Pro-Sport .177 - Tony Leach 22mm Skirtless Conversion

[Nitrocrushr]

I recently finished up a 22mm conversion on a .177 Pro-Sport for a fellow GTA member.  I know a few of you have been asking about the kits for the Pro-Sports. 

At the present time the only way to convert the Pro-Sport to 22mm is to send the compression tube to Tony, where he disassembles and fits with his 22mm sleeve.  This is a non-reversible modification unlike the modular kits for the TX's.  As you can see in the picture below, during the process Tony replaces the plastic buttons on the compression tube with brass buttons for greater durability.

On the right is the factory compression tube, and on the left is the tube after Tony assembles with the 22mm sleeve.  This was drop-in ready with no fitting required.  Very nice craftsmanship   Because Tony retains the factory transfer port plug on the Pro-Sport conversion, unlike the TX's (which are now using delrin breech seals), the Pro-Sport conversions maintain the double o-ring seal.



Skirtless piston and top hat ready to go



While apart I also disassembled the cocking assembly for a complete polishing



All polished and ready to go.  This rifle had an issue with the cocking lever dropping and not locking into position.  This was corrected while it was apart and the rifle now has a nice, solid breech lock-up.



All reassembled - Cocking handle has been contoured and polished





Mounted a scope for some fine tuning on target



Although it was very windy I was able to tune for nice groups at 30 yards, and the rifle hold POI nicely when moving from spot to spot   The wind flag remained straight out with a strong varying cross breeze.  Had it not been so windy this rifle would have had no problems holding tiny one hole groups at 30 yards   I did not dial the scope in, so POI was below the aim point, but as you can see it was consistent,  Top spot was 8 shots, lower spot was 2 or 3 shots to insure consistent POI.

Flag remained straight out to the left in the strong varying cross breeze




30-yard target.  Top spot is 8 shots, wind affected a couple of them, but not too terribly bad.  Bottom spot is only 2-3 shots to verify consistent POI at different aiming points.  The rifle did this with ease




The final set-up was a TX355 spring cut to 214mm and no spacers.  Very quick, yet smooth shot cycle.  The Pro-Sport with it's lighter muzzle weight does not do as well off sand bags if the shot cycle becomes too snappy.  My initial set-up had a spring cut to 208mm and 4 spacers.  Same energy level at 11.15fpe.  While the shot was extremely quick, it was also snappier making it a little touchy on target.  On a TX this would have been fine due to the added muzzle weight, but the Pro-Sport didn't like it.  Still very accurate, but touchy.  Lengthening the spring a little bit and getting rid of the spacers made a big difference with the lighter muzzle weight of this rifle

Energy level is consistent between the JSB 7.87's and 8.44's at around 11.15 fpe.  A very nice shooting Pro-Sport

Steve

[Nikoman]

Many thanks, Steve! This is one of my Pro Sports he's talking about
This rifle was already a shooter but Steve transformed it into a functioning work of art. I didn't think it would happen but the accuracy improved because he made it easier to shoot. I'm really going to enjoy this one because it was my daily shooter before this tune and now it will continue its duties

[Gear_Junkie]

As usual, excellent work Steve!  Niko - I'm jealous that you now have TWO of Steve's works of art 

[Nitrocrushr]

Thanks guys  

Nice shooting Niko!  It’s good to see the poi is holding solid across the multiple aim points on that target.  How do you like the trigger?  Smooth enough and set to your liking?

Steve

[AmBraCol]

Nice!  I've been looking at the results from these kits and my interest is piqued - to put it mildly.  This is the first ProSport kit I've "seen".

Question for you - are the compression tubes available as spare parts?  If so, isn't that all it'd take to make it "reversible" - to have him do his thing on a spare compression tube and then install it in the rifle? 

[Nitrocrushr]

Nice!  I've been looking at the results from these kits and my interest is piqued - to put it mildly.  This is the first ProSport kit I've "seen".

Question for you - are the compression tubes available as spare parts?  If so, isn't that all it'd take to make it "reversible" - to have him do his thing on a spare compression tube and then install it in the rifle?

Hi Paul, Yes you are correct.  Having a spare comp tube is all that would be needed in order to return to the factory set-up.  I should have clarified that once the comp tube has been converted, it could no longer be returned to the factory 25mm.  The rifle could easily be returned to the factory 25mm with a spare comp tube.

Stevr

[AmBraCol]

Thanks, Steve!  I was pretty sure that was the only non-reversible change, but wanted to confirm.

[Nikoman]

I forgot to mention that those groups were not some easy 10m shots. Those were off a bucket and sticks at 22yds in super high wind.

As usual, excellent work Steve!  Niko - I'm jealous that you now have TWO of Steve's works of art 

Zack, I actually own 3 of Steve's works of art
I have his personal Pro Sport as well as his HC in addition this PS he just tuned.

Nice shooting Niko!  It’s good to see the poi is holding solid across the multiple aim points on that target.  How do you like the trigger?  Smooth enough and set to your liking?

Steve

Yes thank you, Steve. The trigger is awesome just like your HC's it breaks like a thin glass rod
The rifle is a dream to shoot and it's scary to think it still might be breaking in, LOL!

[chardosmith]

Great news.  Have a kit to install in my TX.  Hope to find similar excellent results.

I do have a ProSport with a dropping lever.  What did you do to remedy that issue?

[Nitrocrushr]

I do have a ProSport with a dropping lever.  What did you do to remedy that issue?

A simple spacer added in front of the spring on the linkage arm end.  The linkage needs some pressure to lock up properly. 

Steve

[young_skywalker]

I do have a ProSport with a dropping lever.

Hmmmm - probably need to find a home for that rifle. I think I may know of a place...