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Education / Training B.B.’s airguns – What I kept and why – Part 3

B.B.’s airguns – What I kept and why – Part 3

by B.B. Pelletier

Part 1
Part 2

First, for those who don’t read the comments, the organizer of the Roanoke Airgun Expo, Fred Liady, passed away three days ago. Fred has been seriously ill all year long and in and out of the hospital. His wife, Dee, was taking care of him at home for several months.

Fred sold his airgun collection to Robert Beeman several years ago, but he continued to run the Roanoke show out of love for his many friends who attended. He’ll be missed by thousands of airgunners whose lives he touched over the years.

The fate of the Roanoke show is yet to be decided. We can’t press Fred’s widow, obviously, so no decisions have been made. However the show has so much momentum that it may well continue. When I get some facts, I’ll share them with you.

Daisy No. 25
Well, let’s begin Part 3 with my Daisy No. (not model) 25 guns, because this is a funny one. The gun is the pump-action BB gun designed by Fred LeFever in 1913. He agreed to work as a consultant with Daisy for six months to get them into production and wound up staying with the company for 44 years!

When I was a lad in the 1950s, I briefly owned a No. 25. It was a beautiful wood and blued steel gun that I bought for $5 with paper route money. But nobody told me you have to oil them to keep them going. When the power dropped off after a couple of days of shooting, I took the gun halfway apart to try to fix it. That turned it into a basket case. I then sold the parts to a friend for a quarter, just to get it out of my sight. He got his father to assemble it and brought it back to rub it in my face. He chided me for not knowing that old BB guns have to be oiled.

So, I have a thing for Daisy 25 guns made in Daisy’s first plant at Plymouth, Michigan. I own eight of them, though I have parted with a No. 325 target set, which is the engraved 1936 No. 25 in a box with lots of target paraphernalia. Here’s the funny part. I’m almost over my childish fixation, and was toying with bringing a few of them to Roanoke to begin the great selloff. My illness this year has reoriented how I feel about possessions. It’s funny, because I recently saw an American Pickers television episode in which the person they were picking had been involved in a major traffic accident and was now selling off all of his collections.


These are my four oldest No. 25 guns. The top gun is from 1913/14. It was originally black nickel, but all that finish has flaked off and now the silver nickel underneath shows through. This gun is so old that it has a soldered compression tube that Daisy stopped making in 1915. The next gun is from around 1916. It has the adjustable front sight and the short throw pump lever. Gun three is from around 1925 and has the fixed front sight and long lever but still retains the penny-sized takedown screw. Bottom gun is from 1930-1936 and has the stamped metal triggerguard and case-hardened pump lever. These four guns are a collection unto themselves.

Don’t worry, though. I’m not getting morbid on you or saying that I’m quitting airguns or anything like that. It’s just that these old No. 25 guns no longer hold the fascination they once did. I’m still quite fixated on M1 Carbines and Garands. Can’t pass by a carbine without examining it.

Sheridan Blue Streak
I bought my Blue Streak in 1978 and have kept it until now. That is something of a record for me, because I go through guns and airguns pretty fast. But the Blue Streak has stayed with me. When our house in Maryland was infested with mice that our cats insisted on playing with instead of killing outright, Edith learned how to use the Sheridan and it became her air rifle. She also killed nine rats with it when they moved from a neighbor’s mulch pile into the planter underneath our front porch in Maryland. Too much sentiment there to part with.


This rocker-safety Blue Streak is from 1978. I’m the original owner and there’s no plan to get rid of it. It’s still Edith’s go-to gun when if she has to dispatch small rodents.

Crosman model 101 pneumatic
I’ve owned a good many of these 101 guns, including several marked as 1924 guns. But this one I will keep, as it works well and I’ll always need a vintage pneumatic to use for airgun projects. I had it resealed by Dave Gunter, and it shoots very well. Every so often I like to take it out, just to reconnect with the past. I store it with a pump of air, and it always exhausts the air when shot, no matter how long it was stored.


A fine vintage multi-pump, the Crosman 101 dates back to 1924.

Air Arms TX200 Mark III
I once sold a TX200 Mark II. But that was because I had just acquired the Mark III I now own. I didn’t need two TXs. However, I will always want to have one around.


This TX 200 is a Mark III with the old-style checkering. I’ve owned it since the model came out, and I have no desire to sell it.

Walther PPK/S .22 LR
This is an uncommon firearm. There weren’t that many made, and this one is made in Germany, rather than France, where many of them were made. I don’t really love this gun, but I’ve never been able to part with it.


This Walther PPK/S is unusual because it’s chambered for .22 long rifle instead of .380 ACP. It’s a delightful pocket pistol.

Ruger Mark II Target
This is not an uncommon gun, or even worth a lot of money, but I’ve fitted this one with an adapter from Dennis Quackenbush to accept my legal silencer. I’m keeping the pistol because it fits my silencer and I don’t want to take the adapter off. It’s accurate, reliable and, with the silencer in place, very quiet.


The perfect platform for this Pilot silencer, because the tall Patridge target sights are visible above the can.

