Ruger Air Hawk (refurb from MidwayUSA) mini review

[temchik]

Hi All, I just received my $44.50 Ruger Air Hawk refurbished rifle from MidwayUSA). The rifle looks new, but it has a dent in the stock



No worries, I will fix that later, if ever.

Shot about a dozen pellets, the gun sounded like .22lr but settled after about 10 shots. Cocking effort was a bit heavy, shot cycle is NOT twangy at all, it's actually pretty smooth, the trigger is nice, much better than you get on $100 Crosmans and Gamos.

Now, it was time to take it apart and have a look see. Oh my



It ain't Diana

Everything is very rough, there was virtually NO lube except for the piston seal covered in some kind of reddish brown substance. The piston seal doesn't look that bad



But the piston itself is in horrible shape: it looks like a drunk 9 year old machined it and the guide rod is crooked (couldn't photograph it well, but it is not straight)



And there's rust and pitting inside



The spring is slightly bent, spring ends are not really flat or polished. There's rust on the spring





And the spring guide is made from very soft plastic and  already has damage



Well, it ain't Diana, but it was $56 shipped and it looks like a project gun or a good candidate for a tune kit

Enjoy

[temchik]

Started to clean the barrel, it's very filthy!! Ran about 20 patches with Ballistol and still coming out brown. Will continue tomorrow it needs scrubbing

[Roadworthy]

Although I'd probably never buy one (I have two Dianas) thank you for taking the time to assemble the picture story.

[Rattus58]

Since you already have this posted, you might like to send Midway a link to this article. We all buy stuff from them, or many of us do, and this does sorta impinge upon their reputation, since when you say refurbished many would think and believe that it has been returned to like new condition. Yours seems to more of a "used- as is" than refurbished.

To many, (taken from e-how) "Understanding "Refurbished"

A refurbished electronic device is one returned to "like new" state after being previously owned; this is how it differs from a used item. It may be a smartphone returned to the manufacturer after a week, or a desktop that a hobbyist fixed up before putting it up for sale on Craigslist. Anyone can sell an old piece of electronics and call it "refurbished" -- as such, it is important to choose refurbished goods from reputable manufacturers."

Not trying to start anything here, but I'd be somewhat disappointed if that is how I received it. At least you have the skills to take it apart and understand the functions of each part.

Much Aloha...

[vigilandy]

@Rattus58 -  maybe this is what new Ruger's look like?

My refurb was received last Friday.  Same day as a John in PA tuned D34.  I'm a newb when it comes to springers,  but the Ruger was producing groups the same size as the D34....  Just at 25 ft instead of 25 yards.   

[Rattus58]

@Rattus58 -  maybe this is what new Ruger's look like?

My refurb was received last Friday.  Same day as a John in PA tuned D34.  I'm a newb when it comes to springers,  but the Ruger was producing groups the same size as the D34....  Just at 25 ft instead of 25 yards. 

Maybe....  well just 18 more to go....

Aloha...

[temchik]

@Rattus58 -  maybe this is what new Ruger's look like?

My refurb was received last Friday.  Same day as a John in PA tuned D34.  I'm a newb when it comes to springers,  but the Ruger was producing groups the same size as the D34....  Just at 25 ft instead of 25 yards. 

Afraid you may be right, we'll see how it shoots, but having a crooked piston guide rod, I am not holding my breath. I am not sure I am going to bother with spending $80 on a tune kit given the condition

[JerryinWI]

My refurb from Midway is going to be a work in progress. Tried  at least 20 different pellets in it and could not hit a thing. It does not have the power to go trough a soup can so I am sure it has piston or spring issues. The stock was awesome so I put it on my  MM tuned Xisco 25, so not a total lose.

[INVICTVSREX]

OK now I'm starting to wonder if I should even bother keeping my Ruger Impact when it comes, I wasn't looking to pay $89 for a "project"rifle. The pics have put a sour taste in my mouth and a knot in my stomach and IMHO it's beyond reprehensible to send some one a "refurb" in that condition. I'm a fetus when it comes to springers and I don't have the skills, time or $$$ to deal with such obvious consumer contempt.

[Geoff]

I am fairly certain on a refurb they do not tear it down and clean everything up inside. 

[INVICTVSREX]

and I quote directly from their website...

 "The Ruger Impact Factory Reconditioned Air Rifle has been through the factory and completely overhauled to provide you with a like new rifle that we can offer for a great price!"

no such statement on the Air Hawk page though...

[temchik]

and I quote directly from their website...

 "The Ruger Impact Factory Reconditioned Air Rifle has been through the factory and completely overhauled to provide you with a like new rifle that we can offer for a great price!"

no such statement on the Air Hawk page though...

I don't think the internal condition of my refurb is that different than new ones, it was probably a retail reject due to the gouged stock...

I will contact Ruger/Umarex to see if they can send me a replacement piston, otherwise I'll just shoot it

[DanD]

I don't think the internal condition of my refurb is that different than new ones, it was probably a retail reject due to the gouged stock...

I will contact Ruger/Umarex to see if they can send me a replacement piston, otherwise I'll just shoot it

My refurb has a few minor cosmetic blems on the stock that look like factory finish issues. Other than that, I think Umarex just gave it a couple extra-healthy squirts of chamber oil through the transfer port, stamped an R on the breech block, and called it good to go.
After the first three shots with major detonation, I took it down to discover it was dry behind the piston seal and soaked in front. The seal was pretty thrashed, so I have an ARH replacement on the way. The Tesla worked great in my BH Elite, but I'm trying the Apex on this one. The breach seal is functional on this gun and does not need shimming- maybe it's already shimmed- I didn't check. I do hope for good accuracy once the new piston seal is installed.

