Sythetic Flashpup Adventure Started

[Rallyshark]

Small update...  I got the shroud finished and everything cinched down.  It is solid with zero movement.  Without the pickle on the end, the gun comes in around 36".  The Huma with an extra section puts over all length with the pickle around 45"(over 9" long LDC).  With that 27.5" barrel t is still very manageable, with virtually no weight gain.  The center of gravity is just behind the trigger guard and shouldering is very stable.  I just screw the LDC off at the first section and leave that base section attached, and it still fits easily in my tactical gun case   Also, no clipping, even with the Huma LDC at full length.  I'll try and get some pictures and target time in tomorrow with it.

[fgwhite]

that 2 inch ldc looks great and the barrle he built with liner looks killer you guys shure know how to mod these guns anf so far ever thing looks good

[mackeral5]

82fpe!  those long barrels do amazing things. Nice work! 

Show us some more pics of your FX liners, maybe some step by step?

Here's a bit more info Mike D   I attached a picture of the 500mm liner barrel I made, along with the 20mm carbon sleeve for tensioning the barrel.  The barrel itself is 16mm OD.  I also attached a "cutaway diagram" showing what I did a bit better.  I made all tolerances where everything fits together as small as I could get them, for a tight fit.  I also bonded it all together with 4-40 set screws.  I used the really small set screws and ground them down to surface level where needed.  I used the small set screws to avoid putting too much pressure on the liner.  On top of the set screws I bonded it with slow cure 2 ton epoxy with the tightest fitting parts and the carbon fiber.  I used JB Weld on the metal to metal bits if I could.  Between the set screws and epoxy/JB Weld, it is SOLID.  The best part is how light the barrel is.  Even the 700mm one I'm working on now probably weighs less than the factory barrel!  Let me know if you guys have any questions about the process, or if I didn't explain something well.

Very cool stuff, thank you for sharing.  I really appreciate the time you put into illustrating your methods.  The only thing I'll add is a recommendation to try some Loctite 638 for applications such as bonding the thimble to the liner, bonding the liner to the CF.  it is some amazing stuff---very forgiving until you put a little heat on it, then it is rock solid, will never move again without tearing things up.  Flows pretty good and cleans up easily with acetone.

Awesome work!

[Rallyshark]

I've never used the 638 before, I'll have to look into that!  I bet it would work well on metal to metal for sure.  I use the epoxy on the CF, because it bonds extremely well to epoxy(given it is essentially carbon fibers held together with epoxy).  I've had really good luck with the newer formula of JB Weld too(5200psi strength).  I've cranked on these barrels pretty hard, and haven't had any issues. 

[Rallyshark]

I got to do a little testing today, and it looks like the NSA 28.5 grain is the slug this barrel LOVES at the current state of tune(970 fps).  I didn't have time to test a bunch of slugs or to really play with the speed much.  I just tried a few the way the tune was.  I definitely got this barrel right I think.  Pretty much every slug I tried was under an inch at 30 yards, and a few were under 1/2", but the NSA 28.5 was same hole.  That tells me, the barrel could probably do well with a number of the slugs if I find the speed they like!  Just from my quick testing, it would seem .218 is what the barrel prefers.  Below are a few picks of the Flash Monster with it's crazy long barrel   That LDC is over 9" long, and I took one with all but the base section removed to show the length I put it in the case at.  It is still plenty portable, and I can take sections out of that Huma LDC, if I'm not trying to be super back yard friendly.  I also included a 5 shot group with the NSA 28.5 grain shooting around 970 fps, .218 size.  Time to place a slug order! 

[GoneShootn]

Did some accessorizing, bipod and an exceptional fit Strike Industries Viper MFS Monopod.
Remove the LDC and pods, and stow it all in a triple racquet tennis bag, keeps the natives calm...

Did you have to modify the Monopod? Also, what bipod are you using?

[GoneShootn]

I think I'm going to be watching for a good sale on these. How easy is it to remove the Flash barrel for cleaning? Also, do the barrels have the removable breech caps, like the AT-44, to make it easy to get to the breech o-ring?

[Thane]

Did you have to modify the Monopod? Also, what bipod are you using?

This is the sale:

Bipod is an ACCU-TAC Chinese clone by GBO (Green Blob Outdoor-confidence inspiring) $40 vs. $286. No modifying beyond screw tightening and some lock-tite.



