Webley Osprey Supertarget

[air-tech]

Thanks all. OK re the spring, got that... re the barrel - reason I asked - it's not bent, it's perfectly straight - but not inline with the cylinder! It's off to the left, by about 5mm at the front sight - certainly as-is a diopter would be unusable, would run out of adjustment. Perhaps that is why one is not fitted! Also because of this one must really press hard against the cheekpiece to align rearsight to the front.

What could be the possible cause for the barrel being off at an angle? Shoddy Webley workmanship? As above - it is straight, and looks to be nicely fitted into the cylinder forward block.

[Troubledshooter]

Thanks all. OK re the spring, got that... re the barrel - reason I asked - it's not bent, it's perfectly straight - but not inline with the cylinder! It's off to the left, by about 5mm at the front sight - certainly as-is a diopter would be unusable, would run out of adjustment. Perhaps that is why one is not fitted! Also because of this one must really press hard against the cheekpiece to align rearsight to the front.

What could be the possible cause for the barrel being off at an angle? Shoddy Webley workmanship? As above - it is straight, and looks to be nicely fitted into the cylinder forward block.

The barrel of the Osprey screws into the block and is threadlocked in place.
This is a weak spot, as I had one with a broken barrel just at the point where the thread ends and the barrel begins, and I know of several others that had the same problem.
Is it possible your barrel has a similar problem, with a slight crack at the weak point ? This would possibly explain why the barrel appears out of true.

[air-tech]

The barrel of the Osprey screws into the block and is threadlocked in place.
This is a weak spot, as I had one with a broken barrel just at the point where the thread ends and the barrel begins, and I know of several others that had the same problem.
Is it possible your barrel has a similar problem, with a slight crack at the weak point ? This would possibly explain why the barrel appears out of true.

Thanks for that (and the email!) however I don't see a crack and it does not sound too feasible with that thickness of barrel, I suppose that the barrels are made of mild steel or just slightly better, nothing hardened or tempered so they would take a hell of a lot of bending/bashing fatigue etc before they cracked? Of course if humungously overtightened and potentially sheared... but suppose the stresses in the metal would be noticeable.

I can only imagine that the thread in either the barrel or the cylinder was not cut straight?

[Troubledshooter]

In relation to the diameter of the bull barrel, the threaded portion is considerably smaller, which leads to a potential weak spot.
I can't remember exact dimensions, as it was a long time since I had to replace a broken barrel.

[air-tech]

In relation to the diameter of the bull barrel, the threaded portion is considerably smaller, which leads to a potential weak spot.
I can't remember exact dimensions, as it was a long time since I had to replace a broken barrel.

Thanks again. Yes, I now understand what you may be getting at. Away from the gun now, will be a couple of weeks before I handle it again, will take a very close look perhaps something is revealed, and will update!