Hard Air Magazine’s Most Popular Reviews Of 2024

Now that we’re very close to the end of the year, it’s a good time to look at Hard Air Magazine’s “Top 20” most popular reviews of 2024. I was going to write “airgun reviews”, but that’s not completely true as one pellet review is included, too.

In fact, this “Top 20” most-read reviews list is actually YOUR list! It’s based entirely on what you spent time reading in 2024.

As HAM has no less than 248 airgun and airgun-related reviews on the site, it’s quite an achievement for any product even to make it into this “Top 20”!

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First, A Summary​

Out of your “Top 20” most popular reviews of 2024, 11 were for PCP air rifles. Five were were for spring/piston air rifles, while three were for CO2-powered airguns – two long guns and one pistol. Plus a sure sign of the increasing interest in airgun ammunition is that one pellet review squeezed into your “Top 20” list this year.

Before looking at the complete list of your most-read reviews for 2024, let’s give due credit to the top three most popular reviews…

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The Most Popular Review – Weihrauch HW95​

In first place, we have the Weihrauch HW95. In fact it’s our review of the HW95 Luxus springer that was first published in 2023. This HW95 was – of course – a HAM Gold Award winner, earning a score of 88% on test.

Our conclusion on this classic air rifle was “The Weihrauch HW95 is accurate, powerful enough for most shooters, easy enough to cock and has an outstanding trigger. The quality is obvious for all to see and the price is fair for what you get.”

BUY FROM AIRGUNS OF ARIZONA​

Weihrauch HW95 Walnut​

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Second Most Popular Review – Weihrauch HW30S​

Weihrauch made it an incredible “one, two” result with this review of the HW30S. Again, it’s not a new review, being published in September 2021.

Another HAM Gold award winner, we summarized the HW30S as “a quality German-manufactured air rifle that’s attractively-priced and easy to shoot well. It’s compact and is supplied with industry-leading open sights. It’s great for the whole family to use for plinking and informal target shooting.”

BUY FROM AIRGUNS OF ARIZONA​

Weihrauch HW30S​

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Third Most Popular Review – SIG MCX Gen2​

HAM reviewed this CO2-powered air rifle in October 2022. It was a strong performer on test, earning a HAM Silver Award.

We summarized that “SIG has been quietly working-away improving the performance of their CO2-powered long guns and it shows, particularly in the much-improved accuracy! Overall, this Gen 2 model is a formidable competitor in the current “firearms replica/plinker” market.”

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

SIG Sauer MCX Pellet Rifle Gen 2, Black 0.177​

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Here’s The Full “Top 20” Most Popular Reviews Of 2024 List​

From a manufacturer’s perspective, Weihrauch dominates the results. No less than 7 out of your Top 20 most-read reviews were for HW products. Congratulations Weihrauch!!!

In second place, Umarex secured three placements. This included the only air pistol to make the list, the Glock 19 Gen. 3 model.

SIG placed third with two reviews. Kudos to Umarex and SIG!

JSB was the sole pellet manufacturer to make the ratings, with the 18.13 Grain Jumbo Heavies.

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Special Mentions​

Now we need to give a special mention to five of your most popular reviews. This is because these reviews were published during the course of 2024. Obviously they would have scored even higher if they had been readable for the entire year. They are:

– Weihrauch HW100 Sporter Carbine: published August 2024.
– Crosman 3622: published February 2024.
– BSA R-10 SE re-test: published February 2024.
– Umarex Komplete: published May 2024.
– Barra 1866: published January 2024.

Finally, I’d like to thank each one of you for being a HAM reader! Without you, this list would not be possible.

I’d also like to thank the HAM Test Team of Doug Rogers, Doug Wall and Eric Brewer. Without their effort, dedication and commitment to excellence in testing, we would have no HAM test reviews at all…


The post Hard Air Magazine’s Most Popular Reviews Of 2024 appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

 

[Scriv]

I've often thought that my airgun interests were not mainstream in this forum, and this validates that thought. I read many reviews, but only two on the list were read because I was interested in possible ownership. One I actually have in the stable. Thanks for the run down, interesting.

 

[jlowe]

I can see the HW95 and HW30 getting the most interest. They both have. been around a long time. I'm sure they have sold quit a few over the decades.

 

[hameditor]

I've often thought that my airgun interests were not mainstream in this forum, and this validates that thought. I read many reviews, but only two on the list were read because I was interested in possible ownership. One I actually have in the stable. Thanks for the run down, interesting.

This list applies to readership at www.hardairmagazine.com, not to the HAM Community. Yes we do have a crossover of readers between the two sites, but there are differences between the readerships.

 

[Scriv]

This list applies to readership at www.hardairmagazine.com, not to the HAM Community. Yes we do have a crossover of readers between the two sites, but there are differences between the readerships.

Yes, I should have been more specific. I read both frequently. Most enjoyable either way. Well done.

 

[Farmplinker2]

Is anyone really surprised Weirauch came out on top?

 

[Beanflip]

How about a list of air guns by their review scores? @hameditor

 

[hameditor]

How about a list of air guns by their review scores? @hameditor

That's already available in Hard Air Magazine. Go to HAM Review Center and click on the heading of the "HAM Review Score" column. Here...



The "up" and "down" arrows allow you to sort by either scores increasing or decreasing.



That's it!!!

 

[Kragman1]

Well known springers, readily available and with long production histories came in #1 & #2.

Versus the ever changing field of hot new PCP's and other guns.

That says something. And it's a happy surprise.

 

[jlowe]

There are a lot more pcp's on the market that were not reviewed here.

 

[hameditor]

There are a lot more pcp's on the market that were not reviewed here.

Duuuuhhhh, yeah! We can't possibly review everything, that would be an impossible task. But HAM has no less than 284 published, consistent, comparable reviews - that's more than any other online airgun site.

 

[jlowe]

Duuuuhhhh, yeah! We can't possibly review everything, that would be an impossible task. But HAM has no less than 284 published, consistent, comparable reviews - that's more than any other online airgun site.

I didn't mean to offend you. I probably should have used more words. I was saying that there are a lot more pcp's made than there are springers. I've been around a long time, I probably shouldn't assume. You do a good job with your magazine and website. Don't be offended. It wasn't meant to offend or insinuate anything derogatory.

 

[hameditor]

I didn't mean to offend you. I probably should have used more words. I was saying that there are a lot more pcp's made than there are springers. I've been around a long time, I probably shouldn't assume. You do a good job with your magazine and website. Don't be offended. It wasn't meant to offend or insinuate anything derogatory.

No offense taken! Happy New Year and thanks for your contributions to the HAM Community

 

[Danman]

Well known springers, readily available and with long production histories came in #1 & #2.

Versus the ever changing field of hot new PCP's and other guns.

That says something. And it's a happy surprise.

100% agreed, WR owned that list! The guns (on the list) are either well built premium or really good 'starter' airguns it seems. The Brk Ghost made the list comfortably but in it's case it is obviously not for everyone ($$$), I read Hams review on it at least twice myself, before 'pulling the trigger' on mine... not sure i would have without a good review on it!? Also I notice very few new-in-2024-guns made the list. I personally only buy gear that's been out for 2yrs plus...