I have been on a self "tuning" kick lately. I have put Vortek kits into 3 of my rifles now and I am quite amazed at how easy it is to do.
Yesterday I tore down my R1 .177. I thought my RWS guns were easy to do. They are, but honestly I think the R1 is the easiest of all. Piece of cake.
I had Maccari stuff in the R1 and it was fine but a bit down on power. So I bought a Vortek kit from Tom and after cleaning all the old lubes out etc. re-lubed everything and put in the Vortek kit. Good Lord!!! MUCH, MUCH better shot cycle. NO torque, NO buzz just a very solid "thump".
This thing is putting out 21+ FPE in .177!! It is NOT dieseling. No smoke etc. I am sure it will settle down some but OMFG what a hammer!!
It is amazing how good these kits are. They really have an amazing product. I will never use a stock spring guide again. This is modern technology where as the stock spring guide is quite antiquaited.
I can't wait to put the hammer down on the local crows and starlings. God help 'em...

I had a JM kit in my .117 R1 as well. It was a huge improvement over the factory grease bomb. But the JM kit requires heavy tar on the spring and I just wanted to get away from this approach. I installed the Vortek kit (and seal) and what a difference. Mine shoots around 17-18 fpe which is right on the money for a .117 R1. I also tried the Vortek spring with a JM seal (non VAC seal) and found it was way too harsh and was launching 8.6 grn pellets @ 1200 fps! Needless to say, the VAC seal went back in and that little test was over. IMO the Vortek kit with their Derlin guide system is superior to the old school method. JM make some of the best stuff out there but for me the Vortek kit allows for a cleaner rifle internally which is completly quiet and wont attact as much dirt over the long run.

Wow I wonder what that kit would put out with .20 R1? I'm waiting for the R7 kit to come out. 

Thanks for this wonderful post. Helped me make a decision.

I keep hearing how great the Vortek kit is. Need to get one before squirrel season starts.

If you think the R1 is easy to tear down and re-assemble, you should try the AA TX200. The R1 is an absolute horror compared to the TX. My old R1 has the original set-up, but the Vortek sounds nice. I like to keep my .177 guns at or under 15 ft. lbs., but all that power is appealing.

"HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL"

He will cut you a spring that will meet your power request. Super people to work with and my kit in my R1 is fantastic.

Tom



"What, me worry?"

"If I were two faced would I be wearing this one?" - Abe Lincoln

You would be pleasantly surprised how well the kits work if you gave 'em a go...TV

I have a Vortek kit on the way for my new TX200. It's nice, but not nearly as smooth as my tuned R10.

I have an old HW80 in .20cal...thats the same as a R1, right?..

I cant tell it but people that can actually hear say it has a pretty bad spring noise..'twang'...

I have been seriously looking at the Vortek kits and just need to know how hard it is to break down and re-assemble this rifle...

If anyone can clue me in or point me in a good direction, I'd appreciate it...

TIA...Tim

http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2006/08/spring-gun-tuning-part-12-finish.html

Happy Canuck

In a relative way...hehe...TV

"HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL"

But my gut tells me you are more than adequately savvy to complete the task, but fer legal reasons don't quote me on that..hehe...TV

most folks cannot believe I am an attorney, guess I am pretty down to earth, nice and all that rot.

lol

I love guns and am pretty good with them I am just a little intimidated to mess with something that is important to me ...lol...

based on your advice tv.. I am going to do some really crazy stuff with my airgun smithing.. lol..

just kidding.. most attorneys I know though are not the kind to know much about this kind of stuff... for them it is : office, bank .. office bank... lol

if I just shoot more I don't need either one that much..
dk

"HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL"

Especially with a such a smooth shot cycle...

Congrats on your successful DIY's...great job! TV

So far velocity is less than factory maybe needs a break in period.Not real excited about Vortek just yet.Easy to tear down a HW80 not really.