There are more, of course, but not today.

author avatar
Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier)
Tom Gaylord, also known as B.B. Pelletier, provides expert insights to airgunners all over the world on behalf of Pyramyd AIR. He has earned the title The Godfather of Airguns™ for his contributions to the industry, spending many years with AirForce Airguns and starting magazines dedicated to the sport such as Airgun Illustrated.

132 thoughts on “B.B.’s airguns – What I kept and why – Part 3”

  1. B.B.,

    I can understand a large part of your collection.

    Never knew you had a ruger mark II. I really liked mine and was forced to wince when it was part of a trade for the sharps 1874. Also let go of an old charles daly 12 gauge that I bought new in that trade. The daly couldn’t shoot steel so I don’t miss that one as much but always missed the mark II. Recently replaced it with a mark III and have been shooting it more than airguns recently.

    I think the AA TX200 Mark III with checkering is the finest spring gun air arms ever made. The fish scale is too rough and doesn’t look as refined as the old checkering to my eyes. Aesthetics again.

    With the exception of the wonderful patina on the cocking handle of Mrs. Gaylords’ blue streak it looks as good as it did in 1978. You take good care of your guns.

    Thanks.

    kevin

  2. Slinging Lead’s Airguns- what he kept and why

    I have not sold a single airgun I have purchased. I did give my Air Venturi Bronco to my nephew once I got it dialed, in an attempt to turn him into an airgun addict. I guess I am a hoarder. Frank B is worse.

    If I had to sell everything else, I would keep the TX200. Sometimes I call a flier, yet the rifle refuses to open up the group. I love this danged heavy beast. As far as the fish scale checkering is concerned, not only do I find it absolutely beautiful, but it is more comfortable to me and more grippy than all the conventional checkering I have put my mitts on. But I am sweatier than most folk.

    I suppose the day will come when I must sell an airgun or two. Just the thought nauseates me.

    I put several dozen rounds through my Walther P22 tonight into the pellet trap my brother made for me. I don’t know what it is, but the gun seems to perform better the faster you pull the trigger. I am concerned that the hot brass will burn the futon, but it is a fun little gun.

  3. B.B.
    I love the simplicity and design of the trigger on the old streak (mine is a little older than Edith’s). It’s all one piece with the sear and pulls the sear down and away from the hammer.
    In contrast, the trigger /sear combination on the 397 I have is a pain. The way the sear is set up, it it pulls down and back against the hammer. You fight the hammer weight the whole way through. Very hard pull. I helped it a little by working on the shape of the sear so that the contact surface with the hammer will pull straight down as it moves away instead of pushing back against the hammer.

    twotalon

  4. Morning B.B.,

    A Crosman 101!! Sure wish that was a gun that I kept, it was my first pellet rifle. What are they selling for today?

    I didn’t know Walther made the PPK/S in .22. What a neat looking gun. How does she shoot? Bet you’ve surprised a lot of folks with nice tight groups.

    Did you ever shop at Realco on Old Marboro Pike?

    Waiting for FedX today with my 2240!

    Bruce

    • Bruce,

      A nice shooting Crosman 101 still goes for around $100-125 at an airgun show. So it isn’t too late to get one.

      The PPK/S in .22 is a very nice shooter. It’s more accurate than one might think, though you have to keep it still, because it’s so short.

      Realco on Old Marlboro Pike? Sorry, I don’t know it.

      B.B.

    • KA,

      That silencer cost over $600 and took longer than one year to get. The tax stamp is $200. Then there is the fingerprints ($10). The silencer was $365, but because I was writing for a feature article, the manufacturer cut the price drastically, and my local FFL never charged me for the transfer. So I really only paid about $400 for the whole deal.

      Now that I have the first one, the next one should take only a few months. I am in the system.

      That silencer also fits on a Ruger 10/22 that I have accurized, so it’s serving a dual purpose.

      B.B.

  5. Good day everyone!

    I have a question. Doe anyone know where I can find information on Marksman Model 56? I can only find very limited information on this rifle, and nothing in the archives of this blog.

    I presume this is a rebranded Weirauch. The model I got as a loaner is made in Germany (it actually says made in West Germany). The trigger looks like the Rekord trigger (silver finish, not gold). The stock has sand paper-like texturing on pistol grip and bottom of forearm, and has a pattern of slots on the sides giving it a sporty appearance.

    I would like to gather some information on it before I shoot it this weekend, weather permitting.

    T.E.

    • Tunnel Engineer,

      I believe that the Marksman 56 is a rebadged HW98 and also known as the R11. There were three models on the same action the 56-FTS, the 57 and the 58-S. The 56 had a 19 5/8″ barrel and the other two had 16″ barrels. The marksman 56/R11/HW98 are often described as a gussied up R9 since they sport the semi-target stocks.

      These guns were made on BSF tooling by Weihrauch in the 90s.

      Lot of info on the yellow and vintage if you search each individual model number.

      kevin

        • TE,

          For clarification, if you research the beeman model R11 be aware that it’s the earlier version R11 that is almost identical to your Marksman model 56 FTS. Not to be confused with the very similar Marksman model 58S. They all share the same actions with minor differences.

