Yes, I also understood the Canadian versions have some kind of bleed valve (from the review on replicaairguns.com). And I was indeed hoping that by installing the flat top kit, I'd simply be getting rid of anything of the kind

I'm a bit peeved I didn't notice the hollow probe for .177 ... I can easily imagine how it makes loading easier (maybe even compensating for the increased difficulty with the gmac breeches?). From the image it would seem that it sits over the transfer port and thus maybe helps to concentrate a bigger amount of air directly into the pellet skirt? I haven't seen a lefthand version though, have you?