You can get a feel for how much pressure is in there by unscrewing it a couple of turns and lean on it, I put a pair of leather gloves on the end block and put the muzzle on a block of soft wood. You should be able to feel it move it the threads a slight amount when you have leaned on it enough and gives a good gauge as to how much pressure is in there. It’s normally harder to put it back together than getting apart.
Hi Weasle, replied to your post of the same in the General Section.....
Replacing the trigger block without a spring fitted can help in that you know where the two threads engage when under load
Also a lot easeier with the barrel removed, won't stress the breech jaws as much.
Hi Gents
Many thanks for all the hints and tips....
Cheers Steve
Just been shooting my .22 Mercury S in the garden , shooting lovely
Pretty good with the modern wasps as well.
I bought a virtually unused Airsporter S many years ago and it sat in the gun cabinet until yesterday. I thought I would give it a go only to find it was locked up solid. Stripped it today and the buffer washer had totally disintegrated to powder. Gave the internals a good clean up, fitted a new buffer washer and piston ring, gave it a light lube and reassembled it with the original spring (using the tip mentioned above). Tried a few different pellets but best by far power wise were the Defiant Vintage 14.5gr. Pushing them out a very respectable 600fps. Shoots quite nicely and I’m very happy with it