          The the 58S is the silhouette model that has the short heavy shroud like the R-11 but came with a standard non adjustable comb stock. The 56 FTS (Field Target Special) had the adjustable comb stock same as the R-11 but didn’t have the short heavy shrouded barrel. It came with the standard long barrel with a muzzle weight on the end. The R-11 is actually a combination of both. It has the stock of the 56 FTS with the short shrouded barrel weight of the 58S. Both Marksman models were based on the earlier version BSF design actions that had the rocker safety on the side instead of the cross bolt type as seen on the later R-11’s. They also had the short scope rail on top of the action same as the R-10. There are actually two versions of the R-11. The early version with the same rocker safety as the Marksman’s and the MK2 that has the crossbolt style safety as seen on all current R series rifles as well as the scope rail grooves cut into the compression tube itself instead of the bolt on separate scope base.

          Fused,

          I don’t know half of what you think I do. I do have trusted sources and go to them often when people ask questions that I’d like to know the answer to as well.

          kevin

            • Well, thank you!

              that is great information. The rifle I loaned does have the rocker safety on the side, and a muzzle weight (with three set screws instead of the single set screw of my Diana 40) and no shroud. It has adjustable stock. Friend bought it for $360 as a factory sample. I do not have the blue book, so I cannot tell if it was a good deal or not. It probably was considering the manufacturer…

              Cheers

              • The muzzle weight sounds like an addition….three screws,I would guess it is a Beeman Crow Magnum muzzle brake.I am a big fan of the Marksman line with the exception of the 1010.

          • Kevin,

            Poppycock! You know everything there is to know about airguns and don’t even think of denying it. I’d like to attend an airgun trivial pursuit match as a spectator, with you and B.B. sitting at the table like a poker faceoff. Who else would you invite to the table?

            AlanL

  6. BB:
    Could I convey my deepest sympathy to Fred Liady’s family and friends.
    It is clear that the Roanoke Air gun expo features large on the US Air gunners calendar.
    A great achievement.
    God bless those who go out of their way to volunteer and organise clubs or events and run Bloggs that benefit all of us others.
    DaveUK

      • You have two questions there, and there is a ton of info on the web and BB also wrote about it on this blog, try a search for silencers here and you will find several blog articles.

        The short answers are: 1) Legal silencers for firearms are regulated by the BATF and require an FFL to make an sell and the customer has many hoops to jump through to purchase one. 2) Airgun silencers (or moderators) in the U.S. have to be “integral to the barrel” similar to Gamo Whisper rifle types and also, must not be able to be removed and modified or capable of being attached to a firearm. That’s all my paraphrase, because the actual BATF regs go on for pages in lawyer-like details.

        In the UK, silencers are legal for airguns and may be screwed on or aftermarket types.

        • BB:
          Well having just read that piece, the authorities in the US sure don’t like Silencers.
          Interesting that by law an air gun can’t be classed as a firearm but a purpose made silencer for it can.
          I see the UK’s confused funk of officialdom hasn’t completely passed you by in the USA.:)
          So spoilt for choice are we over here, even I have owned two air rifles with silencers and shot two others.
          The Logun S-16 and Webley lightning were mine and the Gamo Vipermax and Webley Raider belonged to friends.
          The thing I found was that a silencer on a springer is good but on a PCP.Awesome.
          When not used to it, you think the PCP has misfired.it is that unobtrusive.
          DaveUK

          • Dave,

            Although there is or was at one time, a federal law that made it illegal for federal, state or local authorities to classify airguns as firearms, many states now disregard this law. I wonder if it is still in effect?

            If it is, several states like Michigan, Illinois, New Jersey and others have laws that are in contravention of this federal statute.

            B.B.

        • Let me see if I have this straight. Silencers are illegal if home made and without a serial number. Some silencers made by approved “factories” have serial numbers, and can be legal to own if you, the owner, can pass an appropriate “security clearance” from your local authorities, and if you pay $200 to BATFE to register (i.e. license) the silencer.

          Anything on an airgun barrel that could, if transplanted to a firearm, diminish the report of a firearm is a silencer. If there is any way to separate that silencer from the airgun, then it’s an illegal, unlicensed, “firearm” component without a serial number on it. It is unclear whether an integral part of an airgun barrel, separable only with a tungsten wheel or similar “heavy equipment”, is a silencer if there is any way to attach it to a firearm, and if it offers any prospect of lowering the report of the firearm.

          The shrouded barrel on my C-62 and on more recent air rifles doesn’t count, even if attaching it to the front of a .22 might reduce the bang from the .22. What about a muzzle-extending “bloop tube” as sold by Centra, MEC, ets?

