Only had my gun a few months now and I've taken it apart to familiarize myself with teardown, how it fits etc. While simple in theory something as easy as getting the spring properly/easily compressed and uncompressed has been a pain! With almost 2 inches of compression to get the trigger in it's been a little more work than I imagined. Having to rethink my compressor design....

In any case, it's been fun to mess with it but with every minute of re-jiggering the setup, dropping pins etc my respect grows exponentially for the pro tuners. Now I just need to save up to afford them!

-Casey

Couldn't agree more after reading this on Rob's site:

"Almost every airgun I have ever opened had sharp edges from manufacturing, improper lubrication or damaged piston seals."

Sounds like my 34 which has maybe 200 pellets through it. Pulled the piston for the first time a couple days ago and the edges of the piston almost look 'frayed' with little wispy pieces of rubber. Is this how these things always ship? That and the almost complete lack of lube. My gun shoots pretty accurately but lots of movement and twang.

"Almost every airgun I have ever opened had sharp edges from manufacturing, improper lubrication or damaged piston seals."

If Rob were only opening RWS airguns, he would have that statement covered with "improper lubrication" - I haven't see any (except one I got back from UMAREX for warrenty repair) that had ANY lubrication....

seriously over lubed. my TX started dieseling 3/4 through an FT match yesterday and started shooting 2" high at 50 yards.

I know a lot of guys do their own tuning. I'm sure they know what they are doing. That said, I have watched one of the best (Marcelo Zapatero) tune my rifles. I can flat out tell you, that what he does is true craftsmanship! It takes more than knowledge to take apart a gun as opposed to actually having a inner feel and magic touch. Though he has been tuning guns for decades, I know he was born with a special gift and talent well before his first tune. Some of us have it, some of don't. That's life!

Dave@vabch

I'm not giving up yet (back to Lowe's for more parts) on my spring compressor but getting everything lined up so it doesn't move, torque etc has been a pain. With that much spring travel the C-clamp I cut down just might not be long enough.

Plus like many hobbies or projects it comes down to time. Rather spend time shooting than building spring compressors

-Casey

For me it is part of the pleasure of owning a spring gun is to really know it, and improve it yourself, as a private owner you can spend more time care and attention than a manufacturer or professional tuner and if you can get it right it gives you a lot of satisfaction.
But ofcorse there are some jobs you cant do yourself and need the professionals.
Barry.

I have a number of guns that have been tuned to ultra precision by one of the best. These tunes will probably last for the life of the gun. I have no reason to go tearing it apart again. Why would I mess with perfection? However, I think there are some guys that actually enjoy tuning more than shooting. That is great as well. After all it is a hobby and for each his own pleasure.

I think my friend MZ falls into the previous category. He loves to work with his hands. Every time I see him he usually has a new project going on. Either with a tune, or a sculpting a new wood stock etc. He literally lives to tune a gun. After I had the pleasure of watching his trade, I knew that I would never sell one of his tuned guns. They are one of a kind master pieces.I am very content that God gave those skills to him, and content that I can enjoy that gift.

Good luck with all your guns, shooting as well as tuning. The most important part is to remember that air guns are a hobby. They give the natural balance to a hard work week, and the stress that goes along with life.
Happy Shooting!

Dave@vabch

Hope this can help you a little on you compressor:





I just adjust the position of the back block to account for different guns.

RWS guns like the 34,36,350 I do without the barrel on the action. HW and other guns I decompress with barrel on. Depends on gun.





KevinTK

I long since removed the rear block with the 4 screws holding it down. I now just use the one with the 2 1/4" bolts. I just made more holes to move it back or forward for each gun.

KevinTK

I think what's killing me is the 3" C-clamp I decided to use. Just not enough range of movement. Going to pick up a 4" one and I think that might do the trick.