Daisy 1101WS

[downrange]

Hey everyone, I'm new to GTA and Airguns, in general. (Aside from my plethora of bb-guns and pellet guns I owned as a kid - geez, it's been almost 40 years!)

Anyway, I just wanted to post a feeler to see who owns one of the Daisy 1101WS .177 rifles. They're also marketed as the Winchester 1100WS, as well. But for about $100 more! I feel like I literally stole mine from Midway Arms at $47! They retailed at $129, I think I saw. About a week after I purchased mine, I saw the price drop to $32!!! I almost ordered a second one as a backup at that price! Amazing!

As a Crosman and Daisy owner from the way back, I felt like a kid again unboxing what appears to be one seriously )&^%*^ rifle!

The rifle has been shot a few hundred times and has broken in very well. Gamo Raptor PBA's break the sound barrier every time! I've shot quite a few different pellets through it and it seems to love the Gamo Hunter 7.56 domes. It does 'okay' with wadcutters of various types but the Gamo Hunter is by far the most reliable for accuracy that I've tried yet.

I replaced the factory 4x32 scope. So I picked up a BSA "Sweet 22 40mm AO" for it and it looks effing awesome! It's dialed right in at 50 yards and perfectly dependable for accuracy even at 25-30F. I can't wait to see how it does in a little warmer weather.

It is a bit of a drooper and took me by surprise while trying to sight it in at 25 yards. Was having sporadic luck and decided to take it out to 50 yards where it finally began to shine.

As well, I felt like it was shooting a bit left so I tweaked the barrel a bit to bring it back to center and it seems fine now!

I also stripped the awful laquer to reveal a beautiful grain that I've stained with Pembroke and Ebony to bring up the depth of grain. It looks aged and well worn but with a unique tint that changes throughout the entire stock.

So, I'm wondering if any of you have one of these and if you've done anything to modify them at all and what you may have done to increase any level of performance. Mine seems like it's almost perfect with what I've done to it, but if there's anything else to be inched out of this gun, I'd like to hear about it!

Thanks!
downrange

[lefteyeshot]

I've bought a .117 1100ws a couple of years ago when they first came out refurbed for $80. Good gun. Grease is a little thick on the main spring. Triggers a little heavy but smooth and predictable. Haven't done a thing to it but shoot it. Good shooter

The PBA's might be a little to light for it. Might break a spring or seal.

In the thread about it on sale in the Bargain gate a guy showed a little modified bolt that lightens up the trigger. Think I might try that.

Good buy by you.

[lefteyeshot]

After you get a few more post you can post pictures. Post some pic's and let us see the stock refinish you did.

Oh, and welcome to GTA.

[downrange]

I've bought a .117 1100ws a couple of years ago when they first came out refurbed for $80. Good gun. Grease is a little thick on the main spring. Triggers a little heavy but smooth and predictable. Haven't done a thing to it but shoot it. Good shooter

The PBA's might be a little to light for it. Might break a spring or seal.

In the thread about it on sale in the Bargain gate a guy showed a little modified bolt that lightens up the trigger. Think I might try that.

Good buy by you.

Hey, Tim, thanks for the response! Good to hear that there are a few of these out there. Made note of using the PBAs, too. I've tried a variety of non-standard pellets like the Gamo Red Fire, etc and they all seem to not be what the gun wants to fire. It likes Wadcutters and the Gamo domes so far! Good with me. Cheaper in bulk!

I'll look around for that trigger mod. Thanks for the tip! That is one sore spot I have with it but no complaints otherwise. It's a wonderful gun for the money I paid! I've learned the trigger feel but it would be nice if it broke a little softer, I agree. Also getting that lateral play out of there would be key! How some gun makers avoid this and others don't is beyond me!

Mine is marked as an 1101WS rated at 1100fps with alloys. Was there a model before this that went by the 1100WS name? I see the Winchester does and it is the EXACT same gun. Interesting who makes all these for various re-branding!

Thanks for the welcome! I'm looking forward to absorbing as much knowledge as I can from the pages within!

Mark

[Back_Roads]

 I recently got one , have about 200 rounds through it to date, been testing a few different pellets, but not deciding on a favorite ammo as of yet, and may revisit some pellets that do not shoot well while breaking in, due to the fact they may prove more accurate after the barrel and main spring get broken in more.

