Author Topic: Beeman R1 (Read 7546 times))

onapar · « **on:** July 30, 2013, 07:56:13 PM »

I picked up an old Beeman R-1 for a good price and the seller told me he had replaced the spring and seal. The gun shoot very good and very accurate. The sights are open the front sight is hooded. I was wondering about the age . The left side reads Beeman R 1 made in W. Germany San Rafael #94903
Any ideas how old it is?
Thanks

Frank in Fairfield · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2013, 08:00:40 PM »

I have 930591 bought in 1984 from Dr. Beeman in 1984.

tjk · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2013, 08:16:57 PM »

Some where between 1980 and late 1987 probably. I believe Beemans was making their transition move to Santa Rosa around 87 or 88. Anywhere from 25 to 33 years I would imagine. The R1 was introduced in 1980. Congradulations on the R1,.....it is a classic rifle for good reason. What caliber did you get? tjk

palonej · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2013, 08:38:04 PM »

Looks like she's in really good shape!! Enjoy!!

White Eagle · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2013, 09:42:12 PM »

Congrat's on a nice find!

I love those R1's.

BTW, what caliber is it?

Mark 611 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2013, 10:57:02 PM »

I'm a big fan of the R1 as well congrats

robert w · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2013, 07:43:40 AM »

Quote from: RETATCDUDE on July 30, 2013, 08:00:40 PM

I have 930591 bought in 1984 from Dr. Beeman in 1984.

those 2 guns might been built on the same day, there is a member on gta that has a d-54 just like 4 last digets after my 54. and I got a 34 that is the next gun made after my first 34. its interesting to see serial numbers show up and be darn close too

onapar · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2013, 07:47:38 PM »

Mine is a 22, the bluing was mostly gone so i buffed it with a scotch brite pad and cold blued it . It looks okay but could be better.
I took it to the range today and at 25yds it shoot really well.

George · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2013, 12:09:46 AM »

I have an R-1 in 22cal also. Still one of the smoothest cocking guns around as well as being very accurate. The trigger on those guns are tough to beat .

Nikoman · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2013, 01:32:28 AM »

Congrats on that classy, fine shooter you got there!

Petey · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2013, 01:57:44 PM »

San Rafael years were 1974-1987 ..... I don't know about reading the serial numbers , perhaps someone else knows.

onapar · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2013, 08:21:28 PM »

I decided to try my hand at refinishing the stock. I will post pictures when the job is done.
When I removed the action the spring looks new but there is no lubrication that i can see on it.Should there be?

Nikoman · « **Reply #12 on:** August 04, 2013, 12:58:13 AM »

Quote from: onapar on August 03, 2013, 08:21:28 PM

I decided to try my hand at refinishing the stock. I will post pictures when the job is done.
When I removed the action the spring looks new but there is no lubrication that i can see on it.Should there be?

Not necessarily...
Lubes might've migrated forward towards the front end of the spring where you can't see it without properly (and safely) opening up the gun to take a closer look inside.

onapar · « **Reply #13 on:** August 04, 2013, 09:44:56 AM »

Nikoman
Sounds like good advise,does the R-1 need a spring compressor to take apart or can it be done safley with out one?
I have never taken apart the action of an air gun.

Frank in Fairfield · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2013, 10:13:32 AM »

Quote from: onapar on August 03, 2013, 08:21:28 PM

I decided to try my hand at refinishing the stock. I will post pictures when the job is done.
When I removed the action the spring looks new but there is no lubrication that i can see on it.Should there be?

A few drops. like one on each coil of spring oil. Don't overdue it where oil gets on the stock. If you cock the gun, put on the safety, then remove the stock, carefully, you can see the entire spring (compacted of course).

Sfttailrdr46 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 04, 2013, 10:57:58 AM »

Build a spring compressor as even those rifles with only slight spring preload can be a real pain in the keester. and a spring compressor will make the reassembly a tad easier.

Nikoman · « **Reply #16 on:** August 04, 2013, 11:31:25 AM »

You definitely need a spring compressor for it. It's very unsafe without one for a brute like the R1.

Frank in Fairfield · « **Reply #17 on:** August 04, 2013, 03:13:47 PM »

Quote from: onapar on August 04, 2013, 09:44:56 AM

Nikoman
Sounds like good advise,does the R-1 need a spring compressor to take apart or can it be done safley with out one?
I have never taken apart the action of an air gun.

You need a spring compressor. On YouTube there is a video from Germany taking apart an HW80 (same-same) but the video says do not try this with an R1 without a spring compressor. There is also a video of a British citizen doing it, too. If your speed is anywhere around 880-900 don't bother. Dr. Beeman advertised these R1 with 930fps. That was with 7 grain laser. My gun is 29 years old and shoot 890 with 7.9 grain pellets. Pyramid Air tech (next door) said, "Don't touch it! I won't. IMO

fritz1 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 04, 2013, 08:58:57 PM »

Quote from: onapar on August 04, 2013, 09:44:56 AM

Nikoman
Sounds like good advise,does the R-1 need a spring compressor to take apart or can it be done safley with out one?
I have never taken apart the action of an air gun.

Funny I decided to take my R1 20 apart today and after being warned about the spring preload on the R1 I was overly concerned about it going oing in my face or chest so I worked up some coils in my arm muscles and decided to put all my weight into it with is pressed on my rug.

I leaned into it with all my might and started unscrewing the plug all the while I'm praying for the best, I was expecting a full 1 - 1 1/2 inch of spring beyond the end of the receiver but all this excitement for barely 1/2 or 3/4 inch of coil sticking out I was laughing at my self out loud, it was a piece of cake to say the least.

Keep in mind this is the original spring which has been in there so I don't know how a new spring will be so it was easy but a little more effort is required to put it back, not much but a little.
I am not advocating or encouraging you to do it by any means but just giving you my own experience with it, and it was easy as pie also this gun has not been used excessively may be 300-500 pellets through it so it was not worn it sat in my rack more than it got used.

tomykay12 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 05, 2013, 12:24:36 PM »

my recent experience was the same; maybe 1/2-3/4" of spring preload. Easy easy to take apart. little harder to reassemble with a new spring but no problem. I had mine clamped vertically in a bench vise. tk

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Beeman R1

Author Topic: Beeman R1 (Read 7546 times))

fritz1