GTA
Airguns by Make and Model => Crosman Airguns => Topic started by: mindsweeper333 on June 04, 2024, 08:01:53 PM
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“Excerpt from my CD “Old AirGuns and Memories.”
Hello to all;
In 1967 Crosman introduced the "PellMaster" 700/707 series of Co2 rifles in 22 cal. And .177 cal. respectively, and then made a real blunder in my view dropping the Model 180/160 series Rifles from what I have read. One just has to wonder about such things. Possibly it was the bean counters or just plain nearsightedness?? The 180 and 160 Crosman rifles being far superior Co2 rifles in all respects. The PellMaster series production ended in 1971. For all the PellMaster aficionados out there, no disrespect just my opinion!!! The above time frames were the best I could come up with, I am not a Historian!! Just an old, retired Gunsmith who has a soft spot for Airguns!!
The PellMaster series were marketed as suitable for NRA 333 10-meter competition. Both 700/707 utilized an in-line valving system (valve directly in line with the 12 gm Co2 cartridge). It weighed 4 lbs. and was 36 -3/4 inches in length, hooded post front sight, standard adjustable rear sight. 700 rated at 450/480 fps. .22 cal. 40-50 shots per Co2 cartridge it had a rotary type of magazine (referred to as a tap loading system on European airguns). The safety was actually the cocking bolt itself, that was rotated up in a slot after pushing forward to cock, there were no safeties directly related to the trigger! The stock was as simple as one could get a unique beveled edge flat board!! Looked as though it was cut out of a piece of flat board stock??
The 700 series had an eerie resemblance to the Benjamin M-3030 BB rifle introduced in 1964, in that it had the same type of cocking/safety mechanism, in-line Co2/valve setup. No safeties directly related to the trigger, interesting.
The unit under review here is the M-700 .22 cal. fresh valve rebuild etc. the 700 was charged using 1 -12gm. Co2 cartridge, the rear push type piercing button/plug was unscrewed and a C02 cartridge was inserted large end first and the piercing button/ plug screwed back on, after this the button was hit with the palm of one’s hand, piercing the Co2 cartridge the rifle was now charged.
Loading the 700 required rotating the rotary magazine clockwise which exposed the loading port a pellet was then put in and the magazine rotated counterclockwise this lined up the pellet with the barrel.
The 700 was tested with RWS 14.0 grain. Miesterkugeln Match .22 cal pellets. A series of 40 shots equaled a high of 458 fps. And a low of 433 fps, for an average of, 446 fps /6.19 ft. lbs. with a spread of 25 fps. I have to admit good shot count. The velocity was as advertised not bad!!
I set up initial accuracy testing @ 20 yds. not being much interested in 10-meter shooting, I used 3 pellets Benjamin Discovery 14.3 grain, RWS 14.0 Meisterkuglen and H& N .22 HP 12.65 grain. Let me state that any kind of serious accuracy potential would be hampered by an atrocious trigger pull of 7.5 lbs on this unit!!!
The Benjamin Discovery pellets delivered 1.140 center to center 4 shots the 5th shot enlarged the group to 2.520 center to center. The RWS Miesterkugeln delivered 5 shots into 1.880” center to center. The H& N HP delivered 5 shots at.1.740 center to center. This is pretty poor performance and is basically a plinker at this distance.
So, I set up at 10 meters to see what was possible, the H&N HP 5 shots = .900 " center to center, the RWS M. 5 shots = .465"center to center (hmmm) Benj. Discovery = 1.150 center to center.
Clearly this rifle would not be a serious threat to any real 10-meter Match rifle, but the 700 did deliver less than half inch groups @ 10 meters with the RWS – Match pellets which is pretty good considering the heavy trigger and rudimentary sights. At best it could be considered a training rifle, maybe the .177 could be better I don’t know??
Dropping the M-187 and the M-167 Series and bringing out the 700 series, still baffles me to this day??? To each his own I guess!!!
Garey
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I have a 700 in great shape. It does need a reseal and I just haven't got around to doing it yet.
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I'm inspired...
I went out into the bar and pulled the old PM 700 off the wall where it has been hanging. I think I'll order the kit from Henry Ford and tear it down tomorrow.
Thanks for posting.
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Avator;
Thanks for looking in !! Please let us know what you hear from Henry Ford !!!!! ;
Garey
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Avator;
Thanks for looking in !! Please let us know what you hear from Henry Ford !!!!! ;
Garey
Here is a link to the kit..
https://www.crosman600repair.com/store/p_3254299/complete-crosman-700-707-seal-kit
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Avator;
Thanks for the quick response and info !!
