Fastdeer KB3 ? Sidelever

[Marco2021]

I have just picked up a Chinese sidelever which looks like it came before the Bam 30 ? It has a safety on the right hand side of the stock above the trigger. Anyone had any experience with these? It is in very nice condition, I thought for $150 New Zealand it was worth a punt.

Replies appreciated.

Cheers 

[lefteyeshot]

I believe the Fastdeer is mechanically like a TS45 or a B3-1AK. the 45 doesn't have the safety the AK does but the lever is on the other side. I've got two TS45's. One in each caliber and two AK's, one in each caliber. I don't know the exchange rate but a week ago on the Yellow AG forum a guy had a TS45 and a Fastdeer for sale for $75 USD for either. My 45's and Ak's shoot really good. Peak/Bam/XS got some good barrels I guess. Their worth how bad you want it. I paid $80 for one TS45 and $65 for the other and $80 and $200 for the AK's and the cheaper gun were in the best shape. Last week two B3-1AK's fetched $285 and $75. Go figure. I'd like to get a Fastdeer and a QB6 to add to the collection. They'll pop-up somewhere. FYI a AK/SKS front sight adjustment tool is nice for these guns. You may know, adjustable front sight move opposite to move the strike of the round. When it comes to money and AG's I try to remember it's a hobby not a business. Later

[Marco2021]

Hi Lefteyeshot, after some digging it seems I have bought a Norinko KL B3 in .177. Mixed reviews ranging from loving to hating, and velocities from 600 to 850 fps. Hmm 850? me thinks maybe not. Anyway I should have her in a couple of days and looking forward to seeing what she's all about. Any further info on performance and maintenance tips appreciated.

[lefteyeshot]

I believe it's a Fastdeer you're getting. I was mistaken, both my Ts45's are .177. I've haven't shot the newer one across my chrony but it's tight and the spring in it is hard as heck to cock. I haven't done any thing to either. The older one's 10 shot average was 598.14 fps. with Peak wadcutters 8.6grs.

After I went thru the AK's the .177 was in the 450 range with a new 33 coil spring for a QB6 and a new  leather seal then I remembered I hadn't replaced the breech seal. After I did it averaged 507.7 fps. with Peaks and 750 with Crosman alloy hollow points. The alloys hit all over the place, the Peaks group tight.

In the .22, a new spring like the other, but it came with a plastic seal so I replaced it with a seal for a QB57 I hadn't used. I lubed it as recommended and it shot around 400fps, tore it back down and cleaned it and oiled it just enough so not to rust and it averages 600.5 fps with Peaks, I think 13.9 grs. I should put a plastic seal in the .177.

 All these gun, the 45's, Fastdeer's and AK's are about the same inside. Hope you enjoy the new gun.
Later, Tim

Oh yeah, I love the Super V8 racing you guys have there and Australia with your Fords and Holdens.
Ambrose shows'em what for up here on road courses.

[Marco2021]

Hi Tim, thanks for all the info, these little guns seem to have quite a following but this Fast Deer is the first one I have seen in NZ. When I saw it on Trade me I initially mistook it for a Bam B30/40. Then I saw the safety on the side of the stock and thought hmm that could be interesting! I reckon it had only been on the site for a few hours I think I was lucky to pick her up, the ol' dear.
She hasn't been used for a while so I think I will put her in to my local Airgun doctorfor a once over, who knows what is going on inside? I understand they have a leather seal ? If the seal is damaged/worn out ect I'm wondering what the solution would be? Possibly some replacement kit using a synthetic of some kind?
Well she might be here Tuesday, it feels like Christmas again 
Will keep you posted.

Mark.

[Marco2021]

Tim, by the way the V8'S are coming up at Pukekohe shortly..  ITM 500, 24/27 April. Personally I have a soft spot for Erabus Mecedes, they went really well last year, fantastic effort.

Cheers

Mark.

[Marco2021]

The Fast Deer arrived today,suprisingly heavy. Very good codition..no rust and the inside of the cocking assembly has been oiled so I thought we were off to a good start. Gave her a good wipe over with a drop of Ballistol and oiled all the usual pivots. Took the silly Tasco 1.5 *1.5 scope off and popped a 4*32 on just to have a play. OOPS, SHE WONT COCK! Try again..no joy she wont cock. Take a breath.... 3rd time she cocked but not very convincingly. Put my arm between the cocking arm and stock and gingerly loaded a pellet. Gamo pro magnum was a bit loose, fired at a drink can but the pellet just made a dent at about 8 yards. Maybe she has been sitting for a while and needs warming up. I will have another play tomorrow. Any advice on the cocking problem appreciated..otherwise she's off to the Airgun doctor.

Cheers all

Mark.

[lefteyeshot]

I got to think on it. When you cock it back,( the anti bear trap is like a racket) it makes a click,click,click sound going back. After you load you have to pull lever a little to the rear to release the anti bear trap before you can push it forward. The piston may not be getting back far enough for the sear on the trigger to catch the hook on the end of the center rod of the piston. To long a spring or too much pre-load in front of the spring (washers) or a washer behind the spring. Or the sear or sear catch(hook on the end of the piston center rod) worn out or filed down to much to lighten trigger pull. You said you put a scope on it. If it has the scope mount that attaches to the rear of the rear iron sight, ok. If it has a weaver or 11mm rail mounted the screws could be in the way inside. I've got a weaver rail on one of my B3-1AK's and a couple of B3's but the screws are flush inside the receiver. The lever should go back more than 90 degrees more like 120 degrees. If not there could be to much crammed in there. Its' either send it back or tear it down. Maybe to much grease on the sear you could rinse out with solvent. I've used gasoline for that before, of course that probably violates some gods of the air gun rules. Gas works cleaning car parts. Something is worn out or holding it from going back far enough. If you use gas or a solvent let it dry before shooting. I'm assuming a fastdeer has a center rod type piston like a Ts45 or B3-1 Ak or B1 or B2.

[Marco2021]

 Thanks Lefteyeshot for all the info. I thought about tearing her down but couldn't quite bring myself to have a go, mainly due to not knowing how to deal with the spring compressor side of things. I took her down to my local AG doctor telling him about the cocking issue and low power. First thing he did was show me a nice scar on his index finger due to being bitten by one of these years ago. Then he said the best repair was to cut it into four pieces. Ron has a very dry sense of humour lol. Anyway, two days later Ron tells me she was suffering from a very sick piston head/seal. So after replacement and a good clean up she was back up to speed and the cocking issue had resolved itself. She was quite oily when I got her so maybe too much oil floating around in there..
After shooting her for a couple of days the trigger is not as heavy as when I first got her,instead of stop/go she now has a tiny bit of creep which I prefer. I spoke to the previous owner who said she had been sitting around for 5 years so no wonder she had troubles.
Anyway, after shooting her a wee bit she wont be something I will keep so she is now up for sale..bit of an impulse buy really but a good experience and I do think they would have been nice from new. Got my Benji 397 up for sale too, just want to keep the ones I will shoot regularly, keep my money tied up in the users.

Cheers

Mark.

[lefteyeshot]

Great, glad you got the gun up and shooting. I finally got the most recent aquired Ts45 over a chrony and it averaged out 552.5 fps. but the trigger pull was seven pounds. Just re-assembled an old XSB4-2 under lever B3 look-a-like. Averaged out about 525 fps with an avg. 2lb. 8 oz. trigger pull. Groups tight, plain bare wood finish, it's a keeper. Also bought a new Browning Leverage. Haven't shot it much yet but a beautiful gun. After I buy'em and work on them and shoot'em some I can't sale them. They're all over the place. Later, Tim.