Is it really that bad? To hold scope whilst pumping Innova

[jirushi]

Hi,

For a few years now I've been gripping both the scope and the bottom of the stock whilst pumping my scoped Innova's.
This is awkward, but a connaisseur told me it's the best way to do it. In any case much better than holding the wrist of the stock!
I usually only put 4 or 5 pumps in.
A few days ago I was naughty and decided to hold the scope whilst pumping.
What a difference! So much easier / less awkward.
It doesn't feel like I am putting too much force on the breech.
The difference with holding scope and stock is that there is force on the breech whilst opening the pump arm.
Is that really that bad?

Cheers, Louis

[Black Beard]

As long as the breech area is solid, it looks like it will stress the gun less than holding the stock. It looks like you've got a single piece mount which is a good idea.

[jonnyone]

My mate had an Innova at same time I had an HW80 as a teen back in the day. He was a very accomplished shot with it.
He always pumped the gun in the manner you describe.
He rarely missed his quarry so I'd say it never affected anything.
Dave

[ratbuster2240]

The Innova I owned had a cracked stock around the grip which was most likely from holding it during pumping. Because of that I would say holding the scope would be better.

As you know already with the Benji's & Dan's pulling on the scope would be pulling the barrel and solder away, so although the Innova breech is plastic, it's still a better design if you want a scope. They certainly deserve one because of how accurate they are.

I'm sure I read Sportmatch used to make a one piece mount with a cutaway for loading. Is that what's on there now? I imagine the one piece would distribute the forces better too.

[jirushi]

Thank you gents, I appreciate your advice.

I have the same feeling: that it really isn't a bad idea to pump whilst holding the scope, especially with this mount (indeed @ratbuster2240, a Sportsmatch designed for the Innova/Ace). I think a good quality two piece mount would be fine too.

What a relief. It will be much more fun to use the Innova's this way.

[hawkdriver]

I used to bridge the scope with my fingers and thumb, pressing on the receiver, i'd love my old innova back, stunningly accurate, but trigger got harder the more pumps you put in,
murdered many a rat with mine!, then bought my mk1 s200 some twenty years ago now, still going strong.

[ZAKDINGEL]

noooooooooooooooooooooooooo hold it by the end near the top and grip the pump and cushion the pump with the fingers don't let it slam into the tube have it with the barrel facing away from you

[Black Beard]

Holding the scope is also a lot easier with a Crossman 760. Thanks for the suggestion.

[MartynB]

I'm sure I read Sportmatch used to make a one piece mount with a cutaway for loading

You are spot on, I still have mine I bought in the 80's

Went on several Innova's and an Ace, hardly has a mark on it

[MartynB]

murdered many a rat with mine!

Me too

I prefer to call it pest eradication

[ratbuster2240]

Like the Galway silencer adaptor I doubt they come up for sale often either.

There's an Indonesian website that sell alloy breeches, it would be good to get a load imported. The Innova would be bombproof.

You are spot on, I still have mine I bought in the 80's

Went on several Innova's and an Ace, hardly has a mark on it

[I. J.]

I'm sure I read Sportmatch used to make a one piece mount with a cutaway for loading. Is that what's on there now? I imagine the one piece would distribute the forces better too.

As if by magic .....

[Byronic]

I make no claim to being an expert but.......

Does holding the scope transfer the load to the plastic body via the scope mounts?
Seems likely to me.
If so, then I would be very wary.
I have a scope on one of my Innovas and avoid using it in this manner.
Although I don't generally give them a lot of pumps so the load is quite limited.

[ratbuster2240]

Where have people seen damage resulting from holding onto the scope? I've seen over tightening the stock screw causing cracks and scope mounts gouging into the rails.

[ratbuster2240]

I think that's a necessary accessory

As if by magic .....