Spring/Piston OEM vs Pro Tuned vs Custom springers...

[Farmplinker2]

Thanks for the outstanding analysis of the spring/piston airgun!

In particular, I agree with your point 7. Sadly I feel that the airgun industry has done a huge disservice to itself and its customers by selling over-powerful springers indiscriminately to newcomers, without providing the expectations and education essential for the average user to succeed when shooting them.

Hmmmm.....

Maybe that's a controversial opinion! I'll be interested to hear what others think

Tbf, Gamo will get close to their "box" velocities..... while they're still dieseling!
Definitely lower power springers and gas rams would help.
I have also advocated for including a "How To Shoot Your New Springer Airgun" sheet in the box. Explain things like the artillery hold, pellet weight to power ratios, proper scope mounting AND selection, etc.

 

[jps2486]

I like the Diana 34/HW95 level springers best, but I have a few easy cocking, easy shooting high output rifles (all in .22) that are in the 18-22 fpe range which are excellent shooters. I would love to see the Germans adopt some of the approaches others have taken with good results.

Once in your lifetime, you should shoot or own an FWB300. Yup, it only shoots about 6 fpe and you can cock it with your little finger (yes, actually) and it is super accurate up to 25 yards at least. And yes, it is totally recoilless.

 

[Kragman1]

I'm just getting acquainted with my 300, but so far I can only agree with you!

Spring/Piston - 53 year old FWB 300, still a winner

Hi everyone Earlier today I got a chance to shoot my circa 1971 Feinwerkbau 300. Not "seriously" mind you - take some chrono readings, shoot a few as a sanity check, hope for the best, etc. Exploratory, not forensic. I've never owned one before. It's not the first time I've shot a 300...

community.hardairmagazine.com

 

[Dadwag]

Thanks for the outstanding analysis of the spring/piston airgun!

In particular, I agree with your point 7. Sadly I feel that the airgun industry has done a huge disservice to itself and its customers by selling over-powerful springers indiscriminately to newcomers, without providing the expectations and education essential for the average user to succeed when shooting them.

Hmmmm.....

Maybe that's a controversial opinion! I'll be interested to hear what others think

I’d like to reply to your post with partial agreement . There are overpowered AGs sold to the beginner for sure. When I started so many years ago my first springer was a Gamo Silver Shadow 1000. I wanted to replace the urge for powder burners and the required need for a large range. I was so happy with the new shooter. Didn’t do well but had to “grow” into it. Now I feel pretty darn confident as a break barrel shooter.Ive changed to only prefer gas pistons now as a power plant. I enjoy my Gamo .177 , Crosman .22 and Benjamin Trail .22. They are budget guns that I bought as I could afford. I’ll never have a HW or Beeman or any of the other pricey ones. Too old and retired income. I guess it’s a case of buyer beware. If you buy a springer that is above your skill level you’ll either quit or rise to the challenge and master the break barrel skills.I personally love the sport/hobby and so glad I learned shooting, rebuilding and targeting skills.I hope the budget lines of AGs never die out as they can be a great beginning for a newcomer. Stay well all

 

[jps2486]

I’d like to reply to your post with partial agreement . There are overpowered AGs sold to the beginner for sure. When I started so many years ago my first springer was a Gamo Silver Shadow 1000. I wanted to replace the urge for powder burners and the required need for a large range. I was so happy with the new shooter. Didn’t do well but had to “grow” into it. Now I feel pretty darn confident as a break barrel shooter.Ive changed to only prefer gas pistons now as a power plant. I enjoy my Gamo .177 , Crosman .22 and Benjamin Trail .22. They are budget guns that I bought as I could afford. I’ll never have a HW or Beeman or any of the other pricey ones. Too old and retired income. I guess it’s a case of buyer beware. If you buy a springer that is above your skill level you’ll either quit or rise to the challenge and master the break barrel skills.I personally love the sport/hobby and so glad I learned shooting, rebuilding and targeting skills.I hope the budget lines of AGs never die out as they can be a great beginning for a newcomer. Stay well all

The budget guns keep getting better as the manufacturers develop better technology. You can also improve your own guns if you don't mind doing some gunsmithing yourself. I'm sure there are posts here on AGN or some videos on Youtube showing how to do it. Maybe if you save your pennies, you may find a good nice used HW for sale for a price you can tolerate. Anyway, this hobby is fun and I hope you continue to enjoy it.

