Tuning a magnum springer

[jimbo]

I was told that a magnum springer can be difficult to shoot until you tune (or untune) it , is this hard to do or do you need to send it out to some one?

[Back_Roads]

 With the aid of  some basic hand tools, a good spring compressor, a cut off wheel and grinder / polishing bits etc. pretty basic, with original parts. After market kits may or may not be easier. There are many brand/ model specific how to videos on youtube, and many to guide you on your journey here on GTA
 

[AmBraCol]

It all depends.

It depends on your skill level and the tools and materials you have available to you and your ability to use them correctly.  Tuning a magnum springer is not much different from tuning any of the springers in the basics.  For starters, you'll need:

Appropriate sized screwdrivers/wrenches/punches/etc
Spring compressor.
Appropriate lubes

That's all the tooling you'd need to do a basic lube tune.  Often with just a disassembly, deburring, lube, assembly you'll have a smoother shooting rifle.  For that, all you need is what's listed above.

If you want to get into customized spring guides, top hats and so forth, you'll need a lathe capable of handling the appropriate sized materials for the same.

You could send your rifle to Mike at Flying Dragon Air Rifles  for a full tune or you might do it yourself.  Air Rifle Headquarters is my favorite go to place for most piston seals, springs and appropriate lubes.  Some folks like Vortek and there are other sources for some of the necessaries as well.

Look through the GTA library for general information on tuning springers.  It's a great resource.

[AmBraCol]

Just beware - a magnum springer WILL need the use of a spring compressor to SAFELY disassemble it.  They come with a lot of preload and long, powerful springs.  An RWS 350 Magnum I did late last year had a lot of preload even with a few inches of the spring broken off the end and threaded together inside.  The spring was shorter by a few inches but still needed the compressor to allow me to safely disassemble it.

[Sfttailrdr46]

The project is definitely doable with a little preparation I built my own spring compressor . I will also suggest that you use your smart phone during the disassembly process just as a reference 

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Some examples of DIY spring compressors, once you figure out the concept it only takes some lumber and basic hardware:

[jimbo]

I have worked on and modded my co2 guns but these springers well it looks intimidating.

[Frank in Fairfield]

Jim,
A spring compressor is absolutely needed for all springer tuning except the TX200 (maybe others).
Tuning your springer involves cleaning things up missed by the factory to make everything nice and smooth.
Twang is a subject some shooters think about.
I shot my R1 for 25 years before I joined the GTA and found out about it.
Of course I shoot .300 Magnum PB for hunting so what does twang mean to me?
To solve the twang, one of our premier (the best in my book) tuners adds a DELRIN spring guide which is fitted nicely to the spring and eliminates the twang.
Me?, (cause I did), I would send motorhead a PM and box up your rifle and send it off.
You will not be dis-appointed.

[rsterne]

Not crazy about the loose socket between the car jack and the end plug in the first photo in Reply #5.... A separate piece like that could tilt sideways and become a missile…. For that matter, is the car jack bolted/screwed down to the baseboard?....

Bob

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Well spotted Bob!  Image found on these hallowed pages, some of us obviously like living on the edge.  Removed it lest bad advice is picked up on.

[Roadworthy]

If you decide to send the gun to someone for a tune contact them first to see if they'll even work on that brand or model.  Not all tuners will work on all brands of airguns.  Depending on the gun many are not even WORTH the price of a tune.  Check You Tube for your specific make and model - you may find a relevant video.  If you have no luck there you can get information from the library here or from other users.

[mpbby]

I have worked on and modded my co2 guns but these springers well it looks intimidating.

Don't worry. When you have a spring compressor, the spring itself, magnum or not, more or less preloaded, is just another part as the others.

[subscriber]

Somebody recently asked about a PA blog about springer tuning.  As it pertinent to this thread also, here is the link:  https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2019/03/in-search-of-the-perfect-tune/

Perhaps the most pertinent bit of info from the above link, is that PA's "tune in a tube" grease is really just this:  https://mag-hytec.com/product/le-3752-almagard-vari-purpose-grease/

[mav72]

I have worked on and modded my co2 guns but these springers well it looks intimidating.

Yes they can be. I remember my first time working on my first springer. It was stressful but it becomes easier the more you do it. It's good to have fear though. That spring ain't no joke. The more stressful times are when you are compressing or decompressing the spring.

You'll be ok if you have a nice sturdy well designed spring compressor, eye protection, and you know what you are doing.

[mav72]

That first pic doesnt look like a spring compressor. It looks like the clamp used to glue the cork handles together for fishing rods. 

[Doug Wall]

"I was told that a magnum springer can be difficult to shoot until you tune (or untune) it"
Don't believe everything that you are told. Even really well tuned magnum springers are hard to shoot. Hard to cock, heavy recoil. While tuning can reduce some vibration and buzz, it will still be a scope killer, and that kind of recoil can make it difficult to shoot accurately.

[Sfttailrdr46]

Doug most magnum springers only kill cheap non springer rated scopes. My Diana D460 .177 killed a couple less expensive scopes when I first got it four and a half years ago. Once I installed a quality "magnum springer rated" scope which is still mounted on it for the last four years with no issue. Tuning will reduce the torque and some of the harsh recoil so yes smoother performance. I shoot my springers because they tend to make me pay attention to the basics of good marksmanship. That focus carries over into shooting everything else I own 

[AmBraCol]

<snip>  I shoot my springers because they tend to make me pay attention to the basics of good marksmanship. That focus carries over into shooting everything else I own 

Yes, indeed.  Small frog in a tiny pond syndrome, but folks at our local gun club think I'm a whiz shot.  It comes back to shooting more than they do since I shoot airguns and they are limited to shooting expensive government regulated fixed ammunition.  Trigger time on a platform that makes you pay attention to every detail of the shot sequence makes it easier to shoot simpler systems well.

I really need to get my hands on my own "magnum" level springer, just because only playing with those that belong to others isn't enough to become really proficient.  They really DO make you pay attention to your P's and Q's!

Jim, don't let the perceived complexity/danger dissuade you.  If you've tuned or worked on CO2 guns, a springer is often even simpler.  Learning to do the basics is a skill set worth having - and when you run those first smooth shots downrange you have a feeling of accomplishment worth enjoying.  Go for it!

[Frank in Fairfield]

“Hard to cock”, “Hard to shoot”???
When I shoot my TX200, R1, D52, it is like coming home.
That is why I keep a good supply of Crosman 10.5 on hand. Neither rifle can shoot them well but, they shoot and I get some needed trigger time...
I have hunted with .300 Magnum Powder Burners all my life.
I carried a M1 and a M14 when uncle told me too (I would not carry the M16).
I like 12 gauge magnums, too.

The problem with springers:
If you have them, just shoot them and not your PCPs.
The hold requirements are much different.
You must allow the springer to move on its own (albeit, the same way for every shot) while you can grip your PCPs a bit tighter...IMHO

[Doug Wall]

"When I shoot my TX200, R1, D52, it is like coming home."
Well, I wouldn't consider the TX 200 to be a "magnum" springer, and the other two on the lower end. When I'm talking magnum these days, I'm talking about guns with a cocking force well over say, 45 lb., with say over 25FPE. I only use "scope killer" as an indication of recoil. Certainly, good springer rated scopes will hold up, but it took manufacturers a long time to get that right.