          -pete

  7. Hi, B.B.!

    I read with interest the comment that you made today about how your recent illness has made you think differently about some of your possessions. One week ago today, I went through an angiogram, which revealed that all three of the major anterior arteries to my heart had major blockage. I now have 6 stents in the old ticker. I went to the cardiologist yesterday for a follow-up and he says I’m doing fine and should not have to worry about bypass surgery in even the distant future! I too have sold a few guns and will probably sell a few more if circumstances dictate, but I still plan to be at least a semi-active member of this blog, because I read it every morning and enjoy it very much! Your articles remind me a lot of the writings of Skeeter Skelton. Since I know you’re a Ruger fan, you, in turn, know what a great gunwriter he was. Son Bart is a fine gunwriter, too.

    Anyway, I’m going back to work Monday so you probably won’t hear from me for a few days, but you and Edith are always in my thoughts. She’s special, and so are you!

    Thanks,

    Walton Sellers

    • Walton,

      Six stents! At one time?

      Man, I thought I had it bad with just one!

      I’m glad you get some enjoyment from the blog. I write for guys like you (and me) who enjoy reading about the things we like.

      I’ve never been compared to Skeeter Skelton, but of course I know who he is. I see Bart at the SHOT Shows, though we are not acquainted.

      I regret never having met Elmer Keith, who is my writing guru, I guess. I grew up reading him and P.O. Ackley in “Guns & Ammo.”

      You take care of that ticker!

      B.B.

      • Yup…nothing like a medical emergency to cause one to rethink ones life.
        25 years ago I had some fairly major surgury after a serious racing accident (what caused me to quit sports car racing and switch to the much safer sport of auto rallying) that to this day has left me with a limp.
        But, what caused me to rethink my life was the young person in the bed next to me at the hospital.
        Because they were modernizing the hospital and were short of space, young teens and children were put on the adult orthopedic ward. I was in a body cast (I had torn my hip apart in a Formula Ford accident) when they moved a 16 year old child (I know 16 isn’t a child…but I can’t help but think of him as one) who had just had a leg removed at the knee due to cancer.
        The cancer had spread however and he was terminal.
        But I never met a cheerier, seemingly happy person in my life who just loved to have his family there. And his attitude was amazing…he spent most of the time with his family trying to cheer them up, they of course being devestated.
        But I would sometimes wake during the night and he’d be softly sobbing to himself.
        Gotta admit…I came out of there with my cast and my limp and considered myself so very lucky.
        I often think of that young man when I get to feeling sorry for myself for some unimportant reason.

      • Yep, six at once. It kinda shocked me, too. My ticker and my family are my number one earthly priorities these days, with God being the ultimate No. 1. I hope to have many more years reading about and shooting airguns and firearms, which have been a lifelong legacy to me from my dad and grandfathers. You really do quite an exceptional job; keep it up! I’m sure all the other contributors to this blog would agree with me. Please send my best to everyone; I’ll be in touch soon.

        Walton

  8. BB Have you ever been to the Elmer Keith museum inside the Boise, Idaho Cabelas store? Nice piece of work including a “stuffed” Elmer sitting at his old roll-top desk etc.

    All of his most famous pieces and memorabilia and trophies are in there and an actor’s voice gives you a guided tour.

    I look at it almost each time I’m at Cabelas.

  9. BB,

    I have a question. I was finally able to purchase my 1st PCP (not a home mod CO2 to HPA/PCP conversion)! It is a pre-owned Evanix Renegade from Pyramyd and should arrive next week. I ordered over the phone since I wanted to ask about compatible scopes. Even with a phone order, I noticed the rifle stayed on the Pyramyd web site until the next morning.

    My question is, what would happen if someone else ordered the same rifle while it showed available? It would be disappointing for someone to order it and then have their order cancelled! Same thing for a discontinued item with only one left. Is Pyramyd working on having the web site be live with inventory?

    Thanks,
    AR

    • Dear A.R. Tinkerer,

      Currently inventory on the web is updated every 30 minutes. It’s possible that an item does NOT get reserved if the order submitted by customer is held for whatever reason (possible reasons for an order to be delayed: credit card information could not be verified, airgun is being shipped to a restricted area, etc.)

      To answer your question: if more than one person happened to order the same product within 30 minutes and we only had 1 in stock, the order that came in first would get processed and customer from the later order would get contacted to notify about the shortage.

      Yes, we continuously work on improving the availability information accuracy. Thank you for being our valued customer and for all the business you give us. You have a choice, and we appreciate you choosing Pyramyd AIR.

      Thank you,
      Pyramyd AIR Team

      • Pyramyd AIR Team,

        Thank you for your reply! I’m pretty sure the Evanix stayed on the website more the 30 minutes that day after my order. I was curious so I checked several times. I’m glad you are working on improving the availability information.

        AR

    • A.R.T.,

      Another reason an item does NOT get reserved (as I know only too well) is when there’s another item on your order that’s out of stock which ends up backordering your entire order.

      AlanL

    • A.R. Tinkerer,

      I hope you got the answer you were looking for. Edith forwarded your comment to the top PA management, who answered you.

      Questions like this keep the PA team aware of how their customers view the company. With sales being so brisk, they do sometimes have problems like the one you hypothesized, and your question brings these things to their attention.

