Tuning an Airsporter

[Mod]

Folks

Nestling in the cabinet, snuggled in between a Sauer Drilling and a .375HH -I have a mark two(?) BSA Airsporter.

Given to me at on my 14th birthday and the root cause of my shooting addiction. As a kid, I loved it enough to get Don Blocksidge to cover it with engraving - so doubt it has any collector value. Not an issue as it is a really sentimental item for me.

Questions though - as a shooter, I compare it with more modern offerings and the action seems to have a lot more 'twang' on firing.

Is it possible to tune it to provide a smother, quicker firing cycle? If so, who and how? Can a gas-ram be fitted instead of a spring?

Help!

Rgds Mod

[scirroco]

you have pm,re tuning
rgds scirroco

[Mod]

Many thanks.

Any other thoughts are most welcome.

rgds Mod

[T 20]

Hi Mod

My MK2 Airsporter is fitted with an O ring piston head.
This conversion was offered by BSA in the early 1970's and it enables you to use the later type Airsporter O ring which gives a better shot to shot consistancy and slightly more power. This conversion is available from Chambers but you have to send your piston to them for fitment.


From you're other post it looks like you have an OX mainspring fitted, the best thing to do with this is cut it down as they are normally too long and too powerful for their intended application and just produce piston bounce and lots of recoil when fitted at standard length.

Bonnie and Clyde appears to sell a tune up kit for the Mercury and later Airsporter, this should give you a spring and guide for use in your MK2.


Hope this helps

All the best Mick

[Mod]

Cheers Mick

I have an O ring and PTFE piston head on my beasty - not sure as to the model so may actually be later than #2 if this was not a standard fit.

Tried contacting Bonnie & Clyde - HIS IN BOX IS FULL!!

(that's me being subtle! )

Rgds

Mod

[lightning22]

A close fitting spring guide and possibly a piston liner with a lube up should sort out the twang Ian.

Rich

[Mod]

Rich

You mistake me for someone who knows SOMETHING about air-rifles!

Been advised to talk to Bonnie and Clyde as well as Nibbs, regarding kit for tune and replacement spring (whats wrong with an Ox anyhow! - any other thoughts?

Rgds Mod

[Paddy_SP]

Don't forget to let me have the serial number so that I can tell you what model it is!

[uk litehammer]

Rich

You mistake me for someone who knows SOMETHING about air-rifles!

Been advised to talk to Bonnie and Clyde as well as Nibbs, regarding kit for tune and replacement spring (whats wrong with an Ox anyhow! - any other thoughts?

Rgds Mod

OX springs are great!!! (for closing yer gate).

[lightning22]

OX springs are great!!! (for closing yer gate).

I tried that after repeated recommendations, it made a crap gate closer.

[lightning22]

Rich

You mistake me for someone who knows SOMETHING about air-rifles!

Been advised to talk to Bonnie and Clyde as well as Nibbs, regarding kit for tune and replacement spring (whats wrong with an Ox anyhow! - any other thoughts?

Rgds Mod

You won't go far wrong with one of Daves kits.

Rich

[joffy]

i have a chambers kit in my airsporter s and the spring was a good two inches longer than the cylinder so today out came the grinder and my blowlamp now the springs lost 5 coils and the ends been collapsed so that its a neat job ...... just have to see in the morning what the powers upto ..... the action feels smoother and quieter (put a few pellets through it in the garden) i reckon that the springs coils must've been touching under compression


i'll post my results tommorrow

atb jonathan

[joffy]

Cheers Mick

I have an O ring and PTFE piston head on my beasty - not sure as to the model so may actually be later than #2 if this was not a standard fit.

Tried contacting Bonnie & Clyde - HIS IN BOX IS FULL!!

(that's me being subtle! )

Rgds

Mod

my airsporter has the alloy pistonhead i did have a nylon head on one of my old airsporters but they're prone to breaking

[MarcDV]

Interesting line of inquiry here. I've always wondered how the velocity of the older airsporters could be cranked back to around the 12 ft lbs plus mark. Certainly, the gun is built very well and has ample strength for tuning. The conical steel piston will be much more efficient than the later aluminum flat top type. Taking care of piston and loading tap sealing, adding spring thrust bearings, new machined spring guide, new spring are just really standard maintenance items rather than tuning for power. Has anyone tried an increased weight piston, or those plastic button bearings? Surely making a new piston with a probe that extends up the transfer port close to the tap? This would increase compression significantly. The transfer port could be radiused and the probe shaped to match it with a small clearance. It would mean a special cutter would be needed. What does the steel sheet wrapped around the spring do? I've seen it shown in tuning kits photos, but it looks like an item destined to jam something in a dynamic situation. I'd love to have time to tinker with this project. Has anyone tried to soup up a Mk I? Is there a gas spring available to fit?

[I. J.]

Cheers Mick
I have an O ring and PTFE piston head on my beasty - not sure as to the model so may actually be later than #2 if this was not a standard fit.
Mod

If its a mark 2 (and mark 1) it should have an auto loading tap where the loading port opens automatically when you cock it. Great safety device.
I recommend you stay with standard or B & C spring, good quality lube and enjoy a classic rifle.

OX springs are great!!! (for closing yer gate).

The Ox spring on my gate is so strong the frail old mother-in-law cant get in. Yes, Ox springs are brilliant on gates.

ATB
Ian