Wow! hard to imagine...North Country Gal wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:07 pmBeing an under lever, though, the 97 is considerably heavier than the 95.
Anyway freinds.... here is my take, after handling it and looking over some of the owners manual.
• It is HEAVY. (7+1/2 lbs.). I knew that before I bought it, but seems heavier than my first .22lr, Savage/Anschutz, which weighs in at 8 lbs. I guess that's in some part to help absorb the Springer recoil.
•I'm having a hard time lining up the open sights. The rear seems almost canted, as I have to really cock my head up on the stock swell to line the rear up with the front post. That is uncomfortable on my neck. Can probably get used to it though. A scope would take care of that I guess, even though it would make it even heavier.
•The stock leaves a bit to be desired, IMHO. There really is little to no sheen. Almost like wood that has been stained, but not finished. It just concerns me that it will absorb oils and such, and lead to discoloration...maybe not though. I'm ok with how it looks, if it stays that way.
•The testing by AOA shows the FPS considerably lower at anywhere from 688 to 706, than the advertised up to 755 FPS. Their test was done with an 11.9 gr. pellet. I know I will get even less with heavier pellets. Guess that's ok though.
•After reading some of the owners manual, this rifle seems to need as much routine maintenance as a Toddler. Guess I could get used to that as well.
Those are just first impressions. It is clearly a quality, well made and attractive rifle. Any misgivings about it should just take some getting used to.
Thank you once again to those who provided a lot of VERY helpful information prior to making my decision. I'm just a little bit on the fence still about MY OWN decision. Maybe more gun than I really needed. I just didn't want junk.
Mark