AA S400 2 years on

[peter5761]

[quote=Jamie Norton;1623396]

Originally Posted by peter5761

I got Elmor to make this cocking bolt, makes life a lot easier,as you are pulling straight back on the bolt.

Peter, I'm intrigued by the custom bolt which looks great, but I don't know how you get around the need to lock it down by turning it. I once made the mistake of firing mine without turning it down and I got an eyeful of air and lead for my trouble. I also think my bolt must be stiffer than yours (ooh er, missus) or I'm weaker because the smaller size would make hauling it back even harder.

If you think about it,On the std Item, you are imparting a Slight side force on the Bolt as you pull back,As the S400 has a thin dia Bolt this is flexing,adding to an already stiff action.On my XM 100 this Bobbin type was Std,As for locking it down It becomes a natural action as both my guns have this Handle.
If I can remember Elmor made this for about £10-15 but don't quote me.

[Jamie Norton]

Rapidneck, thanks for the tips on updating my profile, though I had already addressed this omission following your earlier admonishment (can't help feeling people may only be looking at it after asking 'who is this ar**hole, though!)

I have considered your argument about the airgun press's dependence on their advertisers carefully and, in particular, the limitations of circulation based on a minority sport.
It would be interesting (to me if no-one else) to know how many airgun enthusiasts there are in GB and how this relates to the circulation figures of the comics so I will try to get this info.
I take your point about the comics being dependent upon the advertisers but this is a two-way street. If you are in the business of selling a product, whatever it is, you will want to spend your advertising budget where it is most effective, and in terms of magazine advertising, this is entirely based on circulation, whatever the product or publication.
Although you say that the airgun press cannot be compared to the motorbike press, these do, in fact, have much in common: both are minority interests, both are seen by some as anti-social, and both are under constant threat of legislation. In motorbikes, all the manufacturers build a product and pitch it against the competition. The mags then test them and give their verdicts. If yours comes out tops - congratulations, you'll be rewarded in sales figures; if not then at least you'll know where you need to improve for the next round.
Imagine if this were the case for airguns. Competition produces improvement and advancement which is better for the consumer (just look at the commie airguns for an ilustration).
I know you think that the airgun press is beholden to the manufacturers/importers/retailers, but honestly mate, they are not. There are only 2 dedicated airgun mags and both of these are produced by the same publisher (where else would the advertisers go?) - they have the luxury of a virtual monopoly. As long as they let the manufacturers and importers 'off the hook' they allow them to provide us with overpriced / under quality merchandise. So much more could be done. From a manufacturing and distribution point of view PCPs could be offerred at half the price they are. Plinkers, based on design principles established decades ago should be widely available for £30 -50.
What I do agree on is that forums (fora?) such as this are currently the only way to get anything like an objective view of potential purchases.
I know we disagree about TD's writing style but hopefully this will not diminish respect between us and I won't ever mention it again. OK?

[Jamie Norton]

Rapidneck, thanks for the tips on updating my profile, though I had already addressed this omission following your earlier admonishment (can't help feeling people may only be looking at it after asking 'who is this ar**hole, though!)

I have considered your argument about the airgun press's dependence on their advertisers carefully and, in particular, the limitations of circulation based on a minority sport.
It would be interesting (to me if no-one else) to know how many airgun enthusiasts there are in GB and how this relates to the circulation figures of the comics so I will try to get this info.
I take your point about the comics being dependent upon the advertisers but this is a two-way street. If you are in the business of selling a product, whatever it is, you will want to spend your advertising budget where it is most effective, and in terms of magazine advertising, this is entirely based on circulation, whatever the product or publication.
Although you say that the airgun press cannot be compared to the motorbike press, these do, in fact, have much in common: both are minority interests, both are seen by some as anti-social, and both are under constant threat of legislation. In motorbikes, all the manufacturers build a product and pitch it against the competition. The mags then test them and give their verdicts. If yours comes out tops - congratulations, you'll be rewarded in sales figures; if not then at least you'll know where you need to improve for the next round.
Imagine if this were the case for airguns. Competition produces improvement and advancement which is better for the consumer (just look at the commie airguns for an ilustration).
I know you think that the airgun press is beholden to the manufacturers/importers/retailers, but honestly mate, they are not. There are only 2 dedicated airgun mags and both of these are produced by the same publisher (where else would the advertisers go?) - they have the luxury of a virtual monopoly. As long as they let the manufacturers and importers 'off the hook' they allow them to provide us with overpriced / under quality merchandise. So much more could be done. From a manufacturing and distribution point of view PCPs could be offerred at half the price they are. Plinkers, based on design principles established decades ago should be widely available for £30 -50.
What I do agree on is that forums (fora?) such as this are currently the only way to get anything like an objective view of potential purchases.
I know we disagree about TD's writing style but hopefully this will not diminish respect between us and I won't ever mention it again. OK?