Original Strike Industries Viper MFS Monopod $18.95, added some adhesive backed felt to tighten grip and reduce poly scarring, some Vibra-tite VC-3 to provide thread friction:



 

[Thane]

I think I'm going to be watching for a good sale on these. How easy is it to remove the Flash barrel for cleaning? Also, do the barrels have the removable breech caps, like the AT-44, to make it easy to get to the breech o-ring?

No breech cap for the o-ring.

2 set screws and one 14mm socket to remove QE shroud. Take a close look at the crown, most could use a touch-up or cut-back. If your grouping good don't bother.

[GoneShootn]

No breech cap for the o-ring.

Ooooo...major bummer!

I don't suppose the AT barrels would fit?

Thanks for the info.

[Thane]

I do not miss the breech cap, some of my AT-44 barrel have siezed caps and none of my other rifles have the cap.

Just replaced an oring while cleaning barrel in breech block, replacement took all of 1 minute. Helps to back oring with cleaning swab and press in with dental pic.

[GoneShootn]

I do not miss the breech cap, some of my AT-44 barrel have siezed caps and none of my other rifles have the cap.

Just replaced an oring while cleaning barrel in breech block, replacement took all of 1 minute. Helps to back oring with cleaning swab and press in with dental pic.

I like to remove the o-ring when cleaning, so as to clean the grove at the same time, and I find it hard to do that without damaging the o-ring in the process. Also, I don't like digging around the o-ring groove with a metal probe. I guess the best answer is to get a bunch of o-rings and just replace it every time. Not like they are expensive. Then, reinstalling as you suggest should be no problem.

Thanks.

[Thane]

I like to remove the o-ring when cleaning, so as to clean the grove at the same time, and I find it hard to do that without damaging the o-ring in the process. Also, I don't like digging around the o-ring groove with a metal probe. I guess the best answer is to get a bunch of o-rings and just replace it every time. Not like they are expensive. Then, reinstalling as you suggest should be no problem.

Thanks.

That is my routine. If I am spending the time to clean the barrel, the o-ring gets replaced. I don't wait for it to leak.

[GoneShootn]

I seem to be considering this rifle way more than I should.

How hard would it be to change calibers btw .177, .22, and .25, from one to another?

[Thane]

I seem to be considering this rifle way more than I should.

How hard would it be to change calibers btw .177, .22, and .25, from one to another?

Hatsan Barrel  $90
Magazine 2 @ $20 $40
Pellet probe $20 (guessing)
Probe Grommet $10 (guess)
shipping         $10

$170 plus retuning effort, springs, poppet seats.

VS.

Refurbed Synthetic $250 plus $10 shipping $260

For $90 more you get all the parts... and no retune on caliber swap.

[GoneShootn]

I seem to be considering this rifle way more than I should.

How hard would it be to change calibers btw .177, .22, and .25, from one to another?

Hatsan Barrel  $90
Magazine 2 @ $20 $40
Pellet probe $20 (guessing)
Probe Grommet $10 (guess)
shipping         $10

$170 plus retuning effort, springs, poppet seats.

VS.

Refurbed Synthetic $250 plus $10 shipping $260

For $90 more you get all the parts... and no retune on caliber swap.

Makes sense. Where would you get a refurb that you would trust?

[Thane]

Hatsan

You can leave your email for notification of caliber when they become available. They seem to do it once every couple of weeks.


https://hatsanairgunsusa.com/product/_refurbished-flashpup-synthetic-qe/

[GoneShootn]

Thanks. I like the synthetic stock, but the wood version with the aluminum cylinder is a pound lighter, according to Pyramyd. The Hatsan pages show just a .1 lb difference. I wonder which is correct?

[GoneShootn]

Sorry, Donny. Got a bit carried away. Didn't mean to hijack your thread.

[Rallyshark]

Hijack away man!  I don't care, as long as we're talking about Flashpups of some sort,lol!  I have a wood and a Synthetic, but the wood version got turned into the "Turkenstein"...  Oddly enough, I kinda prefer how the wood version shoulders to the synthetic, even though the  synthetic as more adjustment in the butt bad.  I like them both though.  If you wait a bit, the synthetic is going to be coming out with a side lever.  I actually don't mind the bolt as it is, since I got used to it.  If you are determined to be switching calibers, the Hydra may be worth considering too, but it isn't a pup.