.177 - 11.5" Daisy barrel P-17

[Back_Roads]

 Had some extra barrels around from converting Daisy 880s to larger calibers, so got to thinking they may be a good match to a P-17, turns out to be a great barrel for modding a P=17.  The breach end has a nice lead so pellet inserting is much easier as an added bonus.



 It is now shooting  177 caliber · 7.9 grains · Hollowpoint at 469 FPS, vs. stock at around 400 FPS 
[smg id=7708]
[smg id=7707]

 It might be a tad more accurate too, at lest not worse 

[SILENT SQUIRREL]

That looks pretty good, James
Do you use the full length of the barrel for cocking leverage?
Is any machining required to make the barrel swap?
Ed

[Back_Roads]

 The barrel has nothing to do with the cocking, that happens from the rear of the action. Barrel length is limited to what I used due to the barrel hitting the trigger guard and not fully cocking, with out doing a few more mods anyway. If you call it machining then yes, I cut the barrel to length with a angle grinder with cutoff wheel, then chucked it up in my drill press, and used files to smooth out the ends. The added barrel length is a real speed boost for these pistols though.
 There is a good thread here on GTA by Stalwart on many ways to mod these pistols.

[Back_Roads]

 Another idea hit me last night so this am I set out to add the Daisy 880 shroud to the P-17 project to give things a more finished look.


 PS I did have to sand some of the plastic off the bottom of the area where the larger barrel diameter was interfering with full cocking enough to let air in, only needed about 1/4" off to clear quick work with a Dremel and sanding drum.

[EdinGa]

Looks good to me. I need to do that to my Marksman 2004. It would be nice to have a little more speed to anchor those stubborn sweetgum balls.

[lillysdad621]

James, im very interested in your 880 barrel swap to the p17... can you show a pic of how the barrel fits inside the pistol top? is it wide enough to be clamped down with the original bridge? does it line up with the back or is it higher (making it difficult to load...)?

[Back_Roads]

 It is a snug fit pushing and turning from the front of the gun inward and one has to keep things aligned as one pushes and turns, at times i had to tap the barrel with a plastic mallet, the barrel lines right up to the exhaust port oring, I do polish the breach end to prevent o-ring damage, and slip a couple faucet washers drilled out to fit snug on the barrel to ensure a good seal, and I actually shim under the bridge clamp with a small oring or innertube like rubber to hold barrel firmer.
 I will get some better photos and assembly tips by this weekend, I have just started another P-17 project tonight, darn things are addicting. 

[Back_Roads]

 This one will take a few more mods to get it shooting, I may go as far as a small HPA charge to power it, I will have to read over some of RobM's tinkering's with his P-17s.

[ray1377]

SUBSCRIBED
This is my kind of thread.
Keep those mods coming and with pictures please.

Thanks
Ray

[Back_Roads]

 I just read about a similar 880 barrel swap over on GEOs Airgun Universe web page,  also been reading many of Stalwarts build threads, alot of tips and tricks, and what may not work to learn from as I go on these builds also.
 I had to take a break reading to let it all sink in. tomorrow may bring some developments.

[tennx]

That is so cool BR....you certainly have the tools and the talent...Ive got some 1322 barrels...could I make one work if I filled the transfer port...thanks

[Back_Roads]

 Tonight I got the stock fitted and attached, shot a couple 7.9 gr. Benjamin HP over the crony, with just the carbon sleeved barrel, and disconnected safety, back draft mod, I got 397 FPS. I may not be getting full compression stroke, or the length of barrel is slowing the pellet down, More experimenting tomorrow, I want to figure a few things out before attaching the shroud. May add a scope and see how accurate it is tomorrow also.

[Back_Roads]

That is so cool BR....you certainly have the tools and the talent...Ive got some 1322 barrels...could I make one work if I filled the transfer port...thanks

From the looks of it a 1322 barrel will need thinned down to fit the P-17, I did an estimate on what it would cost to build the Back_Roads Sniper Edition, $35 for an 880, 30 for a P-17, 15 for the not sure what to call it CA compliant grip thingy, 10 for the 11mm to Weaver 10 degree doped mount" for long range, 30 for the high quality Optima scope. The rest is household scraps pretty much, so around $120. it can be yours LOL, Look out FX

[Back_Roads]

 OK took some of my lunch break to fiddle with the Sniper Edition, mounted a cheap Hatsan scope, had to adjust down due to the drooper mount, I was shooting about a foot high but right on center, I just took this scope off my 2260, and swapped rings to weaver  Many clicks brought it down right on target, the rest of the shots were a tiny ragged hole @20 yards 



 I'm on the fence about the shroud, but will mess with it a bit tonight and make a decision ish tonight.

[ray1377]

OK took some of my lunch break to fiddle with the Sniper Edition, mounted a cheap Hatsan scope, had to adjust down due to the drooper mount, I was shooting about a foot high but right on center, I just took this scope off my 2260, and swapped rings to weaver  Many clicks brought it down right on target, the rest of the shots were a tiny ragged hole @20 yards 



 I'm on the fence about the shroud, but will mess with it a bit tonight and make a decision ish tonight.

Mr. James

Did you figure out the low FPS with the longer barrel yet?
369 fps is quite a bit slower than the factory barrel.
Really like where you've taken the 17 so far

Ray

[Back_Roads]

I just finished getting back to factory + FPS 7.9 Benjamin HP. 433 FPS, tips to follow...


"Mr. James

Did you figure out the low FPS with the longer barrel yet?
369 fps is quite a bit slower than the factory barrel.
Really like where you've taken the 17 so far "

Ray

[Back_Roads]

 OK so I was down some FPS, figured I could get more if I had a fuller stroke, so I removed some material from the pistol grip to allow a longer compression stroke.


 Here is the faucet washer seal mod, I have to use a drill in steps to open them up to fit the barrel snug.


 Here are my results so far, I plan to take a little more out of the bottom of the pistol grip to get a little more travel on the piston. I am working on making the shroud movable to allow the most compression with out having to remove too much from the bottom of the grip.
 So these speeds are with less than fulll compression stroke.

[Back_Roads]

 Here are a few more pictures of it in different poses 

[Back_Roads]

 Had a chance to do some pellet testing last night, I went along the lines of what shoots in an 880, and also a P-17, found the shroud no matter what I tried so far, tossed pellets in all directions. 
 I did however find a couple pellets that do work, still a few more to try, open to suggestions also  7.7 gr. Beeman Coated Wadcutters Are doing pretty good at 440 FPS, but the last pellet I have tested is the 8.2 gr. Poly-Mag Short at 420 FPS, I may want to save those for pesting due to not available for sale as of late. So testing continues to find a readily available pellet, or one I have on hand that are still available now.


Beeman groups are between 28th and 29th, and next to the 6th. The poly mag group is on the 17th, the rest are test sighters, and the random spray with the shroud on.

[Back_Roads]

 Here is a Chairgun Chart with the 8.2 gr. PolyMags.