Walther LG500 Blacktec: the entry into the class of affordable match air rifles for less than €2,000 – These are the differences from the top models

With prices approaching the €6,000 mark for a top-of-the-line match air rifle with an electronic trigger – the Walther LG500 itec BTe, for example, costs €5,698 according to the list – many sports shooters either have to save up for a long time or to make do with less. For many young shooters and clubs that want to provide their members with loaner guns, other solutions are needed. Sporting guns manufacturer Carl Walther has been adding the "Blacktec" label to lower-priced entry-level models with stripped-down features for some time now. The Walther LG500 Blacktec, which was presented at the IWA 2025  in Nuremberg, is priced at €1,999 (RRP) and is already available from various dealers for just over €1,600, well below the €2,000 pain threshold. But what does the customer get for it – and what is missing?

First of all, after opening the case (which is part of the package) and filling the steel bottle with 200 or 300 bar compressed air, the shooter receives a sporting rifle for the 10 meter discipline that can be used out of the box. Before the first shot, the basic rear diopter and the simple 22 mm front tunnel sight, which are separately included for packaging reasons, still have to be mounted onto the prism rails at the rear above the trigger and at the front on the muzzle attachment, but this is done quickly. There is no doubt that the diopter, which can be tightened with just one knurled screw, is no longer state-of-the-art; it clicks loudly and somewhat roughly. However, it costs just under €460 less than the top sight in Ulm's product range, the Visionic with ball bearing guide, which costs €698. If you can't aim from the head position with the sights mounted directly on the prism rails, you will need front and rear mount riser blocks as accessories. However, it is sufficient for an inexpensive basic air rifle and club equipment. As the height of the risers depends on the neck length and other individual aiming factors anyway, no experienced shooter is likely to shoot without such a sight line elevation. However, they are usually bought individually anyway, even from third-party suppliers from the accessory market.

The LG500 Blacktec also comes with an aluminum stock in matte black finish, in keeping with its name. Everything is simpler and designed with fewer adjustment options than the LG500 itec BTE top model, which is almost three times as expensive: the Blacktec buttstock can't be adjusted from the longitudinal axis, and the simple butt plate only allows vertical adjustment. However, it should be noted that this is a symmetrical stock design, as the Blacktec can be used by both right and left-handed shooters. The pistol grip is already designed for ambidextrous access, it is not too thick in diameter and fits surprisingly well in both the right and the left hand used for testing. It looks "inexpensive", but fulfils its purpose.

The cheek piece, which is slightly rounded to the left, can be turned round for left-handed users.  It is not secured with the elegant Walther-style knurled screws, but simply with a hex screw. Stock length can also be adjusted according to body size using two further hex screws set into the narrow aluminium buttstock support. If you wish, you can also remove the loading and cocking lever on the right-hand side and move it to the left-hand side. This practical feature of the upper class is also retained in the economy model.

The forend raiser in front of the trigger guard, under which the support hand is positioned, does not have an infinitely adjustable height, but is held in place with screws. However, there are three sets of two screws of different lengths and four spacers, so that the distance between riser and forend can be adjusted in three stages. Following the positive experiences of customers with the top air rifles, small details have also been adopted for the Blacktec, such as the centimeter scale attached to the end of the barrel in front of the muzzle attachment, which allows for repeatable and accurate mounting.

One difference listed between the LG500 variants, at least according to the table comparison, concerns the connection between the action (barrel plus action housing, trigger and air cylinder) and the respective stock. The Blacktec uses the classic bedding, consisting of the receiver screwed into the stock and a "bridge" running over the front of the forend. This is no longer state-of-the-art; more complex couplings are used between the two core elements, such as the itec system bedding, which creates a completely tension-and vibration-free connection. However, as Walther also offers a good dozen discontinued models of the former successful LG400 air rifle in addition to the 500 variants (while stocks last), the marketing and sales strategists had to come up with some ideas to create a certain equipment hierarchy between the 500 entry-level Blacktec model and the 400s. There is also competition for the 500s from the 500 Expert and 500 Competition variants. The customer is therefore spoilt for choice and has to rely primarily on the experience of his/her specialist dealer and on tips from perhaps more successful club colleagues.

While the Blacktec also uses the tried-and-tested LG500 loading recess with the pressure level indicator and the interchangeable loading lever, the action housing features simplified technology. With the 500 itec, you first have to work your way through the many abbreviations such as SRS (Stability & Response System), ACS (Accuracy Control System) or WBS (Walther Balancing System), each of which individually and all of which in combination optimise both the firing and the shooting experience. If you have enough experience and the appropriate level of performance to appreciate such features. And this is where a sober self-assessment of shooting ability (at least at present) saves a lot of money. Put simply, the SRS reduces tiny vibrations when shooting thanks to the adaptive inline impulse equaliser and the pneumatically driven absorber. You therefore feel less "recoil" when firing and can adjust this as desired (a truly reactionless release would be counterproductive in competitive sport, a certain amount of "shot is out" feedback is a must). The abbreviation ACS refers to the more stable connection between the barrel and the receiver. The shooter of the Blacktec version does not (yet) need these high-end features; this is pure shooting, like driving a jeep compared to driving a luxury car.

The 420-mm barrel has been given a carbon fiber barrel jacket that extends beyond the muzzle. This saves weight, which can be used elsewhere for better balancing. The trigger operates mechanically between 50 and 120 grams depending on the setting; on the test model it released incorrectly and should be reset individually. We only want to compare the two and not judge anything. You should only know what you get with the Blacktec for just under €2,000 and what is missing.

Carl Walther LG500 Blacktec technical specifications and price 

Walther LG500 Blacktec accuracy test and conclusion on the match air rifle for beginners and clubs

No miracles of accuracy were to be expected during the test firing. At least, clamping the rifle in the shooting rest neutralises the subtleties that may be noticeable when firing freehand. We'll therefore spare you a table: with ten shots per group and measured enclosed, good pellet groups are around 8 mm; all depending on the pellet weight, velocity is between 172 and 178 m/s on the display on the velocity measuring system.

All in all, Walther rounds off its catalog at the lower end with the new LG500 Blacktec entry-level model; the financial gap to the top class is a whopping €4,000. Such an offer helps clubs: even the discontinued LG400 versions are priced significantly higher than the Blacktec, and the money saved can be reallocated.

More information on the Walther LG500 Blacktec can be found on the Walther website, where you can also find a map showing which specialist dealer in your area sells Walther sporting guns.