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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => European/Asian Air Gun Gates => China/Asian AirGun Gate => Topic started by: GrizzlyMan on January 13, 2011, 12:26:52 PM

Title: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: GrizzlyMan on January 13, 2011, 12:26:52 PM
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/misc/100_0949.jpg)

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/misc/100_0951.jpg)

Just bought my first break barrel for $25.00 from a neighbor. It does need some TLC as usual on all chinese rifles by removing the excess grease and oil.

I am very impressed by the "punch" this thing has when it goes off for been labeled a "youth rifle". Its about 4 to 5 inches bigger than a Powerline 35, I am 5'-8" and it seems about right for my fit. In fact, I would prefer if the grip was a little more shallower and a tad bit smaller trigger.

Was shooting it yesterday the rest of the afternoon dialing it in with the regular sights. One thing I find strange about this rifle is it will only take Crosman round and supersonic, and Daisy pointed pellets. The Crosman Premier do not fit at all, did make sure all were .177 and not .22.

The barrel is rifled, the underlever needs some juice to crank, not a big deal. Now I want to make a spring compressor, this will be my project learning rifle, if I mess it up its only 25.00. If anyone has any sites on DIY, Tuning etc for this rifle let me know...
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: darryl on January 13, 2011, 12:42:57 PM
Hi Grizz,
That's a nice-looking piece you bought. Keep us posted on your efforts to make it to your liking. Can't beat the price. That's for  sure.
darryl
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: northern lights on January 13, 2011, 07:26:26 PM
I really like the the looks of the stocks if you strip it an refinish they look great I want to find one like that . The ones south summit sells is b1-3 with monto carlo stock. The one you have is b1-1 looks cool an old fashion. There is a lot of imfo on the b2 an b1 on the ukchineseairgunforum. I think a diana 25 spring or r-7 spring will fit the b-1. Great choice on first gun to work on. not many parts inside. they can be make to shot pretty good. enjoy your new toy. I will be working on my new b2 soon.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: GrizzlyMan on January 14, 2011, 01:58:35 PM
I have to correct the comment about not been able to use Crosman Premier hollow pellets. The clearances of the pellet is very tight compared to a pellet gun and/or my Daisy Powerline 35. I am new to this stuff so it seems that is the norm on how tight the pellet is when loading it on the barrel.

Have shot around 100 pellets and seems to be "waking/ loosening up" after years of been on the neighbor's garage before he sold it to me. Put some TLC on the springs, joints, locktyte.   ;D

As of yet have no idea about which pellets it likes more, just sticking with the Premier as I ran out of Daisy pointed ones.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: northern lights on January 14, 2011, 04:23:56 PM
grizzly how do you like your powerline 35 does it shoot bb,s accurate was thinking about getting one to shoot bb,s since it,s a smooth bore my dasiy grizzy bb-gun is very accurate for a bb-gun would be nice to have a little more power.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: darryl on January 14, 2011, 05:09:29 PM
Hi Grizz,
I think if you head over to the Airguns Shop Talk and Airguns Mods Gate someone can help you select a spring that will fit your rifle. No need to make one unless that is what you want to do. There are vendors like Macarri, and Vortek that may already have a spring that is suitable for you. The guys in the forum can help guide you there, if you like.
At any rate, don't forget to let us know how your project runs out. It really is a sweet-looking rifle.
darryl  
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: GrizzlyMan on January 28, 2011, 05:02:03 PM
 ;D

After much reading and investigation, finally was able to make a spring compressor.

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/B1-1_SCompressor1.jpg)
I got left-over carpet in the garage, that is not inside the house (fyi).
Its the first one done strickly for break barrels.

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/B1-1_SCompressor2.jpg)

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/B1-1_SCompressor4.jpg)

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/B1-1_SCompressor3.jpg)


Had the cleaning kit(which has all the leather seals) from South Summit, hands on into the project.

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/B1-1pistonC1.jpg)

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/B1-1pistonC.jpg)  The seal was nasty, looked more like brown paste clay.

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/B1-1_SpringCompressor5.jpg) New vs. old seal, it seemed during the assembly the wrong seal was used as it was way too wide in diameter.

