No range today. Time to do some studio work. Rebuilds and Shocases [2025-04-29]

[GTA-Airgunner]

Good morning airgunners!

So we've got another 2 days of high winds so not Range Time .  But Thursday looks good, so I expect to be out there filming for next week's videos.

Today, I want to chat about the Avenge-X, the Barra 400e, the Crosman M1 Full Auto, and the Sling Guru accessory.  Let's start with the Air Venturi Avenge-X.

My experience with the Avenger / Avenge-X has been decent, but with the understanding that they require maintenance and regular rebuilding.  I don't think I have an Avenger that hasn't developed a leak within the first 6 - 12 months of ownership.  Is that typical?  I have other airguns that seem to be more low maintenance.  Do you all think this is a price point disadvantage or design choice?  I don't mind the rebuilding process, and at least AV has to rebuild parts and kits available, but at some point, you've spent more $$ on rebuilds than you did on the gun.  When does that stop making sense?  I hope to film my teardown and rebuild process on my Avenge-X today and, if all goes well, see if we can get that video out on the GTA sometime down the road.  I'd like to know if you all have any special tips to share with me from your experiences.

Now, on to the 400e and Crosman M1 Full Auto.  I want to create a short assembly and basic operation video for these and go over their features, options, and operations.  Let ms know if that is something that you might like to see.

Lastly, I'm about to go film a short demo on the sling guru sling mounted to my Gamo Viper.  As long as the gun isn't too hard to cock, it actually works really well.  I don't think I could use it on a magnum springer, but a typical "1000" .177 fps class gun seems to be fine.  The way it's set up has me cooking it left-handed.  Maybe I won't need that GYM membership after all .

Anyway, I'm really curious to know how you all feel about the Avenge-X and Avenger regarding the regular maintenance and the long-term cost of materials and time.  When does it make more sense to get something more "reliable" even when it costs more $$ upfront?

I hope you all have a great day and thank you for being part of the GTA!

Cheers
Rick

[avator]

I have the Avenger in .25 and cast the NOE 250 27 RF pellets for it. The gun is not pellet picky but I like the savings from turning salvaged wheel weight lead from a buddy's tire shop. I do tumble, size and cull them for weight.
I've added the Buck Rail Tactical stock kit to it and I like it very much.
My next upgrade will be to replace the lower short tube with a 2nd long tube.
I've had the gun for a few years now and only had one leak that I fixed by replacing the tube orings.
Capt' Oring has the complete oring kits. PA has been sold out of the repair kits.

[Rocker1]

 I have replaced  several poppits for leaking  also  the fill is known for leaking. the regulators arent that good you can polish them and get  fair performance but seems they still creep. they are a accurate rifle.  David

[avator]

I actually learned about the common tube oring leak from Rick's video and replacing mine worked. I think I replaced the fill oring too just for Ha Has..  Those tube orings were like hard plastic. But I didn't go any deeper into the gun. But I have the Capt' Oring kit on hand if I need to someday. That oring kit comes with a chart and diagram that shows exactly where each oring goes. I think it was like $12.
The PA kit, if they ever get them back in stock, comes with a regulator and poppet but not ALL orings. It's like $60.