      I can tell you that they care a lot that you are satisfied as a customer. And they are always making small improvements to make their operation better and more customer-oriented.

      B.B.

      • BB & Edith,

        Thank you! I can’t wait until Wednesday when the package is supposed to arrive! I doubt I will get to try it until next week though since I am going backpacking with my brothers at the end of the week.

        By the way, the purchase of this rifle was approved by my wife. Remember, she is not a fan of guns in general, but tolerates airguns. I have tried to keep low key and not push the issue. I do work on gun safety with the kids. Well, there have been a number of times now that she has specifically asked me to get my airgun to take care of some pest! She also went along last time I shot with some of my friends (she wouldn’t try shooting though). She remarked afterward that she liked my airguns better than my friends guns (firearms) because they were so much quieter. Well, I’m hoping that maybe, eventually, I can get her to try shooting and she will enjoy it! For now I’m thankful she is more positive toward airguns.

        AR

  10. An airgun with a silencer must be truly silent. Out in California, the gunstore tells me that getting a concealed carry permit is just about impossible. “Do you need to have a contract out on you?” I asked jokingly to which they nodded. So, if you have to give a reason for a concealed carry permit, what kind of reason would you put on an application for a silencer, especially a firearm? Surely, saying that you want to kill rats in your house without disturbing the neighbors is not enough.

    Tunnel Engineer, I fill up the whole trap with duct seal. I hadn’t supposed that it was sticky enough for a small layer to stay attached to the slanted back side. Maybe it is. With the trap full of duct seal, there is no bounce back. Besides, I tend to tape targets on top of each other until it gets ridiculous so that makes for another barrier. It’s plenty safe, but I can’t say it’s clean or neat. But I expect the new bullet trap to last forever so I don’t expect to repeat the same fiasco.

    CowboyStarDad, the Stephen Hunter book was probably right about the huge risks and disastrous crashes involved in handling your car just right at high speeds. One of his characters talks about sitting upside down in a burning car and “never mind the busted neck.” I can see you guys have come to the various modeling activities like airgunning after doing the large scale stuff. I believe I’ll stick with the modeling. 🙂

    You’re right about the story of the young cancer patient. The prospect of walking around with a cane is sheer joy compared to dealing with severe chronic pain like some people with arthritis.

    Matt61

  11. Has anyone head of an FX Independence? Went to the range today, just outside Bloomfield (aka Crosman’s backyard) to shoot my Disco and set it up for 100 yards. Only one other shooter was there, with a very interesting Airgun. The first thing that caught my attention was a long free floating barrel. Ok, Cool, I’ve seen that before. He finished a string of 5 shots before I setup, so it was obviously a PCP. I did a string of 10 shots, as did he. He then did something that made me almost fall over, he swung a huge Cocking arm out from the side and gave it 3 pumps. He must’ve seen my face, because he grinned ear to ear and asked if my pump was in my truck. “Umm yeah,” was all I could come up with. A PCP with a pump, sweet.

    Of course, I asked about it. He said he has the same Crosman pump I had, and that puts a full charge in the rifle, and that he keeps it topped off with the onboard pump. “Can shoot all day”. Its called an FX Independence, I’ve never seen anything like it. I’d like to though, it was grouping really will too. It was a beauty, anyone know about it? Where are they available? This would allow an all day field gun in PCP clothes.

  12. I used to race everything on wheels on a variety of surfaces; ice, snow, dirt, grass, sand, tar, gravel etc…….for fun. You only live, once….so you might as well enjoy the ride.

  13. Thank you everyone that gave suggestions for solving our mouse problem (i thought it was rats)! We have not heard any more gnawing since catching two mice in attic traps. Yay!!

    AR

  14. B.B.

    Glad to hear you are embracing the “less is more” theory. More stuff does not make for more happiness, no matter what all the ads say.

    That said, I still like experiencing as many airguns as possible. Picked up a NOS Gamo 890 this week, which I was going to turn around for a quick sale, but I played with it a little more today and now may hang on to it for awhile.

    They do seem to have .177 down to an art power wise. With CPL’s it is faster than an R9 and just shy of an R1, all for $99.99. From what I understand, most of the Gamo’s use the same power plant, so this would be similar to the Gamo Big Cat that is still available.

    Kevin,

    Don’t worry, I am not losing it. Just not too many rifles out there I have not tried. The quality other than the trigger is fairly close to RWS. Unless I find another R11 for $289.00, I may send it to Rich in Mich for a full tune, trigger upgrade, and barrel cut and choke – just to see what the actual potential is.

    On a side note, I also picked up a Leapers 30mm 3 x 12 x 50mm full size that is surprisingly nice. Has side focus too. Little heavy at 17 ounces, but a ton of bang for the buck.

      • B.B.

        I can believe that. The same vendor has the 890S that adds a BSA scope for $353.00 while the “rifle onlys” are clearanced at $99.99.

        Best I can tell, the one I picked up was made in 2004.

    • Volvo, you’re right. The Gamo 890, back in ’04, was basically the same gun as the Shadow/220/440 models. The only differences were the stocks, the top of the breech block (the Shadow and 220 were flat to accept a different kind of sight), the sights themselves, and the existence of a scope rail on the 440 and 890.

