My HW97K and the real truth about Vortek kits!

[Bayman]

PA's only forgiveness= buy3 get 4th free...
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LOL!!

[Yogi]

PA's only forgiveness= buy3 get 4th free...
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Yes but you are paying more for the 3!!!!

-Y

[abqjoe]

My experience with the SHO kit in a97....I think the Vortek Kits are prone to mislabeling. I got a couple from PA, and they were SHO kits, as labeled by the PA sticker, but the tiny instructions had 12 marked rather than SHO. Happened with a d34 also. Never noticed till I chronied it. So check the insert before install to verify the kit.

That's frigging PA. They relabel and make poor substitutions all the time. I could go on a crazy rant about the problems I've had with them sending me the wrong stuff via their substitutions. Then they want you to pay return shipping and charge you a restocking fee because technically its not defective. Ugh! Don't even get me started.

I've heard a couple of reports like this in regards to PA. For me personally though, PA has treated me so good that things I can get cheaper from another retailer or on eBay, I still buy from PA because I've experienced zero problems with returning stuff and they have just treated me so well! I recently purchased my first PCP from them, an FX Dreamline Tactical with AR stock. They recommended a certain scope when I inquired as to what a decent scope would be and they said just put a HAWKE Vantage on it, so I ordered it along with the HAWKE rings. Got everything in and just wasn't very impressed with the scope! Called them up, expressed to them that I wasn't all that impressed with the scope they recommended and asked if I could just pay the difference for an upgrade and go with the HAWKE 30 SF, to which they said sure. Told me if I wanted it quicker to just pay the full amount that day and that they'd ship it out ASAP and issue me a return shipping label for the Vantage and credit back the full amount paid for that scope and rings once it arrived to them. Everything went smooth and quick and I love the new scope! This was the second time I had to return something and it was the second time that they proved their integrity to me as an honest retailer.

[fwbsport]

My experience with the SHO kit in a97....I think the Vortek Kits are prone to mislabeling. I got a couple from PA, and they were SHO kits, as labeled by the PA sticker, but the tiny instructions had 12 marked rather than SHO. Happened with a d34 also. Never noticed till I chronied it. So check the insert before install to verify the kit.

That's frigging PA. They relabel and make poor substitutions all the time. I could go on a crazy rant about the problems I've had with them sending me the wrong stuff via their substitutions. Then they want you to pay return shipping and charge you a restocking fee because technically its not defective. Ugh! Don't even get me started.

I've heard a couple of reports like this in regards to PA. For me personally though, PA has treated me so good that things I can get cheaper from another retailer or on eBay, I still buy from PA because I've experienced zero problems with returning stuff and they have just treated me so well! I recently purchased my first PCP from them, an FX Dreamline Tactical with AR stock. They recommended a certain scope when I inquired as to what a decent scope would be and they said just put a HAWKE Vantage on it, so I ordered it along with the HAWKE rings. Got everything in and just wasn't very impressed with the scope! Called them up, expressed to them that I wasn't all that impressed with the scope they recommended and asked if I could just pay the difference for an upgrade and go with the HAWKE 30 SF, to which they said sure. Told me if I wanted it quicker to just pay the full amount that day and that they'd ship it out ASAP and issue me a return shipping label for the Vantage and credit back the full amount paid for that scope and rings once it arrived to them. Everything went smooth and quick and I love the new scope! This was the second time I had to return something and it was the second time that they proved their integrity to me as an honest retailer.

Jose, I can tell you have the heart in treating all fair over taking advantage, and paying more to avoid trouble is a general rule in any purchase.

I have guns from PA and the Depot and Straight Shooters as well as AOA--the latter being my only place to buy rifles since I found out PA and AGD couldn't sell me a rifle in a caliber above the tiny weeny .177!

So when I ordered the HW80 Left Hand Stock (sent by accident from Lauren--her mistake and she owned up to it) I kept it after shooting it.  It shot extremely well and the stock itself is gorgeous.  I just got an Android and I think I can post pictures with this thing so pretty soon you'll all see the pics.

Anyway, it turned out I found my reliable place for purchasing and it isn't overseas at Krale either.  I know others talk about saving money somehow through someone but in the end when you establish a relationship with the shop like I have you always feel at home when buying.  They do the best job for me.

When I ask someone to work on a rifle I have to meet them in person usually like I did in my firearm days.  I found a gunsmith who knew me and that is what made me keep going back to him (that was Murphy at Murphy's Gun Shop in Tucson, AZ).

In the world of air I watch how things are done to repair and improve air rifles mostly here now, and to tell you the truth you ended it with the right attitude for all IMO.

