My TalonP Mods, the start of the fabrication

[luge007]

Well, I bought a .25 caliber AirForce TalonP as a base for a project because AirForce apparently no longer offers just receivers.  My intention was to add a 20" .22 cal barrel to maximize velocity but I am really liking the impact energy from the .25 pellets!  Trying to shoot the TalonP as a 'pistol' is a challenge unless shooting off a bench on bags or a bipod.  Since I am looking to make a light weight, small game, field hunting rig out of this, it needed a stock.  I do have a NIB Beeman blue ribbon pistol scope and considered building this as a 'scout carbine' but decided the vintage Beeman SS2 3x21 scope I still kicking around would be a better choice for this project.   

Pics are of the prototype collapsible stock I designed and machined.  So far it's a keeper, locks in place very well and has infinite adjustability, which is handy when another family member wants to shoot it (which is often).   Being my cheekweld is on the bottle, no cheekrest is required on the wire stock.  At the moment she's in the raw, but after a little more testing, I'll sand blast it and give it a coat of tactical flat duracoat.  I may also gussy up the bottle clamping 'rings' before painting with some fluting or skeletonize them to reduce the already light weight even more. Ounces are pounds in the field.

The heart of the stock locking system is the 'cam' that 'bites' the stainless wire rod stock when the adjustment arm is tightened.  It was a little tricky to time the threads so it would lock down with the arm folded up neatly out of the way but not too bad.  The first (paper) sketch of this stock had notches in the wire and a spring loaded clamp bar, but I think this setup is cleaner and offers NO rattle or wiggle upon aiming.

The second trickiest part was cutting the 'rings' on the rotary table.  After two failures, I had a buddy of mine rough them partially out on his CNC mill (had the first part get 'bit' badly when he tried to cut all the way through too) , I then finished the rough cut on my mill from the backside of the block to free the part, then gave it a skim cut with a fly cutter for a clean finish.  I did not post pics of the parts in my mill as I was not sure if anyone cared to see blurry one handed pics of chips fly'n or the slitting saw cutting the rings in half.

The rings are held to the bottle with a pinch bolt that is concealed under the wire stock.  So, there is a tricky 3 stepped hole for the 6-32 cap head machine screw to hide in under the stock, that isn't really seen other than what looks like an odd hole in the side for no apparent reason.

The result is a light weight, adjustable stocked hunting carbine that will still fit in a backpack, yet be ready for action at full length quickly.  At the moment there is no sound suppression to the TalonP, and it may stay this way since adding an LDC will make it as long as the Escape SS model.  The added length may not be a bad thing IF suppression is desired, but while hunting in season where people are shooting powder burners.....nobody will notice the light pop of this pcp and the short length keeps it nimble. 

Upcoming mods to fabricate are; a home brew billet trigger guard, 1/2-20 muzzle cap just in case I wish to add an LDC, build a fluted, light weight breach & bolt handle, a new safety 'shoe', a new pistol grip(may just buy AR style), o-ring mod under the tophat, and possibly new trigger sear or at least winding a lighter spring, replace the 4-40 x .130  'power level screw' with one of stainless steel to see easier, and maybe flute the receiver with a ball endmill or skeletonize it for weight savings (aka for giggles).  More ambitious mods may be to put a regulated carbon bottle on, with a balanced valve IN it for less wasted air per shot, but we'll see how everything else goes first.

Enjoy,
M

[aluminumfetish]

That turned out amazing ! The AF guns are a bit challenging ergonomically. Once you figure them out, they are highly capable. People seem to love them or hate them. Those TalonP's can really crank out some power. To maintain my sanity, I mostly shoot my Condor from a bipod. Mine is tough to shoot well when shouldered. If you do make a "wok guard" type grip adapter, try running the legs of the shoulder piece though it instead of mounted to the bottle. Putting even light pressure on the bottle seems to throw my accuracy off. Maybe other AF owners will chime  in. Nice looking parts for sure !

