First day in the life of my new 1400

[mentolio]

So I finally got a 1400, it's the variant with the bolt! I bought it from another member who gave me a great deal on it, and at first look, it seemed to be in great shape. I knew going into it that the gun needed a safety switch (the tab was broken off, but was included), and the center pivot pin on the pump arm. I fired it a few times, and it pumped up well enough, although there was obvious play in the pump piston link pivot (where it meets the pump arm), and it seemed to pump a bit "rough." I also noticed that the muzzle looked like it was clocked several degrees to the right/out of alignment. Well, knowing all this, I tore the old bugger apart...


Here I am starting to fill the oblong hole in the the piston link with my welder. I started with trying to just fill the sloppy side, but ended up filling the entire hole and re drilling it.

Here is the finished product. A nice, tight fit for the bushing.
While it was apart, I saw that the seals were looking a bit worn/old, but since I didn't have new stuff on hand, I put them back in for now. Also, the pump arm itself was bent all to heck! Here's (likely) why:


You can pretty clearly see that the barrel bushing was out of proper alignment with the portion that resides inside the front of the pump tube. And the fix:


Nice and straight...

...plus two not so clean spot welds, and we can call this problem fixed. Fixing this part really helped with the rough pumping (that and bending the pump arm). Nice and (relatively) smooth now.
Next up: the broken safety tab. Thankfully, it's all steel, so it was a fairly easy fix with the welder and some files. Would you believe someone actually tried to glue it back together?!?



It's still a little sticky in it's function, but works ok.
Then there's this surprise after cleaning off the piston head.

Splitzville...however: the gun still pumps after lubing and shoots well/hits with authority? Other than the first few pumps after reassembly, I hear no leaking...weird.
And there she sits, to await chrony testing, then some new parts and a rebuild.

I really like my Bluestreak, but after acquiring this gun I have to say: if you like to shoot your guns, your collection should include one of these! More to follow...

[TooJung2Die]

Nice repair work. Where did you get the bushing for the pump arm pivot? I have a couple of pumpers that will benefit from one of those. I have a little home stick welder. I've used it to make many small repairs, air rifles included. It's not good for long beads but most repairs only need a tack here and there. I wonder how I ever got along without one.

Jon

[mentolio]

Thanks for the kind words, Jon! The bushing was actually already in there, unbeknownst to me until I tore it apart, and the bushing went rolling across my garage floor. I want to say it was a stock bit, but I do not know this for sure. It seems to be made of hardened "something" (mystery metal, non ferrous), as none of my "fitting" left a mark on it (so I know it's at least harder than the pump piston rod). Mine is a wire fed MIG welder, sans shielding gas (as I can no longer justify the added expense of it, though it would have been very nice to have for several projects of late).

[mentolio]

Quick Chrony data:
I shot four ten shot strings, with two different pellets: Crosman Premier Brown Box Domes (14.3gr), and JSB Exact 13.43gr domes. Of interest: this gun is the ONLY gun I own that shoots the JSBs accurately, so I finally have a use for this tin of 500, whoot! Each pellet was used for two strings, one at 5 pumps, one at 8 pumps. All sets are obviously leaking pressure from the TP seal/broken barrel spacer.

CPBBD:
5 pump string: Low:413.6, High:502.4, Average: 485.7, ES: 88.85😕, SD: 26.6
8 pump string: Low:573.5, High:595.7, Average:582.9, ES:22.16, SD: 6.4

JSB Exact:
5 pump string: Low:446.1, High:532.1, Average:518.3, ES:86.02, SD:25.55
8 pump string: Low:593.9, High:615.8, Average:609.3, ES:21.88, SD:7.07

As if I didn't already know the gun needs a rebuild...however, I am heartened by these numbers. As much air as this gun leaks, it still puts up decent velocities, and the poor extreme spreads can really be traced to one or two "bad" shots in each string. Otherwise, it's numbers are surprisingly "good" (all things considered). Once I get it sealed up properly, I am confident it will put up much better, and more importantly, much more consistent numbers. Yep, she needs work...but it definitely strikes me as a "diamond in the rough!"

