Webley MK3

[tikkapaul]

I have a Webley mark3 underlever which I have had since I was a lad which is a long time ,just recently on cocking and firing it lets out what can only be described as a loud burp, on re-cocking it usually fires no problem ,then twenty or so shots later it does it again.
I have stripped and cleaned everything applying a little silicone grease where needed, but this has not cured the problem, everything inside looks in fine condition but it has not cured things at all, any advice please greatly appreciated.

[TonyL]

Sounds like an air leak issue to me with three possible causes:-

Leaking loading tap. Also guessing that the loading tap is the only area where you have used the silicone grease?

Piston washer. Undersized or hardened. Check the fit / hardness. Soak to make supple again or replace as required.

Out of round or bulged cylinder (hopefully not!).

[averageplinker]

When you say silicone grease, what grease are you talking about and where did you put it?

[tikkapaul]

When you say silicone grease, what grease are you talking about and where did you put it?

A dry silicone spray on internals, and then wiped off, white grease on the loading tap, thin gun oil to soak the leather washer and then wipe all residue off , after a good clean and all the above the fault has not changed and is still intermittent, after the Burp if the tap is opened there is a small hiss of air, the pellet has not fired and is not deformed or stuck, thanks ,Paul.

[jirushi]

Hi Paul, I've always been warned against using any silicone oil/grease on springers. However, I have also been advised to use a mix of silicone grease and moly grease on the leather washer. Just a very light smear of both. I used this on an Airsporter Mk1 washer and it worked well. But apparently silicone can cause problems where there is metal to metal contact. However the problem occurred before you used the silicone. Hmmm. What kind of grease are you using on the spring? And is the spring still straight?

I hope it's ok to ask another Mk3 related question:
I'm doing some experiments with my Mk3 which is a mix of parts (fluted stock, early type trigger, later cylinder with secured scope rail, sleeved transfer port, synthetic piston seal, shortened barrel).
Does this look like too much preload? 5 coils sticking out. The gun is "snappy". I'm thinking: 3 coils off. It's a new Protek spring.
Must test power, will do soon and report.

[deejayuu]

From our scribbles .22 Cal. Springs (mm) 1) 230 x 21.5 X 3 x 29/27 coils x 40 lb/inch rate 540 ft/s Jets. 515 Caledonian 470 ft/s S'dome

[tikkapaul]

Hi Paul, I've always been warned against using any silicone oil/grease on springers. However, I have also been advised to use a mix of silicone grease and moly grease on the leather washer. Just a very light smear of both. I used this on an Airsporter Mk1 washer and it worked well. But apparently silicone can cause problems where there is metal to metal contact. However the problem occurred before you used the silicone. Hmmm. What kind of grease are you using on the spring? And is the spring still straight?

I hope it's ok to ask another Mk3 related question:
I'm doing some experiments with my Mk3 which is a mix of parts (fluted stock, early type trigger, later cylinder with secured scope rail, sleeved transfer port, synthetic piston seal, shortened barrel).
Does this look like too much preload? 5 coils sticking out. The gun is "snappy". I'm thinking: 3 coils off. It's a new Protek spring.
Must test power, will do soon and report.

Hi I used Bisley white grease but very little ,thinking silicone on the slide and wiping it off possible mistake, white grease on the breech plug and gun oil on the leather washer, had it to pieces half a dozen times now and it is still behaving the same, have also looked up a list of parts and see that on John knibbs list is a rubber breech washer ? not sure if this is a part for a mark 3 also did not find any remnants of one on taking it apart, I have counted the spring coils and four protrude before putting the rear trigger assembly , needs pressure but not excessive to start the threads.
As long as you do a crono test after to seeif its over the limit, some time ago I had a new spring put in my Airsporter and it ended up with quite a slapping sound when used it has been back to a different gunsmith and he could find nothing wrong and the two springs are genuine BSA parts not an upgrade.
Thanks, Paul.

[tikkapaul]

Sounds like an air leak issue to me with three possible causes:-

Leaking loading tap. Also guessing that the loading tap is the only area where you have used the silicone grease?

Piston washer. Undersized or hardened. Check the fit / hardness. Soak to make supple again or replace as required.

Out of round or bulged cylinder (hopefully not!).

If the loading tap is opened there is a hiss of air, as if it was trapped? the slide the spring fits in was covered in hardened grease which I have cleaned off and buffed to a shine carefully , in using the word grease I should have said lubricant it is a dry silicone spray called Silotec which was sprayed on and wiped any residue off ,it can be used to dry lubricate curtain tracks and the like where no residue can cause stains or a greasy build up to collect dirt or grit, the only place I used white grease was on the loading tap, the leather washer has been cleaned and re-soaked in my usual gun oil and then all excess wiped off, thankyou for your comments ,did I do wrong?, Paul.