben Airguns

[Esoxuk]

Since their inception I have fancied owning a Theoben gas ram rifle there's two local to me both looking to be in mint condition, a Fenman and an Evolution carbine.
Does anyone have any first hand experience of these regarding reliability, spares repairs etc

[Alan_dalton]

Heard they are very good, I have never owned one though always had air arms. Should be plenty of info on air gun forums though.

[Mike J]

Ive been thinking of an upgrade and Theoban gas-ram rifles have always caught my attention.

Once upon a time I could see both front and back sights, then I couldn't see the back sight, now I cant see either.
Tried a scope but the rail on my Mk3 is a simply spot welded plate and the other a Mod 50 doesn't have a rail at all.
I only fire 5-8 shots per year protecting my bird table from rats but when I do I want to hit what I aim at as quitly as possible.

Experiences of any gas-ram users would certainly help.

[Mercman]

Do you need a licence for air rifles these days?

[Mike J]

Do you need a licence for air rifles these days?

Not if they are under the legal limit of 12ftps.

My Firearms Officer suggested I keep mine in my gun safe, it isnt a legal requirement (but will probably be so soon).

[Mercman]

Do you need a licence for air rifles these days?

Not if they are under the legal limit of 12ftps.

My Firearms Officer suggested I keep mine in my gun safe, but it isnt a legal requirement (but will probably be so soon).

Cheers Mike

[Steve Dennington]

Since their inception I have fancied owning a Theoben gas ram rifle there's two local to me both looking to be in mint condition, a Fenman and an Evolution carbine.
Does anyone have any first hand experience of these regarding reliability, spares repairs etc

I've had a .22 Evolution carbine for quite a few years. It's proven totally reliable and accurate, so I can't comment on spares availability etc., but I'd definitely recommend them

[Bob Watson]

Theoben's reputation speaks fir itself.

Never owned a gas ram, currently have a BSA ultra which I recently put a regulator on, Every shot after the first (first is always high so I waste it) is MM perfect barring shooter error!

Quite fancy an Air Arms pro sport springer next, I love guns

[Carlperkins]

Had a mk1 and 2 rapids
Very good guns

[Esoxuk]

Thanks for your comments, I'm going over this afternoon to take a look and hopefully pick up if its as good as the photographs.

[Esoxuk]

Got it, going to the northern shooting show at Harrogate Saturday to sort a new scope and a few bits and pieces. I shot it before buying and it feels good in the hand and very accurate, I’m impressed.

[tigger996]

Permit required in Scotland I believe.

[martin(rockape)]

Do you need a licence for air rifles these days?

Not if they are under the legal limit of 12ftps.

My Firearms Officer suggested I keep mine in my gun safe, it isnt a legal requirement (but will probably be so soon).

It's a legal requirement to have air rifles/pistols locked in a room or cupboard if you have children in the house under the age of 16yrs or 18yrs (can't remember the exact age).

Used to have a Theoben 22 SLR98 very reliable and accurate as for servicing and spare parts I've no idea

Also had a Rapid TTR in .20 really regret selling this.

Keep all my air rifles in a cabinet, makes sense really.

Regards

Martin

[Mike J]

Do you need a licence for air rifles these days?

Not if they are under the legal limit of 12ftps.

My Firearms Officer suggested I keep mine in my gun safe, it isnt a legal requirement (but will probably be so soon).

It's a legal requirement to have air rifles/pistols locked in a room or cupboard if you have children in the house under the age of 16yrs or 18yrs (can't remember the exact age).

Used to have a Theoben 22 SLR98 very reliable and accurate as for servicing and spare parts I've no idea

Also had a Rapid TTR in .20 really regret selling this.

Keep all my air rifles in a cabinet, makes sense really.

Regards

Martin

Thanks Martin.
I haven't managed to get to the gun shop to have my Mk 3 and Mod 50 valued for trade-in so in the meantime scoped and readjusted the Webley and managed to cloverleaf it at 15yards which will do me for the rats.

