Top Hat

[Oldgringo]

I need some help, if you please.   

I'm fixin' to do a JM moly/tar lube tune on my new 97K.  By Diana 34 and HW50S were professionally tuned.  The R9 was given a DIY lube tune and is pleasant and accurate to shoot with H&N FTT.

I see references to a "top hat".  ARH has one that seems to be a fit.  Now then, what does a "top hat" do?  FWIW, all of my AG's are .177 caliber and I'm more interested in pleasant accuracy than power.

Thanks y'all.

[GP2004]

I thought that a top hat was to keep the spring centered. BTW, nice looking cat. Does he drive with you often?

[Roadworthy]

The top hat does the same thing as the spring guide only it's on the other end of the spring.

With some guns you may not realize you have one as sometimes lubricants will cause it to stick inside the piston. 

If you have an existing top hat and do not remove it before adding the new one your spring will not have enough room to compress and the gun will not cock.

[Gear_Junkie]

I need some help, if you please.   

I'm fixin' to do a JM moly/tar lube tune on my new 97K.  By Diana 34 and HW50S were professionally tuned.  The R9 was given a DIY lube tune and is pleasant and accurate to shoot with H&N FTT.

I see references to a "top hat".  ARH has one that seems to be a fit.  Now then, what does a "top hat" do?  FWIW, all of my AG's are .177 caliber and I'm more interested in pleasant accuracy than power.

Thanks y'all.

In addition to centering the spring, it acts as a bushing between the metal spring end and the metal interior piston face - at least that's my understanding.

[Oldgringo]

The top hat has nothing to do with power, is that right?

[Springrrrr]

The top hat has nothing to do with power, is that right?

It adds a little pre-load to the spring that may increase power slightly.  I will someday, when ambition strikes, chrony one of my guns with and without the top hat.

With luck, Motorhead will show and give us an immediate answer from his experience.

Calling MH.

[Novagun]

You can discard the top hat if you want to. Reduces effective piston mass and pre-load and one less heavy bit to rattle. The spring can be kept centre with a sleeve.
If you discard it a thin washer and grease in the piston end helps with spring twist.
A reversable experiment if you decide to try it.

[Methuselah]

In addition to what was said, it is a close or tight fit to the inside spring diameter and depending on its length, can help keep the spring from deforming and perhaps dampen harmonics/vibration.

Some say tight fit is better others say "snug", most say add lubrication where they contact each other.  As to how much difference one makes I'd bet the tuners in the group have a pretty good feel for that answer even though it might vary from model to model or even gun to gun...

How's the 52 workin out ... is it next on the list for a tune?  (I've been away for a little while)

[Dockey 454]

    Polishing your spring ends helps with torque. Here are before and after pics.
       Tom

[mpbby]

https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2014/03/what-is-a-top-hat-exploring-the-guts-of-a-spring-gun/