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Verado · Member

I have had this AR for only a couple weeks. Already looking at mods. that can be done. A few quick questions for my general knowledge. Through Eric I have found that the Vantage is also the Quest/Phantom just re--badged.

1.--- What are the Bxx I have been seeing all over the place. I'm looking at buying the parts to do a tune and have seen everything being referred to in B16,B21 and so forth.

2.--- Im looking at converting to a nitro piston. Referencing this article I dont think it would be a far stretch to do. http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2009/07/crosmans-new-nitro-piston-short-stroke.html
I contacted Crosman to buy the piston and they told me the only place doing a conversion is Pyramidair. I looked there and they only offer the piston for the Gamo Whisper.

Anything I can learn from the more senior members would be greatly appreciated. I like tinkering and working on my own stuff instead of sending it off. That way if it breaks or doesnt work I only have 1 person to blame.

AirGunEric · Site Admin

'B' models are "BAM" products. Units like the Quest/Phantom/Vantage are based on the "B18" and "B19" platform- which are basically copies of the Gamo 440.

Here is a Summit parts list:

http://www.crosman.com/pdf/manuals/RW1K77X2%20-%20EVP%20&%20PARTS%20LIST.pdf

You can upgrade the trigger using a GTX II unit available from Airguns of Arizona, but the Nitro piston idea is not an option at the moment unless you have access to having a custom-sized unit built for you.

Crosman only fairly recently brought out their gas-piston NPSS, and no parts are available for it through them at this point (i.e. the piston). But, it is not based on the same platform as the Summit, and it's specific gas-piston will not fit the Summit tube. The units from PyramydAir also will not fit this platform, unfortunately. There are companies that could put together such units, but I doubt it would be terribly worthwhile for anyone to consider unless they wanted hundreds of units to sell themselves.

Other than the trigger, checking/re-doing if required the barrel crown and re-lubing/tuning everything, there is not much that can be done easily with this platform other than cosmetic items, unfortunately. But- this really is the case with most springers.

BTW- not trying to be a "downer" or something, but everything has its limitations.

packrat · Senior Member

And if you're interested, CobraAirGuns has a lot of "BAM" stuff listed ..look under discount airguns[/b].
Walther has several models available with the NPSS....I think they're all just the same rifle, just with different stock , or come with different scopes. etc. WELCOME to this site. I'm pretty new here myself, and I gotta tell ya this place ROCKS !!! On that upgraded trigger---I just did mine this morning...go ahead and order one for your gun, it's THE STUFF !!! $32.00 delivered Smile

Verado · Member

Thanks Eric. There is no such thing as a fun sponge while using AG's. We are all here for a common reason. I like messing with stuff anyway. Right now Im in the process of machining an adapter so I can convert my paintball gun to fire pellets. It might not work, or maybe just have to use it for BB's but I like doing stuff like that. Nothing lost except my time. It's all a learning process

Slavia · Moderator

Here's what I did with my G1 (same platform as yours):
http://www.airgunhome.com/agforum/viewtopic.php?t=1760&start=0
Be forewarned that it might take a while. I can't seem to write anything but epic sagas, but maybe you can glean a few ideas.

Verado · Member

thanks guys. This site is a wealth of knowledge for the new to AG crowd. A ton of information is disseminated on the internet but if you read 5 sites, you get 3 different opinions on the same thing

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Verado · Member

I have some ideas after reading Slavia article on G1 upgrade. First will be a trigger upgrade with the GTX. Then while Im in there replace the stock spring with a Mccarri (sp) and try doing a little lathe work and makeing a rear spring guide out of maybe Al. Teflon washer with a steel washer on top for the spring to ride and have full range of movement. After looking at the parts list Im assuming this gun is a B18/B19. Would I be correct on that?

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Yes. But, don't waste your money on a Maccari spring- the springs that have been used in the Crosman's the last couple of years are just fine, at best the Maccari unit might gain you 3-4% more power and it isn't any smoother. The issues with the factory springs a few years ago are gone, and consistency with the factory springs is much much better now.

Slavia · Moderator

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Verado · Member

OK, so scratch buying the spring. I figure anything that reduces metal to metal contact is a bonus. Hence the reason using a teflon washer. I have some really thick needle bearing grease. In my business we call it horse hair grease because when it sticks to something it makes long strands that look like a horse's mane. Should be adequate for damping the "twang" of the spring. I think I need to go to harbor freight and pick up a cheap set of diamond files though

Verado · Member

Took the gun apart tonight. I was waiting for my GRT trigger to arrive and do everything all at once. I noticed a few interesting things while I was in there. The most impressive thing I noticed was that the rear spring seat was made out of steel, not plastic. It wasn't just cast either, I could still see the machining marks on the middle and bottom (closest to end cap) of the guide. I chamfered the spring ends to avoid further digging in to the top hat and also the rear seat. After only about 100 pellets there were some minor gouges. Nothing that a stoning session and some lubricant couldn't take care of. I made a point to polish everything that I could get my hands on and also lubed the spring liberally with a heavy needle bearing grease. I used blue loctite on the pivot screws, front and rear mounting screws also. I also do wood tuning and tried some of my polish on the stock to see how it would turn out. I used EEE paste wax which is best described as a rubbing compound for wood. Really smoothed out the feel of the wood. Similar to the feeling when you wax half of your hood and rub you hand over it....there is definitely a difference in feel. Very smooth where I tested. I dont think I would use a polish due to the high gloss and slickness. If your interested it would be a Hut product high friction polish. Best used with a Dremel. Thanks for getting me over the hump of taking the gun apart. Now Im just waiting on my new rings so I can mount my new scope.

radar · Silver Status Member

Now that the Vantage comes with a nitro piston, I thought it would be interesting to convert my steel spring Vantage to NP to experiment with.

I am not completely sold on NPs yet, but I like to fiddle around, but it seems that there are no replacement parts listed online for this, not even the piston let alone anything else one might need, nor any info on a conversion. I suppose I could call Crosman and order a replacement piston by phone(?) and work the rest out by myself.

Rob

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Where is there a Vantage with a nitro piston (gas strut)? Crosman no longer licenses the Remington name (they stopped earlier this year).