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/B1-1_SCompressor.jpg)
Not much can be done to the trigger assembly, very basic design. This is much less gun than the B3-1 and is more expensive. It is a very simple plinker.

Note: Please do not under-estimate the load forces this springers have. Make sure if you decide to do this yourself to understand the dangers involved when removing the spring. It can cause serious injury or death.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: darryl on January 28, 2011, 06:32:40 PM
That's a nice looking spring compressor, Grizz. South Summit seems committed to the airgun community. ;) Let us know how it shoots. Inquiring minds want to know.
darryl
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: northern lights on January 28, 2011, 08:05:57 PM
griz replace the trigger spring with a spring from a bic lighter an also lightly polish trigger sear areas. did you soak your leather seal with silcone oil an neeet leather oil?
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: GrizzlyMan on January 28, 2011, 09:00:52 PM
I am confused, silicone oil and "net" leather oil...

Can you elaborate?
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: northern lights on January 28, 2011, 11:20:50 PM
Sorry my spelling not worthy. Some people think that the best lube for leather seals is a mix of 1 part neet leather oil an 3 parts silicone 20-30 weight the neet softens the leather better but to much is not good so you silicone oil. but you can also use plain old vegable oil. or pure silcone. P.s great job on the spring compresser.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: northern lights on January 28, 2011, 11:25:26 PM
Forget something you know that you soak the leather seal overnight in the oil an blot out with rag before you install the leather seal. does that answer the question.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: GrizzlyMan on January 29, 2011, 01:47:55 AM
Ok, to recap...

1 to 3 leather with silicone oil (or vegetable oil)

Soak overnight the leather seal and next day remove excess oil with rag. Sounds simple enough.

Northern lights, you are very welcome.


* The QF2 - B2 cleaning kit from South Summit ($8.00) arrived with a longer thicker coil spring. I cut it to almost the exact size and flattened the cut end with a torch (will post pics side by side). Its a direct fit to the B1-1, was thinking on replacing it with the stock one. I am just a little "scared" the retaining pin will not hold. Nobody has ever opened that rifle before me, and when I removed the pin it was slightly bent. The QF2 spring was about 3 inches longer, but with the cut maybe half inch. The coil thickness is noticeable on the new spring.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: northern lights on January 29, 2011, 11:43:01 AM
Griz I have 5 older guns with leather seals so i use the mixture but on the b-1 you can use vegetable oil or pure silcone . once the gun is shooting well for you you have maintain the leather seals by putting oil 2-3 drops down the chamber an sitting the gun with muzzle up. Don,t cock the gun just break the barrel an drop a couple of drops in the chamber hole . Let the oil work its way down over night then slowly pump the barrel a dozen times without cocking the barrel then let the gun sit muzzle up for a while . Want the oil does is swells the leather for better seal an a little oil helps up the vel,s on some gun I do that about every 500-1000 shots. don,t know about the qf2 have,nt order one yet  To keep the gun a good shooter don,t get the spring coil bound also polish the the end,s of the springs with sand paper or stone an moly the ends do you have tar for the spring.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: GrizzlyMan on January 29, 2011, 10:01:34 PM
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/misc/Springkit.jpg)
Here is a side by side comparison after I cut around 2 inches of the spring that comes in the QF-2 B2 cleaning kit. Like stated the one in the kit is much longer and is thicker coil than the stock B1-1 spring.

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/misc/Springkit3.jpg) Its a little difficult to notice, but I did try to compress the new modded spring and felt it was noticeably stiffer.

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/misc/Springkit2.jpg) I managed to flattened out the end with a torch little by little.

*Did soak the new leather seal in silicone oil (20% weight from R/C shock oil) and then with vegetable oil. Assembled everything with the new spring and an extra washer to give it some more kick. Opened a tad bit the orifice in the piston chamber. I wish I had a chrony, it has smoe serious punch and much less recoil, smoother action.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: northern lights on January 30, 2011, 12:03:19 PM
I think stock they shoot about 450-500fps with better spring an a good seal you can get 650-700 fps. how is the trigger harder pull with the heavier spring. should be a good shooter.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: GrizzlyMan on January 30, 2011, 04:51:50 PM
At the time I cannot prove for accuracy as the open sights were removed, will mount a basic 4x30 soon. I did shoot a few cans without any sights and could hit them consistently at 30 feet just by eye balling the shots. This rifle is no work of art, all metal parts are very basic and rudimentary, this thing can be taken apart almost with your eyes closed. On the same token, its one rifle to tame, maybe thats why it is called the youth rifle. Which thats what I like about it, compact light and challeging to shoot.

