Just picked up my 2nd supersport, a .25 carbine :-)
How can I tell if it's a .243 or a .25?
I built this information up when I was researching the little old BSA Supersport. I’ve tried to keep the links to any information I’ve included to stop copyright infringements….although I know some forums don’t like links. I can edit them out if needs be.
I know some hate BSA, some do not. I thought I’d post this to help anyone who has a BSA or ends up having one.
This information is supplied to the best of my knowledge, so if in doubt. Double check! If I’ve anything wrong, please amend in a post. (Generally the newer se models are a combination of Supersport and lightning
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INFO and HISTORY
It is said that the action from the Supersport, Lighting and Parker Hale Striker are one and the same. Things that differ:- are the Barrels and Stocks. There maybe more, and if I find them, I will post them.
The BSA Supersport is an air rifle produced by BSA Guns (UK) Limited a subsidiary of Spanish manufacturer Gamo. It is essentially the same rifle as the Lightning. It is made in three calibres, 0.177 in (4.5 mm), 0.22 in (5.5 mm) and .243 (.25)
Earlier .25 barrels were not a true .25 (6.35) they were a .243 calibre, so be careful when buying secondhand. Newer barrels have been changed to .25 (6.35)
Differences between the Supersport and Lighting
• Lightning had a scope rail (maxi rail),
• Lightning had a shorter barrel.
• Lighting had a Volumetric silencer.
• The Supersport .25 also had an adjustable transfer port
• Barrels were 18” and 14.5” on the supersport
• There was also a Gas Ram version
• The Supersport custom came with a maxi rail
The mechanics of the Supersport are simple; a spring and piston is compressed by pulling the barrel through 110° before a pellet is loaded directly into the barrel. The barrel is returned to the rest position and locks into place with a detent lock, the rifle is then ready to fire.
There are two versions - the Mk2 version differing in that it has three cocking link arms, unlike the older two links - and there is now an external spring guide.
Apparently the mk2 has different stocks,
• Tactial (polymer plastic)
• Walnut
• Beech
The barrels from BSA models, can all be interchanged between them.
• Lightning
• Meteor
• Supersport
• Mercury
The breech seal from the Weihrauch air rifle range can fit the BSA barrels more efficiently.
Trigger
To upgrade the Supersport/Lightning trigger you need a new Goldstar trigger blade, trigger link and a little spring that goes between them.
The Goldstar trigger isn't really a two stage trigger at all. In the "first stage" all you are doing is rocking the spring loaded blade against the link until the slack is taken up, then the link starts to move to release the sear just like the single stage unit. It just "feels" like a two stage but without any adjustment.
Also, the Spitfire already has the Goldstar type trigger.
BSA Supersport Custom (factory)
BSA also released a limited edition Custom Supersport, it had upgraded parts over the original.
• Stock with a raised comb and cheek piece,
• Maxigrip scope rail
• two stage trigger used similar that used on the Superstar
• They have breech bolts not pins.
Parker Hale Striker
This is the same gun as the BSA Lightning, Birmingham made for Parker Hale, the barrel is screw cut for a silencer and it comes with a steel Parker Hale silencer.
Positives and Negatives about the Supersport
Positives
• Full power starter gun
• Nice looking
• Lightweight
• Pointable
Negatives
• Breech axis pin, it is not a bolt.
• Single stage trigger
• Hard to shoot accurately, because of recoil
History of the BSA SUPERSPORT on the BSA History timeline
• 1985 Gamo Ownership
• 1986 BSA Guns liquidated, bought by Gamo and renamed BSA Guns (UK) Ltd
• 1986 Introduction of Supersport air rifle
• 1997 Introduction of Supersport Lightning air rifle
http://bsaguns.co.uk/about/history.aspx
Brochure
http://www.ranger.uk.com/stockists/w...K-Brochure.pdf
Remove stock, and check for serial number on the side and underneath of the breech block.