[Methuselah]

I don't think the internal condition of my refurb is that different than new ones, it was probably a retail reject due to the gouged stock...

I will contact Ruger/Umarex to see if they can send me a replacement piston, otherwise I'll just shoot it

My refurb has a few minor cosmetic blems on the stock that look like factory finish issues. Other than that, I think *Umarex just gave it a couple extra-healthy squirts of chamber oil through the transfer port, stamped an R on the breech block, and called it good to go.
After the first three shots with major detonation, I took it down to discover it was dry behind the piston seal and soaked in front. The seal was pretty thrashed, so I have an ARH replacement on the way. The Tesla worked great in my BH Elite, but I'm trying the Apex on this one. The breach seal is functional on this gun and does not need shimming- maybe it's already shimmed- I didn't check. I do hope for good accuracy once the new piston seal is installed.

Been reading this thread, and seeing things like "customer contempt" I guess I'd kind of have to read further and find Umarex behind it.  OK, still though I always at least try to take everything into account so in their defense (gak!), my guess is refurbished to factory condition means rusty parts and "functionally" in tolerance.

New ones are probably no different than the one you got, perhaps it was damaged in shipping or a seal was missing/bad.  The rust shouldn't have any effect inside the piston and once the trigger group lets go of the piston it probably doesn't matter that the release pin is bent (the weight distribution is the same for every shot).

It is a shame when you think about companies that care about their reputation that stay with the tried-and-true year after year like Daisy that make stuff cheaper (but still refined), more accurate, and then stand behind them no matter what.  The less customer oriented companies change something every model year or so just so they can make sure you don't return one that is out of warranty and take a new one from a store front --- and they consider it secondary that their changes are not for the better.

* What I learned about dealing with Umarex is never speak with them over the telephone without recording the conversation, expect the worst from them if ANYTHING goes wrong, and expect the fight of your life if they decide to take you (ask me how I know, I'm out $125). So much for "sticking up for them", oh well, I tried 

BTW, it's "funny" excess oil got mentioned, that was the first basis for them voiding my warranty ... I lost count how many they shoveled over it.

[temchik]

Guys, I am not bashing Umarex, nor have I any experience with their customer service (I doubt they will send me a free new piston and I doubt it will be much better even if they do).

This thread just adds to the pool of information about this particular rifle and Xisico/BAM in general.

- Can those rifles shoot? - Yeah!
- Can they shoot accurately? - If my one example is of any indication of overall quality - Not before being in the hands of a professional tuner
- Are they worth their retail value? - Heck, no! My Gamo is in MUCH better shape internally and the Stoeger looks like someone already did a tune on it.
- Is it worth the $50 I paid? - Absolutely, the most valuable thing in life is experience

Ordering one from MM and having him do a full tune on it would ensure all components are in good shape and will skyrocket the price of the rifle to $215. I have not seen a tuned 25 yet, but judging from others' reviews it's well worth the money paid. Me? I'll eat the $50 and shoot it

[lefteyeshot]

No, they're not 34's. For $65 shipped I'm tickled with my Airhawk refurb from Midway. Looks and shoots good.

[Anylizer]

  I guess the whole "refurbished" is subject to interpretation.  But... anybody who thinks they a getting a "perfect/ as new" item for 1/2 the price of new (or less) is only kidding themselves. Be realistic folks, this is pretty much a "get what you pay for" world.  IMHO being upset because you received a "less than perfect" refurbished rifle is silly.
 I think the OP was just sharing information and pics that we all like to see and learn about. If you don't want to(or can't) work on your air guns, buy something brand new with a warranty and send it back if it is not up to your expectations!


 JMHO +.02

Anylizer

[avator]

Two years ago I bought 2 airhawks from Walmart on Black Friday for $98 each. I opened them to do normal deburr, polish and lube like I do every new gun I buy. I gotta tell you, the pics from the OP don't look a whole lot differect from what I saw on the new ones. If they were all perfect in tip top shape they would all cost a few hundos and tuning would be an ancient art we all just read about. I've bought guns from wholesalers by the cases of 5 for $20 each. These were listed as brand new guns.. not refurbs. I have at least 2 of these that take up permenant space in the parts box. Yep... it is true... you get what you pay for. This is why you see the list below. You didn't have to home refurbish new guns yesteryear. Tuning these older gems is just a matter of taking them back to their orginal glory. I have a few MM full tuners and  few of my 13XX/22XX builds that will live with me as long as my older collection will. The rest is for sale, trade or just to put a smile on a young persons face that never would otherwise get the oportunity to enjoy this hobby/sport. Trust me... if I had $1500 - $3000 to plop down on an airgun I assure you It would be a Sheridan Super Grade and nothing else. That's just how I see things.

[D14Jeff]

a little time on the forum reveals these 34 "clones" are almost diamonds in the rough , some a little rougher than others . all springers benefit from a deburring , cleaning and re-lube with the users appropriate lube of choice and these are no different . don't wanna put $80 into a full vortek kit ..... put $35ish into a new seal , spring and lube , do a poor man's vortek sleeve with a soda bottle and add a second trigger screw . i'd be miffed about the crooked guide rod too , but going by your comments it didn't seem to adversely effect the performance or operation of the airgun . thanks for sharing your results .

[Methuselah]

You didn't have to home refurbish new guns yesteryear.

Still wouldn't have to if expectations weren't so low for most first time buyers.  All I hear nowadays is "you get what you pay for", well, no - the law says (at least here in Alabama) what you get must be suited for the task it was designed.

I'm gonna get in trouble if I don't button it...