AA200 for target use mods.

[RobinC]

I'm working with a school team and although we have good match rifles for our main team we also have an Air Arms 200 and an option on another that we wish to use as a starter match air rifle, I have to admit to not being endeared to it as the trigger is awful and the target sights (Chinese) are very poor.
But I know that this rifle is used by many groups particularly scouts in the sporter class so they must be adaptable, I would appreciate some guidance on what sights people use on them as the dove tails seem to be a non standard size, and what work is viable on the triggers.
Robin

[Mike95]

I think the dovetail is a flat profile 11mm..would expect your Walther diopter to fit the rail if a flat profile.

The Gamo rear sight is not the best it must be admitted but good enough for 10m work.

Trigger adjustment see this link http://www.pilkguns.com/tenp/spdxs40.htm

Mike95

[RobinC]

Thanks Mike
I now have some Anschutz sights for these, I have been given some guidance for improvement work on the the triggers, its not just adjustment, so I'll see how they shape up with that.
Robin

[anschutz]

Hi Robin,

How do the kids find this setup, I was looking for something lightweight to start my daughter with?

[RobinC]

Anschutz
We are shooting ten metres, and its a bit out of its depth mostly due to the trigger (which I hope to improve!). But we use them purely for kids that fall under the size required to shoot with a match rifle which is vastly better. It gets them started, otherwise they have to wait until they grow and it lets us coach them technique, I don't like the AA but they are the horse for that course and cheap.

With a youngster shooting standing its not so much the rifle weight which is the problem, as good technique is not about strength to hold, but the position suporting the rifle through the line of bone, the muscle only holds the bone together. But under a certain size of child the triangulation of suport bones is too small and the rifle weight takes over, even light weights. Modern positions are quite extreme at best, and there is also the issue of small kids having to take an even more extreme position if they are slight, this raises the question of injuries. Its dificult to define but my view is I would rather they wait until they are a bit bigger than shoot in an extreme position. It also reinforces the need for good suportive shooting kit.

Personaly I think you are better starting with a pure match rifle even an old one. For our main squad we use Original 66's with the barrel weights removed and shortened stocks (purist collectors have just fainted!) and they are cheaper and a class above the AA. This is with 12/13 year olds. We also have a FWB 300S junior I made (purists look away!) by removing the barrel sleeve and shortening the barrel to FWB junior length and shortening the stock, still a little weighty but resulting in a superb shooting and nicely ballanced match rifle.
Modern alternatives, the MPR is much better, but I have to admit to not being impressed, the Hammerli ar20 is also much better but not my preference. By far the best junior rifle is the Walther LG300 Junior, its pricey compared to the others but is in a different league. We have a club one at my main club, we have two adult ladies using them, they can be shot as they come at 3.5 kg or weighted, my wife uses one very sucessfully, fitted with a full length LG400 action and weighted to full weight.
If you daughter is small yes the AA is a good starter, otherwise I'd advise a lightened and shortened classic, better and cheaper.
Sorry AA enthusiasts, I'm only interested in pure 10 mt match shooting and coaching and I am unashamably biased towards that and good as it is for what its designed for its only a very basic starter for 10 mt.

[anschutz]

Thanks for taking the time time give such a comprehensive reply, food for thought.

She is quite small, so weight is an issue at this stage.