Walther LP300
Well here it is. Walther's latest incarnation of their match air pistol. The previous model LP200 was available with both a vertical or horizontal tank but this has not been followed in this latest model. I looked at the LP 200 earlier last year and found it to have similar family traits as their older CP models. The trigger felt similar and the quality of construction was the same with a side loading lever. Dry fire was possible ,but tools were required to set this up. Really the pistol was uncompetitive with the opposition..
Well after only a short time Walther has remodelled the pistol and obviously listened to the buying public to produce a much better result which stands now amongst the top echelon. What have they done ? Well to start with the new pistol sports a few special facilities like :
1/ 300 bar tank for over 200 shots with manometer
2/ Fully adjustable grip with a ball joint for easy adjustment (see picture)
3/ Easier loading system with large cocking lever
4/ Recoil absorbers
5/ Adjustable barrel weights.
Well all this sounds good on paper but what does it do in practice. Having tested a load of pistols a few things first come to light. What are Walther thinking of in a $1000 pistol with roll pins in the frame and on the cocking lever !!! The cocking lever one is already bending !!! The grip though adjustable will move plenty left and right but certainly not enough in the rake department. The trigger is much better than previous but is still creepy and seems to have a long lock time compared say to the Hammerli. The shoe will not rotate...
Plus points are:
The rest of the build quality is excellent with a fine barrel (One shot hole accuracy), The trigger shoe is adjustable, The absorber works well with little recoil. The sights are excellent but the rear doesn't adjust for depth. The front is a triangular triple width unit that is rotated to give the desired width. Dry fire is now easily accomplished with small button that is pushed from one side of the frame to the other to engage or disengage it.
Shooting the above I find the trigger creepy as said and not to my liking, The rake angle is too upright even with all the adjustment, and the balance a bit too nose heavy even without the barrel weights.. I gather there is a short cylinder without the gauge to save weight.
Comparing it to other pistols it shoots and sounds very similar to the FWB 34, which was one of my earlier favourites, but now there is the SAM K11 and Steyr LP10 which take my preferences. Try it for yourself and see what you think.
When will the manufacturers realise that we are all different and make more adjustments available. They are beginning to see the light...some sooner than later..