      All guns had solid steel barrels and lockup components and the old-style (and upgradeable) trigger. Through the years there were minor variations in production details – front and rear guides, rear pin, trigger hold-down, that sort of thing.

      If one isn’t inclined to appreciate plastic parts in airguns, those old Gamo’s were very attractive for the price.

      • Vince,

        I would agree they are a strong value at the garage sale prices they can be had for now. Some of the previous “El Gamos” were in the old Beeman catalogs and thought of as nice alternatives to the pricey HW’s.

        On another note, it is a shame Gamo has killed its reputation with the serious air gunners due to their current ads and lack of parts in the US, but let’s face it, we are a tiny minority. The vast majorities gobble up their products and I am sure they are laughing all the way to the bank.

    • Volvo,

      To my discredit I don’t think you’re “losing it”. My reaction is quite the opposite. It makes sense to me since I’ve been on a similar churn and burn testing binge the past 3 months. In reality you’ve given me some peace of mind. I thought I was a little nuts for keeping a gun for 30 days then selling. In hindsight I’ve developed some fairly narrow parameters for a gun to stay at my home.

      There are so many interesting airguns with their own personalities that need to be tested by me personally LOL!!. Sometimes these turn out to be quirks (in my opinion), sometimes a novelty that was overly hyped and other times there’s been merit (again, in my opinion) to the hoopla.

      I had bad experiences early on with gamo and unjustly developed a prejudice. I need to get over that.

      kevin

      • Kevin,

        I avoided the Gamo brand the same way people avoid kissing a lady with large open sores on her lips. Had but two experiences with them, the first was a CFX with nitro piston upgrade I bought from Wayne. It shot really weak and I blew it up with my amateur tuning in an attempt to fix it. I sent the pieces to Rich in Mich as payment for a tune. The next was a NOS Daisy \ Gamo. It was too small for an adult, but I could not help but notice how accurate and easy to cock it was. It was more powerful than a .177 R7 all for $75.00.

        The 890 is still breaking in, but is shooting at 16.5 ft lbs with 7.9 gr pellets. It seems originally these were positioned against R9’s or BSA Lightning’s, which they would not win in my book. But now at $99.99 they could be nice a spare to keep in the garage, shed, or closet and not fret over.

      • Thanks. After I rebuilt it the first time, it was shooting inconsistently. Several in an ok group and then fliers. I decided that I was going to take it apart because the trigger sear engagement felt inconsistent, I then found the spring broken – not sure when it happened but it did explain what was happening. So back apart again – this time I’m not sure yet but if the consistency is improved it should be a good shooter. New spring, so I’m going to shoot it some before testing.

        • Fused

          After looking at your photo album, I hate to say it, but I am totally disgusted. I have never seen a cleaner, more organized workbench. Do you really expect us to believe that any work was performed in this sterile environment? If you want, I can lend you some oily rags to make it more homey.

  15. My first BB gun was the Model 25. I still have it but it is in need of some servicing. (1970 is when my father gave it to me fo my tenth birthday) Are there parts available or do you think I would be better off sending it to someone? I am a certified mechanic and can fix just about anything if I have the right tools and instructions. Any advice or guidance would be appreciated. The gun I purchased after the 25 was the Blue Streak(1975). Thanks BB for the photo of yours. The stock is the same as mine. Does anyone know when it was changed?Just curious. Thanks Toby

  16. I just watched the ending of “the Dead Pool” with Clint Eastwood….I forgot about the massive airgun
    he kills the bad guy with! It’s a massive harpoon launcher,and it actually looks like an exaggerated DAQ.

  17. Fused,
    The RS2 looks great. And Nick and I definitely don’t have any standards.

    Tunnel Engineer,
    I’ve got a Marksman Mod. 56 FTS. It was made by Weihrauch as you’ve already read. The gun only came in .177 cal. The muzzle weight (with the three set screws underneath) is the same as the Beeman Crow Mag weight and came stock with the gun. Can’t find my note right now, but IIRC, the velocity on mine is in the mid to high 950–960 fps range with RWS Hobby pellets. Rekord trigger. Rocker style safety on the right side of the compression tube. The gun cannot be uncocked like many other HW guns. It’s a huge gun–about 47″ long. Stock has an adjustable cheek-piece and an adjustable butt pad similar to the Morgan Premium. Stock is beech and has quite a bit of stippling for grip. No sights and no easy way to add iron sights.

    There was a fairly uncommon gun/scope package Marksman sold that included a 4-12X x 40mm Marksman branded scope–their model 6941 and a one piece adjustable scope mount.. I don’t have that one. I think that the scope was pretty rare.

    There was also a mod. 58S. The S model has a shorter barrel and a steel barrel sleeve for additional weight. Stock was also a bit more “normal” looking.

    Jess Galan reviewed the 56FTS and the 58S on back in Airgun Digest #3.

