MRodAir Air Max Varmint in .177

[WesBob]

You must have missed my comment two posts above this one!  I have already sent Julie and email, just waiting to here back.

Lol, sorry about that, I sure did miss it. Should've known you already had their email.

[Ribbonstone]

LEt me know...at least if you are in need of a "standard" one. 

I've not had any trouble with the brass ones.  HAve seen posts of "dents" in one from the ball bearings in the QD, but haven't had that happen to the 3 I ended up with (same probe for most of the SPA/MrodAir PCPs).  Kept 2 of the 3 tucked away in a desk drawer, fill the M10/Varmint/MKI pistol from the same probe.


So if you are in burning need of a factory original probe,  let me know.

[Wayne52]

The probe that I bought from TRRob will probably work on my Dominator too, it's the long one.  I've filled my PR900W with it before but you don't want to push it in too far.

[avator]

For some reason mine for the .177 is extra long. I put O-rings on it to keep from pushing it in to far causing it not to make the seal. I don't understand why they are not standard probes considering they all use the same fill adaptor.

[Wayne52]

Bill I might even make a delrin adaptor that fits on mine cause I do like the stainless better, it's really a lot better on the higher pressures like in my PP700SA that I fill to 220bar.  For the lower pressure fills the brass has been holding up good though.

[avator]

Wayne.. I haven't had an issue since I figured out it was to long and put the o-ring "spacer" on.

[gendoc]

i had to do the same thing on the 2nd .22 AMV i got. it came with the same long fill adapter as yours.

[avator]

I would venture a guess that these longer probes are from the models with the larger tubes and caps.

[Ribbonstone]

All I can say about the orginal/brass fill probe is that it hasn't given me any real trouble. 

Did have to change the o-rings after about 7 months of use...but that's kind of expected, isn't it?


Three PCP's (M10/Varmint?CP1 pistol) all being filled by pump with the same fill probe (the other two are in a little plastic baggie in my desk drawer).  So a whole lot of use.



But maybe I use it "differently"?

Will attach the fill probe to the pump hose's QD, jiggle it to be sure it is locked in tight, then insesert the probe (slightly "slick" with pure Silicone grease) into the tube that needs filling.

Maybe it's the jigggling around/seating the QD's ball bearings into the brass probe ...maybe it's the fit of the ball bearings in the QD ...but whatever it is, can't find anything (other than a bit of oxidation) to complain about with the brass factory probe.

[avator]

Nice thing about being a packrat/hoarder. I have a few whips. I leave the probe connected to one and use it exclusively for the Varmint.

[Wayne52]

All I can say about the orginal/brass fill probe is that it hasn't given me any real trouble. 

Did have to change the o-rings after about 7 months of use...but that's kind of expected, isn't it?


Three PCP's (M10/Varmint?CP1 pistol) all being filled by pump with the same fill probe (the other two are in a little plastic baggie in my desk drawer).  So a whole lot of use.



But maybe I use it "differently"?

Will attach the fill probe to the pump hose's QD, jiggle it to be sure it is locked in tight, then insesert the probe (slightly "slick" with pure Silicone grease) into the tube that needs filling.

Maybe it's the jigggling around/seating the QD's ball bearings into the brass probe ...maybe it's the fit of the ball bearings in the QD ...but whatever it is, can't find anything (other than a bit of oxidation) to complain about with the brass factory probe.

The brass one that came with my PP700SA dented up really bad from the fill whip and it was hard to get out but the stainless one barely gets marks on it and works perfect.

Maybe it's the Chinese fill whip that I put on my fill adaptor too. It was a real inexpensive buy from China maybe that's what's tearing up the brass.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Thank you for your offer Ribbonstone!  I have no dire need at the moment.  Thought it did when I couldn't remember where I put the thing, but then found it.  I have an e-mail in to SPA to see what they cost shipped here, if they aren't too expensive, I may invest in a spare or two just because I know I will eventually misplace the one I have, again, and may not be as lucky finding it again!