[luge007]

Thank You for the kind words.
I am going to make a 'wok guard' type trigger guard to take AR style grips but will put my own stink on the concept.  I had thought about putting the wire stock on the new 'guard' to keep it off the bottle to avoid the accuracy issue I have read about but have yet to experience.  I am puzzled how any flex aft of the barrel can effect how the barrel shoots, then again, (thinking out loud) the AF barrel is not well supported aft or fully free floated, so ANY movement will likely effect shot to shot consistency. Hmmm.  Considering my AF airguns are mostly for hunting small game at 50yrd or less, the accuracy is more than acceptable for my needs.  I'll have to double check, but I think I am getting about 1" groups at 50yrd offhand with occasional fliers.  Not match grade but puts down 'tree rats' & 'garden thieves' with authority, which of course get eaten for supper.

I guess I will post more pics of progress here as I make the parts rather than start a new thread for each project.

Cheers,
M

[Sean]

I want to see more of this!! I really appreciate your efforts for this platform.

[sb327]

Excellent work and it looks nice on the gun!

Thanks for sharing.

Dave

[luge007]

Thank You for the interest and praise, really appreciated.

Currently this TalonP is sporting a custom 18", .22 caliber LW barrel with a 1/2-20 threaded muzzle and a Geo Hunter LDC.   I have not machined the custom pistol grip/trigger guard yet, though I do have the materials.  I am playing with the idea of possibly doing a 1911 style, just to be different.  I've taken my hobby of machining and my love of airguns part way to the next step of a hobby/business.  I've been busy maching parts for others for a few years now, so thought it would be good to continue, but a little more seriously while my shoulder finishes healing up from surgery.  This has allowed me to both keep busy and help out the airgun community during a time when I have no job or income.

LOL, the ONLY down side to being so busy with other people's work is I have not had much time for my own projects or keeping up to date with my posts.

Best regards to all,
M

[Sean]

Hey there, can you post a picture of the stock in the closed position please?

[Sean]

And what is that scope you have on there right now?

[luge007]

I'll see what I can do about posting a pic of the stock closed, been busy machining parts as well as dealing with.......an un-named metal distributor who completely messed up my order, but we are working to fix it.


That scope is a Vintage, 1980's, Beeman Blue Ribbon, SS (short scope) II, 3x21, made in Japan, a gem of a scope. NO I am not selling it, and if you manage to find one of these 'vial of unicorn tears' somewhere and they are genuine, BUT IT.  There are however a LOT of coppies out there that are not the same as the original.  Buyer beware.  Honestly if I were you and had to buy a scope in the current market, I'd probably go with the newest model UTG Bugbuster in 3-12.  I (wrongly) scoffed at them for years until I actually looked through one.....I bought it on the spot.  A pretty impressive scope for the money.  Not high-end by any stretch, but still, very good glass, plenty clear, good reticle and dang, for a light weight carbine, for $120 or so with rings.....yep buy one.  I'd like to suggest one of the light weight 3x prismatic scopes from Primary Arms or Vortex, BUT neither offer 'range focus' or 'paralax adjustment' which is critical for the short range work we do with airguns.  YMMV,
M

[JuryRigger]

Very nice!...
I like the fine touches, adds class 
Jesse

[luge007]

As per request, my TalonP in it's current configuration.  Here it is shown with the stock collapsed, as I have it setup for me (and the kids when they were 10 and 12 so they could shoot it too).  Though not completely collapsed, a simple movement of the rear band forward an inch or so, will result in a flush fitting stock.  Alternatively, the forward band can be moved rearward  some to create a longer lenght of pull for taller people.  The design lends itself to being very flexible to LOP.  Also for anyone wondering, YES the 'pistol' can be fired with the stock collapsed, the wire is not completelly in the way.  Your finger may rub/touch, but you can still shoot it easily.


Due to the incredible interest generated recently, I have decided to make a very limited run of these collapsable stocks.  Price on request, PM or E-mail me directly please.



Enjoy,
M