  18. Your Crosman 101 looks similar to the one I have marked Crosman 22, OCT 28, 1924, Patents Pending. Mine has a squared off piece above the bolt action and a magazine tube in front of that alongside the barrel.
    It won’t pump up or hold air. Do you know where I would send it to get it working again? Every now & then I can get it to hold air and then it will shoot a few pellets and then not hold air again.
    Do you know just how old this model with the squared piece would be?

      • When I consider that you and Kevin have owned some of the nicest and priciest airguns made, and that you both seem to heartily endorse the FX line, I would have to be a fool not to take notice. Now, all I have to do is sell off all my other airguns to buy one!

        • Don’t think you are alone in that dilema…..I want to get on that bandwagon,but which airgun(s) do I part with first??? Heck,some of them haven’t even arrived yet! Since you already kinda hate me:) I’ll list what is yet to arrive…..a .22 DAQ pistol,a .25 DAQ/Glover pistol,a DAQ 9mm Pistol,a .308 tuned,shrouded DAQ rifle,a HW 54el Barakuda from Canada,and a Marksman 70 tuned by Derrick!
          To my credit I did sell a Crosman Sears Ted Williams 150 recently…..a hoarder wouldn’t part with it,so I must be sane! LOL

  19. To any……

    I just got a tube Honda moly 60, and it says not to use it on plastic. Did I make a mistake?
    I often hear that honda moly is good to use because of the high moly content.
    Will this stuff eat up piston seals??

    twotalon

    • The only moly I have used is the Beeman stuff I got from PA before they discontinued it.
      I would really like to know if this stuff is ok before trying anything else. It says that it abrades plastics, particularly polystyrene.
      I wonder if the particulate matter in moly is what would be the problem. If so then why would moly be reccomended for piston seals?

      twotalon

      • Twotalon,
        I can only refer you to B.B.’s 13 part air rifle tune.
        /blog/2006/08/spring-gun-tuning-part-10-lubrication-and-reassembly/
        There you can see that he put a thin coat of Moly on the sides of the piston seal during the lubrication stage. That must mean that it’s ok on seals at least. The direction that I’ve been given is that if you have plastic guides, you put a thin layer of silicone grease on those, Moly goes on the metal to metal contact points (piston, pivot bolts etc.) and of course heavy tar on the outside of the spring.

        • Thanks. I saw that before.
          I’m not going to worry about it. Unless it could trash a gun in less than a couple thousand shots, I won’t wear them out. I am mostly a pcp shooter and will never wear out the rest anyway. Bought most of them for the heck of it.
          I’m waiting on a seal for the Titan. It will probably be the last or next to last that I tear apart unless I blow the spring on the 48.

          twotalon

      • TT, plastic run the gamut from materials that disintegrate over short periods of time to those that will likely last hundreds of years. Some plastics dissolve in gasoline like sugar in water, other plastics are used to make automotive gas tanks. So the warning about using this stuff on plastics is probably very generic any by no means applicable to all plastics. As for ‘abrading’, I suspect they mean chemical erosion rather than mechanical abrasion.

        Honda 60 has been used in airguns for years. I wouldn’t worry about it.

      • Twotalon

        The molybdemum (moly) migrates into low density plastics like styrene. Good synthetic seals such as those in HW rifles aren’t affected by moly. Also, much of the “paste” in moly lubes is just a carrier or a way to get the moly onto and staying on the coated parts.

        One rule to follow with moly lubes; less is more!

  20. I really like the old Sheridan rockers. My old one from the late 60’s has downed more varmints that all my other guns put together. Three years ago I bought another in near new condition through Gunbroker. On this one, I mounted a Bushnell Scout Scope just forward of the hand grip. This works great. I can also still see the iron sites under the mount.

    Mike

  21. B.B.,

    Back on April 22 you suggested the Sheridan Blue Streak as the best of all possible survival airguns. I found it interesting that you mentioned it again in this blog as a keeper, but more for sentimental reasons. I’ve shied away from it so far because it’s .20 cal. Now I’m thinking about it again. Which pellet is your favorite for it? I don’t believe you ever told us that.

    AlanL

    • AlanL;

      You are right, I like them for a number of reasons. As to pellets, my oldest one works well with the original Sheridan pellets. When I got it in 1968 they were about all you could find. However, they shoot well in it. The newer one likes the JSB Diabolo Exact as sold through Pyramyd AIR. The 1968 model has a factory installed Williams Receiver Site. I most often use it without the target insert to allow more light in. It’s faster that way too. I wouldn’t worry about the caliber, just find which one your gun likes and buy lots of them!

      Regards;

      Mike

    • Alan,

      We keep a box of vintage Sheridan cylindrical pellets around for Edith to use, but they aren’t the most accurate. The most accurate would be Crosman Premiers or JSB Exacts. I haven’t tried the JSBs yet, but they can usually be counted on to be the best in most guns.

      B.B.

    • Thanks all for your pellet recommendations.

      What is different (if anything), between the Blue Streaks of the late 60’s early 70’s and the one I would buy from Pyramyd today?

