Sounds doable, and does not mess too much with the possibility of returning the gun to original shape. I might follow that route, thanks!
I see you extended the transfer port through the breech seal, was that necessary to get the compression high enough? I'm thinking a brass sleeve that only sleeves the port might help?
I have a few Hawks & Vulcans I never would have guessed that you could get the power up to the legal limit on them!
Ive owned. A mk2 for 40 years in the early years I had a floating tube of copper to act as a make do guide, not bad as I was only 14 when I did it. More recently had the factory pathetic factory guide machined down and fitted a delrin guide, sleeved the transfer port ( thanks mick), squeezed up the breech jaws, swopped to o ring piston seal. Shoots lovely now though still 8fpe. Would like to mod the piston but lost my lathe friend so it's staying as is for now.
I fitted a floating guide, along with a Meteor mainspring, in a Mk.3 Hawk many ears ago, which worked well, no machining necessary.
I later made a guide and 'dummy' piston rod for a Tracker.
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Been thinking about using a Meteor spring in the Hawk as well. Jim Maccaris Meteor spring is superb in my old meteors, and as the Hawk is a 25mm/1" piston like the meteor, it seems like a sensible choice.
How do you ensure that the floating guides do not end up all the way forward in the piston? Do they reset position with every cocking stroke?