Air Arms Camargue tap loader

[45flint]

Have a chance to buy a Air Arms Camargue in .177. It just about as new condition. Was with the guy today and put a pellet through it. Everything seems fine. It did seem to have more kick than I’m used to and probably a little more pop than my Prewar rifles. I assume that these have a synthetic piston seal given these are a 1980’s rifle. Anyone know how these hold up with age. I know some synthetic seals can degrade over time to mush? Are they worth collecting they have a amazing bluing and walnut stock.

[the logun-ator]

Have a chance to buy a Air Arms Camargue in .177. It just about as new condition. Was with the guy today and put a pellet through it. Everything seems fine. It did seem to have more kick than I’m used to and probably a little more pop than my Prewar rifles. I assume that these have a synthetic piston seal given these are a 1980’s rifle. Anyone know how these hold up with age. I know some synthetic seals can degrade over time to mush? Are they worth collecting they have a amazing bluing and walnut stock.

...arnt these oring?
i mean if it aint been shot for a good while ,and depending on what position its been stored in,then you may get a good few violent shots before it settles in/down.

[les allam]

I would think the AA Camargue is a desirable gun.
I think the .177 cal is a rare find in the Air arms sidelever range.
Les..

[look no hands]

I believe they all have O ring piston seals, I know the Firepower range do but not sure about the later upper end versions.

Pete

[les allam]

I believe they all have O ring piston seals, I know the Firepower range do but not sure about the later upper end versions.

Pete

On the Chambers site, the exploded diagram shows the Khamsin sidelever with a o-ring piston seal.
The action is the same on all the AA sidelever rifles.
Les..

[45flint]

I’m sure given its condition doubt anyone has oiled it in years but who knows? Should these have silicone oil for the O ring seals or SAE 30?

[ptdunk]

Tyrolean stock?

[harvey_s]

I wouldn't put silicone oil anywhere near the suggested locations unless you like the sound of galling steel.

[45flint]

I wouldn't put silicone oil anywhere near the suggested locations unless you like the sound of galling steel.

What would you use?

[harvey_s]

What would you use?

To be honest, I be more likely to grease the pivot points on assembly than oil, only using oil if they seemed dry.
But for pivot points any decent 40w motor oil or similar would be fine.
For barrel - I wouldn't, unless putting into long term storage.
Cocking slot would be lightly greased again.
Piston & o ring something like Abbey SM50.

HTH

[45flint]

I did end up buying the rifle, picked it up today. Prettier wood than I remembered from my visit. Not perfect but pretty close. The foam butt plate has started to deteriorate, have seen that on other guns of this era. Don’t know if I try to preserve it or replace it? Anyway here are way too many pictures. Lol This rifle is really out of my norm given I seem to be drawn to prewar now. It is a tap loader so that fits. But this seemed to be a cool piece of Air Arms history, and they are about the best in the business now. I assume this was imported at time by Great Lakes Airguns, only US importer of Air Arms at the time I believe. Beeman had wrapped up everyone else? Don’t know how many came over but I would imagine very few?

My biggest fear is this is my first Tyrolean and it may start more expense quests? Yikes.

https://imgur.com/a/Gmjy1fL

[averageplinker]

Nice find. They are gorgeous rifles. Yours is making me realise I must dig out mine for a play

[rapidresponse1]

had one of these great guns years ago had a lovely stock on it