Co2 Repeater Crosman's Magnificent.22 cal. M-118

[mindsweeper333]

                                                           Co2 Repeater Crosman's Magnificent.22 cal. M-118
                                                           (Excerpt from my CD “Old Air guns and Memories”)   
Hello to all;   

In 1952 Crosman introduced, for sale to the general public, the M-118 CO2 repeating Rifle. It had actually been used prior to that as a so called Gallery Rifle utilized in shooting galleries across the US but was tethered to a large C02 tank and called the M-117.  I have read that it was a .21 cal. possibly I don't know?  But it spawned the M-118 .22 CAL. and that is all that really matters!! We now had a rechargeable 10 shot magazine repeating Co2 rifle in .22 cal. (Which was the only cal. it was ever made in!! Sadly it was discontinued in 1954. The Engineering that went into the M-118 was impressive the rifle had a simple but ingenious anti double feed device (a flat steel spring located in the stock held in place by a screw that kept pressure on a lever to block re- cocking after an initial cocking, rifle had to be fired (before re-cocking again) The bolt travel was adjustable for a secure breech seal, think about it folks, this was 70 + years ago!!!!

Crosman supplied a 10 ounce refillable Co2 tank with a wheel type on/off valve with each rifle. I do not recommend use of these 66 year old Co2 containers for obvious reasons!! I use only new 12/20 Co2 ounce containers with on/off valve and adapter for the M-118 filling head.

The detachable magazine was a tubular design spring powered and held 10 pellets (the loading/ feeding system was designed to use flathead pellets (so the rear pellets in the inline magazine could not enter the skirt of the leading pellet) This was imperative for a smooth transition from the sliding gate employed in the transfer of a pellet from magazine to barrel!!

I have read that some folks have used dome head pellets, MAYBE so but you are going to have some mangled pellet skirts eventually, if not a complete stall in the pellet transfer process!!  The pellets used in that time frame were Crosman "SuperPells" which had the proper head and skirt dimensions for proper feeding; the pellet nose would not enter the skirt of the pellet in front!! I use only RWS Meisterkugeln Match grade pellets in mine! I use the original magazine but have several aftermarkets that work well, albeit a bit expensive, if one can find them. Operation of the bolt required only a straight pull up and back down to load a pellet and shoot.

The M-118 was equipped with an adjustable  peep sight, a bit crude but works well, a power adjusting screw knob (hammer spring tension) safety was a thru stock pin block of trigger,  weighed 5lbs.10 ounces  39-1/4 inches OAL. Charging the rifle was accomplished by first cocking the rifle, engage the safety, remove the filling head screw plug, then with the adapter installed on Co2 tank, screw into filling head, open valve on C02 bottle and fill, when complete close valve remove Co2 bottle and replace filling head screw plug.

I obtained my M-118 at a Gun Show in 1980, first one I had seen in person, it was a bit odd in that the barrel and tube were shining Brass, after a close inspection it was revealed that the previous owner had gone to great lengths to remove all the original black finish, exposing the brass tube and Barrel and an obvious diligent polish applied!! The rifle required a valve rebuild but otherwise left as it was. Well; I did have to recently enlarge the aperture from .040" to .078" and machine a brass twilight ring for the housing for better light gathering ability, seems as though that is par for the course for me now!! Scopes are really not applicable for the M-118, in my opinion. One thing I might mention on  most old Crosman units, I machined a bushing for the action thru stock bolt, most of the holes drilled in the stocks are considerably oversize and I installed a shim on the forward end of the  stock essentially bedding the action so to speak , it does help with accuracy in my opinion.

I found that my M-118 preferred velocities in the 575-550 fps. Range for best accuracy.  It is quite capable of 600+ fps but the accuracy was not as good at that speed, maybe something to do with the flat head match pellets?  The power adjuster was backed out 3 full turns from max. One thing I might mention I had heard of folks having intermittent feeding problems even with the use of proper pellets, indeed I had some as well I decided to closely inspect the feeding system to see what I could find. I removed the cam and sliding gate holder and as I looked closely I noticed a small  break thru right above the magazine tunnel," ZAPPO" during the manufacturing process the drill that was used to make the magazine tunnel was allowed to load up with chips which forced the drill on an upward angle and eventually broke thru the surface, this caused the magazine to  feed the pellets on a slightly upward angle and they would occasionally catch on the 90 degree edge at the top of the sliding gate cover, hanging up the pellet as it tried to exit the magazine, a bevel on this edge completely eliminated this problem, never had any feed problems since this adjustment!!

Field range test delivered the following: shot-1 -571 fps shot 30 -534 fps for an average of 553 fps@ 9.48 ft. lbs. RWS Match 14.0 grain. Best target equaled 5 shots .860" center to center largest was .926"" center to center for an average of .893" center to center @ 25yd.. Not bad for a Peep sight and 78 year old eyes!!  A scope would undoubtedly improve group size but I have resisted that because of the design of the straight pull up bolt action on the M-118. One could use a Front Scout type mount I suppose, requiring a Long eye Relief Scope; I am not interested in that!  The M-113 -114 Rifles can be scoped easily.

The Crosman M-118 was years ahead on its innovation and design in that time frame, a true high mark for Crosman and their engineers.  A remarkable fifties era pellet rifle!!  If I were to keep just one in my collection, the M-118 would be it, even with the soft spot I have for the M-113!!

I have attached a series of photos that may shed some light on some of the items discussed above. I have also enclosed a photo I call a “Kaleidoscope” of Crosman Models 113 and 114 Rifles; Red, Green, Blue, Silver and Gold; that I refurbed and are part of my collection of 20 total currently.( I received a Model 113 Crosman on my 12th Birthday in 1952)

Garey

[TooJung2Die]

I love my 118. Originally owned by my uncle in the 1950's, it was passed around the family until it became mine about 10 years ago. It was in very sad shape so I restored it. It's very accurate with high quality wadcutter pellets. Before and after with a sample target. The target is a dime size bull at 25 yards.

[mindsweeper333]

Jon;

Thanks for looking in. That is a beautiful restoration on your M- 118 congratulations! Impressive targets as well , these old Crosmans can really shoot . It is important to keep these innovative old Crosmans such as the M-118   up and shooting , I believe, thanks!!

Garey

[TerryM]

 It can be done...

[mindsweeper333]

Terry;

Well ;where there's a will there is a way, obviously!!!   Congrats !! 

Garey