Dynamic .25 cal PCP - First Impressions and Observtions

[Wayne52]

That's a good group you got there Paul, I can only hope that the .177 that I have coming has as good a barrel as yours, how far was that target

[Gertrude]

ok, so,
 just trying to maintain some continuity in various issues that are becoming apparent with these Dynamic / DAR rifles, I am including this link to another thread, where legitimate concerns are being expressed about the factory supplied O-rings, and brand new rifles being delivered leaking, and not holding air.

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=146226.25

Yes, I do agree that we should be able to expect a product that is delivered and performing up to reasonable expectations. This would INCLUDE receiving a new air rifle that is holding air.
BUT
We are all very aware of the questionable quality, and track record, of standard issue Chinese O-rings.

YES ! This is something that needs to be addressed.
YES ! I will make it a point to discuss this with Aim Sports, (providing I "have their ear"), and they are willing to acknowledge the issue.
 This is the kind of VERY SIMPLE issue , that Stellar Customer Service , will insure  Customer Product Confidence and assured Customer Loyalty. (translation - Future Customer SALES)...
 Ryan, are you reading this ?
--------------------------------------------------
So, I am waiting to hear back from Ryan at Aim Sports for an email I sent to him on Monday.
 I'm sure he is a very busy guy, and will reply to my email soon.

Now, understanding all of that, I also recognize that many of us here have various Chinese manufactured rifles that we see as "Diamonds in the Rough" .
 Many of us have willingly taken "cheap Chinese rifles" nd tinkered them into some AMAZING performing rifles.

 Case inpoint -
I have about $250 in Modifications and Accessories, to my $100 QB78D. That's Just CRAZY, RIGHT ?
but here's the deal,...
 It is now converted from a 12-15 fpe, Co2 cartridge gun,  to a 30+ fpe, Ninja bottled and regulated PCP, all professionally tuned, barrel leade , crown , bore polished, "Cock on open modified",  All trigger components Polished and lubed, all internal O-rings upgraded , Custom LDC installed, and wearing a 4-16X40 scope, and a picatinny mount bipod.

This gun will shoot Aspirins at 50 yds all day long.

 I also have a Bottled, PCP converted XS60c that is doing 27-32 fpe on a 1500 psi fill for about 30 shots per fill.
This gun will hold "MOSH" at 60-75 yds all day long.

I have a  "Gawwd I Don't KNOW how much",  wrapped up in a 2240 pistol, converted into a bottled PCP Carbine (my Franken-gun), that is delivering 40+fpe and will hold "MOSH" at 100 yds all day long.

My point is,
 We KNOW these Chinese guns are going to be mediocre on performance direct from the manufacturer.
 We ALSO KNOW, that there are a few Chinese guns out there that take VERY KINDLY to a little knowledgeable and experienced tinkering,... and once done so,... they will perform much like guns costing $1000-$2000 bucks !

That's still VERY "Worth it" in my book.

Sure, ... the guns should not leak straight out of the box.
 I'm not arguing that.
All I'm saying is these Dynamic guns are packed with a lot of the better features, of better guns, for a price BELOW $300 !
 I can live with having to replace the O-rings if necessary. Heck,... They'd need to be replaced inside of 6 months to a year anyway, with as much as I will be shooting it. LOL.
 I'm not real concerned with "Warranties", on a gun that is manufactured in China, and then Distributed by a "Middleman", to a
 independant Retailer, and then sold to me.

I'd rather tear it apart myself, install some good O-rings, and inspect all other components (while I'm in there) to see if I can improve anything with a little de-burring, polish, lube, etc.

But that's just me.   

I will update as info becomes available.

[Gertrude]

oh yeah,
I forgot to add,...

  ... the one .25 cal we have had for about a week now IS HOLDING AIR just fine.
 it is performing quite well of an "out of the box" gun, ...

 ... and as a matter of fact,
    it did so well on it's first time out,
    that FOUR more of the guys in my shooting group ordered one for themselves while we were still on the shooting lane. 

so within the next couple of weeks,
 We will have 5 of these guns to compare against each other.

[Wayne52]

Another thing that is alluring about Dynamic products is that they plan on other products from the same mfg in the near future. I know that I was discouraged to hear through the grapevines that Diana has exclusive rights to all the SPA products being distributed to the north America on certain models, I heard the SPAM16, Chaser, PR900W and more.  That's bad news for JSAR if that's true, I hope that JSAR is able to at least get some of their products rather than leaving people in north America 3rd party option only. 

IMO we need a good airgun factory in north America with machinery capable of producing good products made of steel rather than plastic, I kinda doubt I'll see it happen in my lifetime but then you never know.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

That's a good group you got there Paul, I can only hope that the .177 that I have coming has as good a barrel as yours, how far was that target

LOL!  It was 40 yards, but that is a group of 1!  I'm just thrilled that it puts the H&N Sniper Mediums where I place the crosshairs! 

[Gertrude]

I just spoke with Ryan. He is working on a final exploded view, and he knows we all are wanting that as soon as possible. He assured me that when he gets them, he will let us all know and get them available to us.
He also told me that he is waiting for a shipment of extra magazines to arrive in the near future, and he will let us all know when they are available.
Ryan ROCKS ! 