[brewbean]

Wow, very nice work! I'm really envious of your welding skills! Good luck getting her sealed.

[19Sheridan57]

   Great job. After seeing what was wrong with it internally, I am surprised it has as much power as it does. That speed is not bad but will improve a little with new seals.

[avator]

Great job on the repair. I already had 2 1400s when the other member offered that one. One of mine has the bolt and the other has the slide collar. So, passed on that one. I restored yet another one for a co-worker. I really like the bolt handle version. You get that thing sealed and running right and you are going to be surprised. In my opinion, they are a bit harder hitting than the 140s. Looks like nice wood on that one too. Congrats.

[mentolio]

Thanx all. Yeah...after finding that split seal, I'm surprised it pumps up at all, much less shoots as hard as it does. The split piston seal and leaking transfer port seals are the reasons for the inconsistencies and large extreme spreads. Once replaced, this gun's extreme spread should tighten up significantly. If the power also increases, at all, that'll just be icing on the cake! I'm thinking of going with a Mac1 kit, with the replacement piston head/oring seal. Regarding the wood...oh yeah...it's got a lousy finish and a few dings and chips, but my neighbor the cabinet maker is going to assist me in refinishing it. This gun is going to be one mean piece of hardware when I'm done with it (I hope). Something else, which several of you guys probably already know: the Air Venturi Weaver inter mount that I bought for my (now deceased) 397 seems like it's going to fit the receiver of the 1400. Once done, I will report back with the results of that.

[Rob112o]

Yea the Air Venturi fit on a 140 so I'd imagine it will fit just as well on the 1400.

[mentolio]

Well my re-seal kit from Mac1 and my aluminum replacement barrel spacer from Precision Pellet both arrived today! I guess we all know what that means...I did the reseal (saved the brass collar that holds the stock piston seal, might someday have to go back to that style), and boy was that valve filled with junk! There was so much garbage inside the valve that I had to take a wire brush to the spring, and thought there was another o ring on the inside from all the residue that built up around the end of the inner threads! All parts fit easily together, and that "Secret Sauce" is really something else. I think I used a total of about ten drops during assembly, and was a little worried that I over did it. The barrel spacer is just perfect, nuff said! Once back together, I took it out back for a little shooting. While I haven't chronied it yet (hopefully tomorrow), I will say that 8 pumps feels more like ten, and the "pump difficulty" increases significantly past 5 pumps (which it really didn't do before). The first impression: as I suspect the Chrony will confirm that it feels more powerful, and the tighter groups are attesting to a significantly improved consistency. I didn't do any of the planned refinishing. That'll wait, I just want to shoot this bugger for awhile. I think I may have a true "favorite airgun," and the 1400 is IT!!!

[19Sheridan57]

  It still amazes me that it pumped up & held air as well as it did. Should shoot as good as a new one, now.

[bavaria55n]

Great work, you are a skilled metal worker.
I have a 1400 that seems to pump up OK but it is 'self cocking' and does not cock. No bolt on this one, just the sliding breech cover.

[bgmcgee]

Great work, you are a skilled metal worker.
I have a 1400 that seems to pump up OK but it is 'self cocking' and does not cock. No bolt on this one, just the sliding breech cover.

This is hard to understand.  If it pumps up it should cock as the first pump cocks the gun. It really shouldn't hold air if it doesn't cock.

[cast]

That from the good old days of crosman wish they where sill made that way.

[scottblair1950]

Well my re-seal kit from Mac1 and my aluminum replacement barrel spacer from Precision Pellet both arrived today! I guess we all know what that means...I did the reseal (saved the brass collar that holds the stock piston seal, might someday have to go back to that style), and boy was that valve filled with junk! There was so much garbage inside the valve that I had to take a wire brush to the spring, and thought there was another o ring on the inside from all the residue that built up around the end of the inner threads! All parts fit easily together, and that "Secret Sauce" is really something else. I think I used a total of about ten drops during assembly, and was a little worried that I over did it. The barrel spacer is just perfect, nuff said! Once back together, I took it out back for a little shooting. While I haven't chronied it yet (hopefully tomorrow), I will say that 8 pumps feels more like ten, and the "pump difficulty" increases significantly past 5 pumps (which it really didn't do before). The first impression: as I suspect the Chrony will confirm that it feels more powerful, and the tighter groups are attesting to a significantly improved consistency. I didn't do any of the planned refinishing. That'll wait, I just want to shoot this bugger for awhile. I think I may have a true "favorite airgun," and the 1400 is IT!!!