[prosportfan]

Jose I remember last year I believe, telling people about my Prosport situations. My first one had some type of water stain like it was a ring going around cross grain like its been standing in water. So they exchanged it with no qualms. Then the new one came and kept it for about a year and a half. Sent it in to PA for service which is free and lifetime I think. Not sure but have to check. Anyway reason for the service was it still sounded very harsh and gritty. Their tech from what I learned did his job but quieted it down with mucho spring tar and upon getting it back , UPS or someone other than me damages my shroud by way of scratches deep into the bluing where you can see bare metal, stock scratched and the box was semi torn open in those areas. Contacted PA and had a small fiasco as to handling the situation since they were the ones who shipped it. I wrote about it on here and some of the members started runnung their jibbs talking about if they were PA they wouldn't deal with me because im always trying tonreturn something or they wouldn't deal with me as a customer anymore or PA went beyond what anyone should do. Also they wouldn't want to by a prosport that I returned. Dude I was so peeved because the ones running their mouth didn't even read the post aside from what they wanted to read. Ibhad to straighten them (members) out. I felt like they were trying to a cold me or something
 Anyway so for the rant. My point is that this forum can be awesom at times well more times than not but there is always someone with a asinine opinion that has to do with little to no facts and a lot of hearing themselves. I am just happy that you didn't have to go through it and you & Scott have hopefully came to a conclusion or a meeting of the minds to alleviate and problems be it financial or mechanical. He is good people and from what I read of your posts that your good people as well. I would love to meet you one day. Take care brother

[mpbby]

Back to the subject of tuning...anyone here have experience with Titan mainsprings? I realize they're an across the pond thing... Don't hurt to ask.  Thanks.

Some years ago, I was having early problems with the OEM springs for the D 350. As then advertised.., I imported a Titan #14 (from Germany).  The OD is too large. To start, you can't use the OEM spring sleeve.  Then, I was told by the dealer and manufacturer(?) to don't use the sleeve.  Even so, it scratched (a LOT) on the piston wall.  Just 50 rounds and I gave up.  Btw, the fps was the "same" of a OEM spring.

Price + shipping costs certainly in the trash; I just don't want to remember if there was importing taxes to that case (by sampling, 60% over CIF) .

I ended up using the Vortek springs, and they have been ok. 

[Mossonarock]

I bought a Vortek kit for my HW97kt. I can't remember if its a PG2 or 3. However, I still haven't installed it. I get good enough accuracy and power from the OEM spring. In fact, I haven't done anything to the rifle other than shoot it but I'm relatively easy to please. I've been able to shoot a squirrel in the eye from 50m and that's certainly good enough for me. When I bought that spring kit, I also bought one for my D56. Now that spring I did use, and my D56 is a much smoother shooter now because of it. I think its also more powerful too but can't remember. I don't have my data on hand at this moment. Its not a lot more powerful though and I'm certain about that.

OTOH, in the same order, I bought some piston seals for two other rifles- a 26 mm seal and a 25 mm seal. Neither seal fit in the rifles; the seals were both too small. I have a hard time getting an accurate measurement from my micrometer on the seals since the seals squish just a bit. So, I'm not sure what the issue is. Vortek may have a QC issue with their seals but IDK. I didn't bother returning them since my opinion is like Jason's above that its just a good idea to have a variety of seals on hand. You never know when you'll not be able to get one anymore. I'm still searching for a replacement seal for one of those rifles but the other one is up and running. I ended up getting a seal from Custom AirSeals and that one fit- the rifle being a Marksman 0035. I've ended up spending more money on that rifle than its worth after buying two replacement seals for it but it is what it is. BTW: that rifle turned out to be a sweet little shooter...

[Motorhead]

* This is going to be LAST and final post on this subject ...

Stuff happens and not always good for both or either party.  The parts we use are only as good as the material used in said parts.  The Seals used were ARH and correctly sized and fitted.  There is no liability from the seal manufacturer that the seals were correctly made or correct material used, I'm SOL on getting replacements or any time or $$ reimbursement. ...  I only discovered this SGS seal to be an issue by a repeat issue in another gun shortly after Jose got his gun back the second time with still sub power for his high elevation shooting.

Upon discovering not a week later the SGS seal issue did Jose ALREADY dismantle and redo the gun, Vortek kit installed and this post got generated.   He offered the OEM spring and Custom guide up FOR FREE no less.
Ok, thats fine it's his gun and can do with it as he feels fit.

As for a refund ... No, because I too am victim of poor parts and manufacturing that is not being made $$ right either, paid for by the third part here. Also there was much other work that went into said gun being Barrel work, Trigger work, Tube honing along with the manufacturing of a custom guide too.  These are all labors that are still there with the rifle in spite a seal & spring change done after the fact.

Being Jose took it upon himself to change stuff rather than working threw a cure together ( I get it, was here twice ) and the cure would have come to light not a week later and As I Always Do, would have made it right on My dime and had customer satisfied come days end.  That opportunity was nixed with there being nothing more to do being he went another route.

Being called out by PARTIES not even involved is BS !!   Being softly slandered by OP is also BS !!   We are a small community here and my Workmanship and Character are stellar and for good reason.
Again, what is the resolve of this should be private and NOT fodder to be poked and jabbed at on a public forum.

 Scott Schneider
Motorheads AG Tuning Services

 

[Rocker1]

Gentlemen this post will remain locked for obvious reasons, Scott has been a member here almost as long as I, He passes his knowledge freely on this forum. He is the best tuner of most any airgun that I have ever known. I will say I have built many many engines in my life that didn't win the race, But my part was right I did not make the parts.  David