DAR Dynamic .177, .22, & .25 on Clearance at SG

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

My .25 arrived today.  I removed it from the box, inspected it for any apparent damage, found none, so I replaced the o-rings on the regulator and both ends of the air tube.  I probably didn't need to because the o-rings looked a lot better than the ones that had come on my .177.  I also shimmed the pivot on the cocking lever to reduce some of the slop.  I aired it up and went to mount the scope and discovered the BSA 30mm scope I had removed from the DAR177 wouldn't fit on the DAR 25!  I need taller rings so the magazine will fit.  So, the cheap $17 Amazon 3-9X40 AO scope I had mounted on the DAR177 got moved to the DAR25 and the BSA is back on the DAR177!  The 1" tube gave enough clearance for the .25 magazine, so it will stay as is until I get some tall 30mm dovetail rings to try.  The .25 magazine fits much snugger than the .177 magazine and it stays in place better than the one in the .177.

I ran 4 magazine through it while I was sighting it in.  It's getting 20 shots per fill before coming off the regulator.  I haven't cleaned the barrel yet, so pellets seem to be all over the place.  I also noticed some lead on one side of the shroud end cap, so it appears to be clipping the pellets.  When I had it apart replacing the 0-rings, I cranked up the regulator a ¼ turn and increased the hammer spring tension by 2 turns.  I'll run it over the chrony this coming weekend, but for now, it's aired up to 200 bar and is sitting in the gun safe to see if it holds air.  I did notice that 2 of 3 set screws on the breech end to the barrel shroud were stripped, so the shroud isn't as secure as I'd like.  I may see if I can retap them and use a couple larger sized set screws. I wish Ryan was still at Aim Sports, he'd probably send me a new shroud mount instead of having to send it in to be fixed.

So far, I'm happy.  If it holds air, I'll be thrilled.  Next task will be cleaning the barrel and running it over the chrony!

[nervoustrigger]

My .25 arrived today as well.  Box was is fair shape, the rifle was undamaged.  The gauge was sitting on zero so I figured that was a bad omen, and when I first started pumping it up, it leaked from what sounded like 3 distinct locations as pressure began to build.  But it wasn't long before they all stopped hissing and it was taking air.  It has been fully charged for about an hour now so we'll see how it goes. 

I had forgotten about the dovetail being nonstandard but I rummaged around until I found a Picatinny adapter that would clamp onto it and I got a scope mounted.

Meanwhile, it looks like mother nature has other plans for shooting tonight. 

[Wolverineshooter]

Do they need special rings? I only have the dovetail and Weaver rings. I assume they are 11mm and 20mm, not 10mm.

[Wayne52]

A couple of days ago I ran 3 entire clips of Eunjins over the chrony and they were all regulated shots, I'm thinking maybe the regulator is settling in some but can't say for sure.  I did go check my order number for the 22 at Sportsmans Guide and I have a Fedex tracking number now but it's not yet being registered through Fedex.  I figure by this time tomorrow it's going to be on a truck and on it's way here.  Hopefully I'll see it by Saturday.

[nervoustrigger]

The dovetail is spec’d as 10mm. I just lucked out that I had a Picatinny adapter that would grab it firmly.

As to how the rifle is working, it held air overnight so maybe I got lucky.  Last night I set up a flashlight and ran about 30 shots through it.  It’s doing 46fpe with JSB Heavies (34gr).  Those grouped best...about 1/2” at 25 yards.  The shots showed vertical stringing so I’m guessing the regulator and state of tune are playing into that.   Meaning it should improve with break in and adjustments.

I haven’t inspected the barrel yet but I sensed the bore is rough based on how it felt pulling cotton patches through.  There’s also a slight hitch when chambering a pellet.  So a little leade work and J-B is in the near future.  Will check and dress the crown as well.

It’s surprisingly light and shoulders really well.  It looks good, the checkering is nice.  Overall it seems like a killer deal for anyone who is okay with the likelihood of replacing some O-rings early on.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Mine is holding air as well!  Of course I replaced the o-rings just in case. I saved the ones I removed, so they will become spares. Sounds like I may not have had to mess with them, but oh well, what’s done is done!  I hope to run some pellets over the Chrony today and see what she has.

