Thursday, May 6, 2010

Walther LG 55 – Part 1

Sellers photo before shipping

I guess first I should start out with an apology to the rifle. In fact Derrick38 felt my work on it put me into the category of infamous. 

Sorry old Walther.

So here is how I ended up with a sanding sponge in one hand and the 55 in the other, and I was not using the sponge to sand with.

Having embraced PCP's for power, I no longer needed to ask for mega ft lbs from my springer's. Thus my journey into modest performance began. I also have always had a desire for as little noise as possible along with pinpoint accuracy. It was not a huge leap to blend those three characteristics like a multi fruit smoothie and give target rifles a try.
To complicate things just a bit more, I also have penchant for light weight now that I am getting older. I guess my smoothie needs a shot of rum too.



How could I resist?

I would like to salute the fine folks at the Vintage Forum for their help in my selection. I crossed off many of the target rifles based on their portly size and finally set my sights on just two.

Don't make them like they use to...

 The discussion on the vintage helped me narrow down a winner along with Tom Gaylord's observation that the Walther LG55 was the most quiet spring rifle based on his testing. Lastly, when looking for 50 year old rifles, availability comes into play.

My pleading for a nice 55 example was answered by Gaines Blackwell. Along with having a really cool name and he also boasts an incredible selection of fine Germany Springer's. If you would like to read more about Gaines, visit the AOA Blog and search for his name.

Next: Part two, the UPS man delivers.

9 comments:

  1. Volvo,

    Cool blog! AND a very nice rifle. Congratulations!

    -AlanL

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  2. Thanks Alan, happy to hear you enjoyed it.

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  3. Volvo

    I like your blog (begrudgingly)

    I am interested in hearing how the LG55 shoots, and why anyone in their right mind would do anything to ruin such gorgeous wood.

    The feeling of foreboding can be cut with a knife.

    Some of us unfortunate souls have never heard the crow vs. the bunny story. I must say my curiosity is piqued. I would like to read a blog about that, sans the gory visual aids. Please tell me you came out on the side of the bunny.

    On a side note, I think a multi-part blog on a HW57 would generate a good bit of interest.

    I suppose you know Volvo means "I roll" in Latin.

    Keep on rollin' Volvo

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  4. Volvo,

    Always like traveling down highway lg55. Interesting story with beautiful scenery. Speaking of which, that's one gorgeous automobile. Was yours that color?

    Looking forward to part 2. Keep up the great blog.

    kevin

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  5. Volvo,
    Even though I know/remember most of the details, you've got me on the edge of my seat:). That is a sharp rifle, but that style of cheek-piece has always struck me as clunky.

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  6. SlingingLead,
    You may want to squint and keep a barf bag handy for the next set of photos. As far as the bunny, sadly he faired about as well as the Walther LG 55 in my hands. However he was avenged with extreme prejudice.
    I think it would be impossible to find the story, which I posted as a very long comment close to two years ago. For me that is the attraction of preserving my stories here. Certainly guest blogs would be welcome also, I would enjoy hearing about and seeing your TX 200.

    Kevin,
    That was my exact car, including the orangish leather interior. Perhaps I will do an off top blog on her. FYI, it was Tom that gave me the nickname “Volvo”

    Bg Farmer,
    Sit back and relax; I don’t want you to fall. The stock is really not as clunky as it appears.

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  7. Crow vs. bunny story: Is this the one?

    Scroll to about 3/5 of the way down.

    - Orin

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  8. Orin,

    Yes, finding old comments is similar to a needle in a haystack. Many Thanks.

    ReplyDelete