Prefix Codes for the Supersport
http://www.airgunspares.com/store/content/87/BSA/
AR Supersport Rifle .177 1997 -
AAR Supersport Rifle .25 1997 -
DS Supersport .22 1986
0 Parke-Hale Striker .177 (same as Supersport Air Rifle)
0 Supersport & XL .25
Supersport Manual
http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Manu...Supersport.pdf
http://www.airrifleshop.co.uk/Airgun%20manuals.htm
http://bsaguns.co.uk/support/manuals.aspx
BSA production moved to Spain, but then it came back to England
http://nigelallen.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/BSA
Historical site
http://cinedux.com/bsa-airguns.php
Reviews
http://www.gunmart.net/gun_review/bsa_supersport/
Spare Parts for the Supersport
T.W Chambers
https://www.gunspares.co.uk/products/24314/Supersport/
John Knibbs International
http://www.airgunspares.com/store/category/64/360/BSA/
Redbeck
http://www.airrifleshop.co.uk/Airgun...S_SSTK_BSA.htm
Protek
http://www.proteksupplies.co.uk/bsa-...day-parts.html
Workshop guides
June 2010 Spring Gun Tuning - Striker Part 1
July 2010 Spring Gun Tuning - Striker Part 2
Summer 2010 Tuning - Striker Part 3
http://www.air-rifle-tuning.com/v-mach/Reading.html
Magazines Known to have the BSA Supersport in
Airgunner February 1988 – Featured guns – Daisy 814, BSA Scorpion, BSA Supersport, Diana 52, Cammo Commando, Haenel Model 1, Haenel Model 28
Airgun World June 1987 – Featured guns – Crosman Model 66, Webley Vulcan, BSA Supersport, Daystate Huntsman, RWS Diana Sport 1000, Theoben Zephyr 335
Airgun World March 1988 – Featured guns – Webley MkIII, BSA Supersport Custom, Podium
Airgun World September 1988 – Featured guns – Taurus Pneumatic, Theoben SLR88 Imperator, BSA Supersport, Weihrauch HW50S, Webley Excel, Diana Firebird 34, Haenel 303
Airgun World February 1998 – Featured guns – Vixen KT Special, Crosman Model 1, Manor Firearms Magnum 52, Airlogic Genesis, BSA Supersport
BSA stripdown
Here is a BSA Meteor Strip down until I find a Supersport one
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.co...l/BSA%20Meteor
Strip down article airgun world BSA Supersport – 04/02
Standard Measurements
All measurements are taken with the best of my knowledge. If anything is incorrect, please reply so it can be amended.
Spring Room 185.9mm
Nylon Piston head 6mm
Nylon piston head seal diameter 29mm
Nylon piston head seal thickness
Transfer port length 12mm
Piston in rifle, start of cocking slot to start of piston cocking slot. 21mm
Breech wall inside to start of cocking slot 84mm
Piston stroke 70 mm
Piston 235g
Inside Piston Diameter 23mm
Top of Piston Diameter 29mm
Length of Piston 135mm
Piston Cocking Slot (overall length) 8.9cm
Bottom of Piston Diameter (head end) 28.5 mm
Breech face to end of Cylinder 24.1cm
Thickness of Cylinder 2mm
Length of Cylinder 30.7cm
ID Cylinder near trigger 29mm
ID Cylinder near Transfer port 29mm
Cylinder Cocking slot (overall length) 12.5cm
Transfer Port diameter 3mm
Spring Coils 34 Coils
Spring Outside length 24.3cm
Spring Diameter 19mm
Spring Inside Diameter 13mm
Spring Guide length 76mm
Spring Guide Diameter OD 13mm
To keep things legal, please have access to a chronograph
Chrony
Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph
Shooting Chrony Alpha Chronograph
Chrony F1 Chronograph
Combro Cb625 Mk4
Guide for Shortening your mainspring
http://www.air-rifle-tuning.com/v-ma...files/AS01.pdf
Notes:-
• To get Radius is divide the diameter by 2.
• Volume CC =Pie X Radius X Radius X Length divide by 1000
• CC means Cubic Centmeters
Muzzle Energy in Foot Pounds fps x fps x grains / 450240
Convert ft.lbs to Joules ft.lbs x 1.355817 = Joules
Convert Joules to ft.lbs Joules x 0.737562149 = ft.lbs
1 Grain 0.06479891 grams
1 Grain 0.002285714 ounces
1 Kilogram 2.2046 lbs
1 Pound (lb) 0.4536 kilograms
1 Inch (") 2.54 cm
1 Centimetre (cm) 0.3937 "
.177 Cal 4.5 mm
• .20 Cal 5.00 mm
• .22 Cal 5.5 mm
• .25 Cal 6.35 mm
Titan Main Spring Data
Model Outer (mm) Inner (mm) Thickness (mm) No. Coils (mm) Length (mm)
No. 1 21 14.5 3.25 31 280
No. 2 22.7 15.5 3.65 30 291
No. 3 20.8 14.73 3.26 34 304
No. 4 22.62 15.64 3.65 28 252
No. 5 19 13.19 3 32 290
No. 6 19.7 13.3 2.92 39 341
No. 7 20 13.8 3.3 30 255
No. 8 20 13.8 3.3 34 295
No. 9 21 14.75 3.3 27 280
No. 10 21 14.8 3.1 27 230
No. 11 18.8 12.8 3 31 230
No. 12 22.8 15.6 3.65 41 410
NO 1 :
BSA Airsporter, Mercury, Challenger, 635 Magnum, Supersport, Lightning, XL, XL Tactical, XL SE, Superstar, Goldstar, Centenary.
