Parts availability for Umarex Octane ? (and a bunch of other questions too)...

[Gertrude]

Hey all,

I have a friend who has a .177 Octane, and the rear sight inserts, (green ? fiber optic ?), has fallen out and is lost.

 Question 1 - I seem to remember reading somewhere here, that parts are not available through Umarex ? Am I correct in this ?

 If so,... Question 2 - Does anyone have any suggestions on possibly a alternate fix ?

Also, I've looked this gun over for a moment, and although it is a brand new gun, it is certainly in need of some TLC.
 I am not well versed on the Octane, but I know the basic "fresh out of the box" treatments should be in order. (clean the barrel, tighten screws, etc.0
 I have not yet worked/tinkered/tightened on this gun, and wanted to ask here first.

The barrel has more wobble than I have ever seen in a break barrel.
 It is SOooo loose,... the barrel just literally wobbles when cocked, and obviously just free-falls too. Heck,... I'm not too sure if it can be tightened enough to eliminate the wobble.  Question 3 -Maybe it will need shims ? if so,... what might you recommend here ?
 (again,... I have not put a screwdriver to it yet, so maybe it will tighten up)... I've just never seen a break barrel be this loose.

Sure, I know I need to remove the action and give it a try first, but I just thought I'd get some insight from anyone with experience before touching it.

 Question 4 - Is there anything in particular to be cautious of ? Like the Ruger Airhawks penchant for denting the spring guide, (that I found out about the hard way ) or is there anything else I might need to be aware/cautious of ?
 (Yes, I realize this is a Gas Piston gun), and I have absolutely ZERO experience with them.

Also, the trigger has about a 2463lb. pull, haha... and I've done a bit of searching on it. Question 5 - Seems these things are notorious for needing some trigger work ?... Something about needing to bend the safety "band" open more ?

Then another thing came to mind when looking up the specs on this gun.

In .177 caliber, Umarex claims 1450 fps w/ pba ammo, and 1250 fps w/ lead ammo. (but it does NOT say what WEIGHT lead pellets).
Either way,... What The Heck is up with that ? It has always been my understanding that to maintain any level of accuracy and consistency, we need to stay sub-sonic.
 Has something changed with that rule ?

I have watched the reviews by both Rick Eustler, and Paul Cappello.
Question 6 - The guns they tested do seem to be fairly accurate at 20 yds,... but how does it do at say 40-50 yds ?
 Rick Eustlers review did say that when using 8.4gr JSB Exacts, he was getting 991 fps,... so that would just be starting to get near, but still just below, the supersonic "no-no" speed, right ?

Question 7 - For those of you who own and use the .177 Octane,... what brand and weight of pellets do you find work well in your guns ? Can you stay sub-sonic with standard Wallyworld 7.9gr CPHP's ? or do you need to use the 10.5gr Domes, to stay sub-sonic ?
or,...
Am I just completely all out of whack here ? 

The man who owns this .177 Octane has done me a few favors, and I'd like to return the favor to him.
 He is not an avid airgun shooter, but has plenty of PB experience.
 He rarely ever has shot this Octane, and even the tag is still hanging from the trigger guard.
When he handed to gun to me yesterday, I immediately realized he was not going to be able to shoot it well with the sloppy fitting/wobbling barrel, and the PBA ammo he had. I briefly explained the artillery hold to him, and that seems to be echoed by Eustler and Cappello as very necessary for this guns ultra-magnum personality.

Your thoughts and suggestions please ?
 I'd like to maybe tighten some screws, apply some locktite, zero his scope, and suggest some acceptable ammo weights.

Thanks for any help and experienced suggestions.
 

[Kailua]

You can buy that fiber optic rod in different diameters and colors.  Just need to melt the ends to lock it in.  Forgot where I bought mine but It was online.  Need to look what size and color I had bought.  I kind of remember having more than  enough left over.

Edited:
Found the fiber optic still in the mailing envelope.  Bought from Fiber Optic Products Inc.  It is a yellowish green with about a .056 inch diameter.  If you need some could just mail it in an small envelope.

[bigriver]

I had to replace the front sight after the rod fell out.  I bought about 6 inches of .060 green TruGlo fiber optic rod on eBay.  It slid right into the front sight perfectly and is really bright compared with the stock red ones I have on the rear.  I put just a little bit of superglue on the front and middle section of the rod to make sure I don't lose it again.  You also could increase your fps a bit, 30-50ish, by adding a shim and new breech oring.  There is a kit for $12.99 named XMV Tune kit for Ruger Air Hawk and Blackhawk rifles.  The kit, breech seal and shim, really seemed to help me with accuracy plus the slight boost in fps made it all the more worth it.  I have 3 inches of .060 red TruGlo fiber optic rod and 1 inch of green that I'm not going to use.  If you need it just let me know. It's just taking up space here.

[Gertrude]

Kailua, thanks for the info and the offer. I think the postage from hawaii might be pretty high for something as simple as this. Very kind of you to offer.
 Besides, it looks like bigriver is right next door.
 Garden Grove is the neighboring city to me, now how convenient is that ? 

[Kailua]

If you change your mind send me a PM.  Shipping would just be the usual USPS stamp.  Same price as anywhere else in the US.

Just to add on melting ends of the fiber optics.  This is done to create a little nub so it won't slide out.  I figure you knew that but had to add it just in case.  GL