Hoping Crosman sees the light ( A Challenger PCP post)

[Ribbonstone]

A love-hate relationship with a Challenger 2009 PCP.

Could get it sourted out to velocity/power pretty easily.  Can easily be 5ish foot pound 110 shot target gun,or a 12 or 14 foot pound   50 shot "sporter" airgun.... I picked something in the middle (9.1 fpe) for the use it's going to see.

DSCN1066 by Robert Dean, on Flickr
MY problem (which I've preached on several times): THE FUSSY BALL-LOCKED STRIGHT PULL BOLT.

Has needed a rebuild once or twice a year (and I didn't shoot it all that much).  Will stragth tight, no movement, then grow in kick-back over time until it seems like it's just inertia keeping the bolt forward.....which kind of works in the 5 foot pound role as the mass alone seems enough to allow good shooting.

It needed yet another bolt rebuild (like the 7th time)...and I got fed up with it and whent ALL HILLBILLIE ON IT.

Rubber band.  Hillbilly/redneck/good-ol-boy/ trash-man fix.

DSCN1067 by Robert Dean, on Flickr

But it works...is infinately replacable with a zero cost part...shoots just as well...and only requires that the bolt be held back for loading (and might even "even up" the loading force when you turn loose of the T-bolt).

DSCN1063 by Robert Dean, on Flickr

Anyway...that's how it's going to stay...I'm tired of farting around with that ball-bearing-roller-lock.

Will be the "pest birds of summer" rifle...enough power to do them in at 30-35yards, enough accuracy to land them on the off switch, and 75 good (non-regulated) shos per fill.

For those of you counting.

75 shots in 15 5-shot groups
Average (at 20 yards) just under .20")
2000-1100psi
714-688fps over all for the 75 shots (3.6% variation...714-688fps)
9.1 foot pounds
efficency about 1.33FPE/cuin

[Unk]

  The simplest fix is often the best.


Perhaps they could send you some Crosman labeled rubber bands !

[Ribbonstone]

Figured I had to get some use out of it....and it is accurate and quiet (with the Rocker1 LDC).

All things considered....the rubber-band fix is in step with the quality of the bolt design and seems appropriate.


Sooo...even if you absolutely love your Challenger PCP...toss a couple of rubber bands in your pocket just in case.

[Earl]

Thank you Ribbonstone.
I will use your method for my Challenger when the bolt needs it.
I was concerned about that complicated bolt o-ring replacement.
The Challenger is my favorite air gun.
It is ACCURATE.

[Motorhead]

Prophylactics are so dang handy !!
AKA: Rubber bands etc   
Intended use ... Party hats ... Water proof bag for R/C electronics and now Air rifles too

Who-da-thunk 

[Ribbonstone]

Working on it, but abandoning the ball-lock and sticking with the rubber band until I get it worked out.   Will have to make a flat spring, attach it to the T- bolt, and a "nub" in the rear of the breech for the flat spring to clip onto.