I've been researching the subject of Gas Pistons lately and I've reached a dead end.

I found out that the Gas Pistons being used by at least one of the Air Rifle makers are
Color Coded to indicate one of three power levels.

It's my understanding that those Color Codes include the colors Red, Yellow and Blue.

Do any of you more experienced DIY Air Rifle guys now which of those colors is the
weakest, strongest or intermediate force Gas Springs?

If you have this information perhaps you can also tell me exactly what amount of force
is required to fully compress each of these colors.

If not, that's OK. I'll keep looking for that info on my own. I was just hoping one of
you more advanced Air Rifle guys might have the answers and maybe save me some
work.

Thanks for your help.

LeadGonads

This thread was discussing modding a QB57 to a gas piston, but he spends a fair amount of time describing what is available.
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,20192.msg185663.html#msg185663

*edit: wrong link

If you know the reduction ratio from the cocking mechanism you could get a rough number. But otherwise unless someone tested it ( doubtful )i dont think its common knowledge.


"i never was much for book learnin"

Right now there is no Air Rifle, Cocking Ratio or Gas Spring for that matter.

By doing a little research, I was trying to determine which of the three color coded Gas Springs would
best serve my need as I attempt to build my own Gas Piston Air Rifle.

I have heard of and seen the mathematical calculations that would determine "Cocking Force." However;
I'm not that far along yet. Some of the other good guys on this forum were nice enough to supply a link and
some explanations of how these calculations work.

Thanks for your input.

Tim M.

LeadGonads

use a colour rating system that AFAIK, is standard across the industry.... For 19mm OD gas springs....

Green - 50 lb. initial, 65 lb. final - 640 psi
Blue - 100 lb. initial, 130 lb. final - 1280 psi
Red - 150 lb. initial, 195 lb. final - 1920 psi
Yellow - 200 lb. initial, 260 lb. final - 2560 psi
Black - U-pick the pressure between 500 - 2560 psi

Strokes of interest are 63mm, 80mm, 100mm, and 125mm....

The 25mm OD gas springs use the same pressures for each colour code.... but the larger diameter results in higher forces....

Green - 112 lb. / 153 lb.
Blue - 225 lb. / 305 lb.
Red - 337 lb. / 459 lb.
Yellow - 450 lb. / 612 lb.
Black - adjustable as above

Strokes of interest are 80mm, 100mm, 125mm, and 178mm....

Here is a link to their Mini Series.... http://www.n-forcer.com/content/pdf/Mini.pdf

There will be a small variation between manufacturers, but the basic idea is that if you purchase a replacement of the same diameter, stroke, and colour rating they are in theory interchangeable....

In most airgun applications, Blue springs are a bit weaker than stock and produce a smooth shooter.... Red are similar to stock or a bit stronger.... Yellow are too strong for most airgun use.... The 19mm OD is the common size to fit inside an airgun piston.... and generally needs shims/collars to center it....

Bob

I suspected that such color coding would be more or less a universal
idea between Gas Spring manufactures and Air Rifle makers.

I just couldn't say for sure on my own.

I appreciate your help. It's very useful.

Tim M.

LeadGonads