BSA Supersport, what is comparible?

[Gamocfx]

Hi,

I have the BSA Supersport in .177 and .22 and (for me) they seem quality, the finish and even the mechanical clicks as they are cocked is a real pleasure to be part of. So my question is what is comparable by BSA? My wishlist already contains an early Airporter but I am not aware of what was contemporary with the Supersports? For the money I think they are great value... maybe the only improvement would be a custom stock? Was a stock upgrade ever an option? I am pretty sure Webley offered stock options for their rifles but my knowledge is sadly lacking.


Your opinions will be valued as I have promised myself a couple more middle of the road older rifles this year, I think they are addictive.

[Basilbrush7]

I had a supersport custom,which had a much improved stock and silencer as standard

[Basilbrush7]

Thinking about it,the bsa lightning was a good gun to for the money.Very similar

[junglie]

Bsa challenger the last mercury model, much better gun than supersports imho.

[Winceby]

Any of the Lightning stocks will fit right through to the XL tactical plastic stock but as someone has already said, they made a custom version which is very nice with its defined cheek piece.

[Gamocfx]

Any of the Lightning stocks will fit right through to the XL tactical plastic stock but as someone has already said, they made a custom version which is very nice with its defined cheek piece.

Really? I had no idea the action would fit the Lightning stock! Now that is food for thought... and a damned good excuse to get another Supersport in .177 in a Tactical XL stock. I have never seen the Supersport Custom so will have a google for that one.

A follow on question how much does it usually cost to have an 1/2 inch thread put on a barrel for a silencer?

Thanks for the responses Chaps this forum really is the best especially the Vintage section.

[Sir rocco]

The British lightnings and supersports are nothing like the spaniards,
Parts are not compatible,
Why they didnt come out with a new name when gamo took over rather than keeping the original is because the spanish guns are absolute rubbish and cheaply made comparatively to the Brummy guns and they wanted Bsa's reputation, one of the best ways to see the differences is to go to knibbs site and look at the parts diagrams which have a clear distinction between the British and foreign guns, another way is to find the part number and see which models it fits and compare the prices, thats an indicator of the quality,
My '86 lightning will be around and working a lot longer than a gamo that is made today.
If you want a second hand Bsa then buy pre gamo.

[Gamocfx]

Rocco you are correct, the BSA stuff will be far superior and I am a bit of a Gamo fan!

[KWK1]

The British lightnings and supersports are nothing like the spaniards,
Parts are not compatible,
Why they didnt come out with a new name when gamo took over rather than keeping the original is because the spanish guns are absolute rubbish and cheaply made comparatively to the Brummy guns and they wanted Bsa's reputation, one of the best ways to see the differences is to go to knibbs site and look at the parts diagrams which have a clear distinction between the British and foreign guns, another way is to find the part number and see which models it fits and compare the prices, thats an indicator of the quality,
My '86 lightning will be around and working a lot longer than a gamo that is made today.
If you want a second hand Bsa then buy pre gamo.

I think El Gamo acquired BSA in 1986

It's more about Birmingham manufacture. Supersports and Lightnings are post Gamo ownership.

[Gamocfx]

BSA Supersports... production started 97? That would technically make them a Gamo

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....sa-supersport/

Being made in the UK was the massive difference I assume?

[pajj]

The British lightnings and supersports are nothing like the spaniards,
Parts are not compatible,
Why they didnt come out with a new name when gamo took over rather than keeping the original is because the spanish guns are absolute rubbish and cheaply made comparatively to the Brummy guns and they wanted Bsa's reputation, one of the best ways to see the differences is to go to knibbs site and look at the parts diagrams which have a clear distinction between the British and foreign guns, another way is to find the part number and see which models it fits and compare the prices, thats an indicator of the quality,
My '86 lightning will be around and working a lot longer than a gamo that is made today.
If you want a second hand Bsa then buy pre gamo.

So, then, it is possible to produce something more cheaply than BSA? On a serious note, the BSA Meteor must be a paragon of the art of value engineering certainly up to the Mk4/5 - with the numbers produced they should have been knocking them out for next to nothing and creaming a nice margin. Perhaps, leaving under-investment aside of course, they were so obsessed with the competition and pricing that the product was undersold?

[sparko]

So, then, it is possible to produce something more cheaply than BSA? On a serious note, the BSA Meteor must be a paragon of the art of value engineering certainly up to the Mk4/5 - with the numbers produced they should have been knocking them out for next to nothing and creaming a nice margin. Perhaps, leaving under-investment aside of course, they were so obsessed with the competition and pricing that the product was undersold?

It’s funny how times have changed, as you say about the numbers produced … When I was young nearly everyone I knew had a meteor and their dads had an airsporter or mercury.

Then came the changes, i enquired about a new airsporter in about 1988 and the gunshop lady said, why would you want a BSA when you can buy a Weihrauch? British engineering on the slippery slope.

[Powderfinger]

Investment by Gamo was probably a good thing for BSA. BSA are still in business manufacturing in Britain. Webley got bought by British owners and are now only a brand name.

[Dornfelderliebe]

Bsa challenger the last mercury model, much better gun than supersports imho.

As above and see the thread on the Mercury at the moment. Get any late Mercury with the axis bolt.
If you find an older Merc. Just make sure it has been looked after.

[Gamocfx]

Thanks Dorn, can I ask do the last Mercury rifles have the 11mm scope rail? The BSA 19mm(?) abomination is my pet hate. Indeed I have two earlier Mercury rifles and never bother with them as due to poor eyesight and lack of shooting skill I prefer a scope.... now if an Airsporter or Mercury had an 11mm scope rail I would be sold on them. The Supersport trigger is fine so is the Airsporter/Mercury set up any better?
Thanks for any advice or opinion.