 

[Rave]

I know my humble experience with what I assume was cheap springers including my last one ( with I still have ) a Diana have really turned me off to springers sad because with some better up front knowledge I might not have that view.

I inherited a Diana 36 carbine from my engineer brother about 10 years ago. Probably 30 years ago, he had lapped the tube, made his own 1.5 poind trigger, put in a new piston, seal and spring (shortened to reduce velocity tp 825fps - its sweet spot), inserted a small brass tube into the exit port to decrease the piston slam, and fit a 1.5 pound weight to the end of the barrel to reduce the torque from the main spring. Topped with a $600 Bushnell 6-18x50mm, it puts as many 7.5gr Crosman Premier HP pellets into a nickle-sized hole at 50 yards as you want. Just needs a new spring - finally gave way yesterday.

 

[pan60]

@Rave welcome to HAM

 

[Scriv]

My first spring piston gun was a Diana 54. Had power for days, but where to shoot it? I bought a Beeman R7, which I kept for decades. After wanting to get back into springers I did my due diligence and bought a TX 200. About the smoothest Springer I ever shot. When recently ordering my HW97K, and HW50S I had them tuned and vortek kits installed. After shooting them I suddenly felt not so impressed with the TX. I feel that giving them some love definitely helps.

 

[Jaabaa]

I have researched much on the HW30/50 and most all of the YouTube videos all show a tuning down including TbT, I bought his kit, then spoke to Dragon Airguns and realized that I did not want to tune down the Rifle.
It was a interesting conversation.

 

[Scriv]

I have researched much on the HW30/50 and most all of the YouTube videos all show a tuning down including TbT, I bought his kit, then spoke to Dragon Airguns and realized that I did not want to tune down the Rifle.
It was a interesting conversation.

My HW50S is sub 12#, but the HW97K is around 14# as I recall. If I get a kit for the TX it will likely be a 12# kit. It is enough for what I want to do, I appreciate a smooth shot.

 

[Danman]

My first spring piston gun was a Diana 54. Had power for days, but where to shoot it? I bought a Beeman R7, which I kept for decades. After wanting to get back into springers I did my due diligence and bought a TX 200. About the smoothest Springer I ever shot. When recently ordering my HW97K, and HW50S I had them tuned and vortek kits installed. After shooting them I suddenly felt not so impressed with the TX. I feel that giving them some love definitely helps.

Same boat here, my TX WAS a better shooter before though....something is up, I'll get to the bottom it. Less power, more recoil (very harsh) & poor accuracy. I could live with one of the above but not all 3! At first it lost power, but I didn't care, then it became a handful,....oh well, then lastly It lost accuracy. 3/4in @ 30Y 10shot groups are no longer possible regardless of what I do.
Cant wait to see the difference in tuned vs the way it is currently. Now that i own an HW50 i realize my TX trigger is trash. Full report will be happening

 

[Scriv]

Same boat here, my TX WAS a better shooter before though....something is up, I'll get to the bottom it. Less power, more recoil (very harsh) & poor accuracy. I could live with one of the above but not all 3! At first it lost power, but I didn't care, then it became a handful,....oh well, then lastly It lost accuracy. 3/4in @ 30Y 10shot groups are no longer possible regardless of what I do.
Cant wait to see the difference in tuned vs the way it is currently. Now that i own an HW50 i realize my TX trigger is trash. Full report will be happening

Sorry to hear that you having trouble. Very interested to see the result.