Looking for opinions on stripping and rebuilding a springer

[rmwesley]

I recently stripped down and rebuilt my old Gamo CF-16 from circa 1985. Everything got cleaned and polished, I fitted a custom TBT drop-in kit, replaced the main spring, piston seal, all other seals, put in an upgraded trigger, got some plastic parts (transfer cylinder, pop up breech) machined from brass, plus stripped the lacquered beech stock before redoing it with TruOil. I encountered and resolved a load of issues (with the help of some very helpful people on the forum) and massively enjoyed the whole process.

So, I'd like to have another go, buy a secondhand springer and try and restore & improve it.

So my question is what would be a good option?

I don't know myself what would make something a good or bad, so looking for opinions. I guess I'd like to work on something a bit more challenging where I can really see a difference from factory standard, both cosmetically and how the gun performs.

Cheers!

[tinbum]

Personally I would avoid all the usual suspects and keep an eye out for something "proper manky"!
Anyone can make an HW or AA nice, but succeeding with a Gamo is good, raise the bar and buy a B2!!

[flyingfish]

I have always fancied trying to do up a BSA Lighting

Pete

[averageplinker]

Are you dead set on a springer? If you like to fettle and improve rifles something like an SMK XS78 CO2 rifle might be as much fun for you.
Rich.

[Hsing-ee]

Get something that is cheapish but with basically a good design, like the Gamo. The Chinese guns are made of low quality steels and generally have simple triggers.

See if you can find a Slavia break-barrel, an old Norica or a Haenal.

[TonyL]

Personally I would avoid all the usual suspects and keep an eye out for something "proper manky"!
Anyone can make an HW or AA nice, but succeeding with a Gamo is good, raise the bar and buy a B2!!

Agree.

Although not specifically a B2. It, or any other budget gun would be a good place to start. And, as you also want to embark on the cosmetic side of things, the added bonus will be that it will be as cheap as chips.

Ratty old Meteors always seem plentiful, too. They can be transformed into great shooters. The only slight downside is that, these days, even ratty ones aren't as cheap as they used to be.

[rmwesley]

Great ideas, many thanks all. Hadn't even thought about CO2. Also like the idea of a BSA. Will start scouting the secondhand sites. All the best!

[rabbitwrecker]

Protek has a wealth of rifles that might make suitable project guns...

http://www.proteksupplies.co.uk/

[rmwesley]

What a treasure trove!!! Cheers for the link.