Good job---Happy to hear you got the barrel spacer from Rick. His aluminum safety is great also. And no words necessary to explain how great Tim's reseal piston kit is. I just finished my second 1400 custom restoration. I'll post some pics soon. Love those CR1400's

[Rob112o]

Great work, you are a skilled metal worker.
I have a 1400 that seems to pump up OK but it is 'self cocking' and does not cock. No bolt on this one, just the sliding breech cover.

This is hard to understand.  If it pumps up it should cock as the first pump cocks the gun. It really shouldn't hold air if it doesn't cock.

Maybe he means it's pumping fine, not necessarily building pressure, just pumping smoothly back and forth. This would leave me to think your trigger spring is missing or it's not pushing the trigger up high enough to catch the hammer. Take your stock off and look at your trigger unit. There should be a cylindrical hole in the stock below the trigger. This pushes your trigger up against the hammer. When you pump the hammer slides pass the notch on the trigger and than is held back. Than when u pull trigger the hammer would move forward.

[mentolio]

I chronied the 1400 today. So far it has fewer than 100 shots through it since the re seal job. For simplicity's sake I will re-post the original Chrony data taken prior to re sealing the gun:

CPBBD:
5 pump string: Low:413.6, High:502.4, Average: 485.7, ES: 88.85😕, SD: 26.6
8 pump string: Low:573.5, High:595.7, Average:582.9, ES:22.16, SD: 6.4

JSB Exact:
5 pump string: Low:446.1, High:532.1, Average:518.3, ES:86.02, SD:25.55
8 pump string: Low:593.9, High:615.8, Average:609.3, ES:21.88, SD:7.07

After installing the Mac1 seal kit, the pump arm/piston felt like it was dragging a bit more than it used to. I read somewhere in the Mac1 gate that these pistons may do that for a bit until they break in. After running 50 or so shots through the gun, the drag is just about gone. So on to the results:

Benjamin 14.3 HP (what I used the first time in spite of listing them as CPBBD)
5 pump string: Low: 533.2, High: 545.9, Average: 538.5, ES: 12.7 (thankfully!), SD: 4.58
8 pump string: Low: 640.7, High: 659.0, Average: 652.8, ES: 18.32, SD: 5.47
And just for giggles I did a 10 pump, 5 shot string: L:699.9, H: 708.2, Av: 704.0, ES: 8.27

JSB Exact 13.43gr domes
5 pump string: Low: 575.4, High: 587.7, Average: 581.4, ES: 12.24, SD: 3.6
8 pump string: Low: 677.8, High: 685.4, Average: 682.3, ES: 7.6, SD: 3.0
10 pump, 5 shot string: l: 719.4, H: 727.9, Av: 725.0, ES: 8.48, SD: 3.31

To say I am rather pleased with these results doesn't quite cut it...at 10 pumps this gun is entering springer territory with the power it puts out! So, if you don't have one of these...ummm...don't get one, you won't like it, I'll take the rest of them and give them a good home!

[Grover]

What kind of welder are you using?  I did a barter with a neighbor for a wire feed Flux core last year that I only used once to repair a wheelbarrow tub.  BOOGER WELD!  I did more grinding than welding, but it held and looked ok in the end. 

Been meaning to drag it out of the corner to do some practicing.

[mentolio]

Lincoln MIG Welder, model 114 if memory serves. A lot of my welds look like bird poop to start. Gotta get enough heat to penetrate and then adjust wire feed speed for a steady feed. To fast grounds the wire and loses the arc as it pushes the tip away from the work. Too slow and the bead gets interrupted as the wire burns away, and you lose the arc.

[19Sheridan57]

  Those speeds you are now getting are in line with a new or re-sealed Sheridan, according to your pumps & pellet weights.  I didn't think a 1400 would chrony that high. CONGRATULATIONS !