BSA Light Pattern tinkering

[Shed tuner]

you'll need to take the gun apart, and look down the barrel from the cylinder end and work the tap ( a light source at the muzzle makes it easier), to determine where the properly aligned position is. It would normally be "full closed" but maybe something got bent or damaged.

[Lakey]

The ball bearing isnt correct, an is probably the reason why the tap isnt indexing properly. The original spring used was quite powerful, and drove a wedge shaped plug. Here is a link to a pattern part. The spring will be there as well if you search.

https://www.airgunspares.com/catalog...category/1066/

Lakey

[jirushi]

Cheers Shed tuner and Lakey.
I installed a different spring and ball bearing in the tap click mechanism yesterday, and now it works problem free.
A much more positive click; a stronger, longer spring, that fits exactly in the hole, and a larger ball bearing.
The tap has to be closed 100% for good alignment (which makes sense!).

Another piece of good news is that the RWS Meisterkugeln have arrived and they have brought the power up to 5.4 ft/lbs;
180 m/s; 590 ft/s.
Less vibrations; smoother.

Thank you Ed for the advice!

Will do a thorough accuracy test during the weekend.

[jirushi]

Third group at 8 meters indoors, 5 shots with the Meisterkugeln.
I have been told that this might not say a lot about the barrel, but the first impression is good.

[averageplinker]

An interesting thread. I think my L pattern project has a similar tap issue to yours. I must dig it out and investigate further.
Rich.

[edbear2]

Looks pretty good Louis!


Ages ago I did an outside test at 10 yards or so, seated with gun rested, gun has a peephole sight as well, with some suprising results, It was not very scientific, no bore cleaning or whatever, but showed what match pellets can go like in some guns.

I just rattled off a 5 shot string each time to compare, most could be improved on I know, it was more about how the pellets stacked up against each other, should have done a 25 yarder as well I suppose!

The Marksman group was bonkers, but goes to show how worthwhile experimenting is......

I still have this rifle as has won a few comps over the years and is a belter for Bell Target, with a few possibles in it's time.

At 6 yards it really is a one hole job.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/312284...th/3434303847/

ATB, Ed

[jirushi]

Hi Ed, thank you for sharing this great info.
Most pellets did pretty well!

Your Light Pattern is beautiful; a very early example, I believe? With a very rare peepsight.

I have a feeling that I am going to collect Light Patterns.
They feel to me like the prewar HW30;
a light and compact gun, that is easy to shoot and that puts a smile on everybody's face.

[jirushi]

A few other things that I wanted to ask:

1. Does anyone have photos of Light Pattern paperwork? Perhaps an advert, or some kind of manual?
Or should I wait for John's book to arrive?

2. The "wheel" of the rear sight is quite loose on my gun; it feels a bit too easy to turn. It probably won't stay in the same position when pulling the gun out of a gunslip. Is this "normal" or are there tricks to remedy this? A drop op blue Loctite would help, but then turning becomes a bit too hard.

[frakor]

Waiting for the book can take a while, Louis.
Mine was in Dutch customs for over a month ..

You can find adverts etc on the VAG: https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....tisements-etc/

Regarding the rearsight, are you missing the tiny spring inside the wheel?


======================
Frank

[jirushi]

Thank you Frank! Much appreciated.
I will have a good look on Danny's website.
Yes it must be the case that I am missing the spring in the rear sight. Will disassemble it after work and see if I have the right size in my growing collection of small springs (I salvage them from all kinds of junk ).

Cheers

[edbear2]

A few adverts here as well........

Light and Breakdown;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/312284...7608030264100/



And all sorts more ;


https://www.flickr.com/photos/312284...57608030264100

ATB, Ed

[slow_runner]

A more than satisfactory result Louis; a nice example. Early BSAs can seemingly be brought back from a state of despair abuse to a very pleasing piece. The metallurgy and design....... beautiful
This was the tale of my '22 model. The crowning was achieved by machining as black powder muzzles.
https://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread...=light+pattern

P.S my copy of Johns fine book only spent a weekend+ at customs before being released for delivery. Only the slightest compression of one corner after travelling all that distance.

[jirushi]

Thank you Ed for the great links.
What a great collection of paperwork.
The "exploded parts diagram" on page 10 and 11 is lovely.
The second link is very nice as well. Thank you for sharing!

@slow_runner, great work on your Light Pattern. Do you still use the gun?
I have heard that quite a few prewar BSA's were sold in New Zealand.

This morning I fixed the rear sight problem by installing a well fitting spring. The wheel now turns with a nice amount of resistance.



Best 8 meter group so far:

[edbear2]

Hi Louis, IIRC the elevation wheel should be solid like;

https://www.airgunspares.com/std19bs...ightwheel.html

Various sight units can fit, so yours might work better with a plunger, it should not be spring direct on blade if you think about it logically;

https://www.airgunspares.com/16568ac...htplunger.html

ATB, Ed

[Lakey]

Hi Louis, IIRC the elevation wheel should be solid like;

https://www.airgunspares.com/std19bs...ightwheel.html

Various sight units can fit, so yours might work better with a plunger, it should not be spring direct on blade if you think about it logically;

https://www.airgunspares.com/16568ac...htplunger.html

ATB, Ed

Ed, The only problem with the pattern elevation wheel, is that they have diamond knurling on instead of the parallel knurling of the original. Such a shame, and an issue that could easily be put right. Not sure why they do it that way ??

Hope you are well.

Andy