What damage could firing the Hatsun AT44 with air cylinder removed cause?

[ninsei]

I can't figure out what it could possibly damage.  I understand that firing other PCPs with no/low air could damage the valve, but in the AT44 the valve is in the air cylinder.

[Ribbonstone]

It could let the striker run forward farther than expected, beating up against the back of the cylinder threaded section, and buggering up the rear cylinder threads.

I usually will unscrew the cylinder, slip a bathroom water facet washer (which tend to be cone shaped and thick) over the valve stem on the cylinder, screw the cylinder back in, and let the striker "thunk" on that thick  washer.

[ninsei]

makes sense.  thanks.

[rsterne]

There is a screw that acts as a hammer stop, if I recall correctly.... The hammer might beat up on that screw and gall it and the hammer a bit.... This is assuming that you have removed the valve along with the air cylinder....

Bob

[Rodeo]

Bob is right.  It may only take a strike or two to bend that screw.  The screw is there to keep the hammer from sliding forward when the air cylinder is removed.  The hammer does not contact the screw (when firing) while the air cylinder is installed (threaded all the way in).