GTA

All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => PCP/CO2/HPA Air Gun Gates "The Darkside" => Topic started by: shifty06 on March 23, 2021, 02:29:44 PM

Title: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 23, 2021, 02:29:44 PM
Posted in another thread but wanted to make a separate thread.

Another Akela is DOA as Subject states.

Received rifle yesterday (Monday). Arrived with 0psi. Thought ohh great. Tried to fill couldn’t. Cocked gun like directions say still couldn’t. Only have hand pump Benjamin. Tried a couple tricks that were listed in another place. Nothing. Stinks.  :'( I hit the Wood grain lottery. Also shouldering the rifle felt very very nice.

Anyway Filed a RMA, An been approved.

Gun will be going back, an I’ll be put on the list for a FX impact in .22 700mm when they come in.  8)

Have a compressor on order.

This just got real.  :o :o
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: tracker1955 on March 23, 2021, 03:41:31 PM
I think you'll like the Impact, just got mine Friday with 600mm barrel. My only complaint is the buttstock, I gotta DIY a new one to my liking as the original pad hurts my shoulder and causes the rifle to cant to the left causing a canted reticle. I just don't want to spend $200-250 for a custom part.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: CraigH on March 23, 2021, 04:10:33 PM
Another Akela is DOA as Subject states.

Received rifle yesterday (Monday). Arrived with 0psi. Thought ohh great. Tried to fill couldn’t. Cocked gun like directions say still couldn’t. Only have hand pump Benjamin. Tried a couple tricks that were listed in another place. Nothing. Stinks.  :'( I hit the Wood grain lottery. Also shouldering the rifle felt very very nice.

Anyway Filed a RMA, An been approved.

Gun will be going back, an I’ll be put on the list for a FX impact in .22 700mm when they come in.  8)

Have a compressor on order.

Three to Four times the price, and plus the price of a compressor?    Sure hope there are no issues.    :D

A hand pump will fill a functional PCP gun that is within the hand pump capacity.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: tracker1955 on March 23, 2021, 04:53:23 PM
True, but wouldn't want to hand pump the FX to 250bar.

What compressor did he order?
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 23, 2021, 05:32:03 PM
I originally bought the Yong Heng compressor to fill the Akela but now it will fill an FX.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 23, 2021, 05:43:48 PM
Another Akela is DOA as Subject states.

Received rifle yesterday (Monday). Arrived with 0psi. Thought ohh great. Tried to fill couldn’t. Cocked gun like directions say still couldn’t. Only have hand pump Benjamin. Tried a couple tricks that were listed in another place. Nothing. Stinks.  :'( I hit the Wood grain lottery. Also shouldering the rifle felt very very nice.

Anyway Filed a RMA, An been approved.

Gun will be going back, an I’ll be put on the list for a FX impact in .22 700mm when they come in.  8)

Have a compressor on order.

Three to Four times the price, and plus the price of a compressor?    Sure hope there are no issues.    :D

A hand pump will fill a functional PCP gun that is within the hand pump capacity.

I understand that, I used a hand pump for years.

I took a break in shooting air rifles. Was extremely active in PRS shooting. With reloading components the way they are right now with price gouging, I’m not going to be shooting much.

I bought an air rifle without much research using 10year old knowledge from previous. bought the “Akela” figured .22 800fps. That should do what I want.

After receiving air gun an finding problems I start to dig into reading problems exc. My ranges have changed since I was involved before (use to live in town).

I now see the rifle to match my capabilities, an ranges I can shoot are not the Akela.

So basically the Akela not filling was a blessing.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 23, 2021, 05:47:27 PM
I think you'll like the Impact, just got mine Friday with 600mm barrel. My only complaint is the buttstock, I gotta DIY a new one to my liking as the original pad hurts my shoulder and causes the rifle to cant to the left causing a canted reticle. I just don't want to spend $200-250 for a custom part.

Where did you find an FX at? All I’ve found are pre-orders.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: tracker1955 on March 23, 2021, 05:55:41 PM
I pre-ordered through Utah Airguns, didn't take too long as they were already on order.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 23, 2021, 06:10:17 PM
I pre-ordered through Utah Airguns, didn't take too long as they were already on order.

I called them first thing this morning. Only had .35’s in stock. Didn’t want to mess with converting one.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: ZackUSAF82 on March 23, 2021, 07:01:43 PM
Joe B might have some in stock, no idea as the website isn't the best but it would be worth a call if you're actively looking for an Impact...

http://experthpa.com (http://experthpa.com)
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: Efrobert on March 23, 2021, 08:51:56 PM
There was probably nothing wrong with the Akela. Mine came from Crosman with 0 psi. It can’t be filled from 0 with a pump no matter what tricks you try, need a tank. It’s a great gun once filled.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: kbstingwing on March 23, 2021, 10:36:03 PM
Crosman should at least put a small amount of air in the gun and just call it a holding charge just to seat the Poppet put about 100 psi or what ever needed to seat the poppet.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: CableStop on March 23, 2021, 10:54:27 PM
I think if a gun won't seal with a hand pump then the seat isn't finished well enough.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: ranchibi on March 23, 2021, 11:26:06 PM
Joe had all calibers for Impacts a couple days ago...that could have changed by now.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: dannoman on March 23, 2021, 11:35:37 PM
I bought a Cayden for my brother for his birthday. Out of the box it has the same issue, a fast leak from the barrel (cocking did not help). I just shipped it back today.

I like how the Cayden looks, but now I am considering something different. I would love to buy my brother a Dreamline, but they are too high. I was giving thought to a Air Arms S500 from Aceros, but buying an air rifle from overseas might lead to more complications. 
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 24, 2021, 01:28:24 AM
There was probably nothing wrong with the Akela. Mine came from Crosman with 0 psi. It can’t be filled from 0 with a pump no matter what tricks you try, need a tank. It’s a great gun once filled.

