Vortek PG4 RWS 34 kit

[Ike the GSD]

I chronographed my 34 last evening and it's shooting slow, 7.9 gr Crosmans are coming in at around 790 fps, it has the original spring in it, the rifle was built in 1999 and I've owned it since 2001 (the rifle was bought brand new). Recently I put a new Vortek piston seal and breech seal in the rifle, but I didn't have access to a chronograph at the time so I don't know how fast it was shooting prior to the seal installation. My question is would a new spring solve my problems alone or does the kit offer velocity improvements over and above just replacing the spring and seals? I know the shot cycle is greatly improved and If the kit truly allows the rifle to fire Crosman 7.9 gr pellets at 923 fps that's just what I'm looking for. I've watched Kevin's Pellets and Pistons video on the tune kit and seal installation on the 34 and the rifle he worked on sounded fabulous. The only thing that concerns me about the Vortek kit is I have heard they cause galling in the cocking shoe area? Is this something I need to worry about, Kevin mentioned nothing about this issue in his video? I'm leaning towards just getting the HO kit new seals and all to start fresh and see what happens, but I just wanted some feedback from you guys before I went forward. Also does anyone have a source for new allen head stock and forearm screws for the old school 34's like mine?  Thanks guys👍

[Roadworthy]

It does indeed sound as though your spring is "tired".  A new spring would undoubtedly pep your gun back up - it sure did my old Diana 34.  A kit does not necessarily give you more power.  What it does is give you a new spring guide which smooths things out and eliminates twang.  Vortek provides kits with an external spring guide.  I do not know if they have one with an internal guide which I prefer.  I got my kit from Air Rifle Headquarters.  I've not bothered to chronograph it but it has a LOT more power than the original spring.  I think the Vortek kits come with a new piston seal while the ARH kits do not.  I don't know what seal the Vortek will include as they have several offerings, some good some not so good.  ARH only seems to have the one seal which is a lot like the original Diana seal.  I do like that.  Their seals tend to be tight so I do size them.  I try to size my seals for 3 to 5 pounds of resistance on the lubed seal on the piston.  Mark 611 likes about 2 pounds.  Lower resistance will give higher velocities but will also allow the piston to slam into the compression tube with more energy.  Like many things in life it's a trade off.

[Ike the GSD]

It does indeed sound as though your spring is "tired".  A new spring would undoubtedly pep your gun back up - it sure did my old Diana 34.  A kit does not necessarily give you more power.  What it does is give you a new spring guide which smooths things out and eliminates twang.  Vortek provides kits with an external spring guide.  I do not know if they have one with an internal guide which I prefer.  I got my kit from Air Rifle Headquarters.  I've not bothered to chronograph it but it has a LOT more power than the original spring.  I think the Vortek kits come with a new piston seal while the ARH kits do not.  I don't know what seal the Vortek will include as they have several offerings, some good some not so good.  ARH only seems to have the one seal which is a lot like the original Diana seal.  I do like that.  Their seals tend to be tight so I do size them.  I try to size my seals for 3 to 5 pounds of resistance on the lubed seal on the piston.  Mark 611 likes about 2 pounds.  Lower resistance will give higher velocities but will also allow the piston to slam into the compression tube with more energy.  Like many things in life it's a trade off.

Thanks Thomas, I plan on getting the kit next month, Ill post again when I get it installed and get some chrony numbers. Thanks again👍