So little time!

[Esoxuk]

I wouldn't bother with a gun shop for trading in an airgun, do a bit of research and sell private.
I was selling a HW97 with blue laminate stock and was offered £180 against a £750 BSA, I sold it private and got £450.
The gun shop owner was bragging that he only needed to make a drink out of mine before he offered the £180, I wouldn't like to be out drinking with him if that's what he spends.

[Mike J]

Thanks Esox
Where would you advise I advertise?

Thats just a rip-off offer for your gun, years back most gunsmiths would give you a decent trade-in price, checking my receipts recently I saw that in 1967 Fred Buller gave me £117 for my Browning A1 against a bespoke Webley 700 at £130.
I haven't sold a gun since and disposed of my Mannlicher and Walther by giving them to a good friend and his son.

[Esoxuk]

You can no longer sell on facebook, freeads is a favourite with plenty of people keeping an eye on there. Other than that there's gunstar an online selling site.
You could always start off by putting it up for sale here, there's plenty who shoot or at least know a shooter.

[David.F.Scobie]

Since their inception I have fancied owning a Theoben gas ram rifle there's two local to me both looking to be in mint condition, a Fenman and an Evolution carbine.
Does anyone have any first hand experience of these regarding reliability, spares repairs etc

My experience with Theoben wasn’t entirely positive their customer service was shocking I had a FAC Rapid 7 MK1 and it started dropping air pressure which was something neither I nor my local gun shop could rectify so speaking to Theoben I was advised to send it back to them which I did they “fixed” the issue sent the rifle back to me and the problem was still there you'd charge the rifle and leave it overnight and half the pressure had melted or leaked out the rifle was sold to me as a 30 lbs per inch but the testing I did on the rifle showed me it was more 26lbs I used it for feral Pigeons, Squirrels, Rat and some Corvid control. I actually liked the rifle but I was pestered with issue after issue in the end the rifle was moved on and replaced with another Rapid 7 same one as I owned with none of the problems and actually put pellets down range at the pressure it was advertised to do.

Six month's later I'd heard Theoben went to the wall then looking further into it turns out the American parent company used the UK company as a tax dodge or something like that and the collapse of the UK company pulled in smaller sub contractors and sent them south too, proper nightmare stuff.

Parts in 2019 are a bugger to obtain Air Arms do good Air Rifles and DayState do some accurate but rather strange looking rifles, don’t get me wrong a good Theoben rifle is worth holding onto but it's pricey when you have to Frankenstein it together with parts scavenged from other Theoben rifles.

[cooky]

have had 3 rapids a hw90 and a custom special theoben made was a bsa superstar with full length silencer wasnt just a superstar with a gas ram fitted diy it was actually a custom they done inhouse

tbh i would get a venom hw80 that was the best gun i have ever fired it had a walnut tyrolean stock pity it wasnt mine

[Mike J]

Still looking around for something suitable and normal.
Can anyone advise me if the following spec. is possible off the peg or is a custom build the only solution?

Gas ram or springer legal pressure, FAC upgrade option if required.
Top grade 2 stage trigger mechanism.
Synthetic, traditional raised cheek stock, sling option, no Mil. patterns.
Shortish heavy barrel, match grade if possible, no front sight or silencer.
Scope rail, solid and low set, no scope reqd.

It doesn't have to be new providing everything works as it should, isn't damaged and shoots straight.


Thanks in advance.

[Brian Springthorpe]

Mike, there’s some nice eliminators for sale on gun trader, face rated, best gas ram rifle I have ever used prior to switching to pcp

[Mike J]

Mike, there’s some nice eliminators for sale on gun trader, face rated, best gas ram rifle I have ever used prior to switching to pcp

Thanks Brian
A couple of question if I may?

Is it possible to derate an FAC mechanism down to 11.5 easily?
Do those silencers screw off, I wont be needing one and think they spoil the line of a smooth barrel.

