Thank you GTA - A story about my new Beeman P17

[Papamia]

Hi All,

This is kinda long, but wanted to share my most recent experience with you. I tried to explain to my wife and she looked at me like I was from Jupiter…….(my brother understood).

Last weekend, I purchased a Beeman P17.  I don’t have a lot to spend and wanted a single stroke pneumatic pistol.

I’ve wanted one for a while now. It’s funny, 8 years ago when I got my Crosman 1377, I didn’t mind pumping it, even when I was consistently shooting over 100 rounds in a sitting. I love my 1377 however, now - when I sit down and shoot 50 to 100 shots, I actually get tired pumping - even as few as 3 to 5 times for every shot….(holy cow Batman, what happened to me….??)

By pure chance, I got lucky and bought a Webley Hurricane about 7 months ago (Craig’s list – estate sale) and I love the fact I only have to cock it once, took me a bit to learn how to shoot it, but now shoot it well – regardless, one pump is awesome. So, I’ve been looking for a single stroke pneumatic.

Anyway, I started looking at the P3 and bumped into the P17 in the process of researching. I’ve read many things about the P17 and have been comparing it to the P3 and Weirauch HW75.  I’m sure the quality is much better for the P3 & HW75, but just can’t justify the cost of either of those two.

Thanks to GTA and the incredible wealth of information, advice and links on this site, I got the P17 –  why?  Because I knew exactly what I was getting into and I have to say, what a totally different experience you guys have made on my acquisition of the P17.

When I got home with the gun I immediately set aside the entire weekend to shoot and familiarize myself with it.

Before I started shooting, the first thing I did was take the piston out and de-burred the air intake hole – sure enough, it was rough and had already put a small abrasion on the seal – polished and cleaned the hole, replaced the seal (Home Depot had the right sized seals), put a thin coat of lithium grease on it and I started shooting.

I can confirm what everybody’s said about this thing – very accurate, great trigger, literally no recoil, very nice to shoot and, the quality is nowhere near as bad as I feared – mine is very good. (Made me think are the other 2 pistols 10 times better?)

So I’m shooting and after about 100 rounds, sure enough, I cock it, set up my shot, pulled the trigger and it wouldn’t do anything.  I had to pull several times before it fired – not good, definitely not safe either.

This is where you guys come in.  Instead of freaking out, I opened it up, pulled apart the trigger mechanism and what I found is exactly what I read I’d find – stamped metal pieces with rough edges and burrs.  Wasn’t a surprise – how cool.

So, I disassembled it, cleaned the parts and using a small file and some 800 grit sand paper, polished the edges so they were smooth – didn’t change the profile or shape of any of them– just got rid of the “rough” stuff, put a light coat of grease and put it back together.  I also put thread lock on all the nuts since I was there.

When I got it all back together, I cocked, loaded it and it shot perfectly – trigger was even better than before.

I’ve now fired almost 300 rounds through it and it hasn’t missed a beat – even took the piston out to check out the seal and everything’s great. Wow this thing is accurate!

I was beside myself afterwards and couldn’t stop smiling…interesting how the little things can make you feel so good.

Long and short – Thank you All  – I wish I had a resource like GTA that I could go to for information and REAL LIFE experiences about EVERYTHING I bought . Because of GTA – I knew exactly what to do – no stress, no issues -  there’s something to be said for having knowledge before you need it. Pretty cool.

I shoot with my 12 year old son and when he shot the P17 (he can’t cock it though), the first thing he told me after his first shot was - “Dad! The trigger’s nice on this one…..”  Too funny.

I know you all understand where I’m coming from….this is great.

Thank you for reading.

Have fun shooting.
Rolando

[althawk]

Yeah they sure do have sweet triggers for the price.

Was it the 7 shaped piece that was giving ya trouble?

[Papamia]

Yes, exactly that, it would get caught up on the hammer.

When I took it apart and looked closely, you could see tiny metal bits on the edge that kept it from sliding off when you pulled the trigger.

Smoothed it out and that fixed it.

[JonnyReb]

 Enjoyed the story, thanks for sharing, been meaning to pick up a 17 for years, appreciate the reminder.  Jeff

[VAFarmer]

JohnReb, you must do it ASAP.

Really, for less than an order of 4 tins of expensive pellets, you can have a gun that will shoot anything you put down the pipe.

