BSA 240 Magnum modifications?

[Rob M]

I really like these pistols and prefer them to HW45s, one of my favourite pistols in fact, along with Tempests and Hy-Scores. I own two 240 Magnums and I've never had trouble with the breech seal popping out. I've messed around a little with one of them, I fitted a shortened Record Jumbo spring lubricated with some Moly gun grease and GN paste into mine, in an effort to see if reducing the power made it sweeter and easier to shoot, and was really pleased with the result. It's much easier to cock, sweeter and easier to shoot accurately, I'm really happy with it. I was expecting the power to drop to around 2.5 ft/lbs or maybe even less, but on the chrono it turned out to be shooting at over 3.5 ft/lbs. I was surprised, it felt like less. Like I say though, much sweeter and easier to shoot, and cock, much better for short and medium range plinking which is what I tend to use my pistols for.

[clarky]

I really like these pistols and prefer them to HW45s, one of my favourite pistols in fact, along with Tempests and Hy-Scores. I own two 240 Magnums and I've never had trouble with the breech seal popping out. I've messed around a little with one of them, I fitted a shortened Record Jumbo spring lubricated with some Moly gun grease and GN paste into mine, in an effort to see if reducing the power made it sweeter and easier to shoot, and was really pleased with the result. It's much easier to cock, sweeter and easier to shoot accurately, I'm really happy with it. I was expecting the power to drop to around 2.5 ft/lbs or maybe even less, but on the chrono it turned out to be shooting at over 3.5 ft/lbs. I was surprised, it felt like less. Like I say though, much sweeter and easier to shoot, and cock, much better for short and medium range plinking which is what I tend to use my pistols for.

Its quite possible that by coincidence you negated the effects of the very tight fit of the mainspring when swapping out the spring for one of lower power.
Thus, the low power you were expecting from the weaker spring was at least returning all its energy and quite probably why you didnt see the big predicted loss of velocity.
Lots did have probs with the breech washer, with even the Tester on Test encountering a problem. Think this is a bit hit and mess, where you either get a good one or a bad one
However, with a 45 hitting the sweet spot (cleaned out of all grease and a Nylon guide) i have happily trounced the Magnum on all levels apart from its bulk.

I recently tested the new Tempest though after reading the recent review. Its doing a full 1ftlb more power due to a different seal arrangement. Amazing consistancy too.
I also kinda liked the new matt finish above the gloss finish of the English version but some might not. Powerful gun though.

[Nikkormat]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. Some interesting findings there, Clarky. I desperately wanted to like the 240 Magnum but just couldn't because I couldn't get any accuracy out of it; I know others can (with perseverance) but I sold mine after a couple of years. I suppose the answer is a HW45, but I can't get on with its looks.

[clarky]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. Some interesting findings there, Clarky. I desperately wanted to like the 240 Magnum but just couldn't because I couldn't get any accuracy out of it; I know others can (with perseverance) but I sold mine after a couple of years. I suppose the answer is a HW45, but I can't get on with its looks.

You could try the new Tempest. Its every bit as powerful. The consistancy is there but you would need to learn how to tame it.
The one other altermnative is the old Gamo Center. It will trounce the lot in Accuracy ad will tue quite happily into the 4ftlbs area. Its the Sporting springer of choice in FT at the moment if you can find one.

[Nikkormat]

You could try the new Tempest. Its every bit as powerful. The consistancy is there but you would need to learn how to tame it.
The one other altermnative is the old Gamo Center. It will trounce the lot in Accuracy ad will tue quite happily into the 4ftlbs area. Its the Sporting springer of choice in FT at the moment if you can find one.

It was the looks of the BSA that really did if for me.

It's interesting what you say about the Gamo Center. I had a Gamo Falcon as a kid, but I could never shoot well enough to appreciate it fully. From time to time I get a nostalgic hankering for another, so maybe I'll look out for a good one (or a Center).

Matt

[Rob M]

I suppose the answer is a HW45, but I can't get on with its looks.

It was the looks of the BSA that really did if for me.

If we're honest, looks are important.I've got an HW45 and it is technically a great pistol, but I find it so ugly that I've never taken to it. I know it's a very subjective thing but I really can't understand anyone loving an HW45. Its looks and proportions are wrong. The BSA 240 Magnum onthe other hand has great proportions and although it could be a little tidier maybe, it is a great little pistol. It's a challenge to shoot one accurately but when you learn it, it is very satisfying.

The one other altermnative is the old Gamo Center. It will trounce the lot in Accuracy ad will tue quite happily into the 4ftlbs area. Its the Sporting springer of choice in FT at the moment if you can find one.

I find this really surprising. It's a long time since I've handled a Center but I was unimpressed by it. I seem to remember that the loading gate limits the choice of pellets and is prone to leaking, and can also affect accuracy as the gate sometimes doesn't align with the bore perfectly, but then it was a long time ago and the one I tried out was well used, verging on worn out in fact, even then.

[harvey_s]

I had one for many years until redundancy forced me to sell it.
I loved mine, it was light, compact, pokey and well made.
I never had any issues with my grip as I think mine may have been a mk.II model (I was asked to sell one for a friend some time ago and his grip was noticeably more uncomfortable than mine ever was...)
Likewise I had no issues with the breech seal either.
Accuracy-wise, I could shoot mine as accurately as my HW45 with no-trouble, granted the gun sits somewhat higher in the hand, but this didn't seem to affect my UBC scores at the time.
The only thing that bothered me slightly (because I was inexperienced back then and didn't know any better) was the fact that the sight rail is quite high above the bore and most optical sights run out of elevation adjustment.
Personally I think they're far better than they're credited for - the airgun press weren't particulary complementry at the time or since which is ironic when I think about about the money I've wasted over the years on some of the tat which was well recieved....