ATI Nova Freedom .177 "no warranty parts gun" (pic heavy)

[avator]

This past Thursday I lost all resistance and ordered one. I did sell another gun to fund it which got me around Betty Lou's displeasure about my collection of 100+ airguns. About 20 minutes ago FedEx pulls in the driveway. The driver slid the door open and relief instantly came over me. He handed me a virtually pristine cardboard box.
Sweet, double boxed.
After grabbing the camera for the inboxing, which I usually forget to do, I opened the outer box and pulled out the inner box.
This box was pretty dusty like it had been in a warehouse a while. Being the last .177 they had, this didn't surprise me.
The box showed a bit of scuffing but, other than one small ding in a corner, was good to go.

[avator]

This gun was definitely a return. The inner box had been previously opened and taped shut.
Inside the gun was packed in all it's foam protection. The plastic bag was scuffed and very dusty as was the gun itself but, it was completely intact with no signs of physical damage.
Again.... so far, so good.

Edit to clarify..... The plastic bag was scuffed and dusty. The gun was not scuff, just dusty. I can't find a mark on the gun.

[avator]

The front and rear sights are there and in great functioning condition.
All accessories are missing save a small plastic bag containing two tiny o-rings which I assume are replacements for the bolt. I'll have to look on the parts diagram.
This does not bother me in the least. I had already purchased 2 mags that arrived yesterday from Bud's. And my intended use for this gun is an open sight repeating self contained PCP. And that is exactly what I have.
A probe would be a good option but not a deal breaker. I'll post a WTB in the classifieds and someone that ordered 2 or more guns may sell me one. I'm also hopeful that someone will find a compatible one from another gun that can be ordered.

[WesBob]

Hey Bill congrats on the new purchase! No fill probe is a bit of a problem, I'd be sending an email off to the dealer, as I'm sure they'd want to make good on that missing piece. But maybe your title is suggesting something I missed, being away from the forum awhile. Anyway, very cool! Looking forward to your review 

[avator]

My next observation gave me a bit of concern. The pressure gauge show zero pressure. My first reaction was, ok, I got a leaker or one that won't pump up at all.
Neither of which was the case.... I unlocked the pump arm and gave the gun 6 full strokes. The needle on the gauge went to the end of the yellow and beginning of the green. I watched it for a full minute and it stayed right there. I racked the lever to cock the hammer and tried the trigger.... yep, safety works.
I flipped the safety off and aimed down range with no pellet in the gun. I got a nice little snap. No where near a big "crack" but the pressure was only at the very bottom of the operating range.
YES !!!!   I have a fully functioning gun !!!!
It was at that point that Betty Lou stuck her head out the door and told me lunch was ready.
After I ate I thought I would get this thread started and post what I have.... so far.
More to come....

Edit.... Another sign that the gun was preowned. In this picture you can see the rear sight was put on too far back so the mag would not slide in. I assume the original owner had a scope on it and put the rear sight back on to return it. He must have been somewhat careful. I see no marring from scope mounts.

[avator]

Wes.... welcome home. I'm sure you'll catch up but here's the skinny..
ATI is selling off a bunch of airguns as "parts guns". These are returns from customers for what ever reason, damaged packaging or missing parts.
They are being sold with no warranty and no returns with a deep DEEP discount. You have to call ATI to get them because they are not advertised or listed on the website.
I paid $108 for this gun to my door.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Happy Day !       Congratulations Bill !      Very Nice Rifle !





Best Wishes - Tom

[UlteriorModem]

Wes.... welcome home. I'm sure you'll catch up but here's the skinny..
ATI is selling off a bunch of airguns as "parts guns". These are returns from customers for what ever reason, damaged packaging or missing parts.
They are being sold with no warranty and no returns with a deep DEEP discount. You have to call ATI to get them because they are not advertised or listed on the website.
I paid $108 for this gun to my door.

Great price on a good gun! I have the Nova Liberty version and it is a great shooter and has held 1,200psi for over a month now!

