P70-They say never meet your hero’s.

[WildCJ5]

I started shooting Field Target 20 years ago with a blue laminate Beeman R9 in .20. My first match I knocked down 9 targets and was hooked.

About the same time I started another new guy started. He drove a brand new 7 series BMW, a stunningly beautiful wife and what really caught my eye was his brand new FWB P70FT. I always figured the car was leased and the wife would take half his stuff but the FWB something special.

About a month ago this P70 converted you FT power popped up on AA at a reasonable price. Story was the guy had moved out of the country and couldn’t have it where he moved to. Gun had been in storage in the case for about five years and didn’t have a fill adapter. Seemed fishy but after a few phone calls turned out to be legit and the rifle was in its way to me.

Gun came shipped in the hard case wrapped in cardboard that it had been packed in years earlier for its inter trip out of the country that never happened.

Here are the pictures from the original ad.

[WildCJ5]

Out of the case the first thing I noticed was the broken butt pad. If anyone has one pm me.

Also, the clear coat was flaking off and yellowed with pitting under the clear on the barrel shroud. It did not have any air but I expected that. There were a few other issues that I didn’t know about yet.

I took the rifle down to MAC1 and while Tim serviced customers I took the rifle apart on the tailgate of his truck.

First thing was to machine the front of the tube and replace the gauge with a foster fitting. The back end plug was a bear to get off. Tim had to whip up a diy tool to remove it and a bit of heat and lots of choice words we got the plug off. Good news was the cylinder now held air.

Bad news was when I put the cylinder back in the rifle and charged the bolt it started dumping air. The valve was not closing.

So, off comes the reg and plenum. Whoever did the conversion had the brilliant idea to just push two springs together and let them free float in the plenum to close the valve. No idea how this had ever worked.

The trigger block is artwork.

[WildCJ5]

Tim was able to machine a spring guid to connect the two spring together and a Star washer to locate the spring. Work perfect and the rifle was up and running. 

The big issue with the P70 for field target has always been mounting the scope. The night of the action and barrel are slightly different. I tried a few different combos but what worked in the end was a set of FX No Limit mounts mounted only on the barrel.

Gun shoots awesome but the cosmetics were a let down.

[WildCJ5]

Because the world is currently on fire I am not working so decided to kill some of the dead time detailing the rifle. I made a butt pad out of some oak I had. If anyone has one pm me.

I sanded off all the clear coat and worked my way up in grit and if with Mother mag polish. Some of the pits on the barrel were deeper than I wanted to go so it’s not perfect but if the sun is shining the glare is so blinding you don’t notice. Bling, bling. 

The stock is in good shape but could use a fresh coat of clear. That will have to wait.

They say never meet your hero’s but in this case they are wrong. Super stoked  to finally own a rifle that back at my ft start I thought I would never be able to own.

[Motorhead]

Looks like it also has an aftermarket ADD ON plenum ? ( Been a few years sense seeing a P-70 )  Those triggers were to DIE for with such a sweet break and so adjustable !
Scope rigidity to the barrel alignment was always there shortcoming.  hope it all comes together for you and works as you wish 

[YEMX]

Very cool!!  I do like the P70's!  I'm working with a 603 currently.

I found a few butt-plates on Ebay, but they're in Bulgaria, and are pricey.  You may want to get on Ebay and get in touch with "Nikkonos", in Canada.  He doesn't have any butt-plates listed, but he may have one squirreled away.  If the butt-plate is the same as a 603, you could get one from waffencenter-gotha,

https://www.waffencenter-gotha.de/shop/Ersatzteile/Luftdruckwaffen/HERSTELLER-MODELL/FEINWERKBAU/Feinwerkbau-603/-Schaftkappe-montiert-ohne-Traeger-Feinwerkbau-603::4616.html

But they're nearly 50 Euros...  Not sure on shipping, or if they're open w/this pandemic.   

[WildCJ5]

You are correct about the added plenum. I don’t know if that was an AZ/Beeman part or someone else made it. Strange that that piece was done so perfectly but then that hokey spring arrangement was used.

Yes, the trigger is sooooo nice. I am aware of the problem they had with stiffness issues. For me I am happy to plink with it. I doubt I would use it as a serious FT gun. I look at it more like a classic car. It’s good but let’s be honest, a new Honda Civic will crush most supercars of the 70’s and 80’s.

[chuckinohio]

  My P70 FT is a full AZ conversion, and has a plenum extension that appears to be identical to the one on your rifle. The shroud also has dovetails machined into the barrel shroud like yours.

  I think that someone either got their hands on some AZ made parts and converted the rifle, or someone monkeyed with the rifle after an AZ conversion was done on it. That poppet spring set up is definitely not professional level stuff.
  The FWB valve seals do go bad, so perhaps someone attempted to replace it, lost the return spring, and made do with a jury rigged set up.?

  Was there a sticker on top of the plenum with a number on it?
  My rifle was labeled thus by Alan as to there the regulator was set.

[WildCJ5]

Yes, the bottom of the extension I think had a “B” stamped into it.

I didn’t post a picture But the end cap from a prod will fit into the barrel weight. I wrapped one with a little electric tape and pressed it in. It mags a huge difference in the noise level.

What power level are you getting out of yours?

[WildCJ5]

Seems to prefer the JSB 10.3. These are five shot groups at 40 yards.

The metal targets are fishing weights. I’m not sure what they are made of, being California I doubt they are actually lead. The cool part is they don’t make noise when hit and the pellets stick to them. Downside is they are soft and eventually you blow through them.

[Motorhead]

Shooter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice 

[WildCJ5]

Felt I had to get out the old R9. Lets just say the groups aren’t quite as tight as the P70. No fault of the rifle.

Does this rock make my gun look small?

[chuckinohio]

  My reg is set at 110 bar and it launches 8.4 JSBs at 930ish for 16 ft lbs or so.

will post pics when I can figure out hoe to keep them from being upside down and all wonked up, sorry for lack of proof...…..

[chuckinohio]

[WildCJ5]

These rubber bumpers crumbled on mine today.

[chuckinohio]

  You should be able to find those easy enough, but with the current state of alarm, getting them might be an issue.

[YEMX]

I wonder if a 603 barrel shroud is the same thickness as your P70?  I didn't even think to have dovetails machined into it.  Would it be possible for you to measure the O.D. and I.D. of the barrel shroud? 

[WildCJ5]

19.65 mm.

[chuckinohio]

  I think that the FWB factory FT version comes with the dovetailed shroud as standard, you might be able to find one as a spare from a parts source. 

  I just measured the shrouds on my P70FT, my P70 10 Meter rifle, and my 603, and they are all the same OD at .775 inch.

  The shroud on a factory FWB 800FT also measures the same on the OD, so that may be another option in current production with available spares.

[WildCJ5]

This guy tore up the yard yesterday afternoon. This morning he was back at it. Unlucky for him I have dope for 15 yards.

A P70 isn’t required for shooting gophers but it does make it easy.