1st airgun mod.

[USAF Vet]

I have a modded 1322 with 14" barrel, on order from Tim at MAC1 so while I'm waiting I thought I would try my hand at modding my 1377c.
I have some limited machining experience. I can operate a lathe, mill and grinder (with some re-familiarization) and I own neither.
I worked as a mold polisher for 1 1/2 yrs, 1996/7.
In my workshop, I have a small bench tools -  drill press with X-Y table, 10" disk sander, small table saw and small band saw, all from Micromark. A large assortment of quality screwdrivers, punches, wrenches, pliers, etc. Lots of Dremel stuff.
Now on to the mods for the 1377. My primary use will be plinking and small varmints. I already have a steel breech and Super Sear from A.A.
I would like to find a 14" .177 bbl that I won't shed too many tears over if I should screw it up. I prefer do this mod in stages and do more complicated upgrades as I gain more experience.
I'm ready bite the bullet pellet, so where do I and start?
Point me in the right direction and push me over the edge.

[daveb50]

Crosman only offers 7.5",10.1"LW, 10.25"and 24" barrels in .177. You can order a 24" barrel, cut it down and re-crown it yourself.
.177 (4.5mm) Barrels
Length      Original Gun      Crosman P/N
7.5”          2240             1740-002
10.25”      1377             1377-025
10.1”                             2300-102 Lothar Walther  Match Barrell
24”           Disco              1760SE-001

[breakfastchef]

Some suggestions for mods to consided that are not expensive. Some you could make with the tools you have.

Removable pump arm pivot pin to replace the roll pin.
SS or brass safety.
Polish some parts of the gun for contrast and bling.
Replace the stock grips with a set from the 1701P. Nicer looking, better feel and dirt cheap from Crosman.
TKO trigger kit with lighter spring and sear spring guide.

[Gertrude]

Jason, (aka "nervoustrigger" ), has a nice write-up on DIY mods for 2289,1322,1377 pistols.
here is a link to his thread that you might find interesting and useful

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=44342.0

beyond that, and just my opinion here,...
 ...You don't mention if you are planning to use a shoulder stock on your 1377c. Again, just my opinion, but a 14" barrel on a pistol is not going to feel very balanced, and will be quite nose heavy, ESPECIALLY if you plan on putting a LDC on it.
 You already are starting off on the right foot by going with the steel breech. Good choice !
 This also indicates that you may be putting a scope on it in the future ?
if so,... just another good reason to get a shoulder stock. (think about the scopes eye relief requirements for a pistol held at arms length).
 If you are not going with a scope, and ar planning on a Red Dot sight, or something like that,... then nevermind on the eye relief requirements, and you are back to 50/50 on the need for a shoulder stock.

It's all basically up to what you want to do with it, but a 14" barrel is going to greatly effect how it will feel and handle as a pistol.
 
I have all the Mac-1 goodies on mine too.
It started off as a 1377, then went with steel breech, 18" .22 barrel, Gen II LDC, 1399 shoulder stock, 2289 pump handle, FT piston (still need to install that), different sear/trigger springs, and I swap back and forth between a scope and a red dot from time to time. "mouse-fart" quiet, and will stack pellets at 30+ yds. if I do my part.

Good luck with your project.
 They are a great gun to tinker with and have fun.

[USAF Vet]

I've ordered the TKO spring kit and 12" bbl with Gen II brake (MAC-1).
I'll be out of town for a few days so I won't be able to start until my return.
Anxious to begin!

[USAF Vet]

Tim is out of .177 bbls. Canceled order for the 12" bbl.
Also found out that my MAC-1 1322 has shipped!
Is there another source for a 12" bbl other than Crosman Disco bbl that can be cut down?

[BillK]

Here are three places I would order a barrel from with no worries about quality.
http://stores.ebay.com/AlchemyAirWerks/Rifled-Crosman-Barrels-Stock-/_i.html?_fsub=581979319&_sid=33525849&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

http://www.bryanandac.com/

http://www.accustommods.com/

I have bought from all three and they are all very good.

[USAF Vet]

Thanks to everyone who offered encouragement and advice. Plz stick around. I know I will need further advice as the mod progresses.

I returned to town Thurs. and found my 1322 from MAC-1 had just arrived. Yesterday I mounted a Red Dot and started sighting in. I’m pretty satisfied with the gun so I hope to duplicate it with the 1377 mod.
Here’s a progress update:
Larry (breakfastchef) - I have The SS pins to replace the pump arm roll pin. I still need to order the TKO trigger kit
Ron (tri-5-ron) – I am having Tim add the LDC to a 14” bbl and will be mounting a Red Dot.  Since the 1322 feels pretty good, the 1377 should be good also. The link to Jason’s write-up is going to come in handy. Thanks
Bill (BillK) – I was able to order a 24” bbl from Alchemy and had it drop shipped to Tim at MAC-1. He is cutting it down to 14” and doing the same mods as were done to the 1322. Thanks for the suggested sources.

I have large, slightly arthritic hands and while shooting the 1322 yesterday, I think I would benefit from larger grips and forearm. I’ve contacted Ralph at RB Grips but have not heard back yet. I would like to put wood grips on both the 1322 and 77, for some bling and I just like the feel of wood over plastic. Are there other sources for wood grips besides RB?
Stay “tuned” for further updates and hopefully, some pictures.
Ron

[USAF Vet]

I did not know until today that RB Grips is out of business.

In case I decide to go plastic, are the 1701 pistol grips larger than the 13XX grips?

[breakfastchef]

In case I decide to go plastic, are the 1701 pistol grips larger than the 13XX grips?

