Airgun Improvements Since 1980 – Part Two

This is the second part of our look at airgun improvements since 1980, based on the Air Rifle Headquarters catalog of that year. Part One is here.

Airgun Improvements Since 1980 – Optics

Judging from this catalog, it has to be said that the huge improvements in accuracy that we enjoy today compared to 1980 may have less to do with the capabilities of the airguns themselves and more to do with their sighting systems and ammunition. Scope use was new, unusual and exciting then!

Forty-four years ago, Law wrote that “Our current custom scope lineup is the result of a 16 year program to eliminate all the handicaps and hassles associated with air rifle scope installation and use.” He continued educating his readers on the new benefits of scope use: “The advantages of air rifle scope use go far beyond what most shooters ever imagine.”

Let’s take a look at one of Air Rifle Headquarters’ “world’s finest air rifle scopes…

Here’s the other…

Wow! What we see is tiny objective lenses. There’s a “new” parallax adjustment feature and the zoom range is just three times – at most!

There’s no Mil-dot reticles and just look at the rings on that 3-7 power model with it’s tiny 7/8-Inch (20 mm) diameter tube.

2024 air gunners will be interested to read that: “The 2X – 6X power adjustment range… is optimum for air rifle use. Greater magnification can’t be justified at normal air rifle range and only distorts the image.”

Airgun Improvements Since 1980 – Pellets

The great improvement in optics has clearly been matched by similar improvements in airgun pellets. Air Rifle Headquarters was – by 1980 – selling only “premium imported ammunition”.

This was because “Premium ammunition has 50% less skirt and length variation than domestic… production”. By which he specifically means Crosman, Benjamin and Daisy. “Weight fluctuation is approximately 500% less!” Law concludes.

And it’s interesting to note that none of this “premium imported ammunition” even has an indicated pellet weight! That’s probably due to a lack of weight control in manufacturing and is likely the reason for the lack of emphasis on “hard” Ft/Lb numbers in Law’s performance descriptions.

There’s also a tiny number of pellet types listed in the catalog. The huge variety of pellets that we currently enjoy is nothing like was available forty-four years ago. And don’t even mention slugs…

But, in spite of this, Robert Law has much great advice about pellet selection that’s still 100% valid today.

He suggests that “Each individual arm purchased should be evaluated by the owner. Purchase two or three different kinds of pellets and evaluate each for correct bore seating, penetration, and accuracy prior to a bulk purchase of any single brand”.

More great advice is that “Premium pellets often make a relatively inexpensive gun shoot like one costing far more. It’s also the only way to get all of the accuracy you’ve paid for out of more expensive imported models.” (He means airguns, here).

Law’s conclusion is that “No air gun is any better than the ammo used in it.” That statement is still as true today as when he wrote it!

Airgun Improvements Since 1980 – Pricing

Of course Law was selling expensive, European-manufactured products to the high-end, enthusiast market that he was developing in the USA. Air Rifle Headquarters bundled a raft of additional services with its products, some of them at additional cost.

These included selection for accuracy, straightening barrels, sorting for barrel droop (particularly important for scope use, we learn), stock finish and generally grading-out blemished goods.

And this was from top quality manufacturers!

Robert Law was an unabashed value added seller. He explained that “Our unique approach… is based upon the theory that your true best interest is not really going to be served by seeing how many corners we can cut to offer ‘price’. We feel that providing you with the most trouble-free, enjoyable hobby possible has to be our ultimate goal.”

Hammering home the point, he continued: “Should others within the field feel their service is worth less, they can charge less accordingly. We pledge to continue to give you the lowest pricing feasible that is consistent with a true total service program in your best interest.”

His most succinct expression was this. “The fantasy that you can get first-rate service without paying for it is an illusion.”

Wow, he was tough!

Whatever would Law have thought of today’s retail world dominated by Amazon?

But basically, Law’s logic was as true today as it was then. Providing first-rate service costs money. That’s why products can be more expensive on Amazon – for example – than elsewhere.

Amazon provides many value-added services like huge selection, multiple choice options, massive inventory holding, instant ordering, price comparison, rapid delivery, free shipping and easy returns. They just happen to be different value-added services from the ones offered by Air Rifle Headquarters forty-four years ago.

All that costs money and Amazon charges for it, just the same as Air Rifle Headquarters did back then. All businesses have always needed to make a profit. Maybe Robert Law just didn’t charge enough for the services he added!

None the less, it’s clear than prices today are significantly less than those being charged for comparable products in 1980 – particularly when allowing for inflation. Take a look at this comparison chart and see how ARH prices of 1980 compare to AoA’s prices of today…

Oh, and here’s what ordering was like back in those pre-Internet days. You filled-in this form and mailed it with a check.

Airgun Improvements Since 1980 – Survivors

Incredibly, many of the brands carried by Air Rifle Headquarters forty-four years ago are still active in the airgun business. This includes such famous names as Weihrauch, Norica, Feinwerkbau, Walther, Anschutz, Gamo, RWS and H&N.

True, Wischo, Geco and Original-brand airguns have long gone. As have Bimoco and Mount Star pellets.

But, basically, most of the brands carried by Air Rifle headquarters have survived to the present day.

However, the most remarkable survivals are those from Weihrauch. Law’s 1980 catalog lists the HW30, HW35 and HW50 models. The same models are still available today and they continue to be popular, viable air rifles with a cult following.

That’s just incredible! Congratulations Weihrauch!!!

Airgun Improvements Since 1980 – Conclusion

I hope that you have enjoyed this comparison of the 2024 and 1980 “adult airgun” markets in the USA. There’s no doubt about it, things have improved hugely since those days, forty-four years ago!

However we need to thank Robert Law for all that he did. He was the first person to identify the quality, adult airgun market in the USA and develop it. As we have read, much of what he said is still just as valid today as it was then. Other airgun dealers are still following in his footsteps…

Note that the Air Rifle Headquarters name lives-on today as Jim Maccari’s parts operation. You can see it at www.airrifleheadquarters.com.