Springer set up is as much about preference as anything else

[Phil Russell]

Short answer: I agree.
Several years ago I was invited to try a rifle that had been 'tuned'; professionally I guess as the owner had paid for the work. I think it may have been a 97k. I shot it a couple of times and made encouraging remarks to the owner who quite clearly thought the rifle was the bees knees. Yet I thought it was terrible .. very snappy to shoot. Far too snappy for me. So I guess this was a good example answer relevant to your question.

Cheers, Phil

[cooper_dan]

Short answer: I agree.
Several years ago I was invited to try a rifle that had been 'tuned'; professionally I guess as the owner had paid for the work. I think it may have been a 97k. I shot it a couple of times and made encouraging remarks to the owner who quite clearly thought the rifle was the bees knees. Yet I thought it was terrible .. very snappy to shoot. Far too snappy for me. So I guess this was a good example answer relevant to your question.

Cheers, Phil

This used to happen all the time to me. Was always offered a go on a 'super tuned' rifle. Often they were for sale....
Normally I was told 'best springer you will ever shoot' etc.
On the whole I thought they were pretty awful. None of them ever swayed me away from my relatively standard TX

[PCPShooter]

I shot a rifle a very competitive spring shooters rifle, he loves it - even he didn't know what had been done by his engineer friend

I hated it !

I do think this happens a lot - it's a bit like Marmite - who can say if it's a good or bad thing - it's taste dependant surely - ?

[Muskett]

Every springer has its very own firing cycle, no two the same. Finely tuned, well run in, or harsh factory, all are different. And then there is the squidgy bit called the shooter.

I'd just say its seems light weight springers behave best shot standing unsupported. Heavy springers do tame all that physics going on and do better at the bench.
Some designs are less trouble and more people can shoot them pretty well. Again heavier designs are easier to master. And then there are the triggers!

Lastly, part of the hobby is getting familiar with a springer and finding how to get the best out of it. There are a few ways to try. A good shot can get the most ropey of rifles to shoot nicely.
Most springers are good enough to farmyard ranges. In truth farmyard ranges were what they were for. Some behave well enough to "hold it there" even further. Its all fun finding out. How far can you hit a polo mint, bottle top cap, consistently?

[baldinio]

There's definitely a number of different ways a spring gun can be tuned, and it's a bit trial and error finding what suits you. It's one of the things I love about going to the boinger bash, there are a huge number of different springers there ranging from original spec to super tuned, and everything in between. Most folks are happy to let you shoot their different guns and explain what has or hasn't been done to them. It helped me better understand springers, tuning and what I prefer in a springer

[Shed tuner]

There's definitely a subjective element, e.g. fast, harsh, soft, whatever. Personal preference is absolutely a factor.

But there is also an objective element - too much recoil (e.g. a very heavy piston), harsh piston landing (too big a port, or too much bounce), too much muzzle flip, low efficiency (often caused by excessively low preload), etc.

So yes.. and no

[dearne75]

It does come down to what shot cycle the owner prefers.
Consistant accuracy from the owner is still the main factor.

[TonyL]

There's definitely a subjective element, e.g. fast, harsh, soft, whatever. Personal preference is absolutely a factor.

But there is also an objective element - too much recoil (e.g. a very heavy piston), harsh piston landing (too big a port, or too much bounce), too much muzzle flip, low efficiency (often caused by excessively low preload), etc.

So yes.. and no

Agree. But many people might not be able to analyse the sequence / cause(s) of certain facets. A really harsh or very long and lazier feeling cycle is, obviously, easier to highlight for many.

The things that are more obviously apparent (and desirable to most of us) are a smooth cocking cycle with no grating / harsh sounds and a twang free firing cycle, to my mind.....Although a cynic might argue that these can be achieved by over-generous helpings of grease as opposed to what might be considered "tuning".


Warning.....many a previously happy gun has been wrecked / spoiled by amateur "tuning".