They are really accurate.   Really the best trigger out there for 35 bucks.   The trigger and barrel alone are worth more than the asking price.

God bless,

Farmer

[JonnyReb]

Thanks Farmer, it's awesome to have someone talk you(me) into a 35 buck gun stead of a 350 dollar one:-)

[goodland]

Hey Rolando Welcome to the GTA!
Great story about the p17 I have one too and it is a great way to practice my pistol shooting skills.
It's also nice to have another forum member so close. I am in Goleta

[Papamia]

Hi Guys,

This gun is sweet - just shot another 50+ rounds and am getting more familiar with it - I'm used to my Webley, cause I've shot 1000+ rounds through it and it's a totally different experience. I'm getting the hang of both now and can transition pretty well - the p17 is definitely much easier to shoot and so accurate.

Farmer said it - "....for 35 bucks......the barrel and trigger alone...." are so worth it.

Only caveat is - there's a good chance you'll run into the issues with seals and trigger (but there's so much info about how to fix them - if you're up for working on your guns, you can't go wrong).

I race electric RC cars and half the fun of it all is the process of "working on" it and "fixing" the car - I'm feeling the same way with my airguns - There's something to be said for being able to deal with an issue and make it right - at least for me.

Also, Hi Goodland - great to hear you're so close, I used to go up to Camino Cielo a bunch with my brother and shoot my sidearms, until it started costing me both arms and a leg - Airguns give me the same pleasure and I can shoot 1000 rounds for less than 20 bucks!!!

Gotta love it!
Rolando

[VPilot]

Rolando,

That was a very good read and great story.  While the P17 is probably taking the lion's share of your trigger time, if you'd like to tinker with your Hurricane to make the trigger better, I may be able to help.  I am about to put a lighter spring on my Webley Tempest trigger and just received a pack of the proper fitting lighter springs.  I only needed one and have a spare.  If you'd like it, just email me at tdave1@hotmail.com and I'll send a spring out to you - no charge.  I just need your mailing address.

Here are some articles/tutorials I'm following to do the Hurricane/Tempest trigger spring mod:
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/derrick-lightens-his-webley-tempest.html
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/disassembling-webley-hurricane.html
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219638

Tim
VPilot

[Plekto]

https://www.pyramydair.com/product-all-reviews/m/beeman-p17/614

Read the last two reviews on that page -  By Customer from USA on 2010-05-31 21:45:23 - that's mine.  The one below it also has a lot of good info.  It goes over this as well as another issue, which is if you compare the two internally, you'll see that the spring on the P17 is the real problem.  The P3 version has a bend at the end and the P17 does not and is simply cut off instead of  nicely filed smooth - so it grinds against the handle wall and eventually makes a groove.  The P3 also has a tight fit with the center post the spring wraps around.  The P17 is loose and needs a proper shim made. 

Once it makes a groove in the wall, it has too much play in it, which is exacerbated by the lack of a proper fit (mine was literally lose in the case only being held in place by that post - which had at least 1/4 inch free space around it (1/16th inch post and a 1/2 inch loop!) , it twists and that also makes the entire trigger pieces flex out of alignment.  In a worst case scenario, the spring simply pops out of the entire action and does nothing at all.

Get the spring tight.  Dremel the end smooth so it won't grind into the case.  Then put a drop of lock-tite on the nut where the sear is.

Yes, it's unfortunate that the gun needs a whole weekend of work and about $10 in small parts, but the price savings is immense once it's done.  Mine's been rock-solid for two years now, and very accurate as well.

[Tater]

Great story and thanks for posting it. Very well said too.

[amb5500c]

Very good story. Glad it all worked out. Thanks for sharing.
Richard

[Papamia]

Hi All,

Appreciate the feedback, good deal.

Regarding my Hurricane, so appreciate your offer VPilot - I'll send you an email with my information shortly.  Thanks for the links, I will work on my Hurricane next.  Want to be careful with that one - it shoots well and is so solid - seems bullet (or should I say "pellet") proof and don't want to mess anything up.

It's definitely an older gun - from what I found out, it was made between 1975 and 1990 cause it has "Hurricane" on the plastic shroud, vs. "Webley Hurricane".  I don't believe parts are easy to come buy for it, however, based on the links you've provided, the trigger is definitely something I want to improve. So thank you VPilot.