The extra washer, new leather seal and spring did its magic. Never thought it would come out so well. I went to Gander Mtn and they had all kind of "high tech" air rifles, all seemed to plasticky ultra light to me.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: northern lights on January 31, 2011, 11:22:18 AM
I like the looks of the old style b-1 the stocks remine of a salvia 618 or diana 25 some of those b-1 have some pretty nice wood under that thick finish. If you get it shooting good you might want to redo the stock. did you get into the uk china forum. they sell custom stocks an upgraded springs an guides an seals.
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: GrizzlyMan on February 12, 2011, 01:47:46 PM
After a few more tests I went back to the old original spring.

Decided to cut 5 loops on the spring, aligned the cut end with a torch and added a nylon washer inside the piston with plenty of grease.

It did take a few tearing apart of the rifle, testing the rifle against some boards. Noticed that cutting the spring gave me much less recoil but still maintaining power.

Polished the ultra basic trigger system to help if at all in the pull. For now on the B1-1, IMO, it comes with an over-kill spring hurting accuracy by a hard trigger. Removing those extra coils and the polishing helped very much in accuracy (and to lower the sound as well).

As if not done yet, cut a few pieces of road bike kevlar tires and placed them between the wood and rifle right where the barrel breaks as long as it does not interfere with the cocking mechanism. This rifle suffers also with minimal support from the side and lower bolts, adding a piece of rubber prevents the rifle from sliding back and provides a tigher fit (maybe absorb some of the vibration).

So far it is much smoother to shoot, spent the whole morning tweaking it, almost went through half a 250 pellet box as I got hooked plinking in the backyard. Dialed the Winchester 4x32 and now this little rifle has a spot on my collection.

By the way here is a e-book I found which helped me understand a lot of the mechanics and principles of springer rifles/guns.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14992782/Airgun-Tuning# (http://www.scribd.com/doc/14992782/Airgun-Tuning#)

Cheers!
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: darryl on February 12, 2011, 02:02:40 PM
I'm enjoying reading how you're working this project. Thanks for sharing that excellent link too.
darryl
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: hoffy43 on February 12, 2011, 02:21:21 PM
Hey Grizz, looks great! Keep up the great work.
                                                                John
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: GrizzlyMan on March 01, 2011, 10:05:11 PM
Update:

Now with the chrony I can tell if the tuning is helping or not. With the cut spring (about 5 loops, measures 6.5") is shooting an average of 500 fps, stays consistent from 492 to 510 in that range.

Swapped to a bigger spring of around 5 more loops (almost 8.5") which is a spring a tad smaller than the original one.

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/AirGuns/100_1145.jpg)
***
With the above spring it is in the 500 fps.

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/psiturbo/AirGuns/100_1146.jpg)
***
The longer spring made it "seem" to shoot with more power because of the recoil and nasty twang. With the longer one it is in the 430 fps range and sometimes lower, and cocking plus trigger is not good at all.

I read a few postings above it can shoot in the 700 fps range, now it is a matter of the leather seal IMO. I like where the rifle is right now in the 500 fps, very smooth and quiet, and there is no twang or whatever it is called. Have a few new leather seals dipped in oil and see how it goes from there. Also the chamber piston housing is small so there is not a lot of space to work on for more power, lets see as I could be wrong.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: northern lights on March 03, 2011, 08:03:43 PM
griz the 700fps is for the b2-1 not b1-1 but 500fps is plenty for out to 20yd,s
Title: Re: Just bought a used B1-1 break barrel rifle.
Post by: Pete on March 03, 2011, 11:08:52 PM
Hi...
I have a B1-3...
same action as yours in a diffrent stock...
I done a tune? on it... had 3 coils broken off the spring
So I tossed that bit away and made a spacer to take up the gap.
Made a urethane seal to replace the leather...

The guns no better..but it shoots again..

they are great wee bird guns...