first things first

[jackpine]

Just wondering what are some of the things folks do when you get that new rifle (or pistol ) home.
is there some preventative matter or any thing you feel the need to look over with a discerning eye?
I'm expecting a crosman break barrel to show up via fedex and my mind started wandering.
Thanks in advance for any and all responses and advice 

[Roadworthy]

I inspect carefully for damage then clean the barrel before shooting it.  If shooting for accuracy you may wish to check screws for tightness but initially I'm just interested in smoothness of cocking and how parts fit.  If I'm happy with that I usually tear it down for a proper lubrication and debur.

[jackpine]

I inspect carefully for damage then clean the barrel before shooting it.  If shooting for accuracy you may wish to check screws for tightness but initially I'm just interested in smoothness of cocking and how parts fit.  If I'm happy with that I usually tear it down for a proper lubrication and debur.

Hi Thomas- this is just what I'd been hoping for, but I did forget to mention that the rifle is a nitro piston if that makes any difference.
 I assume what you're describing is a tuning? I have read up on that procedure a bit and don't find it at all intimidating (I 've repaired cameras before how much worse could a pellet gun be?)
But to enquire from your experience, what lubricants do you prefer/suggest? 

[bantam5s]

I pretty much just jump into basic accuracy testing and finding it's favorite pellet.
Don't have a chrony not that velocity really matters to me for sub 20 yd iron sight plinking.

[jackpine]

I pretty much just jump into basic accuracy testing and finding it's favorite pellet.
Don't have a chrony not that velocity really matters to me for sub 20 yd iron sight plinking.

this is the temptation but thought I would check with those who've been around these new (to me) fangled rifles, just looking to do a little squirrel hunting along with destroying paper plates, but like to get as much mileage out of it as I can  

[subscriber]

Ray,

I look through the barrel.  If it is shiny, I might shoot it as is.  If dull, clean from the breech end with dry patch. 

Check the stock screws.  Ensure they are not loose.  Do not over tigten them.

Then lube the pivot points.  That said, resist the urge to lube the piston via the transfer port.  That will result in massive dieseling, which will make the gun loud and inaccurate; and may cause lasting damage.

When done handling the gun, wipe down blued metal surfaces with a slightly oily cloth to act as corrosion barrier.

Shoot 50 shots to evaluate general function.  If accuracy drops off, look for a dull looking bore and clean if dirty looking.  Recheck stock screws...

[nced]

Just wondering what are some of the things folks do when you get that new rifle (or pistol ) home.
is there some preventative matter or any thing you feel the need to look over with a discerning eye?
I'm expecting a crosman break barrel to show up via fedex and my mind started wandering.
Thanks in advance for any and all responses and advice 

The first things I do with a new springer..............
1. Take out of packaging and inspect for damage. The packaging on the last gun I bought from AOA (a .177 HW95) was damaged like this.......
Kinda puzzling because the outer box was undamaged which indicated the gun with damaged box was placed in the "outer box" before shipping.

2. Inspect the gun for damage and there was no gun damage so all was OK. ........


3. Pull some patches through the bore to clean out the "shipping gunge" (or whatever the stuff is). First patch pulled through the .177 R9 I bought years ago.........


4. Adjust the barrel pivot tension (if a break barrel) because my HWs have ALWAYS had the pivot bolt tension set too tight from the box!

5. Cock, load and shoot a couple pellets over the chrony to check functioning. This .177 HW95 shot boxed 7.9 grain Crosman Premiers at 880fps without a hint of dieseling straight from the box after a bore clean.

IMHO....this is all that's needed except shooting a bunch of pellets to "seat the parts" during "break in".

I personally do a few extra steps.........
6. Break down the springer to strip all factory petroleum based internal lubes and replace with Dupont Krytox GPL205 grease.......


7. Inspect the HW95 receiver bore geometry using a home made gage and if there are "excessive constrictions" I hone the receiver ID only till the gage will pass..........


8. To adjust velocity I make up a "home rolled" spring kit based on an aftermarket spring (usually from ARH) with tight fitting spring guide and top hat......


9. I replace the factory piston seal with a home turned oring sealed piston cap but with the newer design HW factory piston seals I find this really isn't necessary if the factory seal fits properly. I've found that the diameters of piston seals from HW vary and one new seal can be loose in the receiver and another new seal from my parts bin will fit the receive rperfectly...........


