Flex .30 modification log Refurbish, Update, Hack

[Motorhead]

YES yes yes !!!  just 4 of those 4-40 screws holding the upper to lower is a bit concerning indeed at such a high output level.

[Airgunhunter73]

David those are some great numbers sure made a difference in looks with the plenum extension, here's a picture of what my WarP looked like with the 24" barrel

[PCPhack]

Another note for any would-be Flex hackers, I use 1 3/4 inch, 4-40 socket head cap screws for the upper. Earlier in the thread I showed a picture of some new ones that were a bit shorter, and there was not enough thread engagement in my opinion.

[PCPhack]

David those are some great numbers sure made a difference in looks with the plenum extension, here's a picture of what my WarP looked like with the 24" barrel

Wow, it looked really long on the smaller WarP! Thanks for the chance with this barrel. 

[Motorhead]

David those are some great numbers sure made a difference in looks with the plenum extension, here's a picture of what my WarP looked like with the 24" barrel

Yup ... my WarP with a 24" in .22 cal with a 2" longer "flex" air tube installed.

[PCPhack]

YES yes yes !!!  just 4 of those 4-40 screws holding the upper to lower is a bit concerning indeed at such a high output level.

Yep, and especially with how thin it is at the magazine well. I keep the scope on it while testing at these power levels, for whatever that is worth, to keep the flex in that weak area down.

[PCPhack]

David those are some great numbers sure made a difference in looks with the plenum extension, here's a picture of what my WarP looked like with the 24" barrel

Yup ... my WarP with a 24" in .22 cal with a 2" longer "flex" air tube installed.

I was thinking about using my non-regulated drop block, and then the new JSAR bottle regulator, like what you have here. It is easier to then switch between regulated and non-regulated since only the bottle has to be unscrewed as opposed to the breakdown I have to do to add or remove the WAR regulator and/or plenum extension. I ultimately didn't go that way for now, as I planned to use my JSAR bottle regulator on a different build.

[mackeral5]

Mike, I might be going out to the hunting lease this weekend, and if I do then will definitely take this setup for some shooting. Hopefully I can get away to do so.

Regarding accuracy, did you tension the barrel super tight? It can take a good bit of tensioning. You are right though, it is asking a lot from the existing breach screws at this power level. I have not seen a Raptor up close to see the screw setup. Given the large distance between front and back screws in this Flex configuration,  more screws in the middle are a good idea, especially since the design has the transfer port area in the middle trying to blow itself apart against the screw tension.

Douglas P shared a theory that the breech flexes upward in the magwell, partially due to what you describe in it trying to blow itself apart, I tend to align with that theory....  I tensioned very tight once i added the 3 set screws.  By that time in my journey I was somewhat bored with the gun and really embraced its accuracy as a 90fpe pellet shooter.  It did such a good job that's where I left it. 

I was very close to converting to .357 and bulldog mags.....then I came to my senses and didnt destroy the Flex and traded it for the Extreme.....

My journey with the Flex platform ended with me trading off 2, one for a Bulldog, one for the Extreme.  In the process saving a bottle block, the mrod hammers tube extension, and some valves.  If I need to scratch that itch again I'll do it with an Mrod and one of those sidelever breeches......IMHO, the main real advantage to the Flex is the longer hammer/spring area and maybe the timney trigger.   The bolt retention/lock up is far superior as well, but I wouldn't plan on pushing the Mrod beyond the 100fpe mark anyway so a 10/32 mod should be sufficient....

I hope you have a chance to our her through the paces this weekend. 

[PCPhack]

Well it is all about accuracy! If this thing is a shotgun at the highest powers, then it will go back to a pellet shooter real fast. 

[mackeral5]

Well it is all about accuracy! If this thing is a shotgun at the highest powers, then it will go back to a pellet shooter real fast. 

I am crossing my fingers that you find the right combination/compromise.  Looking forward to following along....

[Motorhead]

On point with the the current conversation ... on my WarP did re-thread the forward holes to 6-32 threading within the original WAR valve body, slightly open up the receiver to accept them w/o issue.
As the years went by and other valves have come and gone internally ( Not WAR ), TRIED TO modify them for 6-32 threading ONLY TO HAVE THREADING BREAK THREW INTO THE VALVES INNER BORE   
* these were repairable with some JB weld on valves interior wall where threads broke threw ... so be aware of this !!!!
You won't get away with threading above 6-32 

Scott

[PCPhack]

Well, I didn't have time to shoot groups this weekend as I had hoped, but I did get time to squeeze off a couple of very quick 75 yard groups. The Flex was putting down a 1 inch group in gusty conditions with Mr. Hollowpoint 55 grain slugs. I can't wait until I have time to go through all the slug variants that I have in a proper sit down session.

[mackeral5]

Sounds like good results so far.  I have a batch of NSA's, I think 47gr?  I may put some through my 25" TJ's barrel this afternoon to see how they do.  No interest in re-tuning for them, but will see how they do.  Gun is a QB78 contraption with 350cc bottle, 70ish cc plenum, non-adjustable regulator, Cothran valve.  Basically duplicated a Flex's specs in a chinese clothing, lol...

[PeterL]

Well, I didn't have time to shoot groups this weekend as I had hoped, but I did get time to squeeze off a couple of very quick 75 yard groups. The Flex was putting down a 1 inch group in gusty conditions with Mr. Hollowpoint 55 grain slugs. I can't wait until I have time to go through all the slug variants that I have in a proper sit down session.

Congrats on your journey. It’s definitely one of a kind and truly yours. Awesome work.

Peter

[PCPhack]

I am considering switching the regulator to the JSAR adjustable one, and removing the plenum extension tube. This would give me a few extra threaded holes on the older drop block (from the extra gauge/ fill ports there) to mount a rearward angled plenum extension when I want the highest power, while maintaining the better balance and smoother lines if the drop block being tucked in with the bottom rail. It's just an idea at this point, but would be easy enough to do. I am sure someone will ask why not just run it unregulated and the answer is that I really like the highest power levels combined with the consistency of regulation over a large number of shots.

[PCPhack]

Congrats on your journey. It’s definitely one of a kind and truly yours. Awesome work.

Peter

Thank you Peter!