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skyhawk · New Member

I was thinking of drilling a 3/4" hole in my stock and putting a length of 3/4" steel rod in the hole behind the butt plate to add mass to my springer to help control recoil. Has anyone tried this or heard of it? I'm new to the forums. My springer is an old BSF from the 60,s possibly the 50,s. It has a leather seal which I replaced and a new spring from the UK. I made the seal myself from shoe leather, it seems to be ok. I know that if I put a drop of motor oil in the pellet it shoots almost like a rimfire .22. The gun was given to me by a buddy that got cancer and died, we used to target practise with it in his back yard. I would like to put the rifle in tip top shape. Thanks.
Also would it be possible to add a new synthetic seal to improve drag and improve the seal at the same time? I mean to ask is there a seal available for a gun lke this? Thanks again. Bob

Amigo · Veteran Member

Skyhawk:

Welcome to the forum. Smile

If I really liked that old BSF, I think I would refrain from putting any oil into the pellet skirt or into the air transfer port.

The high temperature, high pressure air produced by the spring propelled piston is likely igniting that oil similar to the combustion that occurs in a diesel engine. That violent combustion, also referred to as detonation, can be and usually is destructive to an airgun. Often, the first component to fail is the spring followed by the piston seal, breech seal and the compression tube etc., but not always in that order - weakest link fails first, who knows for sure what that will be. Often, at the end opposite the muzzle, is a face that could be in peril.

Detonation may well be the culprit causing that excessive recoil that occurs when the spring and piston assy. is slammed rearward by the extreme pressure created by that detonation.

As you may know, that rimfire like "crack" is the projectile breaking the sound barrier. The diabolo shape renders the pellet unstable and very inaccurate and thus unsafe and useless at supersonic speeds.

Please don't feel like you're being "jumped on" - just trying to pass on the unvarnished facts as pertains to a hobby we all enjoy.

BTW, a weighted stock often helps maintain a good (steadier) sight picture during the normal firing cycle.

Best regards to you and your fine old BSF,

Amigo

fritz · Silver Status Member

Welcome to AGH.

Amigo said a good few words there.

Not sure I would modify an antique like that. Especially if the stock is still in good condition.

Definitely put a halt to using motor oil on your pellets. Dieseling is a bad thing.

Slavia · Moderator

Welcome to the forum!

A leather seal needs a few drops of oil on occasion to remain pliable, but oiling each pellet isn't necessary, and may invite dieseling. It depends on how powerful the gun is.

As far as adding weight: it is certainly an option. I have BB's and epoxy in the grip of my Marksman 2004 pistol, and spent pellets plus epoxy in the recesses of my Crosman G1. I think it probably does make the gun steadier, and softens felt recoil. On the other hand, it makes the gun harder to carry in the field.

I have a Hakim (Egyptian army training rifle) that has chunks of lead to mimic the weight of their main service rifle.

skyhawk · New Member

Thanks everyone for the replies, I use the motor oil once in a while to get the satisfaction of going all the way thru a 3/4" pine board or plywood. I know it's not supposed to be good for the gun (not sure I understand all the reasons because of the leather seal) I could see how detonation could ruin a synthetic seal, it must be recoil that is hard on the spring also?
Anyway, I own some actual fire arms that I like to shoot, but I'd also like to have a pellet gun with max power. I fly a lowly Cessna Skyhawk and would like it to be faster.. the same with my air guns, of which I have three. One of my three airguns is a Chinese model that cost $19.95 new (.177 cal.) and after I refinished the stock it looks pretty sharp, I would bet it would hold it's own with other, more expensive rifles as far as power. The other is a Slavia 618 for my grand daughter that needs a lot more power. It's pretty anemic!
How about breech seals? I have made my own from leather and was wondering if there may be a better way?

Teryx · Veteran Member

As far as the weight to the stock, I have done that before to improve the balance. I don't use a steel rod though. I use lead shot. That way I can keep adding a little till I get the weight just right. Once I get the balance I want, I mix a little RTV with the shot and put it back in. That keeps it all from rolling around. Works for me. The lead weighs a lot more than the steel so it takes less. The lead also allows you to concentrate the weight near the back.

Teryx