Question about old leather-sealed ar's

[lizzie]

How often do I need to re-apply the neatsfoot/silicone oil to my old leather seal air rifles?

[Mark 611]

some say 3 to400 shots! I'm sure other's will differ!

[bart the fart]

well lizzie i dont know...but i will soon! i took out the "beeman" FX2(by norica 1981) out today and oiled the seal up good and scoped her while i was at it. and will be putting her to the test to see if she is worth the effort of a tune...i'll let you know how many shot's it takes me....but all guns are alittle to a lot differnt...hahaha i know not much of an answer ...sorry  

[lizzie]

Thanks guys!

[RedFeather]

Bart, I don't have the Beeman Norica but do have the 73 and 80G.  I think the 73 is the same as yours.  Both twang a good bit but are very accurate with nice triggers.  Probably could benefit greatly from a lube tune and/or shrink tune if they have the right guide.  I've only slot tuned them and it made no difference.  BTW, how is the breech finished on yours?  Both of mine look pretty rough and I've seen a picture of another that was the same.  Looks like they cut it and hardly sanded the saw marks out, but it doesn't hurt how they shoot.

PS - Being leather sealed, I would polish/burnish the tube but not cross hatch it.

[northern lights]

What I do is after the oil treatment is to to shoot it about 50 times then sight your gun at a distance let say 20 yd,s. then after 300 or so shots see if the pellets are hitting the same or hitting lower. If hitting lower add a drop or two. If not leave alone. But I have a crony now an just test vel

[lizzie]

What I do is after the oil treatment is to to shoot it about 50 times then sight your gun at a distance let say 20 yd,s. then after 300 or so shots see if the pellets are hitting the same or hitting lower. If hitting lower add a drop or two. If not leave alone. But I have a crony now an just test vel

So, the velocity will drop when the leather starts to dry? Thanks for the info.

[Mark 611]

yes it will start to lose velocity, the oil acts as fuel  and helps keep the#'s up, this why I don't mess with leather sealed gun's and if I had one I'd be converting it to a synthetic seal JMHO

[Bullit]

I know I just posted elsewhere about this very topic, so I'll put in my 2.
Years ago, I didn't shoot the numbers I do today, so I never really counted shots back then. I can safely say a 300 shot afternoon (for us guys), was a pretty good time.
I used regular Vegetable Oil.  I did the same with my ball gloves.  A couple drops and stand it up in the closet for next time.  I don't know about silicone usage, and I save the neatsfoot oil for my boots because it's expensive here...so I got nothing for those 2 .
Edit: Today I'd go with Canola oil due to the higher temp resistance.  I'm personally not a fan of petro and leather. But that's just me...probly means nothin'.