Educate me on Beeman PCPs

[HOSPassassin]

I have read a little bit on the QB78 and 79. As I understand it they are copies of an old, beloved Crosman design that are now made in China. They are CO2 powered rifles that produce power in the Daisy 880/Crosman 2100 ballpark.

However, some are sold with an optional upgrade to a regulated HPA tank (looking at you, WesBob  ). This upgrade makes them into regulated PCPs, right? Can they be "toggled" back and forth from CO2 to HPA? That might be a nice option to have as seasons change here in ever-unpredictable Ohio.

What is the relationship between the QB Chief and the QB78/79? The Chief is advertised as a bolt-action repeater with considerably more power. Are they basically the same design with upgrades or different rifles altogether? What in the heck does "QB" mean, anyways?

[Goose]

Yes.  The QB77 was a refinement of the Crosman 160/167 by Tim McMurray.  But... the Chinese soon screwed him and marketed it as the QB78 (but without his quality control).  Beeman eventually picked up the brand and bumped the quality back up some, but nowhere near where Tim originally had it.

It's a different gun from the Chief, although there is probably some parts compatibility between the two.  The gas-tube on the Chief is larger.  As far as I know, with the 78 you can swap back and forth between HPA and Co2 by changing the fitting on the end of the tube.  I'd had much the same thoughts about the seasons here in NC.  I'm considering a Chief to change over to Co2 bulk filling.

Per Tim - QB is the Chinese designation for air rifle.

Ribbonstone has posted a lot of info on these guns.  I lament that he's no longer with us.

J~

[aluminumfetish]

Ribbonstone has posted a lot of info on these guns.  I lament that he's no longer with us.

J~

I know Rib posted a week or so back that his health was getting worse, do you mind if I ask where you heard he passed ? I searched a bit and couldn't find anything. Huge bummer for sure.

Thanks,
Mitch

[WesBob]

Sorry to hear he hasn't been well. I have always greatly appreciated his knowledge and posts. All the best to him and his family.

[WesBob]

The qb79 and ar2079 can be used wirh a skinny co2 tank or a 50mm paintball tank. Anything bigger won't fit under the barrel unless you buy a different drop block.
The QB78 and 79 can be powered up considerably with some modifications, especially the QB78, if you convert it to HPA because it has a lot bigger plenum than the 79.
The chief is different in almost all its parts.

[tennx]

Ive had good luck with my 3 models of QB 78’s….considering one in PCP….good luck


Prayers offered for ribbonstone….hope he is on the mend….

[Goose]

Ribbonstone has posted a lot of info on these guns.  I lament that he's no longer with us.

J~

I know Rib posted a week or so back that his health was getting worse, do you mind if I ask where you heard he passed ? I searched a bit and couldn't find anything. Huge bummer for sure.

Thanks,
Mitch

Mitch,

His posts made a big difference for me.  He taught me so much about modding my QBs that I can't help but offer him my gratitude (and lamentations).  He hasn't been online since January 29, 2023, 11:23:12 AM, so I'm assuming that he's left the board for good.  I haven't yet been able to find his obituary.

Best,

Jeff

[aluminumfetish]

I was asking Goose for a bit clarity on the Rib thing. I have asked a few of the regulars here about. Still trying to find out his condition.

[Earl]

HOSPassassin,

Look at the Beeman Chief II Plus.

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/beeman-chief-ii-synthetic-pcp-air-rifle?m=5284
GATEWAY-PYRAMYD gets you 10% off.
Free shipping over $150.

https://mannofirearms.com/product/beeman-1335-pcp-chief-ii-plus-177-pellet-air-rifle-12-shot/
I have bought from Manno with good results.

[Goose]

Was sticking to CO2 and not mentioning PCP or HPA.

There is an “air alternative” that will not be temperature sensitive.

If you have just a little DIY in you, then can have a petty good  starting match rifle for $229.

AR2079 is $179 (Amazon) and a cheap 850psi HPA tank is $50. Understand, for this “match rifle” use we won’t be changing the low 850psi output.

I’d like to say screw them together and you are done….but there is usually a slow air leak to hunt down.

-----
Years back, cut the AR2078’s tube for a tank….would have been a lot easier to start with an A2079.

IMG_4805 by Robert Dean, on Flickr

^ That's what I'd do.

J~

[PelletSport]

I have read a little bit on the QB78 and 79. As I understand it they are copies of an old, beloved Crosman design that are now made in China. They are CO2 powered rifles that produce power in the Daisy 880/Crosman 2100 ballpark.

However, some are sold with an optional upgrade to a regulated HPA tank (looking at you, WesBob  ). This upgrade makes them into regulated PCPs, right? Can they be "toggled" back and forth from CO2 to HPA? That might be a nice option to have as seasons change here in ever-unpredictable Ohio.

What is the relationship between the QB Chief and the QB78/79? The Chief is advertised as a bolt-action repeater with considerably more power. Are they basically the same design with upgrades or different rifles altogether? What in the heck does "QB" mean, anyways?

Hi, Brendan.
The qb78 deluxe and chief share the same outside diameter barrel, open sights, and excellent trigger. (The basic 78/79 models have a slightly smaller barrel o.d. and sights.)
The pellet probe, pressure tube and valve are different between the qb and chief.
The chief also has a built in hammer spring adjuster, where the qb does not.
You are right about the 79 pcp bottle conversion because the bottle itself has a regulator, so it is a regulated pcp.
My favorite qb set up is to drill and tap the pressure tube cap for a male foster fitting/check valve. That way you can can fill it to 1000psi of air and get 10+ full power shots for winter, and bulk fill it with co2 for a ton of shots in warm weather.
JIC you didn't already know, the qb's are extremely tunable with just hand tools and parts.
'QB'? That's a fantastic question and I would love to know, too.
I hope you get one of them. I have several in various states of tune and I love them all.