      -AlanL

        • B.B.,

          Thanks. One review for this rifle mentions a “super sear”:
          “Things I would have changed: The trigger is a deal breaker, I was able to find a “super sear” & put it in & now the rifle is as close to a perfect rifle as i have ever seen, a real tack driver.
          What others should know: If you don’t mind spending another $39 for the “super sear” it makes a great rifle.”

          Do you know what this is and how to perform the mod?

          Thanks,
          AlanL

      • B.B.,

        Thanks for the lead.

        I don’t recognize it as any unertl I’ve ever seen and most have serial numbers. According to the seller there’s nothing on this scope. Maybe it was dipped to match the rifle?

        I’m not at all familiar with a Wollensak so need to quickly do some research. Appreciate the lead.

        kevin

        • BB& Kevin : I could be wrong but I beleive the scope is a Lyman scope. It is definetly not an Unertl. It is very similar to the scope illustrated in Townsend Whelen’s book ‘Mister Rifleman” on his grandsons Winchester 69A, in part 3 of the book ,titled a rifleman’s battery, which describes his guns. For sure the mount is the same ,Robert.

            • Kevin: Glad to help, but like I say ,I could be wrong. It is hard to identify this scope from the photo, as the Lyman , the Winchester( Lyman aquired the rights to both the Stevens and Winchester scope lines) and the Wollensak all look the same. All used 3 point suspension mounts that are similar . In fact, the Winchester 5A and the Lyman 5A are the same,except that when Lyman took over Winchester’s scopes, they improved it, You can find descriptions of many older scopes like the Wollensak, in Phil Sharpe’s book ” The Rifle In America”, available from Wolfe publishing,Robert.

              • Robert from Arcade,

                Thanks again. Wish I had Phil Sharpe’s book ” The Rifle In America”, available from Wolfe publishing in my library. Really wish I had time to order and receive a copy.

                kevin

            • Kevin and Robert,

              First to Robert, thanks for clearing that up for me. I thought Wollensak was European. I can probably pick one up for a song, by the way.

              Kevin,

              A friend traded me a Unertl 6X straight tube scope. It has no return spring and presently the crosshairs are broken, but I plan to get that fixed soonest. Then this scope will go on my .43 Spanish rolling block.

              B.B.

              • B.B.,

                It probably doesn’t warrant a blog but I’m very interested to hear about the progress with the Unertl getting mounted on your spanish rolling block.

                Getting the crosshairs repaired, selecting an appropriate mount, your criteria for determining a qualified smith to perform the mounting and your opinion of the results. Maybe a footnote, if you deem it appropriate, on how you found a seller/dealer with the scope you wanted (so quickly I might add) that was willing to trade.

                kevin

          • BB & Kevin: The Wollensak was an old American brand. They also made binoculars ,monoculars, and field glasses.They apparently only made one scope model that was similar to the scope on that chromed Hoffa Win 92 . These replies have piqued my interest. After some more research I believe it is not a Wollensak, the sliding recoil device would be a slotted tube that totaly surrounded the tube, not the slotted fingers of the device shown in the photo. The Wollensack products and scope are illustrated in the reprint of the 1939 Shooters bible that I have on pages 252 and 253. There are also pictures of the Unertl small game scope, and Lymans # 438 in the catolog. I also think that it could also be a Mossberg scope in Lyman mounts, as the tube loks the same as a Mossberg RF1, which normally came in a side mount. I have had a couple of these on guns before, Robert.

            • Robert from Arcade & B.B.,

              It’s elementary at this point since my threshold was $3010.00. I am convinced, and still am. that the mounts are Unertl. Although the pictures are very poor I’ve owned too many of these to not be sure. The scope is still a mystery. I’ve communicated with larry (winning bidder) and he’s not sure of the scope either. Both of us suspect that the scope was chromed to match which hid serial numbers and model numbers.

              In the end, it doesn’t really matter much since the importance of this piece is to intimately tie it to Jimmy Hoffa. Candidly I spent a lot of time the past week searching the internet for pictures of Jimmy Hoffa shooting this gun. The letters of provenance are important but for an appropriate auction the proof in pictures of him actually shooting the gun is where the real value (in my opinion) lies. Couldn’t find any so in the end it’s a semi collectible gun with average provenance that is in fairly good condition.

              Without proof that he actually shot the gun I don’t think it’s worth more than $4,000.00 and that would take a good auction setting. If pictures could show him shooting this gun I think in the right setting this gun could fetch $8-10,000, maybe more, for the right buyer. The sun is setting for the right buyer to be available for this gun since Jimmy Hoffa’s true fans are now in their late 60’s to late 70’s.

              Thanks again for all your help and input. I’m constantly amazed at the quality of people on this forum.

              kevin

  22. For those of you using duct seal for your pellet traps a handy tip I use is to leave the plastic wrapper on. That way the pugs (blocks) can taped together for better stacking or to the inside of the trap. I put my pugs in the trap so that the “face” of the pug is facing me and they’re stacked edge to edge. Pellets are easily removed with a pair of tweezers. This job goes to the grandkids who, for some reason, love to pick them out.
    -CJr

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