Regards,
Garey
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I broke the gun down and pulled the valve out. The large oring around the valve was hard and brittle and fell apart when I tried to remove it. I replaced it with one I had on hand. I lubed everything with a small bottle of lube just like what comes in Henry Ford's kits. I'm putting it back together but I had to come in to see if I can find a pic for the orientation of the tap loader cylinder. Not sure if the flat goes on the top or the bottom.
Not too hard to change if I have it wrong.... just don't lose the detent ball and spring.
Once together I'm going to put a cart in it and cross my fingers. If it still leaks I'll have to wait for the kit to come in.
I'll post my results here.
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All I can say is... I must be living right. ;D
The oring worked, I got the orientation on the tap loader cylinder in correct on the first try and I didn't lose that little detent ball.
Just a tip I was reminded of when I loaded it up to shoot it for the first time...
Don't use pointed pellets... the point hangs down and won't let the tap loader rotate to close.
Anyways... this one is back up and running and I didn't have to pop for the $40 on the kit.
1 oring and a drink of oil here and there.
I put the fresh cart in, popped the piercing button and just heard one short blast of C02 and it held tight. It was quiet in my shop so I held the gun to my ear and I couldn't here anything leaking.
I shot it 4 or 5 times and now I'll let it sit for a few hours to see if it holds.
Once again, thanks for this thread and inspiring me to take a swing at sealing it.
I think there is some special history on this particular gun but I want to confirm that before I post it.
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Meanwhile...
Here are some pics from the original purchase.
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I just got 40 shots from the cart I put in the gun this morning before I detected and change in the sound of the report or the pellet hitting steel at 20yds.
More over.. all shots hit within a quarter with open sights and my old eyes.
I know it's been awhile but I don't remember this gun shooting with the authority or accuracy.
I'm happy.
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Avator;
Thanks for the updates; glad to hear your 700 is up and running again , well done !!
Garey
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Ugh... disappointing update.
After several hours I went out to shut the a/c down in the shed for the day. Betty Lou said she wanted to go with me and shoot the 700. I was showing her how to load, cock and fire it and all I got was a click. I loaded a fresh cart and it dumped the full cart.
Looks like I'll be ordering that kit after all.
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avator;
Well , as they say S HAPPENS, chin up ,let us know how the kit works out .
Regards;
Garey
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Yeah, I'm going to rebuild the end cap/piercing pin assembly today. There are a couple common orings in there and I should have them on hand. I realized when the cart dumped yesterday the it all came out of the back of the gun.
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Put new large and small orings in the end cap/piercing pin about 4 hours ago. I put a new cart in and took about 5 shots. I just went ouot and fired another round and it seems to be just as strong as the last shot this morning.
It's 7 meters diagonally across the Red Shed from muzzle to wall. I hung a dart board up with a piece of metal behind it and pinned a target on it.
Open sights off hand.. first shot 1" high and to the left. Next 3 CPHP in the bullseye.
Betty Lou came out looking for something she needed in her utility room. I loaded it up for her and her first shot hit 1/2" low. I let her load her next shot. Bullseye !!
But, she said she won't be shooting that gun because cocking it was too hard on her thumb.
Yeah, this thing reminds me of cocking the Trapmaster.
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I know better than to post this reply because I know what happens the minute I report success but, I'm going to anyway.. :o
The gun has been holding C02 since the last post on the 6th. It doesn't show any signs of leaking.
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avator;
Not sure what your hesitance was to post success, but congrats on your 700 journey !!
Regards ;
Garey
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Garry..
Couple reasons for the hesitation..
1. I have squirrel moments and get distracted easily.
2. I was already bitten once thinking I had it fixed and had to walk back the post. I wanted to give more time to be sure this time.
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Neat rifles, I've been keeping an eye out for one. Thanks for the write up
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Mzq284;;
Thanks for looking in and your comments. Best of luck finding one.
Regards ;
Garey
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I had one of these rifles some years ago . I think I bought it because a couple of Sheridans were in the group of rifles he wanted to sell, & he wanted to sell, " All or None." It was in a 700 model in very good condition, no leaks, & was fun to shoot, mainly because it was different. I sold it to a fellow member on this forum.
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19Sheridan57;
Thanks for looking in and your comments.
Regards ;
Garey
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I sold the rifle to fellow member " UnionDr." I am not sure if he us still active on here.