Air Gun Home :: View topic - RWS 46 /Springer questions (Lots of them)

AK Mike · Member

Hey y'all. This is my first post here, seems like a great place to learn and inflict my airgun enthusiasm among other folks than my immediate family.

Anyhoo, I picked up a RWS 46 a few years ago, and unfortunately the love just aint there yet. The rifle arrived to Alaska here, cocked. I sent it back to the dealer and had the spring replaced (they took real good care of me, infact) Anyways, onto my gripe list...

I had no idea RWS so grossly exaggerated velocities. The manufacturer stated the velocity at 780 FPS. Actual velocity actually averaged about 660. Now, it's a given that most of 'em stretch the truth a little to sell a gun, but 120 FPS? That seems a bit much. Now that I've learned a little more I'm actually awright without barn burning velocity, I just wish I had...been informed. But...Still...just pondering...is there anyway to coax a few more FPE/FPS out of it? I know that's not the primary job of a tune, and I don't want to lose consistency, but....just wondering....

The front sight is a morphodite piece of crap. the darn thing is way too wide for shooting at anything smaller than perhaps elephant, buffalo, and grizzly bear. I'm considering filing the top of it down like this: /\ or maybe sanding the plastic off and replacing it with a piece of 3/32 stainless. Anyone else tried this?

Also, I'm afraid I must admit to my own ignorance....I had no idea springers could be very hold sensitive. I've been constantly told to keep a very loose grip, but follow through is critical. I'm still mastering this. Am I understanding to basically hold it good enough to ensure the sight doesn't move, but not any tighter, like with a centerfire rifle? It seems to achieve the follow through I'm holding it much tighter than is recommended, but to hold it as loose as recommended I lose the follow through? (Hope I don't seem too easily confused here)

When cocking the gun there is often a pretty clear sound of metal on metal contact/grinding. I know the spring is bound to make SOME noise, but it's sounding like I'm gonna have filings dump out of the mechanism. I've only fired the gun about 400 times. (Hard to take it out and fire it when you aint enjoyin' it, ya' know?) Is this normal wear in, or am I looking at potentially more profound issues?

And finally....when I flip up the loading gate there is a small circle that looks like it should house an O-ring, but there is none. Is there supposed to be one? It's right where the....loading gate pivots into the bbl.

And just so it doesn't sound like I'm here for the sole purpose of beating up on RWS, the gun has it's advantages. It feels well, points well, and I like the underlever mechanism. I'm just trying to figure out how many of my woes are user error, and how many might be connected to the gun.

Does it sound like there's anything wrong with my gun? do I need to man up, and run some more pellets through it, maybe get it tuned, inspected, or just get a newer better springer? (RWS 48, 52, BSA Lightning, or Weihrauch HW 80, 85, 50S)

your thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks much for any input!

Slavia · Moderator

Welcome to the forum, Mike.

These links may help you determine if you're missing an "O" ring:
http://www.gunspares.co.uk/showcatimage.asp?id=24390
http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2005/10/diana-rws-46-german-underlever.html

A missing seal could easily explain a lack of power and accuracy. I wouldn't shoot it until you're sure it's complete and intact - an air leak could allow the piston to slam forward, risking the same kind of damage as when "dry" firing. That "grinding" doesn't sound good, either.

So let's assume everything is normal. 400 rounds is only halfway to breaking in a springer. You should indeed hold it with the lightest hold possible (while still controlling it). Try several different kinds of pellets; it probably has a favorite.

As for manufacturers fibbing about velocities - I think they are essential truthful, but stated velocities are often only achieved with the very lightest pellets.

Keep us posted on your progress.

AK Mike · Member

ACK!! curses! Judging from the pic at Pryamyd and the schematic I do have an O-ring missing, and for that matter I don't know that it was ever there. I don't recall ever seeing it.

Looks like she's certainly due for a professional perusal at the very least.

Not real thrilled with that. But....on the other hand...it does give me the excuse I wanted to get a Wiehraucht, or a BSA..... Mr. Green

Thanks!

broommaster2000 · Moderator

The 46 isn't a bad rifle. You might wanna get more replaced then that O-ring. (NOT a pun at your intelligence. I just woke up, heh heh.) If there is less compression you might have smashed the piston-head a bit. No worries, that's replaceable. You might want to change into a new or a tuning spring. If you do, get a Maccari full power kit. Wink

Allthough, if you are keen on spending some bucks on another rifle... Mr. Green

and welcome aboard! Mr. Green

AK Mike · Member

Logically speaking...the 46 should be a fine lifetime gun. Get the seal done, and give it a nice tune, and it should be a real nice shooter for many, many years.

On the other hand it's been like...a bad luck gun...especially when compared to my new (to me) FX Tarantula that has been making itty-bitty groups at long distances since the day I brought it home.

I really don't have a whole lot of experience with springers. The only other one I've ever fired, infact was my buddy's BSA Lightning, which made me stuff my poor lil' 46 even further into the corner.

But....I'm gonna try to give it a really good chance. tune it, scope it, etc. That way if I still can't love 'er I can find someone else who can, and not feel bad about selling it to them.

fritz · Silver Status Member

Ok, so you come to the forum and DON'T mention that you have a tarantula? Shocked

They both should last a lifetime. The 46 done up with a full power tune, new seal, maybe new piston, new piston seal, trigger tune. Will turn out nice.

Is your 46 a TO1 or TO5 trigger?

AK Mike · Member

Whoops! I also forgot to mention that it only had a tin of pellets through it and looks brand new, and I only paid $450 for it... Mr. Green

Seriously, I just bought it off a good buddy, and I knew I'd fallen deeply in love with it (love at first sight, infact), but didn't realize how great of a deal he'd given me until a few days ago. Since it's my #1 most loved and enjoyed gun, I feel deeply grateful to him for it. FWIW, as I recall he's torn between going over to straight springers, or straight BSA's.

I'm sorry for my ignorance, re: the Mdl. 46 trigger, but I can tell you it's (semi) adjustable, plastic, and not entirely lovely, no matter how I adjust it. Just not.....very crisp, even though it is quite servicable and light enough.

fritz · Silver Status Member

That makes it a TO5 because it's plastic, and the TO1 was a real 2 stage job.

YOU PAYED $450 FOR A TRANNY! BY THE PROPHET'S BEARD! I don't think you could get one for $1,450 in fair condition.

AK Mike · Member

Well...it looks like my mdl. 46 woes are over. I sold it to another friend that's also looking to branch into airguns for $200. I made him fully aware of every idiosyncracy I could possibly name with regards to it. (He is among my closest friends afterall...)

Next step...investing his $200 into another great deal, similar to the forementioned Tarantula deal. (BSA Ultra plus lots of goodies)

Thanks much for the advice!

fritz · Silver Status Member

I would keep the Tarantula, they are getting to be collector's items.