As for the rings, check what you have, some allow you to flip the edge that tightens to the rail and you can get them to work. That’s what I did for the 1” Scope I have on mine. I need a set of tall 30mm rings to be able to mount my BSA scope on the .25 and have it clear the magazine, so will order a set in 10mm just to be sure.

[Wayne52]

Neither of mine ever stopped holding air once I put good o rings on the regulator, I got three red squirrels today with my .177

[Wolverineshooter]

Mine scheduled for delivery Saturday

[nervoustrigger]

I just pulled my .25 barrel and they totally blew it on the crown:



Looks like I'll be taking about 1/8" off the end and recrowning.  Sadly this sort of incompetence is par for the course with cheap rifles.  I have seen crown defects with multiple Crosman and SPA barrels.  A notable exception has been the QB barrels.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Jason, how do you separate the shroud from that retainer piece that's next to the breech?  Or, I guess the better question is how do you separate the shroud retainer thing from the breech?

My .25 that arrived yesterday had 2 of the 3 set screws stripped on that retainer piece, so the shroud just spins around the barrel.  I'd like to get that piece off so I can either replace it or tap two of the hole for a larger sized set screw.

[nervoustrigger]

Paul, the collar is threaded to the tube just like the end cap at the muzzle.  It has threadlocker so I threaded an M3 screw into one of the grub screw holes to give me leverage.  The way I did it was, I pulled the barrel (w/shroud still attached) from the breech, then once I had the shroud in hand by itself, removing the end cap was pretty easy.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Thanks Jason.  Can the piece that has the 3 set screws be removed or is it somehow attached to the barrel?  The way it just spins has me a bit confused as to how it attaches to the breech.

[nervoustrigger]

Yes it threads into the tube, and is secured to the barrel with the set screws.  It does not attach to the breech in any way.

If you take the two set screws out of the breech and pull the barrel/shroud assembly, you'll get it sorted.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Yes it threads into the tube, and is secured to the barrel with the set screws.  It does not attach to the breech in any way.

If you take the two set screws out of the breech and pull the barrel/shroud assembly, you'll get it sorted.

You weren't joking when you said they really like the loc-tite!  Holy cow, it would have been much easier if I owned a Gorilla, but I did manage to get it apart.  I also e-mailed Aim Sports about the stripped set screw holes in the retainer part.  I also asked about getting a cone shaped valve spring.  I got a response saying they had the set screws but the the spring would not be available till Friday.  I hope they send the part the shroud screws into, that's the part that's stripped, not the set screws!  Oh well, I guess I see what they say on Friday.

[nervoustrigger]

Glad to hear you got it apart.  My shroud spilled its guts tonight

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=146178.msg1503119#msg1503119

so I need to see about getting a replacement end cap and possibly the shroud tube.  Would you mind telling me how you are contacting them?

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Glad to hear you got it apart.  My shroud spilled its guts tonight

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=146178.msg1503119#msg1503119

so I need to see about getting a replacement end cap and possibly the shroud tube.  Would you mind telling me how you are contacting them?

I contacted Ed Morales, another member had posted his email address, although they had a typo. His email address is edm@aimsportsinc.com

[nervoustrigger]

Great, thank you sir.  I got antsy and already put in a support request via their web site so if I don't hear back in a day or two, I'll try Ed.

[Wolverineshooter]

Went to buy a DAR22 to complete my set, only to find that the price has gone up. Oh well, I guess there are too many issues and it is not worth to sell them anymore.

[Rohmpm]

Ed told me that they are longer offering support for DAR rifles. Either return to SG for full refund, return to DAR for a replacement Gen 2 gun in the second quarter next year at no additional cost,or you are on your own.

I chose the latter, I had $194.00 in my gun. What take a refund when I get an exchange, upgraded gun for the same price vs the inevitable price I crease for a properly engineeted/fi ished gun

It would not be reasonable to destroy returned guns so I would suspect that next year there will be a lot of "refurbished" DAR rifles updated with
Gen 2 upgrades.

[WeaselCat]

Well, my 177 developed a leak while I was away from home today. Gauge is now on zero. Time to put the replacement o-rings to use.