Top hat choices for a TX and that huge factory piston weight

[TonyL]

I don't have LOTS of experience with the TX, but........

Mine's a .177 HC (Mark 3) and the original top hat was the large heavy one, as pictured. I think .22s will have a different size top hat as standard? Maybe also the full length ones? Replacing this with the Delrin item and less shoulder height reduced preload and, of course, all-up piston weight. Then increasing preload at the back restored the power and gave a much nicer and quicker perceived feel.

[robthedog]

Got mine(used)before Christmas & it appears to be a mk2 in a mk3 stock, i got a TBT kit for it, but when i took it apart there was no top hat, but it did have 2 plastic washers inside the piston, & the plastic spring guide.
Can i cut down the old spring guide & use that as the top hat, just so i can get the power down slightly more,currently 11.6.

Rob

[Two200's]

Got mine(used)before Christmas & it appears to be a mk2 in a mk3 stock, i got a TBT kit for it, but when i took it apart there was no top hat, but it did have 2 plastic washers inside the piston, & the plastic spring guide.
Can i cut down the old spring guide & use that as the top hat, just so i can get the power down slightly more,currently 11.6.

Rob

Good question.
If the washer (flange) will inside the piston - it could work, but it would be awfully sloppy on the latch rod and may cockle over - unless the spring pressure on the washer at the front of the piston would hold it correctly.
If the flange does not fit inside the piston - it's a non starter and I cannot for the life of me remember if it would.

[robthedog]

Thanks for replying, i decided in the end to remove another 3/4 of a coil from the spring, now down to 11.1 & i'm happy with that

Rob

[NickG]

what people are calling a "top hat" is really a piston weight and can be used to tune your shot cycle , if you just bin it you might end up with a gun that bounces, test with 8.4 gr and 7.9 gr , you are looking for the power to be almost the same , with the lighter pellets making slightly more power .

[FPoole]

Got mine(used)before Christmas & it appears to be a mk2 in a mk3 stock, i got a TBT kit for it, but when i took it apart there was no top hat, but it did have 2 plastic washers inside the piston, & the plastic spring guide.
Can i cut down the old spring guide & use that as the top hat, just so i can get the power down slightly more,currently 11.6.

Rob

I think I forgot to mention that the guide I turned into a top hat only had a small flange and it fit perfectly inside the piston. It was a 1 piece job as well. It also had no play on the piston stem so it was just begging to be converted.

[robthedog]

I think I forgot to mention that the guide I turned into a top hat only had a small flange and it fit perfectly inside the piston. It was a 1 piece job as well. It also had no play on the piston stem so it was just begging to be converted.

Thanks for the information.

Rob