[bhh]

I'll look around for that trigger mod.

Here you go:

Here's the adjusting screw:




Here's where it goes:

[downrange]

I recently got one , have about 200 rounds through it to date, been testing a few different pellets, but not deciding on a favorite ammo as of yet, and may revisit some pellets that do not shoot well while breaking in, due to the fact they may prove more accurate after the barrel and main spring get broken in more.

Hey, man! Thanks for the reply. Did you get that same great deal at Midway? Enjoy it! It's a fun rifle. It will definitely impress you after it's been broken in.

[downrange]

Thank you for the links! Did you manufacture that modification?

[lefteyeshot]

I have old pawn shop finds, a Winchester 1000 and 800 made by Hatsan in Turkey. A Daisy 1000 in plastic was the same gun. They look similar to your 1101 and my 1100 made in china but are different. I read they were made in Brazil for awhile.

Researching history and pedigree of old pellet guns. Fun stuff!

[bhh]

Thank you for the links! Did you manufacture that modification?

If you're talking to me, yes, I made the trigger adjusting screw. I found a metric screw in my can of old motorcycle bolts and used a drill press, dremel, and file to shape it. It's ugly, but it works.  I also polished every part of the trigger that moves against another part.  Also - behind the trigger there is a spring. I made a new one out of .030" music wire. But that was too light and my trigger pull was in ounces so I put the original back in.

I also cut the barrel down to 14.5" to make it lighter and handier.

Right now I'm reshaping the stock to make it feel more like a rifle rather than a club. 

[downrange]

I have old pawn shop finds, a Winchester 1000 and 800 made by Hatsan in Turkey. A Daisy 1000 in plastic was the same gun. They look similar to your 1101 and my 1100 made in china but are different. I read they were made in Brazil for awhile.

Researching history and pedigree of old pellet guns. Fun stuff!

Man, you'd swear it feels like a Hatsan built rifle despite being stamped from China. Some of the inner detailing is so similar. I'd like to find one in a .22!

[downrange]

Thank you for the links! Did you manufacture that modification?

If you're talking to me, yes, I made the trigger adjusting screw. I found a metric screw in my can of old motorcycle bolts and used a drill press, dremel, and file to shape it. It's ugly, but it works.  I also polished every part of the trigger that moves against another part.  Also - behind the trigger there is a spring. I made a new one out of .030" music wire. But that was too light and my trigger pull was in ounces so I put the original back in.

I also cut the barrel down to 14.5" to make it lighter and handier.

Right now I'm reshaping the stock to make it feel more like a rifle rather than a club. 

Ah, I did try to reply but the links kept me from quoting you. I figured that out this time around, lol!

The stock refinish and reshape looks like it's going really well. Yours is definitely a different type of wood than the one I have. Mine was much darker after sanding.

I'll upload some photos of mine once I get to that post threshold.

On your trigger mod: it appears you brazed a threaded receiver to a small bracket. Unfortunately, I don't have the equipment to pull that off. Suggestions? Looks like a killer idea! What's your release pressure at? Ever checked it?

I do like the idea of completely disassembling the mechanism and polishing everything for smoother contact. Simply lubricating mine helped, considerably.

[bhh]

The stock refinish and reshape looks like it's going really well. Yours is definitely a different type of wood than the one I have. Mine was much darker after sanding.

I'll upload some photos of mine once I get to that post threshold.

On your trigger mod: it appears you brazed a threaded receiver to a small bracket. Unfortunately, I don't have the equipment to pull that off. Suggestions? Looks like a killer idea! What's your release pressure at? Ever checked it?

I do like the idea of completely disassembling the mechanism and polishing everything for smoother contact. Simply lubricating mine helped, considerably.

I didn't braze anything. That is the way it was made at the factory and all I did was install the screw I made.  Have you taken yours out of the stock and examined it closely yet? With your comment about the darker wood I'm wondering if you have something different than what I have. 

[downrange]

I didn't braze anything. That is the way it was made at the factory and all I did was install the screw I made.  Have you taken yours out of the stock and examined it closely yet? With your comment about the darker wood I'm wondering if you have something different than what I have. 