10. As mentioned, I lube with non-dieseling Dupont Krytox grease (usually GPL205), reassemble, then again check for function. After a bit of "beaking in" this particular .177 HW95 shot pretty good groups with head sized die lot marked and dated boxed Crosman premiers even when I shoot sitting on a bucket recting the gun on cross sticks IF my swaying on the bucket is well controlled.........

[jackpine]

wow thanks nced.
that reply needs its own sticky, it's more extensive than some of the web pages I've visited that tried to explain the same.
Here's my first patch, took 6 more to clear up-
I did check the mounting screws but will drop some 3 in 1 on the pivot points.
everything I can see looks fine so tomorrow I think I'll take a shot or 2

[jackpine]

one thing I do plan on doing soon is if the adjustment screw on the (crosman) trigger doesn't shorten up the second stage, I want to try the mod suggested by Kenny kormendy (myairgunreviews on you tube) using the rc car bearing

[bantam5s]

one thing I do plan on doing soon is if the adjustment screw on the (crosman) trigger doesn't shorten up the second stage, I want to try the mod suggested by Kenny kormendy (myairgunreviews on you tube) using the rc car bearing

I've heard this mod with the 8mm rc bearing can potentially be dangerous.
Maybe just get the often recommended GRT2 trigger ?
Most crosman springers are just rebranded generic Chinese B19 rifles , so it should likely accept this trigger.
Just search the forum to easily find out if your gun can use this aftermarket trigger.

[subscriber]

Ray,

In case you are tempted to strip your air rifle, note that many of them require some sort of spring compressor to take apart; or certainly to get back together.  Depending on the force and linear preload distance the gas or coil spring is compressed when decocked, the spring and other bits can come out hard and fast enough to cause injury.

[joek]

Some of the Crosman springers have a updated trigger design that may make a aftermarket trigger blade redundant, I bought a couple units to try to retrofit gamo style guns I have. but never got around to it lol. sorry I don't remember the name of the then "new" design, maybe someone else doe's 

[jackpine]

Ray,

In case you are tempted to strip your air rifle, note that many of them require some sort of spring compressor to take apart; or certainly to get back together.  Depending on the force and linear preload distance the gas or coil spring is compressed when decocked, the spring and other bits can come out hard and fast enough to cause injury.

had to google around to see this for myself and here is one that appeals to me, I have bar clamps that could be used

[Hoosier Daddy]

There is a "sticky" at the top of this gate that helps.

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=51555.0

[nced]

Ray,

In case you are tempted to strip your air rifle, note that many of them require some sort of spring compressor to take apart; or certainly to get back together.  Depending on the force and linear preload distance the gas or coil spring is compressed when decocked, the spring and other bits can come out hard and fast enough to cause injury.

had to google around to see this for myself and here is one that appeals to me, I have bar clamps that could be used

I use a padded 60" Groz sash clamp like this as a spring compressor when working on mu HW springers..........
https://www.woodcraft.com/products/groz-60-t-bar-clamp

Heavy cold drawn steel construction, base support so it doesn't tip over, long "ram screw" to compress springs with a lot of preload.

[jackpine]

There is a "sticky" at the top of this gate that helps.

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=51555.0

I,ll admit that I didn't notice that, but I do enjoy the opportunity to exchange posts and replies making friends in the meanwhile, I am thankful for each and every reply-they have given me new areas to search out and explore

[jackpine]

nced-that is a beauty and looks pretty sturdy.

[Hoosier Daddy]

There is a "sticky" at the top of this gate that helps.

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=51555.0

I,ll admit that I didn't notice that, but I do enjoy the opportunity to exchange posts and replies making friends in the meanwhile, I am thankful for each and every reply-they have given me new areas to search out and explore

I totally get that Ray, just posted the link in case there is something that we forget to mention.

[jackpine]

Thanks to all those that replied and for all the advice, ideas and for sharing your experience and knowledge.
Played around with it yesterday and here is where I ended up after 30 rounds or so-25 yards.

[Hoosier Daddy]

25 yards out of a new Crosman springer, even with the one flyer, that is a nice group!!!
 Just what "break Barrel" did you get?
 My Genesis took a lot of pellets, two different scopes, and a CDT trigger to get performance any better than that.
CONGRATS!

So now, what pellets are you using?