No, but they are much more pleasing in the hand.

[Smoketown]

Ron,

Back in the "good old days" when we couldn't afford Herrett's Stocks, we smeared on a big gob of Weld Wood wood dough and grabbed hold of our pistols ...
(If I did it today, I'd probably wear one of those thin nitrile gloves.)   

Once it set-up, we sanded them to a more pleasing contour and (sometimes) painted them.

Of course, you'll have to tape off the parting lines and plug screw holes if you ever want to remove the stocks. 

22 shooters did it to their rifle stocks too ... They still do!
Put Saran wrap between your cheek and the wood dough.     

Cheers,
Smoketown

[USAF Vet]

Wow - talk about custom grips!
Although I probably won't try this on my first ever mod, this is something I will definitely check into.

[USAF Vet]

Well - Here goes.
The attach picture is of my MAC-1 1322 with 14" bbl and break, power and accuracy mods, steel breech. I have mounted a CheckPoint Red Dot.
I plan on taking the 1377 at to that level and beyond with trigger and sear mods, metal bbl band, new girps and forearm and whatever you guys advise (talk me into  ).
I'm depending on you to keep form getting into too much trouble.
 

[Smoketown]

Ron,

Your stocks are reminiscent of High-Standard and Colt pistols.

Perfect for the Weld Wood modification!

BUT, if you want to increase the bulk in your hand without using the Weld Wood method, another trick is using thin plastic or linoleum flooring under the stocks.

Start with the side that's under your palm and cut a ‘shim’ to match the outline of the stock.

The easiest way is to use the cardboard from a case of your favorite beverage.
You may need two or more thicknesses to get it to feel right.

Once it is to your liking, get a piece of plastic, vinyl or linoleum of the same thickness as the cardboard(s) and you'll be good to go.

CAUTION … The cardboard is for test purposes only.
It will absorb moisture/sweat and cause rusting.

Looks like you have a most excellent start to a downward spiral!!   

Keep the pictures coming!

Cheers,
Smoketown

[USAF Vet]

I think / hope I may have found a solution to me grip & forearm issue.
Attached are photos of what I found and bought on ebay.
The pistol grips are larger than stock and the forearm is a "fat" version of the 2289 Backpacker forearm.

[USAF Vet]

I’ve disassembled the 1377 to this point I am deciding what my next step should be.
I think probably polish the hammer , Super Sear and trigger while I wait for all of my parts arrive.
This is what I have on hand or on order:
•   Steel breech  - on hand
•   Crosman Adjustable Trigger Sear Spring - ordered
•   Blue Fork Designs silver metal barrel band -ordered
•   TKO Trigger Spring Kit - ordered
•   Large Pistol Grips - ordered
•   Fat 2289 forearm grip -ordered
•   Trigger and Sear Nylon washer shims - ordered
•   14” bbl with brake,  power mods and extended bolt from MAC-1 - ordered
•   SS screw kit - ordered
•   SS pump arm replacement for the roll pin. – on hand
•   SS safety
I will be going the SS, silver bling thing.
Will also be doing a pump/piston upgrade later
Any other suggestions,  that won’t require me to get a mortgage on my home?

[USAF Vet]

First things first - 1322  ate its first squirrel  today and liked it!

More parts arrived today.
•   Steel breech  - on hand
•   Crosman Adjustable Trigger Sear Spring - ordered on hand
•   Blue Fork Designs silver metal barrel band -ordered
•   TKO Trigger Spring Kit - ordered
•   Large Pistol Grips - ordered on h and
•   Fat 2289 forearm grip -ordered on hand
•   Trigger and Sear Nylon washer shims - ordered on hand
•   14” bbl with brake,  power mods and extended bolt from MAC-1 - ordered
•   SS screw kit - ordered on hand
•   SS pump arm replacement for the roll pin. – on hand
•   SS safety - on hand

Very little progress made today. and probably very little tommrow.
Sometimes life seems to get in the way.

Question - the forearm grips are wider than the stock 13XX. What do you recommend to replace the original roll pins? Should I try to find longer roll pins? is there a better solution (I hope)? I dislike roll pins.

 

[daveb50]

The Crosman parts list/diagrams show it's the same pin for both forearms. If you haven't seen them, here's the link.
http://www.crosman.com/cs/manuals

Since you mentioned doing a pump/piston upgrade, here's the best price on a flat top set. Mellon has other custom parts too. He does have a 12 week wait time on orders right now.
http://mellonair.com/ 

[USAF Vet]

Dave - thanks for the input.
I followed your advice and ordered the Mellon flat top set. That will be part of stage 2 mods.
As for the roll pins - I am replacing them with a threaded stud (which I am making) and 4-40 SS button head screws.
I'll try to supply more details and pictures maybe tomorrow or Sunday.
Ron

[Gertrude]

Ron,
I'm not sure if you are familiar with the CAPOF site ? but if not, there is a bunch of good info there.
MANY of us here on the GTA are members there also, and the owner of that site is also a member here as well.

Here is a link to the site:
http://www.crosman-air-pistol-owners-forum.com/board/

and here is a copy/paste of the post explaining how to register there;

Want to join ??

Please reed the topics in this section of the board first

Send application to CapofAPL@gmail.com incl. the user-name you would like

Also, at least mention country and if poss. state or county or town

No need to write a letter, the above basics will do just fine

Registrationtime varies, sometimes within 24hrs, sometimes it takes more than a week, please be patient

Please check your spam-folder as sometimes a confirmation stating your application has been approved and needs to be activated ends up in your spam-folder....

Thanks and sorry you can't register yourself on-line, a lot of spoof registration requests made me take this step.