18-Aug-2026
If British airgunning has a defining argument, this is it. The Air Arms TX200 and the Weihrauch HW97K have been squaring up against each other for three decades, and walk into any hunter field target (HFT) shoot in the country, and you’ll find devoted owners of both, each convinced they picked the right one. Both are fixed-barrel underlever spring rifles. Both are built to a standard rather than a price. Both will outshoot most of the people holding them.
So which one deserves your money? Having set out what each rifle does well and where each gives a little ground, the honest answer is that you’re choosing between two excellent rifles with genuinely different characters.
The contenders at a glance
The TX200 is Air Arms’ flagship spring rifle, made in Sussex and now in its Mk3 iteration. It’s famed for a glass-smooth firing cycle straight from the box, a superb Browning-style sliding breech, and finish quality that borders on the extravagant for a factory springer.
The HW97K is Weihrauch’s underlever classic, built in Mellrichstadt, Germany, with the company’s traditional over-engineering. It shares the celebrated Rekord trigger with the HW77 and HW80 and has a reputation for shrugging off decades of hard use. Our full Weihrauch HW97K review covers the rifle in more depth.
Accuracy and the firing cycle
Here’s the truth neither camp likes to admit: on paper, there’s very little between them. Both rifles are capable of one-hole groups at 25 yards with pellets they like, and both have won more than their share of club silverware.
The difference is in how they get there. The TX200’s factory firing cycle is remarkably refined, minimal spring twang, a quick shot release, and little perceptible recoil for a full-power springer. Many owners never feel the need to tune one. The HW97K in standard trim is slightly livelier; it’s still very shootable, but it responds superbly to a tuning kit, and a well-fettled 97 is every bit the equal of the TX200. If you enjoy tinkering, that’s a feature rather than a flaw, the HW97K is arguably the most tuned and customised air rifle in Britain.
Triggers, handling and build
The Weihrauch Rekord trigger is one of the great designs of the airgun world, crisp, endlessly adjustable, and proven over more than sixty years. The TX200’s CD trigger is also excellent, and honours are close enough that most shooters would struggle to split them blind.
Handling is where preferences really diverge. The TX200 is a substantial rifle that settles beautifully on the knee for HFT-style shots; its weight soaks up the firing cycle and rewards a consistent hold. The HW97K, particularly in carbine form, feels a touch more compact and pointable in the field. Stock options abound for both walnut, beech, laminate, and synthetic, and second-hand examples wearing aftermarket stocks are common.
Both rifles load via an underlever with a sliding compression chamber, keeping the barrel fixed for consistency. The TX200’s auto-opening sliding breech is a small ergonomic win; the Weihrauch’s ratchet-and-release system is simple and dependable.
Hunting, HFT and everyday use
For hunting, both rifles at UK-legal power will dispatch rabbits and pigeons cleanly at sensible ranges in .177 or .22. The HW97K’s slightly handier dimensions give it a small edge stalking hedgerows; the TX200’s composure from improvised rests suits static work from a hide. For HFT and Springer-class field target competition, both are proven winners; pick the one that fits you better, because the rifle won’t be the limiting factor.
If you’re weighing up power limits, certificates, and where you stand legally, our guide to UK air rifle law and licensing covers what every owner should know.
Price and value in the UK
New, the two rifles sit in similar territory, comfortably into four figures with a decent scope on top, and neither will embarrass you at resale. Both hold value unusually well because demand never fades. On the used market, you’ll typically find HW97Ks in greater numbers, with tuned examples often representing outstanding value; TX200s tend to sell quickly, especially left-hand and walnut-stocked examples. If your budget won’t stretch that far, our guide to the best air rifles under £200, £500, and £1,000 lays out the alternatives bracket by bracket.
You can compare current prices directly on Rightgun.uk, browse Air Arms TX200 listings and Weihrauch HW97 listings side by side.
So, which should you buy?
Buy the TX200 if you want the most refined out-of-the-box springer experience money can buy, you shoot mostly from settled positions, and you’d rather shoot than tinker. Buy the HW97K if you value Weihrauch’s tank-like build and the Rekord trigger, prefer a slightly handier rifle in the field, or fancy the tuning journey towards a rifle set up exactly your way.
There is no wrong answer here, only the rifle that fits your shooting, your shoulder and your temperament. Plenty of serious airgunners eventually own both, which tells you everything.
A word on secondhand buying, since so many of these rifles change hands: both models wear their history honestly. On a used TX200, check the underlever locks up tight and the breech slides freely; on an HW97K, ask whether it’s been tuned and by whom; a documented tune from a respected shop can add value rather than subtract it. Bores on both are hard-wearing, and honest external wear on a mechanically sound example is nothing to fear at the right price. Original boxes, manuals, and unmolested factory internals all help resale later.
FAQ
Is the TX200 more accurate than the HW97K? Not meaningfully. Both are capable of exceptional accuracy; consistency of hold and pellet choice matter far more than the badge on the action.
Do I need a licence for a TX200 or HW97K in England? Sub-12 ft·lb air rifles don’t require a certificate in England and Wales, though Scotland requires an air weapon certificate and all the usual laws on use and transport apply.
Which is better for hunting? Both are effective at sensible ranges. The HW97K carbine is a little more compact for roving shoots; the TX200’s stability suits hide and rest shooting.
Are they worth the money over cheaper springers? If you’ll shoot regularly, yes, the refinement, trigger quality, and resale value are exactly what you’re paying for.
Compare both on Rightgun.uk
The best way to settle the debate is to handle both. Browse new and used TX200s and HW97s for sale across the UK on Rightgun.uk, compare condition and prices, and see which underlever wins your vote.
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