Yeah I don't have a tank right this moment an decided to go a different direction.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 24, 2021, 01:33:46 AM
I bought a Cayden for my brother for his birthday. Out of the box it has the same issue, a fast leak from the barrel (cocking did not help). I just shipped it back today.

I like how the Cayden looks, but now I am considering something different. I would love to buy my brother a Dreamline, but they are too high. I was giving thought to a Air Arms S500 from Aceros, but buying an air rifle from overseas might lead to more complications.

Yeah I really wasn't planning on spending this amount of money, just kinda happened. I think I will be alot happier with this rifle since I like to tinker, an will provide extremely cheap shooting accurate LR shooting to keep my itch satisfied. Plus shooting some pests an hunting with it also sound entertaining.  Some may say its not cheap. But comparatively its alot cheaper. I spend more on shooting a year just in (powder, primers, bullets.) then I did on this whole setup. Not to mention getting rifle rebarreled.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: tracker1955 on March 24, 2021, 01:54:38 AM
You setting it up for pellets or are you gonna go the slug route. Mine is shooting NSA 23 gr slugs on high but can also dial back the hammer wheel to shoot pellets too. I have a lot of the JSB 18's but need to get some of the monsters to shoot also.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 24, 2021, 02:07:51 AM
Joe B might have some in stock, no idea as the website isn't the best but it would be worth a call if you're actively looking for an Impact...



Thank you for the lead! Very much appreciated!!!!!! 8)
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 24, 2021, 02:34:09 AM
You setting it up for pellets or are you gonna go the slug route. Mine is shooting NSA 23 gr slugs on high but can also dial back the hammer wheel to shoot pellets too. I have a lot of the JSB 18's but need to get some of the monsters to shoot also.

Well looking right now at options I have some pellets in the 18gr. range. Might try some of the Heavy jumbo's that were around 22 grains. But it will be set up for slugs at some point. Where I can switch between depending upon what I want to do. I need to read more in the slug information I seen they offer a couple different sizes in .22 cal. I think I need the .217 size as i seen that is what FX makes their slugs an I would think that they would be setup for their rifles. Was hoping to get some javelin's they looked good an decent priced (but looks they are having import issues). I seen H&N make several FX, JSB (cheap too) as well as NSA. Prolly not going to get real serious at first with slugs till I get a feel for the air gun. Just trying to locate one now. Hope I have a lead. I will figure out tomorrow if I do or not.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: CraigH on March 24, 2021, 08:00:50 AM
I think if a gun won't seal with a hand pump then the seat isn't finished well enough.

Quite correct - distilling all comments;

- Having to cock to fill is ok - simply means the hammer spring is overcoming the valve spring.
- Quality of material and machining should ensure a good seal between poppet and valve seat.
- A bit of air in the reservoir from the manufacturer (Kral in this case) would be preferred.
- Pumping by hand should absolutely be possible.
- "Shocking" from an HPA tank is unnecessary and not a fix or desirable operation.

Anything less lends credence to comments that PCP guns require too much expensive, ancillary equipment for a novice to consider the purchase of PCP guns.    (Does not mean owners shooting many 100's of pellets daily are not well served by such equipment.)
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: tracker1955 on March 24, 2021, 10:52:45 AM
Shifty06, After much research the slugs I'm aware of that shoot really well, and that are readily available in the US are these, Hybrid slugs, NSA 23 .217's, and NSA 24.8 .217's. The Hybrid's shoot really well but are very expensive at $15.00 per 100, whereas the NSA's are $19.99 for 350. I have yet to see the JSB or H&N shoot as well as the other three but your mileage may vary. $14.00 for 200 JSB and $15.75 for 200 H&N is still pricey when compared to the price of 350 that shoot better.

I realize none of them will seem expensive after coming from centerfire shooting. ;)
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: Jacob_M on March 24, 2021, 11:01:48 AM
I keep a paintball tank with 800psi reg and a remote line to quickly pressurize my guns that I work on. In my marauder days it was impossible to fill from zero with a hand pump. I had a jsar ss valve and the poppet would not seal till 600psi.

Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: CraigH on March 24, 2021, 11:14:55 AM
Which means the valve seat and poppet are not of proper manufacturer.

Otherwise the guns should be sold with a caveat, "Warning, Cannot Be Filled From Empty Without Specialized Equipment!"
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 24, 2021, 02:03:50 PM
Which means the valve seat and poppet are not of proper manufacturer.

Otherwise the guns should be sold with a caveat, "Warning, Cannot Be Filled From Empty Without Specialized Equipment!"


You will find no argument here. I had no issues filling a Disco from 0 with same hand pump. Cock an fill away.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 24, 2021, 02:10:56 PM
Joe had all calibers for Impacts a couple days ago...that could have changed by now.


Called today he’s out of them. I’ve found 2 places have .35 in stock but I don’t want one of those. Too much to convert. Now 17-30 I would entertain the idea. Especially  a .25

Anyway said should have a shipment next couple weeks. Like everyone else said. Guess I will have to wait.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: ZackUSAF82 on March 24, 2021, 03:15:51 PM
Only other place you might check is Krale, sometimes they have stuff that others don’t.
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: shifty06 on March 24, 2021, 03:46:13 PM
Only other place you might check is Krale, sometimes they have stuff that others don’t.

Edit: never mind thanks!
Title: Re: Akela DOA
Post by: Greg_E on March 25, 2021, 05:58:35 PM
Krale has so far been good to me, I should be getting my rifle back next week. So far has not cost me more than time to deal with a shipping induced problem. I'll update my thread on the Kral Empire X when it returns and I hopefully get a chance to test it.