Regarding the additional P17 advice from Plekto - definitely!!!

I went back and opened up my gun and totally see what you pointed out - I'm going to smooth out the end of the spring and found 2 thin washers I can use to shim it in the handle, that should eliminate any potential flex. Also I put lock-tite on the sear nut - great advice.

I'll update after.

Thank you all!

Happy shooting.
Rolando

[Charles Outdoors]

Anyone know what o-ring to get from home depot for the P17?  Been putting off getting one and might do it tomorrow. Would like to get the O-ring as while I'm at it.

[Papamia]

Yeah, on the posts they are #116 for the piston and #009 for the breach seal.

At Home Depot, I found Danco type O-rings that worked fine, #116 and I actually used #47 for the breach seal.  I later found the 116 and 009 at O'Reilly auto parts.  When you research, you'll find the 116 is just a tiny bit smaller than the factory O-ring, but fits on the piston and works fine.

There's a blog at: http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/derricks-on-beeman-p17-overhaul-part-1.html, that I used t get a lot of really detailed information about fixing the P17.

Have fun.

Have fun.

[Petey]

Auto parts have them too.....#116 and R13 are the same size.
The number just depends on the MFG.

[Papamia]

Hi All,

I'm sitting here thinking about what Plekto posted re: the play with the main spring and grip post, so instead of going to sleep - I got up and started tinkering with my gun. (what else could I do? I wasn't sleepy......)

I found a brass washer and measured the size of the grip post the spring sits on, and drilled the washer out using a 7/16 bit.  Cleaned up the washer and put it under the spring to shim it. I re-assembled my gun and shot several pellets through it - works great.

One thing though - while I was shooting the gun, I noticed when it wasn't cocked, I could hear the washer rattle inside the grip.  Just don't want that, so, I took it apart again and looked around to see if I could put something else in there to keep the washer from rattling but not compromise the width of the shim.

I couldn't find anything and was about to give up when I saw some of the # 009 o-rings I got for replacement breach seals. I wondered if they'd fit around the post - and sure enough they do.

So I put one of them under the washer to stop it from rattling - put the gun back together and now have peace of mind knowing there's no more play with the spring. I also smoothed out the other end - even though it was angled so it wouldn't dig into the plastic on the back of the grip.

After putting it back together, I shot several more rounds through it and it's shooting fine.  After I shoot several hundred rounds I'll update.

Here are 2 pics I took of the washer I used as the shim, well as the o-ring under the washer to keep it from rattling.

Check it out.

Thank you,
Rolando

[VAFarmer]

Rolando,

Great work.   You have really jumped in with both feet, and are learning alot.   This will carry over into other guns as well. 

One thought, to keep your "o" ring under the washer from wearing, the next time you are in there, lube with some white lithium grease.   I use white lithium on ALL the o rings in that gun.

Or you could just put a dab of heavy tar on the washer.   Will keep it from bouncing around.

Glad to see you enjoying the gun.   You will find soon though, the gun really is about as accurate as the average shooter can be....my groups with guns like these end up frustrating me sometimes, because I know the gun can outshoot my ability.

God bless,

Farmer
P.S.  You might want to put some loc-tite on the sight screw/nut assembly.   They tend to move around some.  Heck, I superglued my nut inside, because it would spin when you push down on the adjustment screw.

[Cathartes]

Awesome, love those P17s. I had a simliar experience and with the GTA available, you can get way more than your money's worth out of guns like that.

[Papamia]

Appreciate the advice Farmer,

Just did it - I don't have any tar, so I just went back and put a dab of white lithium grease on the o-ring under the washer.

Also, I experienced the screw coming loose for the rear sight too - when I cock the pistol, I try not to - but end up pressing down on the sight and the screw kept turning and messing up my shot - so I put red lock-tite on the nut and bold, being careful not to get any on the plastic. I read on one of the posts that lock-tite isn't the best for plastic. Now it doesn't move.

I love this gun, it isn't perfect - but I wasn't expecting that based on what I've read on the GTA forum.

What I like is I was able to make a conscious decision to buy this gun, it was MY choice to get it cuase I knew what I was getting into, as opposed to being "forced" to have to deal with "stuff" after the fact.  It's teaching me more than I could ever learn about tinkering with these guns, plus I am getting so much pleasure working on it. (I wish more things in life were as straight forward....)

Happy shooting,
Rolando