Are bsa superstars a pain to work on?

[flatrajectory]

Thanks very much. Also, can the piston come out without stripping the trigger?

It can but requires a set procedure that is easy to do but difficult to explain. What yo have to do is pull the trigger back and hold it .....then looking at the rear of the trigger unit you have to lift the rear end of the sear up ( assuming you have the rifle upside down in a gun cradle with trigger unit uppermost), and keep it there ,against sear spring pressure, whilst sliding the piston out.
What I do is pull back the trigger and zip tie it back, then lift up the rear end of the sear about 3mm using a sharp instrument.......then whilst holding it up insert a small screwdriver from the side ( in between sear and cylinder),to wedge the sear out of the way of the piston.
It is easier to do than it was to explain.
Pete.

[vobster]

Thanks very much all of you. Looks like it wont be too hard after all with your advice.

[fozzy45]

I have done a few of these from lighting, airsporter carbine, superstar and goldstar. TBH they arent as bad to do as you think.
Like has been said, tap the rail back with a peice of plastic until it comes back far enough to lift out. When putting back on I tend to put a little grease or oil where rail goes on to help it slide back on. I found that there's really no need to put any more pressure than hand pushing down before tapping it back on level with a rubber mallet.
Fozzy

[oliver13]

The glorious Maxigrip scope rail...

I think BSA would like you to get a new set of rubbers each time you take one off but I never saw the need & haven't had a problem.
I used to get into contortions with G clamps & wood packing to press the thing down when I reinstalled it, but a few years back I tried it with simple hand pressure & it went back quite happily, the lugs get a grip & pull it tight on their own.
As noted, WD40 is your friend.

[vobster]

I may have a go tonight