Original 6M Pistol

[POLO]

Hi,

Information required from BBS experts. A friend has an Original 6M match pistol, which unfortunately is inoperative. It will cock and fire but possesses insufficient energy to push the pellet out of the barrel and in the back of the pellet is what looks like washer material. Since this gun works on the opposing pistons principle I am loathe to strip it myself.For some years I used the late Gerald Cardew for spring gun work, can anyone advise of spring air gun specialists who are competent in this field. Also, can anyone advise where spares may be available.

Thanks in anticipation,

POLO

[metalmickey]

Hi M8. These Pistols Although Excellent When Working. Do Have A Problem In As Much That The Lubricant Which Enables The Piston Mechanisms To Run Smoothly Also Eventually Makes The Piston Heads Go Brittle, Thus They Start To Break Up And The Loss Of Power Results. I Had The Same Problem With Mine A Few Years Ago.
But All Is Not Lost, Contact "frank Dyke" The Importer For These Pistols Who Carry Out The Service & Repairs. I Found Them Really Helpfull.mind You This Was A Few Years Ago. ! Good Luck Metalmickey
I STRONGLY ADVISE "NOT" TO TRY AND STRIP THE PISTOL YOURSELF AS THEY ARE QUITE A COMPLEX SYSTEM.

[coburn]

Try posting this in the collectors section. There are several members on there that have stripped the 6 and can give you advice about getting it resealed.

[Powderfinger]

The Country Store at Shustoke (near Coleshill) has the parts for these and can also do the work. The co-owner Mark Knibbs is a dab-hand at fixing these pistols. I suspect that your front piston washer is worn-out and needs replacing.

[POLO]

Hi

Many thanks to all for the info, I will pass it on to my friend. I hope he gets the pistol fixed since it seems well made and potentially accurate. After many years I have dug out my Webley Senior and have really enjoyed plinking. The trouble is that it is very addictive and I have already started looking at CO2 pistols and red dot sights. We will see.

Thanks again

POLO

[supersonic]

The seal material used by Diana/Original was originally a yellowish compund, which invariably disintegrates after 10 years or so, leading to the problems you describe.

A few years ago I bought a brand new old stock 6G dating from the late '80s. It had never been fired, but still the seals failed after 10 shots or so.

The importers were Ruag-Ammotec, who advised the shop to send it to a gunsmith based ISTR somewhere in the west country. He fitted genuine replacement seals which are now made from a blue coloured material, and should never degrade. Once repaired with genuine seals of the improved material and proper lubrication, the pistol should give good service for many many years with no further maintenance to the power plant.

It is a lovely pistol, built to very high standards, in fact I like it so much I bought another one too, which also needed re-sealing, which was factored into the price and done by the same gunsmith.

Both seals must be replaced, the piston one and also the one on the rear counterweight piston. The rear seal is important for damping the counterweight and reducing stress on the rack and pinion gears.

[tacfoley]

If Mr Laurie Amatruda is watching, I'm sure he will chime in. The man is a complete wizard where complex air-weapons are concerned - he repaired my old Walther LP3 by making a complet new piston head.

It is now as good as new, and yes, I remember it when it was new.

It didn't cost me a fortune either, and his service was VERY fast.

tac

[Lawrie Amatruda]

Hi,

Information required from BBS experts. A friend has an Original 6M match pistol, which unfortunately is inoperative. It will cock and fire but possesses insufficient energy to push the pellet out of the barrel and in the back of the pellet is what looks like washer material. Since this gun works on the opposing pistons principle I am loathe to strip it myself.For some years I used the late Gerald Cardew for spring gun work, can anyone advise of spring air gun specialists who are competent in this field. Also, can anyone advise where spares may be available.

Thanks in anticipation,

POLO

You have PM