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Thread: Help with a BSA Standard No 2 and who could service this?

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
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    Pulborough
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    997

    Help with a BSA Standard No 2 and who could service this?

    I am a new member but have received some magnificent guidance from the site's members, which has provided invaluable information for someone who is rediscovering his teenage interest in air rifles. I therefore thought it worth starting a new thread about the BSA Standard No2 (.22), which might be of interest to others and outsiders who might find this site from an internet search, as I did.

    I bought a reconditioned BSA Standard from John Knibbs in 1998, which was also re-blued. I discovered, at that time, it could achieve 3/4in groupings, or better, from a cushion rest at 20-25yrds. Alas, it only did some 8ft/lbs and I have used it little since then but am glad to have it as a collector's piece, with its long history. I especially like the foresight bead - which makes hitting a target much easier.

    Anyway, from my earlier thread here, on the Webley Mk3, I learnt about the loading tap test, where one cocks the rifle and then opens the loading tap. Gradually releasing the cocking lever, there should then be some resistance and, towards the end of the return of the underlever to its uncocked,flat position, if the loading tap is opened, there should be a 'whoosh'. If so, there will be tight seals.

    There was no 'whoosh', however, and I could feel a slight escape of air from that general area around the loading tap. I now believe it needs attention but who has the expertise to attend to this, I wonder? I am in West Sussex but could send it for some expert attention (for which I would pay a fee). Can anyone assist? I fear an ordinary gunsmith will not have this degree of expertise and it needs some expertise, perhaps from another collector.

    I am informed that this rifle should do about 11ft/lbs+ and I would like to obtain that type of power from it, if that is possible, with original materials where feasible.

    A further question: what are the best pellets to use for this rifle, I wonder, given the cessation of Eley Wasp?

    Meanwhile, I am rather keen to obtain some old Eley Wasps. Anyone any idea where to find them? There is nothing on *bay.

    Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

    Rgds
    Andrew.
    Last edited by andrewM; 11-01-2017 at 12:24 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Gloucester
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    580

    Airgun Tuners

    I placed a similar query here but in the General section and am likewise looking for a good tuner - springer tunes - so not too different a request .

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Pulborough
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    997

    Tuner/repairer

    Thanks, Jimny. If you find anything on the general section, please let me know. I half expected to be deluged with possibilities but, so far, no suggestions. I wonder whether it is worth one of the enthusiasts here offering to look after those such as us (even were he only to specialise on certain makes and models); it could make a good part time business and the reputation would quickly spread amongst readers. There must be plenty of folk like us looking for a competent repairer. I am contacting a repairer, recommended by a local gunsmith and will advise, if favourable, in the next day or two.

    Rgds
    Andrew

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Cambridge UK
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    7,068
    I expected a few replies to you but as none have appeared (yet) you may have to make do with my thoughts. ... Apologies in advance. I have fiddled / meddled and generally cleaned up a fair few Standards in the past. They are very easy to work on but you do need to watch out for a strong mainspring at times. This is not an issue per se if you are careful on stripping the rifle but can give difficulty on reassembly unless you have a means of holding the action or end block captive while you compress the mainspring and start the end block threads going. Have you found the strip instructions on the Idiots Guide? Have a look if not, thread 112.
    Regarding the tap ... If there is wear on the tap or indeed the hole in the action that the tap rotates in there is not a lot you can do without attracting expense. You may find a new tap from one of the spares suppliers (I have not checked) and it might well fix your problems but be prepared to maybe adjust the fit as I think most are supplied a tad oversize. And be careful to get the pellet bay in the tap exactly in line with the bore. Get it wrong and the pellet will 'clip' as it passes from tap to bore, losing power. In the past I have tried all sorts of remedies to cure leaky taps on all sorts of rifles and have not yet found an easy, cheap, reliable way of doing it. For an Airsporter I once resorted to making a new tap from the shank of a steel bolt. It worked but took a long time (my first attempt failed as I got the alignment out by a fraction of a mm). I believe it is possible to get a tap plated but do not know the cost.
    You say the power is currently 8ft lbs. That is not too bad. Yes, I have heard of the Standard going up to 11 or above but I have never shot one at that level. I wonder if it becomes harsh? If the mainspring is very old then it could be weak and a slight increase over 8 may come from a new spring .. if I remember correctly you can fit an Airsporter spring.
    Regarding the original Wasps... not very common. They do appear on 'the site' now and then and also at various auction houses on-line etc. But I have never bothered to search for them as I find most .22 pellets are OK in the Standard, although there are differences in power between them. I think Knibbs do a 5.6mm version of Marksman pellets if you want to give them a go. Do I remember the new Wasps being available in 5.6 and 5.5mm?
    Wishing you luck ..
    Cheers, Phil

  5. #5
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    Jan 2017
    Location
    Gloucester
    Posts
    580

    Repairs and Tunes

    Hi well all interesting and adds to the pool of knowledge . Yes modern Wasps are being made in the bigger size .
    I did have my own thread on this subject in General - well more to repair an old Cadet . Its the lack of expertise by Me on my thread and possibly the OP on this thread that makes us ask is there not somebody here who could undertake all the necessary ? - for money

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    clacton
    Posts
    687

    bsa standard pellet choice and some other bits

    i don't think it is worth chasing after old eley wasps,they are hard to find and usually expensive.i have used hobby,superdome but my standard likes the humble milbro select.my webley mk3 also liked the milbros,not just the accuracy but also a much smoother shot cycle.as to power i would have thought 9 or 10flb would be reasonable to expect (no idea what my standard does) so your 8flb is not far off.they are easy to work on as has been suggested,might be worth a look inside to see what you've got.hope that helps,if not i'm sure someone will pitch in.i agree with you regarding sights i also think the trigger is good,my one is anyway. atb

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Pulborough
    Posts
    997

    BSA Standard/pellets/Webley Mk3

    Many thanks to the respondents here. A few points I have picked up:

    1a) Re pellets, I bought my first tin in many years and almost had a seizure to find the price was £12.50 for Superdomes. My first tin, in 1972, was 28p (Marksman - I still have the old tin). I suppose this is par for the course. Yesterday, I tried some old Hobbys (flat heads) and these were pulverised by my Webley Mk3 - no outer or inner skirts left when firing on a flat steel target holder. So, I shall probably try to obtain some more and presume they will also do well for a BSA Standard.
    b) Given the demise of Eley Wasp, I am surprised a German company has not entered the market to fill the vacuum as they could produce a .22 replacement (5.6mm?). I wonder if the Americans produce anything in .22, given they still use imperial measurements.
    c) I was told from the gunsmith, today, that Milbros have just packed in - which provides more reason for a German company to clean up in the market place.

    2 Many thanks, Phil, for that helpful insight on stripping the BSA Standard. I have filed it in Word and am waiting to speak to the recommended repairer my gunsmith suggested. If he is up for it, I will furnish him with this information.

    3 Someone, here, could make a tidy sum repairing collectors' guns. It might be worth a new thread suggesting this, for the help of members. Would anyone like to start this hare running?!

    4 Generally, joining this site was a colossal help. The information from fellow collectors is vast. I must visit a fare of some sort, where like minded people attend. If anyone knows of anything in the SE, please advise.

    Rgds
    Andrew.

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