Are springers stuck in the 80s?

[TonyL]

Although not revolutionary, I could visualise this amalgam of Prosport / Airsporter / Whiscombe:-

Underlever recessed in the forend. Single cocking stroke. Highly efficient and refined 24mm bore. Secure barrel latch allowing safe direct to breech loading. All running on synthetic bearings and "factory tuned".

The loading procedure wouldn't be the quickest, admittedly, but this would combine some of the benefits of existing designs and the sleek looks of the Prosport / Airsporter designs.

[Hsing-ee]

Although not revolutionary, I could visualise this amalgam of Prosport / Airsporter / Whiscombe:-

Underlever recessed in the forend. Single cocking stroke. Highly efficient and refined 24mm bore. Secure barrel latch allowing safe direct to breech loading. All running on synthetic bearings and "factory tuned".

The loading procedure wouldn't be the quickest, admittedly, but this would combine some of the benefits of existing designs and the sleek looks of the Prosport / Airsporter designs.

Errm, that is just a sleeved-down Prosport, Jon Budd could spin one up for you in an afternoon.

[TonyL]

Errm, that is just a sleeved-down Prosport, Jon Budd could spin one up for you in an afternoon.

Nope, as this wouldn't have the sliding compression tube, Alistair.

The barrel would be hinged, secured by a precision fit manual barrel latch, but only open a few degrees to allow loading.

[Hsing-ee]

The barrel would be hinged, secured by a precision fit manual barrel latch, but only open a few degrees to allow loading.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOO!!!!! Heresy! A direct-loader with a floppy barrel urghhhhhhhhhhh.

Weren't only the early Whizzers designed along the lines of the Webley Service Mk 2 lash-up nightmare as you describe? Later ones had a proper fixed barrel.

[TonyL]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOO!!!!! Heresy! A direct-loader with a floppy barrel urghhhhhhhhhhh.

Weren't only the early Whizzers designed along the lines of the Webley Service Mk 2 lash-up nightmare as you describe? Later ones had a proper fixed barrel.

Not sure about the Whizzers, Al, as I don't know enough about them.

But the design I'm describing, unlike the old Webley, sees the barrel and cylinder in-line, not "piggy-backed".

I'm not pretending that it'd be the most elegant solution, though.

[Hsing-ee]

Not sure about the Whizzers, Al, as I don't know enough about them.

But the design I'm describing, unlike the old Webley, sees the barrel and cylinder in-line, not "piggy-backed".

I'm not pretending that it'd be the most elegant solution, though.

Hmm. You might like a Rutten Winstar Mach 1, with a front-hinged underlever and a loading trap... It's like a ProSport had sex with a Webley Eclipse while thinking about a Daisy Powerline.

https://www.co2air.de/thema/9463-rut...cal-7-5-joule/

[TonyL]

Hmm. You might like a Rutten Winstar Mach 1, with a front-hinged underlever and a loading trap... It's like a ProSport had sex with a Webley Eclipse while thinking about a Daisy Powerline.

https://www.co2air.de/thema/9463-rut...cal-7-5-joule/

Different.....and no!

For the one I'm describing, picture something like the LGV. Barrel still opens, but only a few degrees and with that fine (I guess) barrel latch. But barrel not connected to a cocking arm / linkage, hence the underlever. Barrel under no stress and loading is direct to breech with total safety. Nice, short transfer port like a HW80 (if the barrel latch allows).

Although the underlever could still have your fingers! Having said that, a little like a tap loader, you'd simply cock the action and return the lever in one action, so it's not like you're having to hold it open to load.

As mentioned previously though, it wouldn't be boasting the fastest loading sequence.

Not even saying it'd be viable or that I have a burning desire for it, like!

[Blackrider]

In response to the OP. Yes they are and probably won't improve sadly.
The emphasis nowadays is on PCPs regarding the interests of the manufacturers.
But many of us, myself included remember the "glory days of the spring powered air rifle" and still collect and lust for the experiance.
Same with angling, I've just shelled out for a terrific 1980's glass trotting rod and an Allcocks Aerial reel and I can't wait to use them fishing local rivers for grayling !

[airgun]

Look at the build quality of the theoben gas-rams i know the triggers was crap but everything else was above and beyond and their multi shot slr wish they had done the same with Springers also wish daystate,fx ect would have a go at making a Springer

[maximus]

Nope, as this wouldn't have the sliding compression tube, Alistair.

The barrel would be hinged, secured by a precision fit manual barrel latch, but only open a few degrees to allow loading.

All the disadvantages of an underlever and a break barrel rolled into one, neat!

[32:1]

That was about the last time I realy used a springer full on, mid to late 80's infact, and Im lucky enough to have just fitted one of Tony Leach's 22mm kits to my recent purchase, a mk3 tx which is my way back into springers after years of pcp shooting, and I cant praise it enough, infact its transformed my tx its freaking awesome, I thought the tx was kickass as it was but oh no..

Chris

[TonyL]

All the disadvantages of an underlever and a break barrel rolled into one, neat!

Haha!

Yep, just a bit of meandering mind coming into play there and not a serious desire.

[Geezer]

Back the OP...

where is the quality carbine Underlever magazine fed springer, an improved version of the original BSA Goldstar ?

Many of us shoot PCPs in preference because of the fumbly finger pellet problem when hunting !

I agree. Diana tried it with the 300R but quickly took it off the market because numpties who didn't read and follow the manual found it really easy to break.

Also a big problem for me that i hate about Springers is the scope mounting rails theoben had the best mounts solid as a rock don't know why other brands don't follow

Weaver/Picatinny is the answer. Ugly as heck, but they work. Especially in mil-spec M1913 form.

Personally I think it's the available stock designs for springers which needs addressing.
How about an existing action in a more target oriented stock. Something with a more upright grip, deeper forend and adjustable cheek/butt.

I'm 50/50 on custom stocks. Some I think are tasteful and functional, some full on target stocks I think are hideous. But there is clearly a market for it

I agree. Just think how much more appealing most Weihrauchs and Dianas would be if they had stocks like those on the AA rifles, or the Webley Tomahawk and Longbow. Let alone something more H/FT optimised. Or an aluminium chassis with fully adjustable furniture.

[Hsing-ee]

It's over. This thread is like being in a squat full of 'cultural revolutionaries' in January 1970, all of whom have all just turned 30. It's finished chaps, they are selling hippie wigs in Woolworths.

The AA TX200HC, maybe with a TBT short-stroke nose or a Jon Budd style 22mm conversion, is the end of the road for the 12 fpe springer.

Bunny and pigeon slayers can arm themselves with the ProSport.

Lightweights, youths and tinkerers can feast upon the HW99S and HW30S.

Plinkers can dispose of their time with disposable Hatsans and SMKs.

That's why anyone who is interested in springers is looking backwards into the mists of time. The springer 'end of history' has happened. The only way forward is into the past.

Anyone have a Britannia for sale?

[Rickenbacker]

It's over.

Fair enough.

Everything's made in China now anyway.

Even the china.