Another Pawn Shop Hattie

[avator]

Can't say I have. Before I got here I was Tool/Die in Columbus, Oh for 10 years with a Honda supplier. Also metal stamping.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Not uncommon to be unknown... we stamped the first steel auto body panel for I think Olds in 1908.
Little known cars like the 55-57 T-Birds, '65-'70 Mustangs.. Ford Econolines... Niche stuff. 
There was a wheel and hub division and still today the lug nuts that have the washer attached are called "Budd Nuts".
I was in Compression Molding for Auto's like the Plymouth Prowler, GM Camaro / Fiebirds, and FoMoCo Mustangs, Ranger and Lincoln Navigator / Continentals...
Then in the new millennium they sold us out to Mexico. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budd_Company

[RBQChicken]

Hey Bill,
I'm a big fan of Patrick F. McManus, too.  Started reading him in Field and Stream (I think) back in the 7th grade (that would be the 69-70 school year).  That convinced me that the school library did have something useful to offer, after all.  I have around 8 or so of his books.

That guy is so funny.  Remember the story about Rancid Crabtree trying to shoot that "B'ar" that lived out in his brush pile?  Patrick (as a kid) was witnessing it all. The bear took off out of the brush pile and Rancid started running. Rancid was wearing a red woodsman shirt. They were running so fast Patrick saw a dirty red streak followed by a black streak.  The black streak was gaining on the red streak and then it went past the red streak.  He figured Rancid must have been running with his eyes closed because pretty soon the red streak passed the black streak again.

So many times in his stories you have to stop for a minute and marvel at how funny he just was before you can pick up and start reading again.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Sorry for the derail Bill... as you were.

I Too remember his stories in the back of Field and Stream. probably where I learned to read a magazine "Back to Front".

[avator]

I'm not sure if that's when Rancid broke his leg or when they strapped a chair to the front bumper of the pickup truck and he posted up in it with a net to catch grass hoppers... either way he was recovering in his cabin and the boys snuck in and positioned a stuffed cougar over looking his bed. When he woke up and saw it they said his crutches took on the appearance of wagon wheel spokes going down that hill. I forget the rest but.......wow !!!

[avator]

Two man tent fever....

[avator]

I came to a conclusion this morning...
When I have projects on the bench I need to stay away from the GTA. My morning routine includes coffee, cigarettes and GTA. There are a few other processes and as impressive as they may be, I'll spare ya'll. The problem is GTA... It's like fuel on the fire in my head.
"Oh, I have one of those guns, maybe I should try that..."
"I haven't shot that one in a while.. just a few shots and I'll get to that project..."
" Really? I never even thought about shooting animal crackers, that sounds like fun..."
"That reminds me, I need to place a pellet order.."
"That gun looks interesting,, let me look it up..."
And quite possibly the worst one of all...
"I wonder what's new on the classifieds today?..."
I have every intention of working on the Mad Hatter today... First thing will be putting new batteries in the chrony because I still don't believe that string is correct. And while I have the chrony out I might as well...... Oh dang, there I go again..

[bhh]

I came to a conclusion this morning...
When I have projects on the bench I need to stay away from the GTA. My morning routine includes coffee, cigarettes and GTA. There are a few other processes and as impressive as they may be, I'll spare ya'll. The problem is GTA... It's like fuel on the fire in my head.
"Oh, I have one of those guns, maybe I should try that..."
"I haven't shot that one in a while.. just a few shots and I'll get to that project..."
" Really? I never even thought about shooting animal crackers, that sounds like fun..."
"That reminds me, I need to place a pellet order.."
"That gun looks interesting,, let me look it up..."
And quite possibly the worst one of all...
"I wonder what's new on the classifieds today?..."
I have every intention of working on the Mad Hatter today... First thing will be putting new batteries in the chrony because I still don't believe that string is correct. And while I have the chrony out I might as well...... Oh dang, there I go again..

It's that the truth!

BTW, did you see this? I'll bet you could get it shooting straight. 

