EscapeSS Dispatch Gun

[YEMX]

I test fit the TalonP tank onto the TalonSS frame- it's really not that bad.  Sure, it's a touch front heavy, but those extra 4" and baffles aren't all that bad with regard to handling this in one hand, like a pistol.  It'll be worse with the LDC attached for sure...

When those Daisy 717 grip panels get here, I'm going to go ahead and make just a replacement grip for this.  I feel like w/the target pistol grip, it'll feel better and more stable while one-handing this thing.  I don't feel up to making another 1 piece full "stock" again.  At least not for this. 

I didn't realize I took off the fill nipple and gauge on the TalonP tank, but I'll just use the one's from the TalonSS valve, since I'm not using the Talon valve for anything.  I'm glad that worked out well!!

Also, I'm not sure when AF started doing it, but they FINALLY put a grub screw on the top of the frame to secure the font end cap!!  Somebody finally listened! 

[YEMX]

I've got the fill nipple and gauge swapped over to the TalonP tank from the TalonSS tank...  I've also removed that automatic safety lever doo-hicky on the TSS...  Now I can de-cock and flip on/off the safety when I want to. 

*twiddles thumbs*  Well...  I'll post again when the other parts start rolling in. 

[YEMX]

The Daisy 717 grip panels came today...  They don't feel the same as the grip panels from my older 717.  I'll start putting something together for this gun.  Shouldn't be too hard... 

[YEMX]

After some initial fitting, those Daisy 717 grips are a pretty darn close fit!  It's going to take some more work for sure, but initial fitment is VERY promising!

[luge007]

Sounds good so far, post pics please......

[YEMX]

Sounds good so far, post pics please......

I surely will, when I have something worth posting 

[YEMX]

No pictures yet, don't really have anything to show...  I guess I'll take some pics tomorrow of what I've got so far.  I was going to initially make a plug (to make a mold) using some foam since it's easier to shape.  But then I remembered I had some thin plywood for RC planes and such.  So I decided to use that.  The shape I'm going with is a blend of the TSS grip, and the Daisy 717's.  It's mostly the Daisy grip shape though.  We'll see how it turns out. 

The plywood is real thin- .13".  I'm laminating 3 layers together...  .39" (.40") thickness each.  So in total, this "spine" will be a little bit wider (.30") than the standard Daisy 717 grip frame at .80" or so.  I'm making a mold of each side when I'm done shaping.  Once cast, I'll do the final shaping and fitment then glue the two halves together.  Then I can simply attach it to the TSS like a stock grip.   

[YEMX]

Still not much to show, but I suppose I'll post something...







Again, these are plugs- I'm making a mold, so I can cast these as solid pieces.  The wood is .40" thick.  I still need to finish the left side.  The white screw is just to fill the hole- the grip panel is glued to the wood.  I have a lot of filling and shaping left to do.

This shape is a combination of the factory AF grip and Daisy 717 grip panels.  Once cast, I'll do final fitment (relief cut for trigger guard, screw channel) before gluing the two halves together to make a solid one-piece grip.

[YEMX]

Wood glue is still drying, but did some quick fitting...  The 717 grip is not yet glued to the wood... 






The front tip of the thumb shelf will need to be modified a little to better match the AF grip shape.  I've filled that section with epoxy clay, so when I do the shaping, it's solid (or more solid) rather than hollow.  Less (easier) filling work needed, after I glue the grip panel to the wood.  That's it for now.  The epoxy clay needs time to cure.   

[YEMX]

Oooohh, shucky duck!!  My .25 barrel, DonnyFL LDC end cap and Talon Tunes parts all arrived today!!  I guess I need to hurry up with this new grip huh?   

[YEMX]

Got all the new parts installed earlier, no major issues...  So it's been a while since I've had a "new" gun- and AF has made some changes.  One I'm not so happy about.  But the change still does the job, and it doesn't look like there's anything obstructing the bore, so meh.  Not a big deal.

Instead of a spacer, AF uses a screw to create a separation between the muzzle end of the barrel and the first baffle.  I didn't know what that screw (large flat head screw forward of the fore end) did...  After I got everything together, I noticed that there was a lot of space between the end cap and the baffle stack- and of course rattling.  I thought I missed a part...  Chatting with Doug Noble got me thinking about that screw, and I figured out what it did and what the orientation was...    Got it re-assembled and I'm happy to report it's rattle-free!

Also thanks to both Dougs, (Doug Noble and Doug Russell) I now know that the grip screw thread spec is 10-24 on these new guns.  I'm going to get some all-thread today, and secure the new grip using a nut and washer with all-thread.  Not as pretty, but it won't be easily seen, and it's easier to do than make a screw pocket.  Much less chance of messing it up.  Y'all know me, I mess up A LOT!

Anyhoo, that's about it.  I'll do some more work on the grips today- after my little trip to the Homer, or Ace to get that all-thread, washer and nut.

Been thinking a little about this new grip...  I'm not a fan of the fake wood grain look.  Also, this is going to be cast black, and it'll be painted along with the rest of the gun.  Anyhoo- I'm going to mask off the checkered section of the grip, and fill and sand smooth the rest.  So much work is going to be done blending these grips to the TSS grip shape that most of the fake wood grain will be lost anyway.  *SHRUG*  I think it'll look better in the end.  It's not like the wood grain is doing anything to improve grip anyway. 

