Crosman 600 differences

[JayDee24ca]

I have 4 600s now, all shooting like they were meant to, and I am pleased with their accuracy. My question about them is just curiosity; what is the history of these pistols as regards changes between the years? I have three different versions of the cartridge piercing, as can be seen in the following photos.
The first one and third one are the same, where the cart is punctured by the cap as the cap is threaded on to the tube.
In the second pistol the cart is still inserted butt first, but is punctured only after the button on the cap is pushed in.
But the fourth pistol is the odd ball; The cartridge is inserted neck first. is punctured as the cap is turned in, and the butt of the cart is visible through the hole in the cap.
Any thoughts on the chronological order of manufacture?
JD

[Roboslug]

Very good question.  I understand that serial numbers are not in any particular order.

In addition to the Co2 management questions I wonder about the dates of:

aluminum vs. steel trigger
blade vs. button safety
long stroke safety vs. short stroke (both buttons on my two 600's) and the grips accordingly
bronze vs. aluminum valve body
introduction of the stop plate (90) in the trigger assembly

[JayDee24ca]

Yeah, I have a variety of triggers on these guns too. I was going to ask about that and a few other things, but figgered the cart system would be enough to start with
As to serial numbers, one of these doesn't seem to have any, and has not been refinished at all.

[eeler1]

I think the 4th one is the earliest production.  The push button end caps would be the later production.  And you haven’t even gotten into changes to the trigger mechanism (as seen after disassembly).

[JayDee24ca]

I just thought that maybe someone somewhere sometime had created a list of all the changes through the years. But I suppose its not a mid to late 50's Chevy or a Brough Superior, is it. You'd think that Crosman would have something though.

[Roboslug]

Also the variations of the markings on both sides of the receiver.

Here is a link to the DT Fletcher book on the 600 in case you're really curious.  Apparently, he was quite the authority on Crosman.

[JayDee24ca]

Thanks for that. I do believe I might find some answers there!

[Roboslug]

You're welcome.  Good luck with your addiction.  I only have two C600s.

[SOCEY600]

From left to right:
1 and 3 are the earliest version with the solid cap. Screwing down the cap only punctures the cartridge. The cap needs to be unscrewed about 1/8” to release the gas. When the cap won’t screw in either direction, the tube is pressurized.
There were a lot of version 1 guns returned to Crosman for repair because the owners did not unscrew the cap after puncturing the cartridge. They thought the guns were defective. Also people complained about not getting enough shots per cartridge.
Number 4 is the second version with the piercing pin in the tube. On these models, the tube is not pressurized. There were warnings about this version possibly shooting the cap and cartridge outwards if the cap was loosened while there was some pressure in the cartridge. If a gun of this type was sent to Crosman for repair, they would be converted to a type that the cap punctured the cartridge (version 1 or 3), depending on timeline.
Number 2 is the latest and last version number 3.

[JayDee24ca]

Thanks for that explanation, very nicely sums up the cartridge setup differences.
JD

[JKM6442]

From left to right:
1 and 3 are the earliest version with the solid cap. Screwing down the cap only punctures the cartridge. The cap needs to be unscrewed about 1/8” to release the gas. When the cap won’t screw in either direction, the tube is pressurized.
There were a lot of version 1 guns returned to Crosman for repair because the owners did not unscrew the cap after puncturing the cartridge. They thought the guns were defective. Also people complained about not getting enough shots per cartridge.
Number 4 is the second version with the piercing pin in the tube. On these models, the tube is not pressurized. There were warnings about this version possibly shooting the cap and cartridge outwards if the cap was loosened while there was some pressure in the cartridge. If a gun of this type was sent to Crosman for repair, they would be converted to a type that the cap punctured the cartridge (version 1 or 3), depending on timeline.
Number 2 is the latest and last version number 3.

On number 4, if the tube is not pressurized, how is the cartridge sealed ?

Could the cap on number 4 be removed and a picture of it posted ?

[SOCEY600]

Version 2 used a flat seal around the piercing pin, which would seal the cartridge head to the piercing pin when the cap was screwed down. Much like a Crosman 38T. I think the internal piercing assembly also had an o-ring on the outside of it, which sealed it to the tube, and version 2 also used the same type of o-ring between the front and rear valve bodies, like the other two variants use.
Crosman made it easy to switch from the type 2 to either the type 1 or type 3 by just replacing the cap, the front valve body, and the steel tube.
I think some type 2 designs had a screw which went through the frame and steel tube, which secured the internal piercing assembly. Switching to type 1 or 3 would require using a tube that could be pressurized, thus requiring the original tube to be replaced (because of the hole in it).

[JayDee24ca]

Here is a photo of number four in my photo, version 2 as requested. the cap can be seen in my lap, at the bottom

[JKM6442]

Thanks for the info and pics.  I didn't know that the first variation 600 used a face seal.  Learning new things is one of the great features of these forums.

[SOCEY600]

It’s not the first generation, it’s the second, with the hole in the middle of the end cap.