[tracker1955]

Yes, Ryan and Aim Sports I give an A+, Sportsmans Guide...... D-

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Yes, Ryan and Aim Sports I give an A+, Sportsmans Guide...... D-

Just curious, why the D- for SG?  They are just the distributor, the information posted (as misinformed as it is) probably came from the manufacturer or the importer.  As far as quality goes, they just shuffle boxes, I doubt there is any inspection/QC happing in their warehouse.  Personally, I have had very good service from SG.  I'll be contacting Aim today about my barrel band and to let them know I had o-ring issues as well.  I'm not looking for anything from them, I just think they should know.

[Hoople]

Has anyone verified the manufacture of these guns? If not, I'm guessing they are BAMs. For no other reason than, I have two B3s, measured the dovetails. Almost the same as the DAR.

Also good news on the exploded view. I have been wanting to tackle the trigger, but don't have the nerve. Would like to have at least a exploded view.

[tracker1955]

I have worked retail for the last twelve years for Home Depot, if they sell something that is found to be defective the customer is free to return it for a refund or exchange, no questions asked. I believe most retailers operate with similar policies, at the very least Sportsmans Guide should have let me return the rifle for an exchange if not a refund, and then sent the defective rifle themselves back to Aim Sports. Now, this is just my opinion, others are free to disagree. Anyway, that why the D-

[Gertrude]

One more observation after spending a little more time shooting the .25

I think I will be modifying the clear plastic magazine cover.

I feel the pellet loading hole is just a tad too small which causes pellets with wider skirts not to just drop in, and needing a extra push to get them in the mag.

 While I have the mag cover off,... I think I will also elongate that hole (similar to a Marauder magazine) too. This should eliminate the need to load the first pellet from the front of the magazine.

[Wayne52]

Magazines for the 25 cal aren't that good, the .177's work very good.  I'm wondering how well the .22's are working, hopefully as good as the .177.

[Hoople]

Magazines for the 25 cal aren't that good, the .177's work very good.  I'm wondering how well the .22's are working, hopefully as good as the .177.

Wayne, my 22 mag would work fine for the first 4-5 pellets then stick up, would have to tap it to make it rotate to load the remainder. So yesterday I took it apart and did some judicious sanding/polishing with 1500 grit sand paper and a diamond file, then lubed the tension screw before i put it back together. Shot 4 full mags today with nary a hiccup.

[Gertrude]

my .25 cal mag has never "stuck" or needed a tapping to get it to advance. It has worked pretty much "flawlessly" for all intent and purpose. My only issue with it is the size of the hole, and the need to load the first pellet from the front side.
I just feel it will be easier if I enlongate the cover hole, and make losding the magazine easier and less "fumbley"

[Wayne52]

Magazines for the 25 cal aren't that good, the .177's work very good.  I'm wondering how well the .22's are working, hopefully as good as the .177.

Wayne, my 22 mag would work fine for the first 4-5 pellets then stick up, would have to tap it to make it rotate to load the remainder. So yesterday I took it apart and did some judicious sanding/polishing with 1500 grit sand paper and a diamond file, then lubed the tension screw before i put it back together. Shot 4 full mags today with nary a hiccup.

That's what my 25 is doing too, many times I'll cock it and notice the mag isn't revolving and pull it out a little and hear it rotate, it does that with all the different pellets I've tried in it.

[tracker1955]

I drilled a new hole in the back offset from the original to add a bit more tension to the spring, no more feeding issues.

[Gertrude]

.
double post , sorry

[Gertrude]

ok, so I've take the trigger assembly apart to determine if I can do some polishing of contact points. Hopefully some improvement can be made to the feel and weight of the second stage. Since I have not yet seen any good pics of the parts laid out, I took these to share with all who may be considering doing the same thing.

Removal of the Cocking Lever Pivot Pin




Pic showing Pivot Pin removed, and small shim (non factory part) used to reduce some of the floppy motion the Cocking Lever was experiencing. The shim was made from a blown burst disk.




Remove Trigger Pivot Pin and the Trigger slides out the bottom of the Trigger Assembly.
Note placement of the attached Spring. Also note the thin factory Shims on each side of the Trigger Blade.
 Do not lose these, ... you will need them to prevent the trigger from being too wobbly.




You must also remove the Pin that is just forward of the Trigger Pivot Pin.
This is to allow clearance for removal of the Sear Catch.




Next remove the Sear Catch Pivot Pin, and remove the Sear Catch.
Be careful not to stretch the little springs.




Next remove the rear plug from the mono block and the Hammer Spring.
 I dont have a pic of that, but it's pretty basic. The rear Plug just unscrews, and the trigger spring comes right out.

Next position the hammer so that You can see the Cocking Pin screwed into the Brass Bolt Body.
 Remove this pin from the Brass Bolt Body using appropriate Allen Wrench. Loosen the Allen Screw locatedin the rear of to Hammer to allow the Sear Catch Pin to be removed from the Hammer. Remove the Sear Catch Pin and slide the Brass Bolt and the Hammer through the back of the mono block.





Trigger Parts Orientation,
Now ready for a little detailed cleanup and polishing job of all mating contact surfaces

[Hoople]

Ron, great write up and photos! Been waiting for someone to post pics of trigger assembly. Thanks.  Keep us posted on your progress and results.

[tracker1955]

I assume that the cap screw at the top of the trigger is not an adjustment point but just holds that block in place?