[YEMX]

Did some more work on the grips...  It's probably hard to make out what the final shape will be, but these grips will be done soon enough.  What  makes this take so long is the wait time for the epoxy clay to harden.  Pics:







I'll do some more sanding and shaping and blending tomorrow.  Soon I can temporarily put the grips together and work on the overall shape.  I put masking tape over the checkering, so I wouldn't mess it up when I finally spray these down in filler-primer.  Slowly but surely, this grip is coming together!  I bought the all-thread today, along with some nylock nuts for when this grip is ready to be attached to the EscapeSS.

[YEMX]

I did some more work on the grips earlier- didn't take any pictures though.  I'll take some later today.  It's mostly just sanding/shaping.  The grips were too thick, so I took the left side panel down in thickness by a layer.  It'll still be thicker than a factory grip...  Hopefully today I can put the two sides together and start doing a more final shaping...  Almost done!

I might need to get some more casting resin!

[YEMX]

Just a few more pics of the grip.  Right now, I'm working on filling in any inconsistencies and blending everything together.  Just waiting on the filler to dry...  Either tonight or tomorrow afternoon I'll start spraying the filler primer.









I'm still trying to find the right size brass or CF round stock to make the rear pin of the grip.  So far, things are looking pretty decent.

[luge007]

Looking good!  I have to admire your commitment for a custom grip, I was somewhat lazy and chose to use a new trigger guard that will accept AR15 style grips.  The bad news I later found out is that it will not accept the Magpul grip I bought, without modification due to the bottle interfering with where it has to sit on my Escape.  The AirForce platform has many minor faults, but 'module-arity' and customization is not one of them.

M

[YEMX]

Thank you!  I'm very close to making the mold... 

I'm also leaning very hard towards making another stock...  I know, I said I wasn't in the mood to do it for this dispatch gun, but I can't just leave well enough alone!  Making this grip has put me in the mood!  I'm going to finish this grip (and the mold for it), and see how I feel.  I think it'll be a cool stock.  Plain for sure, but cool. 

The stock idea I have comes from a combination of that quick adjustable TalonP Carbine that Airgun Depot used to put out, and both the Manners T5A and CS (Compact Stock) stocks.  So basically a tactical-ish thumbhole stock that re-uses the factory butt-plate, which can extend out when needed.  When the butt-plate isn't needed it's retracted and slightly recessed into the stock, with the butt-plate flush with the tank.  The back end of the stock acts as a pistol brace, resting against the forearm for better control while shooting off hand.   The stock will closely follow the tank contour as well.  I may have to draw it out, I don't think I'm explaining this right.  I still want to keep this as a handy, quick to grab dispatching gun, so I'm going to just use a red-dot on this... Or maybe a pistol scope in a scout rifle configuration.  I don't know.  I really don't want this to become some huge thing.  I just enjoy making things.  *sigh*  I'm weird.

MCS-CS:


MCS-T5A:


No adjustable cheek piece, and the back end of the stock will be different to more closely match the factory butt-plate and a pistol brace design.  Also, the butt-plate won't be as complicated as the CS...  I'm definitely keeping the wide beavertail fore end- nice and wide for resting on a bag if needed.

[YEMX]

The NC LDC arrived today!! 

Nothing really to show- been working on a stock for another project mostly.  Did some filling of the grips today, I'll make the mold tomorrow.  Then I should be able to make the first casts on Sunday.  We'll see how it goes.  I found some small diameter aluminum rod for the pin at the back of the grip.  I had to slightly drill out the hole on the frame.  We're getting there!!

I'm also trying to figure out how to start the new "dual purpose" stock as well...  But I want to finish at least one set of grips first, see how they turn out before really starting anything.

[WHITEFANG]

Very good reading.
All I can throw in is just beware of frame flex.
Tactical scope rail, wokguard trigger stiffener.
I found that when I build my Condor from the . 20 to the . 25 I had flex at HP.
MY Condor . 25 is stiff now with the above mods. Plus I have another tactical rail; n the upper front frame rail.
In addition I made a fully bedded stock with bottle support. The butt is not on the bottle.
Might be an over kill. Weight was not a factor for me. It's a bench gun for the most and all the stock work is made the fit me. JMO
I own 3 Condors, .20/.22/.25 all worked and 24" barrels. All power house accurate guns. Took me years to try the AF platform. Coming off high end guns such as Raws and others I do not look back. The AF is not any of the higher end guns IMO but I get the power and accuracy out of all of mine. Love the AF barrels. You have so many options to go for Friday m low power or so out power with these guns.
Mag guns are great but IMO mags give problems plus you go thru ammo fast. The AF single shot is my way to go.  But I do like the side cocking design mush better than the top design.
That would be something that I might address later. That mod would not be that hard with the proper tooling. Jmo

[YEMX]

The side cocking mod has been around for a long time...  It's simply cut the top rail down, machine a M1913 to fit (or, even easier- use a tri-rail), and screw and/or glue in place.  Machine a side slot to operate the breech, and drill/tap the breech so that you can screw the breech knob on the side...  That's from the old TAG forum.  I believe Yellow Ninja was the first (or at least ONE of the first) to do this mod.

Totally agree with frame stiffness- definitely needs help in this dept. 

[YEMX]

Always something! 

Part A of the silicone has gone bad.  I'll have to order more.  Amazon hasn't been the most reliable as of late...  Who knows when it'll get here.  I guess I'll work on this weird stock idea I have.