Air Arms Firepower, Jackal, Woodsman. Khamsin Original/Diana Model 34/35/36/38/45 (48/52/54 std power), Weihrauch / Beeman HW99, HW99S, HW77, HW77K
FWB 124, 127. RWS Firebird
NO 2 :
Weihrauch / Beeman HW80, HW80K HW90(To Replace Gas Ram)
Air Arms Pro Elite.
NO 3 :
Weihrauch / Beeman HW97, HW97K Original / Diana Mod 35/45/50,
Hammerli 401
NO 4 :
Weihrauch / Beeman HW35, HW35k Webley Eclipse(std).
NO 5 :
BSA Meteor MK1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Original / Diana Mod 24, 26, 27, 28, G46, 70, 71, 78, 79,80, SMK XS19, XS38, XS20( MKI)
NO 6 :
BSA Meteor MK6 & MK7, Comet. Crosman Phantom. Mod 800
Hatsan
NO 7 :
BSA Polaris, Webley: Tracker, Osprey, Excel, Viscount, Xocet, Stingray, Falcon, Hawk MK1-3 Norica All models,
Relum All models (USING EXISTING INNER), Baikal All models
Cometa 5, Haenel mod. 303,
Gamo Sniper, Hunter 440, Commando, Delta, Apache, CF16, Rangemaster, CFX, Statical, Magnum, 1000, Shadow, CSI, Whisper, 68. Gunmark Phantom, NAC,
Weihrauch / Beeman HW55 & 55T, SMK XS208, SMK SYNSG,
Ruger Blackhawk
NO 8 :
Webley Vulcan, Victor, Omega, Longbow, Weihrauch / Beeman HW95, HW95K, HW98, HW98K Gamo 3000,
NO 9 :
Air Arms TX200 MK1 & MK2, Weihrauch / Beeman HW57, HW57K
NO 10 :
Air Arms TX200 MK3, Pro Sport
NO 11 :
SMK – All Models however springs needs cutting to length. B2, B2 Custom, Synthetic, XS, XS12, XS15, XS17, XS18, XS19, XS20, XS208, TH208, SKL208, DB4, DB5, XS36,
Stoeger X3, X5, X10, X20, X50, XS3, XS5, XS10, XS20, XS50
NO 12 :
Cometa – 100, 200, 300, 400, Fenix and Dragon
NO 13 :
Gamo Paratrooper, CF20, CF30, CFX, BSA Comet
NO 14 :
Diana 350 Magnum, Webley Patriot
NO 15 :
Weihrauch / Beeman HW45, HW25, Original 20
Edgar Brothers/EB All spring models SMK XS38
Webley Spector, Value Max, VMX, Stingray (New), Tomahawk (New), Patriot,
Diana mod. 25 and mod 5(pistol), small Baikal ie IG38, G36 and Webley Sport, Slavia 620
Last edited by Andy001; 06-03-2017 at 10:16 AM.
Just picked up my 2nd supersport, a .25 carbine :-)
How can I tell if it's a .243 or a .25?
Thanks - Geoff.
Apart from measuring it if you can borrow some modern (H&n etc) .25pellets try and load them if it's very very tight😱 Then you have the .243!
And the Brocock Independent?.
I just put some rhino greens thru it, they seem to work.
Its a 14.5 inch barrel version, that has a female screw thread for a silencer at the end. It also has a maxi grip rail with a Webley speed point on top.
No visible serial number.
Seems to be a nice little plinker :-)
Thanks - Geoff.
Some one said the new .25 barrels were phased in around 2010 ish, no confirmed dates and BSA were unhelpful when I was building this database.
So I couldn't add it.
Very helpful post. Thanks for doing it.
Two things:
- The link to the pyramydair blog takes me to a post about ballistic coefficients, not BSAs.
- You say there was a gas ram variant. Do you mean the current Lightning is offered with a gas ram? Because there were also the drop-in (nearly) AWT aftermarket rams, but not (IIRC) a factory gas ram offered for anything other than the latest Lightnings.
And, of course, old Supersports are really quite nice, whereas new Lighnings are awful.
Far too many rifles to list now, all mainly British but the odd pesky foreigner has snuck in
Amazing post Andy.
I had a Striker in .22 for a while and I thought it a rather good little gun.
Nice write up, many thanks for posting.
Regards,
Dave.
I've had a couple of Brummy Lightnings in the past (one was the newer XL model), one of them was SFS tuned with the Superstar trigger conversion and I have to say it was a lovely little rifle, the only thing that let it down was the bland stock, Custom stocks used to supply them for BSA's but not anymore, which is rather stupid considering they still have the info needed for the cutouts.
I'd love a Supersport ss custom but they are like hens teeth.
Pete
Far too many rifles to list now, all mainly British but the odd pesky foreigner has snuck in
What a great post! Thanks for all the info, I love my little Supersport Carbine; basic open sights, light as a feather and decent power. It's loads of fun and a cracking little rifle. Oh and it's a 1996 Brummie made rifle, pre-maxi grip!
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