Beeman R1

[Booger]

I just got a Beeman R1, and I am excited. She is everything I was hoping her to be. I traded my .22 HW97K, and in return I got a 1988/1989 Beeman R1 Santa Rosa. My new torque wrench came in so I mounted my Hawke 4-12X44 scope on her (until my new scope comes in). I zeroed the rifle and then tried to chrony her. I was using H&N FFT 4.51 pellets and shot 7 shots and got an ES of about 30 (between 840-870). I continued shooting for awhile and was only getting nickel size groups. I thought this was good, but not great. Then the bad happened! I pulled out my AA 8.44 and started getting sub dime size groups, nailing the plastic golf ball at 40 yards. The reason this is bad is because all I have is 2 tins left and 12 tins of the H&N. In the near future I will chrony the AA pellets. It has been my experience that consistency over the chrony usually results in consistency shooting. I really love the fact that I have a 27 year old gun that shoots lights out.

I forgot to mention after about 10 shots I took the cocking assist off and installed the open sights. If a rifle has open sights it is my opinion they should be left on. Also it should be noted this rifle cocks about the same as my R11, the trigger and shot cycle are very nice.

I am not really interested in the cocking assist, so I guess I will put it in my tool box. At a later date if I get another gun without sights I might put it on her.

We all know the rule here, no pictures and it did not happen. 

[MikieG]

You must be very careful. Those R1's will breed if left to their own devices. I am up to three now.
It is the rifle all others are measured by.

[palonej]

She's a beauty Jess!!!
Which scope will be sitting on top??

[Booger]

She's a beauty Jess!!!
Which scope will be sitting on top??

A Hawke 4-12X44 MAP 6, but I have a panorama mil-dot coming in that will sit on her for Field Target

[ancient1one]

Another sweet shooting springer.. It came to you with some character, 27 years worth. Very nice Jesse. Hope its another shooter.

[Booger]

Another sweet shooting springer.. It came to you with some character, 27 years worth. Very nice Jesse. Hope its another shooter.

She is good, character is the reason I made the trade. There is a San Rafael in the classifieds that I am drooling over. I know the 97K might have been worth more, but there is something about the old rifles I really like.

[gard72977]

Very nice Jessie. Your collection is very interesting.

[Booger]

Very nice Jessie. Your collection is very interesting.

Thank you, it cost me a Jaques of London chess set, plus a few dollars as my addiction grew. I still own a few nice sets though. I might have to sell my Harley so my collection can really grow. LOL

[ptpalpha]

Another beauty, Jesse!  I need to see some better pics of that stock. 

[Be Ready]

Looks like a nice one!! Best of luck with her!! 

[Calmark]

I too like the look of those vintage R1s.    I lived just a few miles from Santa Rosa, CA as a teenager.  Sadly, the times we passed the Beeman location, I was never allowed to stop and check things out.  ;(  But, now I have a soft spot for Beeman rifles of that vintage. 

[BenjiHunter]

That is a beautiful gun!

[scrane]

A classic that changed the direction of airgun development.

[Frank in Fairfield]

Jesse,

I bought mine in 1984 when Bob was in the small office at 47 Paul Drive, San Rafael, CA.
The speed your rifle is shooting is perfect for .117 air gun accuracy but you will probably be happier around 900.
Scott (Motorhead) installed a VORTEK kit in mine after replacing the original spring, etc., with factory replacement parts also bought in 1984.
I suppose springs can weaken just sitting there.
Very slow...
Anyhow, Scott put the VORTEK kit in with me watching (I consider that help) (Hey, I brought the baked goods) and then we tossed some CPLs down the barrel.
1052fps.....wow!
Using 10.5 Heavies the speed lowers to a more respectable 895fps.
Now the gun is ready for another 30 years.
Me?
Maybe not!
Congratulations.
Oh....Do you want me to send your 8.4 grain pellets back?

[Booger]

Jesse,

I bought mine in 1984 when Bob was in the small office at 47 Paul Drive, San Rafael, CA.
The speed your rifle is shooting is perfect for .117 air gun accuracy but you will probably be happier around 900.
Scott (Motorhead) installed a VORTEK kit in mine after replacing the original spring, etc., with factory replacement parts also bought in 1984.
I suppose springs can weaken just sitting there.
Very slow...
Anyhow, Scott put the VORTEK kit in with me watching (I consider that help) (Hey, I brought the baked goods) and then we tossed some CPLs down the barrel.
1052fps.....wow!
Using 10.5 Heavies the speed lowers to a more respectable 895fps.
Now the gun is ready for another 30 years.
Me?
Maybe not!
Congratulations.
Oh....Do you want me to send your 8.4 grain pellets back?

Keep the pellets, just send me the gun. My birthday was 3 weeks ago and we can consider it a late birthday present. LOL

[MikieG]

When i was a kid i dreamed of owning an R1. The ads werw soooo well done. I knew this thing out classed anything my single mom could ever buy for me outta our local Kmart.
There was a dealer that sold them in the next town. I felt like Ralphie when i stared through the glass.
Today i own two 1983 san raphael guns and a 1990 santa rosa.
I also have a 1985 P1. Those are my daily shooters.

[Sfttailrdr46]

  Sell the Harley to buy more AG's absolutely brilliant then you can get one blinged out in gold. 

[Booger]

Sell the Harley to buy more AG's absolutely brilliant then you can get one blinged out in gold. 

Platinum is cool too. Or maybe Black Hills Gold. 

[MikieG]

The difference between harleys and airguns? Airguns usually work!

[Booger]

The difference between harleys and airguns? Airguns usually work!

My Harley does not leak oil, it is marking it's territory. Seriously I bought mine brand new in 2009 and have not had any problems with her except I had to replace the battery, and normal wear and tear on the tires.