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=120902.0

[avator]

I did see that..
The thing I found interesting is the string results written in the box..
Mike typically does this when he tunes a gun.. This is one of the things that shows it's a full tune and is eligible for Mike's lifetime transferable warranty. If that is the case, why is this gun acting crazy. Mike would not let it out of the shop unless it was right. And if something happen during shipping or afterwards for that matter, get Mike involved...
Crazy thing is... I recently did some reseal work for another GTA member and that exact amount was just transferred into my PAYPAL account this morning. Sooooo, tempting!!! But alas, the money sitting in the account already funded another recent purchase that Betty Lou signed off on due to the expected funds. But, if she walks past me and taps me on the head one more time..... I swear..
OH WAIT.... I just had another look.... that gun is $25 less than what is in my account.....  "BETTY LOU, HUNNY, BABY, SWEETIE, DARLIN ....." I think I'll get up and make some breakfast before I get to that project... Betty Lou needs a break and that's just how I roll.

[avator]

*Update*

That attempt failed miserably...  *sigh*

[avator]

Made it out to the bench...
I wanted to get a base line on this gun. I suspected an issue with my chrony on that previous string. So I replaced the batteries.
Let back up just a bit..
Up until now I had been shooting the gun with open sights. Even with my old eyes it was doing quite well. I wanted to get a better picture of how the accuracy was. The only scope I had laying around was a 4x30 NCStar Compact. I posted this little scope in the bargain gate at $6 and change and a few bucks shipping. You can look it up for the link. A while back I bought 3 or 4 of them for $20 each at that time. After getting the gun on sight I began plinking at 1/2" yardsale stickers on high strength steel blanks at 20 yds. I tested CPHP, Benji HP and Winnie domes. All 3 fit very tight in the breech.... way tight. Seating them consistently was difficult but manageable. So I took a drill bit and my cordless and put a slight bevel on the inlet. I polished it up and did the q-tip test. Lookin good. Pellets still fit tight but much easier to seat without feeling like I was distorting them.
THIS GUN IS A HAMMER !!! I had to put a stop on the barrel to keep the scope from sliding. That will be addressed when I start cutting that spring and taming the beast down. Also, the stock screws worked loose again...another issue that will be addressed in a later stage.
Shooting..tweeking...shooting...tweeking ........and finally, it came in. Winnie domes got the nod. Last 3 shots went in the same hole.... I forgot to get a pic but, I will on my next trip outside.
I ended up shimming the front of the scope to get the gun to shoot low enough without bottoming out the turret. So far, that little scope is taking it like a champ and this ain't the first springer it's been on. For what it is, I can't say enough about that little jewel.
On to the chrony...
It's a tad overcast but the Harbor Freight led lights are working great. Sun is coming to the party nicely though..
I KNEW IT.. I KNEW IT...... low batteries was the issue. I knew this gun was shoot better than that first string. I would have been able to feel and see that much difference.
The first 3 shots was probably me boogering the pellet trying to seat consistently... then I got the hang of it.
9 shot string (disregard the first 3 shots) muzzle at 10 - 12 " for the chrony.

[avator]

Showing some real promise... ya think?
 I mean... guys, it's a $20 pawn shop gun.

[StevenG]

Looks terrible, better sell it to me for $15 

[Privateer]

Wish I'd have known you had a Hatsan you were playing with.
I made several Delrin spring guides for them before I came here to Norfolk.
I would have sent you one to play with.
 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Showing some real promise... ya think?
 I mean... guys, it's a $20 pawn shop gun.

Sadly, they closed our one and only Pawn shop here... Never had any airguns anyway.

9 shot string (disregard the first 3 shots) muzzle at 10 - 12 " for the chrony.

Glad for you to see those numbers. Pretty darn consistent.

[Wayne52]

I need to check a pawn shop that's not far from me, have checked once before but nothing I wanted.

[avator]

Wish I'd have known you had a Hatsan you were playing with.
I made several Delrin spring guides for them before I came here to Norfolk.
I would have sent you one to play with.
 

Bummer, I'm always late to the party..

[avator]

Looks terrible, better sell it to me for $15 

LOL.... I told Betty Lou that it was going to be for sale when I'm done with it. Don't know about that... it's like raising a child then kicking out of the nest.
The FireCat started out the same way. The object was to disprove a claim that a Daisy 880 was the only logical light weight utility gun for under $100. You couldn't pry that thing out of my hands now.