[Madd Hatter]

Thanks a lot Avatar, now I'm looking to get one of the liberties in wood if they still have any. You guys are very very dangerous to my bank account! I've already got a Aspen aka Freedom in .22 but really want to get  a liberty. 

[WesBob]

Wow! Great deal! Thanks for explaining!

Wes.... welcome home. I'm sure you'll catch up but here's the skinny..
ATI is selling off a bunch of airguns as "parts guns". These are returns from customers for what ever reason, damaged packaging or missing parts.
They are being sold with no warranty and no returns with a deep DEEP discount. You have to call ATI to get them because they are not advertised or listed on the website.
I paid $108 for this gun to my door.

[avator]

Thanks guys...

Wes, I wondered where you disappeared to but then I heard you had started your own thing and I figured you were a pretty busy boy. I've had a short run on a few small businesses in my lifetime and I know how taxing they can be... literally and figuratively.
Best of luck to you, Brother.

[avator]

Robert..... one thing is for certain.... "keeping up with the Jones' " takes on a whole new monster when it comes to airgunning. There are a heck of a lot more out here than just the Jones'.
You either get on the bus or you're left on the corner waiting for "Uber".

[cosmic]

Those are the bolt probe o rings...

[avator]

..... and we're moving right along...

After lunch and my 3 cig desert I headed back out where "Freedom" was waiting.... lol.. I crack me up.

Ok, so we left off with a completely exhausted gun. I loaded up a mag with Crosman 10.5 Ultra Magnum Domes... (CPUM). I did this before pumping the gun just in case I had no juice left in me.
Bare in mind.. Back in November of 2018 I had total reverse shoulder replacement on my left side. Fortunately I am right handed.
I don't do hand pumping on my PCP guns. I don't pump my Sheridans 8 strokes. 5 is plenty. However, if I did I would lay the gun, sights down, across my lap and pump it with my right arm. Which is exactly how I will pump this gun.
From bone dry it took 40 strokes to hit just a hair under the red range on the gauge. Opened the side lever and the UX mag slid right in with a good solid "click" sending it to home position.
The side lever pushed forward injecting a pellet into the lead like butter.
Let's stop here a minute..

[avator]

Those are the bolt probe o rings...

Thanks Ray... I assumed they were.

[Wayne52]

Bill I can't wait to open my surprise package when it gets here, I paid $8 shipping too, he said over the phone the shipping was a little more than what my Liberty was but only 50 cents

[avator]

Let me just say this... and you may see it differently.

Shouldering this gun, the shot cycle (including the sound of it being fired), the length and the weight is like deja vu of the "out of box" Marauder Gen II. Even the feel of the trigger pull is so close that I almost took a second look at what gun I was shooting.
Here is where the difference is for me.... the design of the pump arm. That handle is in the perfect position for me to grab with my left hand and support my elbow against the side of my torso. I said PERFECT !! If not for that, this gun may have slipped well down on my list of favorites. I do NOT like a big ole clunky, front heavy gun. I have guns that confine me to a bench rest and that is not why I bought this one.
With that... this gun will remain open sights or holographic red dot... however, if I happen on a nice light weight scope and the price it right, I might consider it.

[avator]

Next up, I wanted to zip through a ten round mag to experience the cocking and shot cycles. I also wanted to get an idea of air efficiency.
Ummm... Did I already use the term "butter"? To bad, I'm saying it again.
This is the first side cocking repeater gun I have ever shot... and I'm hooked after only 1 mag.

[Wayne52]

Bill mine will be a true Freedom because I don't even have to buy my pellets, I'll just cast them

[avator]

BTW... I'm not even up to the sighting in yet.

So, I'm sure we've all experienced a trashy trigger. The gun can be laser accurate and you ain't gonna hit diddly if you can't get your mind off of that trigger.
After a full mag I realized.... I couldn't remember how the trigger felt. I never once even thought about it. Maybe my mind was elsewhere, like in that deja vu moment that I mentioned. Or just maybe.... the trigger is that good to me. You would think just once you would say to yourself "I think I'll shorten, or lighten that pull". Nope, not yet anyhow. I don't have a trigger pull tester and at this point, I don't need one.