Need helping picking a used bigbore

[lloyd-ss]

I am going to the Roanoke Airgun Expo next Friday     and would like to find a decent used big bore.  But you know me, it has to be something that has good bones and that I can work on.  I don't want it to be something that would be sacrilegious to modify or alter.
Below is a quote from Butcher45 on a thread that mojomoto had going a few weeks ago.

He makes some good points about it being a solid platform, but one that can also stand some improvement (or attempts at improvement  ) 

It needs to be moderate in price range.  I would love to hear some suggestions and what kind of prices might be reasonable.

Thanks for any thoughts you have,
Lloyd 

If you are looking to reverse engineer, I wouldn't go with just any bigbore.  Choose your design wisely.

Care to share your favorite(s)?
Thanks,
Lloyd

For the purpose of reverse-engineering I would go with a very simple design that has been around long enough so as to have an established common knowledge about the design inside and out, to the point that it's shortcomings that everyone wants improved on have been identified, and are well known. 

It would also be nice to avoid stepping on the toes of any of our domestic custom builders by choosing something different than what they are building to base off of. 

I do not like exposed loading/cocking bolts (when there is nothing between the back of the bolt and your eye) of any sort.  I have heard enough stories about catastrophic failures involving exposed bolts in the past to know that I myself will NEVER own one I do not trust them PERIOD, even when they are on rifles that have a long track record of safety I just don't like the looks of them.  Not having an exposed bolt means one less thing that is in the back of my mind as I pull the trigger. 

So given those criteria I would go with one of two rifles:  either the SamYang 909/909S (originally designed by a westerner from what I understand), or a bigbore version of an AirForce Condor.  The enclosed hammer inside the SamYang is an appealing feature to me.....no exposed bolt to be concerned with.  Actually, there is no "loading bolt" at all, due to the ingenious simplicity of the barrels sleeved loading port design which I find to be a huge plus in itself. 

SamYangs are simple guns that will give someone a good grasp of the basics of airgun function, that you can likely have a good shot at improving upon if you set your mind to it, and have the right support.  The 909 concept could be improved upon with a guide for the hammer/hammerspring set-up, a less obtrusive rear site housing, more robust receiver/valvework for porting/power tuning etc.  Maybe even experiment with a free-floating (possibly shrouded) barrels and

From what I gather (given my limited understanding of valve design), the AirForce Condor design is like a powerhouse top fuel dragster with it's direct inline valve providing a straight blast of air that has no corner to go around.  The Condor needs a more rigid frame for sure.....the tank/buttstock design needs help ergonomically speaking, and the scope height could stand to be a bit closer to the bore.  The old valves weren't to efficient but they came out with a new valve a couple of years ago that is supposed to be better, and even more powerful.  I haven't thought much about those AirForce guns in a good while since I sold my .25 Condor a few years ago, so some other stuff will some back to me right as I click on "post".

[melloroadman]

Lloyd It sounds like you want a rifle that is easy to take apart  frequently . The Corsair will not work for you . The top and bottom can not be separated . And I do not recommend the Koreans for repeated tear downs . Good simple easy enough to work on . But you have to do a total tear down to get to the hammer and or spring . Then the way the air tubes are sealed is a problem for repeated tear downs . Way to many o rings around the air tubes and the tube collier to be taken apart frequently with out small air leaks . A tear down every now and then ok . But repeated tear downs will prove to be a problem . And they are limited to a short hammer throw and spring choices are far and few between . Other than the Corsair I can not think of any US made rifles that you can not get the top and bottom separated on . Or the hammer or spring out of in just a few minutes . As well as the valve . Good luck .Marvin

[lloyd-ss]

Marvin,
thanks for the response.  So it sounds like the conventionally designed Americcan  guns will also be the easiest to work on.  I'll keep my eyes open.
 

[lloyd-ss]

Good link, and thanks for the info!  That's what I needed to see.... it all taken apart in pieces on the table. 
That makes a couple more to look out for.
I'll feel bad if I come away from the show empty handed.
Lloyd

[lloyd-ss]

Well, I went to the Airgun Show in Roanoke Friday, and the had a good time.  A LOT of guns for sale and if I had been after a deal on a Daystate or a 707, I would have been in hog heaven.  Talked to some folks and saw some unusual things too.
Unfortunately not a single 909 in the place.  Bummer.  Oh well, at least I still have the money in pocket.