I didn't braze anything. That is the way it was made at the factory and all I did was install the screw I made.  Have you taken yours out of the stock and examined it closely yet? With your comment about the darker wood I'm wondering if you have something different than what I have. 

I can't wait to post photos!

I think it's similar but different. Mine does have a threaded receiver there but it's the 'nut' for the rear barrel screw when the barrel is seated. It looks like I could fabricate a similar setup and screw it down inside there, like in your photo.

I would just need to be sure the machine screw that goes in front of the trigger guard has room to be fully seated when it goes back together.

I'd say the two photos you posted do appear to be from a different mechanism. That threaded post on mine saddles two longer rails that extend further out from that part of the mechanism. It also appears I would need to send a screw pretty far down in there to be able to make contact with any of the trigger cam pieces in that location.

Even lubricating it with 3-in-1 helped bring the second stage a little more to life It was feeling pretty gritty the whole way through. Much smoother now and should get better with use.

[bhh]

Here's a pic of the whole thing:

[downrange]

Here's a pic of the whole thing:

That *is* the same! The screw you made must sit down in there far enough to allow the barrel bolt to be seated, right?

Great idea!

I'm sorry to be such a pain about this with so many questions. So, many thanks in advance.

What does it adjust? First or second stage? Break point of the second stage?

[bhh]

That *is* the same! The screw you made must sit down in there far enough to allow the barrel bolt to be seated, right?

Great idea!

I'm sorry to be such a pain about this with so many questions. So, many thanks in advance.

What does it adjust? First or second stage? Break point of the second stage?

Exactly right. It sits way down in there. You'll have to trim it down and make sure there is room for the stock/trigger guard bolt to tighten firmly. Once I had  it adjusted where I wanted it, I glued it in place with some superglue.

It adjusts the break point of the second stage.  As with any trigger mod, be sure you test it outside and whack your gun around to make sure it doesn't go off accidentally.

You're welcome. I don't mind questions at all, so fire away.

[downrange]

Exactly right. It sits way down in there. You'll have to trim it down and make sure there is room for the stock/trigger guard bolt to tighten firmly. Once I had  it adjusted where I wanted it, I glued it in place with some superglue.

It adjusts the break point of the second stage.  As with any trigger mod, be sure you test it outside and whack your gun around to make sure it doesn't go off accidentally.

You're welcome. I don't mind questions at all, so fire away.

Excellent! I have some time off right now so maybe I can dedicate it to trying this out! Thanks very much for the info! \m/

[Def]

Got mine for $46.35 with shipping. I have been shooting Daisy pointed percussion max and 4 different Gamo 7.56 pellets. The Daisy pellets don't have the weight listed but may be too light. I want to use this gun indoors with iron sights and plan on joining a club that shoots indoors every month. First upgrade will probably be the sights.

[downrange]

Got mine for $46.35 with shipping. I have been shooting Daisy pointed percussion max and 4 different Gamo 7.56 pellets. The Daisy pellets don't have the weight listed but may be too light. I want to use this gun indoors with iron sights and plan on joining a club that shoots indoors every month. First upgrade will probably be the sights.

Congratulations! That is such a great deal. I've seen two different sites that have them back up to $109 (new) and $80 (refurb). I wonder if they'll ever get that low again.

On pellets:
I was at Dick's Sporting Goods a couple of weeks ago and picked up a Gamo sampler 4 pack. My 1101 really likes the Hunter (7.56Gr domes) at 50 yards. They're as accurate as one could expect a rifle of this type as far as I'm concerned. I thought it was doing pretty well at 25 yards with the Master Points (7.56Gr pointed) and then I took it out to 50 with the domes where it finally started to shine.

I was pretty impressed with the difference between the domes and the pointed pellets. Clearly, the way they cut through the air affects their accuracy over distance. It would seem that the pointed pellet can be steered due to the point? Or more affected by wind over longer shots?

If you want it make some noise, the Gamo PBA golds will break the sound barrier every time!

I'll also offer that both Crosman 'Penetrators' and the Gamo 'Red Fires' won't hit the broad side of a barn at 25 yards. Their designs are not for accuracy at all.