Webley Mk3 .22 Tap Loader

[Billc]

Hello,

I have acquired a .22 Webley Mk3, very under powered. Found that the tap loader is very sloppy in it's housing - sits below the level it should. The pellet hole is approx 1/3, misaligned with the barrel hole.
John Knibbs .22 oversized tap loaders are out of stock. I have bought the .177 version as external dimensions are same - but need to get the .177 tapered pellet hole bored to .22 (tapered) but struggling to find air rifle shops or engineering company who do this kind of thing. Does anybody know of anyone or a shop/company in the East Midlands who could/would do this?

Cheers
Bill C.

[bill57]

And struggle you will.

Not only do you have to get the tap sized to fit (and aligned with the bore), but you need to get the .177 tap sized to .22. I'm sure there is an art to fitting tapered taps, but I do not possess it. I gave up on a .177 Osprey after two attempts with separate taps, and after that would only buy the later versions with parallel taps. That old action is lying around un-loved, with it's barrel removed for another project.

[ogilkes]

That's why BSA employd specialist gas fitters to fit the taps to the BS/'Lincoln Jeffries air rifle. Sadly I know of no one.

[deejayuu]

Some have nickel plated the slack tap and lapped back to fit. With little to lose I would try soft solder 'tinning' the old tap.

[Dutch]

Considering the availability of good quality Mk3's for relatively low prices, why not source another rifle and use or sell the good parts from your current rifle. I am sure its worth not having to deal with the whole engineering business (which wil give you at least a couple of serious headaches). The .177 tap alone is quite desirable.

[deejayuu]

If the .177 tap fit is central to the bore, taper reamer out to .22 may be an option. Look for local Model Engineering group/club. Sure they'd be willing and able.

[Troubledshooter]

I have two used .22 Mk.3 Loading taps, and one new .177 tap.
I've never had to replace one but I believe it's a bit of a hit and miss job, depending on how much wear there is to the tap housing.

[Billc]

Some have nickel plated the slack tap and lapped back to fit. With little to lose I would try soft solder 'tinning' the old tap.

Thanks - reminded me there's a metal spraying company not far away. They used to re-coat white metal bearings, so I could get the worn .22 coated and lap down to size. I'll give them a ring.

Cheers
Bill Clarke

[Billc]

I have two used .22 Mk.3 Loading taps, and one new .177 tap.
I've never had to replace one but I believe it's a bit of a hit and miss job, depending on how much wear there is to the tap housing.

The .177 tap I bought from J Knibbs is 5 thou oversized on the taper. Sits proud of housing, so will need lapping. And the pellet hole needs boring to .22.
First going to try and get the original tap metal sprayed oversize and lap into housing. Did a few Triumph valves in the olden days...

Cheers
Bill Clarke

[Troubledshooter]

The .177 tap I bought from J Knibbs is 5 thou oversized on the taper. Sits proud of housing, so will need lapping. And the pellet hole needs boring to .22.
First going to try and get the original tap metal sprayed oversize and lap into housing. Did a few Triumph valves in the olden days...

Cheers
Bill Clarke

Good luck with that.
I've lapped a few valves in my time and still got the tools and paste to do more, which are never likely to be used again.

[Mr Pusk]

Apologies if this is a stupid question, but someone has to ask it...If the tap is loose, you have checked that there still a spring and ball-bearing under the tap side plate?

They're very easy to lose and I would have thought it would be more likely that someone had opened it up and lost/ not replaced them, than the tap having been misaligned from day 1.

Worth asking before you do anything radical...