[Rapidnick]

I find myself agreeing with much of what you write. I cannot disagree with your view that the importers are just as reliant on the airgun press as 'tother way round. I also fully agree that more 'objectivity' in reviewing would be a good thing. For that you need to scan the pages of this bbs. However, I disagree with your comparisons between motorcycle manufacturers and their airgun counterparts. By comparison, even the biggest airgun manufacturer or importer is tiny when compared with Honda, Suzuki etc. That be as it may-it actually reinforces your argument for greater objectivity.
Finally, I hope you won't mind me mentioning that you are duplicating your posts-once really is enough!

[Jamie Norton]

Rapidneck,
Firstly, apologies for delay in response. I did write one a few days ago, but it didn’t post – how frustrating.
I really do think that the economics of the publishing world are not as you imagine. The fact is that the advertisers – manufacturers, importers and retailers – are dependent on the ‘comics’. This is a two-way street. If you’re a manufacturer / retailer you will want to spend your advertising budget where it is most effective and, for magazines, this means the one with the biggest circulation in the market you are targeting. Honestly, the cost of advertising is based entirely on circulation figures. There is no room for dummy-spitting in business.
There are, in fact, comparisons to be made between the airgun and motorbike mags. Both cater to a minority interest where bad publicity is an ever-present threat. The main differences are 1. Motorbike mags are in competition with other mags and, 2. Motorbikes are very expensive. There are only two dedicated airgun mags and both are produced by the same publisher. Where else can the advertisers go? And if the manufacturers refused to provide their product for testing, who cares? Airguns cost hundreds, not thousands. Furthermore, unlike motorbikes, new airgun products tend to be tested only as they become available to the general public so the mag could simply go out and buy or borrow them.
All the motorbike manufacturers are competing with a very expensive (to produce) product in a tight and limited marketplace. You ask anyone into motorbikes and they will all be able to tell you which is the best – and why – in any market sector. So where does this leave the also-rans? It leaves them striving for improvements – based on the press’s criticisms – for the next round. Perhaps if the airgun press had taken a more honest stance on its reviews we would now be able to buy a quality plinker for £50 instead of a £100 and my £520 Superten would give me no concerns at all over its bolt action. In this context, maybe you should reconsider just how great a service Terry Doe and his ilk really have done for the airgun buying public.
As you say, I am new to this site and I don’t want to make enemies of anyone. I genuinely respect your views and your right to them, but please don’t stamp on me for highlighting a few issues that Terry Doe fans may not have considered.

[Jamie Norton]

I seem to be having a little trouble with my postings. I see now that the one that 'went missing' now appears - where has it been for the last 3 days? Maybe it's time I upgraded my Commodor 64

[Air Ranger 658]

Hi Jamie and others on this thread.

If we all agreed with each other all the time, what a boring World it would be eh!!!

I am new to this sport December 2006 to be exact, and find the 'comics' interesting to read, new tips articles etc.

I am amazed at the depth of Knowledge there is on this forum, and have collected a few tips/ideas along the way.

Whilst we all have Different views on Authors articles columns etc, I do feel that as in other sports, (Cycling where I have come from) sometimes products are 'talked up' at times instead of honest opinions on them.

That said, I look forward to reading the Air Gun comics each month, as I am just learning the sport.

Great though isn't it.

Cheers Doug