[avator]

Paul... keeps us posted.... spares are good.
I don't plan to buy another SPA PCP so the one I have is the one I have.

[MikeH]

Here is my first impression shooters report:
I quickly zeroed my my rifle with Hawk 2-7x32 scope, and within three magazines I was shooting one hole 3/8" CTC groups.  This same erformance continued for the 300 plus pellets I put through the rifle.  In fact out of all the shots fired, I only had one flier!

I only had three types of .177 pellets on hand and they all shot at the same POI at 20 Yards. The types of pellets shot were Crossman Premier pointed 7.4, Gamo Red Fire 7.8 and Gamo Whisper 10.5.  Given the large difference in shape profiles and types of construction, I was very surprised to see that all three types shot a POI within a half diameter between them, and they all shot one hole groups.   I know this is only a test at 20 yards, but this range is probably where this rifle will be used the most for squirrel, pesting  and back yard target usage.

Effective fill pressure range for a virtually zero POI change is 20 to 10 MPa.  Above 20 MPa fill shoots low until the pressure drops and the hammer spring can open the valve for more flow, and velocity drops quickly after 10 MPa.  This gives exactly 3 magazines or 27 shots on my rifle.

The report is a bit louder than I would like, and in fact I will be ordering a Rocker1 LDC today or tomorrow.  I would describe the sound report as a moderately loud, but somewhat "low toned" pop.  It is not nearly as high pitched as some .177 rifles I have shot in the past.

So my rifle is definitely a "shooter" and I will not worry  about the stripped barrel retaining screws in the breach block for now.  I can see this handy little rifle getting lots of use in the future.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

The one I have is the one I have.

My thought exactly!  With the way I misplace things, I'm really surprised I haven't already lost it!   

[avator]

Spent some time with the varmint this morning..... on the work bench.
I must say... it's a lot easier to dis and re assemble the second time around.
I may have found my leak....
The o-ring on the end cap (fill adaptor) looked like it had a mold line around it and was slightly swelled. We'll see.... I filled it and I'll check it a couple hours to see if the pressure dropped any.
As far as trigger...
Admittedly I'm not the master that a lot of others here are but, I get by..
I didn't have an issue with the pull weight on this gun, seemed very reasonable to me. However, it did not care for the long pull. There is a grub screw in the trigger and I've read where guys were reversing it and leaving it stick out to contact the pin. This works but it also sets the trigger blade back farther. I liked my trigger blade where it was. So, I just backed the grub out the bottom until the (first stage) was minimal. Basically, instead of contacting the pin, it contacts the sear. It's pretty easy to slip the pin out, adjust the screw without removing the trigger blade then put the pin back in and check the trigger until you get it where you want it. A drop of super glue secures it when desired setting is made.
Now for those grub screws that secure the barrel in the breech. The center one is longer and aligns the barrel by way of a divot in the barrel. Put this one in first to align the barrel. Actually, this screw alone could secure the barrel. Here is the weird part.... I read another member who said the other two screws were stripped. When I put the first one in... stripped.... or was it? I took it back out and put the other one in.... BOOYA !! not stripped. Not only that... the first screw went into the second hole..... not stripped.. I don't get it either but, I haven't bad my first beer of the day so it ain't that.

[gendoc]

yur an hour and 25min late on that "first beer".....

[avator]

Never had a problem making up for lost time...

[WesBob]

Lol! Interesting about the screws. On my CP-1M, the barrel divot was put off kilter so I have to tighten the two outside screws first to keep the barrel aligned. Bit of a nuisance but workable.

[Wayne52]

Today I was shooting the bull in the woods with a friend who was also out there hunting red squirrels, we had both decided we'd had a enough and were heading out of the woods, well of course with a pellet gun here in Mi you have to have them unloaded in a case when transport so I also end up shooting a chambered  pellet one way or another so I turned my scope up to 8 power and did basically a straight up shot at a walnut way up there and down it came. Darned Varmit shoots good.  Bill even said he couldn't believe I just popped it out of the tree that quick.