That Fenman looks nice

[Brian Springthorpe]

Hi Mike
From what I know the eliminator was designed and built as a fac gas ram, I’ve never seen one sub 12ft so I would guess they can’t be derated, Most moderators are designed to be removed as most barrels nowadays have screw cut threads in them. I’ve never used a Feynman but agree it is a very nice looking gun. I was a gas ram rifle enthusiast for many years myself but once I tried a pcp I was amazed at the difference , I currently use a Brocock Bantam in 177, superbly accurate and powerful, it also has 3 power settings which cover every aspect I need it for from close range ratting , and all vermin control up to 50 yds, over that I just use the rim fire or hushpower

[Mike J]

Many thanks Brian.
Ive been doing some indepth searching and been attracted to the Walther LGU & Vs, breakbarrel and underlever spingers, perhaps because I used to have a very nice Walther sometime back and appreciate their engineering.
Within the UK we seem to be a bit limited on availability but in Germany there are plenty of options to choose from, so thats where Im seriously looking, the small snag is that Id have to go and fetch it, but hey ho, it would be a nice drive/short break.

Do you have any suggestions the best place to sell my Mk3 and Model 50?

[Bob Watson]

Many thanks Brian.
Ive been doing some indepth searching and been attracted to the Walther LGU & Vs, breakbarrel and underlever spingers, perhaps because I used to have a very nice Walther sometime back and appreciate their engineering.
Within the UK we seem to be a bit limited on availability but in Germany there are plenty of options to choose from, so thats where Im seriously looking, the small snag is that Id have to go and fetch it, but hey ho, it would be a nice drive/short break.

Do you have any suggestions the best place to sell my Mk3 and Model 50?

The Walthers are great guns but a bit heavy, especially the LGU because the cocking lever is under the barrel.

For a similar price the Air arms pro sport is the best springer available IMO, arguably, the walthers and weihrauch HW97 (son in law had one) are up there with it but also feel and or are heavier because again, the lever is under the barrel.

The pro sport is a similar weight but feels lighter and better balanced because the cocking lever is under the stock. I've handled all of them and shot both the pro sport and weihraauch, the pro sport is much better for a standing shot, at least it is for me!

I'd recommend you handle one before discounting it.

Another one to throw in the mix is the Air arms TX200, very similar to both the walther and weihrauch. I'd also opt for the Air arms again.

https://www.air-arms.co.uk/spring-rifles.html

[Brian Springthorpe]

Many thanks Brian.
Ive been doing some indepth searching and been attracted to the Walther LGU & Vs, breakbarrel and underlever spingers, perhaps because I used to have a very nice Walther sometime back and appreciate their engineering.
Within the UK we seem to be a bit limited on availability but in Germany there are plenty of options to choose from, so thats where Im seriously looking, the small snag is that Id have to go and fetch it, but hey ho, it would be a nice drive/short break.

Do you have any suggestions the best place to sell my Mk3 and Model 50?

Best place to sell nowadays is Gun trader, Gunstar or Freeads

[FN19]

Permit required in Scotland I believe.

yep liscence required in scotland got to be kept in gunsafe same as firearms they can come check your safe anytime as well

[Mike J]

Many thanks Bob and Brian

Your advice about handling is what I now intend to do.
I will try a few shops and keep an eye open for a specialist air weapon show of such things exist.

Rest assurred I will keep you updated.

[Stewlaws]

Mike do you have a Webley mk111 ?

[Mike J]

Mike do you have a Webley mk111 ?

Yes, I bought it new in 1964.
Great gun in .22, with I have shot rats by the thousand plus a good many pigeons and crows. Still have a tin of wasp slugs as well

The other is an Original Model 50 circa late '50's one of the very first underlever rifles and made with the Stutsen style stock, it seems they are much sought after by collectors as they evolved from a WWII training weapon.