Hw77 heavy cocking

[paul8932]

Hi all,

My hw77 is heavy to cock and I was wondering if there may be a solution to this.

It’s been modified with a venom silencer/ ball detent underlever catch ( silencer glued solid to barrel) and is stiff to release, I get the feeling that the ball detent is too close to the end of the underlever and is stiff/ annoying, but I think I can live with that.

After the stiff release is the heavy cocking cycle that causes me most concern...

The spring is standard length, round section, probably doing about 11ftlbs, but it is stiff to cock the gun, especially compared to my other standard 77 that cycles like a dream.

I did wonder if the barrel/ underlever has been shortened in a former life, hence causing the stiffness, but I can’t do anything about that now.

Anyway, is there a “softer” spring that I might be able to try?

Other than the faults listed it is a lovely action that’s worth some fettling I think

Paul

[deejayuu]

No expert but could the piston seal be tight so needing extra spring force?
Ours are slack fit and cock very easily.
Are both 77 same calibre and cocking lever length?

[TonyL]

"Probably" 11ft.lbs. Warrants a chrono check with a few likely pellet types to make sure it's not over.
Guessing that you obtained the gun second hand?
If the power is too high, a strip is mandatory anyway and I'd also be checking the piston seal isn't too tight and that the cocking lever pivot section hasn't been damaged. Then a sensible re-lube.

And, as above, how short is the lever?

[Rapid7Nick]

I had a venom tuning kit in my 77 and it eventually sheared the pin that holds the barrel into the tube. Barrel crept forward about 3mm.
I eventually pressed barrel back in and new pin welded in. Then a Reblue.
The venom Spring is harder to cock and loads up quite early. I ended putting a standard spring back in and the rifle shoots so much better.

Have you pushed the ball back and squirted a bit of oil in. I replaced mine, they are only a door ball catch.

[TonyL]

Also, thinking about it a little more........

Has a previous tinkerer short stroked it and then used a stronger spring / more preload to up the power?

Also, as the piston moves back with the compression tube on cocking, a tight fitting seal wouldn't increase the cocking effort. The tight seal would be more apparent upon returning the lever after cocking. I always polish the outside of the comp tube and inside of the main action body when fettling and apply a small amount of moly grease / paste.

If the "anti-bear" slide is still fitted, are there any clearance issues there?

Also check that the spring guide isn't too tight a fit on the spring and that the spring isn't too tight a fit in the piston.

[Mach 1.5]

If it's an early 77 before ser no. 144*** as someone put a 26mm seal on instead of a 25mm one? Mach 1.5