by B.B. Pelletier
I love my job! Today, I’ll start a report on a rifle I have been commenting about on this blog for the past six years. The Air Arms Pro-Sport. The rifle I received is in .177 caliber, but it also comes as a .22. I asked for the .177 because this rifle is one that turns up at field target matches from time to time.
The Air Arms Pro-Sport underlever rifle has a unique look and style. This one is stocked in walnut.
Before I forget, the serial number is 105224. When I mentioned that I would be reporting about this rifle a few weeks ago, one reader noted that it was priced significantly higher than the TX200 Mark III, and he wondered if it was worth the extra money. I checked and, indeed, the Pro-Sport with the beech stock now costs $110 more than a similar TX200. A walnut stock adds another $130 to that. So the question is: Is that expensive?
Descended from royalty
Not from my perspective, it isn’t. What you may not know is that this rifle copies the Venom Mach II that was handmade for a brief time by Ivan Hancock. That rifle cost over $4,000 way back in the 1990s; and when the Pro-Sport came out at a tiny fraction of that price, it allowed mere mortals, including me, to own one. The problem was that I’d shot the $4,000 rifle extensively and expected the Pro-Sport to shoot the same. That’s like thinking that a Cobra replicar, as nice as they are, is like a genuine Cobra made by Carroll Shelby. They’re not the same, no matter how much they may look alike. But, I couldn’t get the feeling of that fine custom rifle out of my head, and frankly the Pro-Sport I owned paled in comparison.
A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since those days. I thought it was high time I tested another Pro-Sport to give it every chance to live up to its heritage. Yes, it still has its TX200 sibling to contend with, but the impression of the handmade rifle has dimmed enough to let me at least appear to be impartial.
Underlever
It may not appear to be an underlever when you look at the profile, but it most certainly is. It follows the style created by BSA with their Airsporter series rifles back in the 1940s, where the underlever is concealed within the forearm. This is not as unique as you think, because Falke used it for their models 80 and 90, as well as Anschutz for the Hakim trainer and possibly others as well. But the lines of the Pro-Sport are so svelt as to mislead the viewer from the actual power source. So, I’ll show it here with the cocking lever extended to let you know where it lives.
Now you know where the underlever hides when it’s not in use.
This arrangement of the underlever does lead to an operational tradeoff. I’ve said that the Pro-Sport is hard to cock. Indeed, I waited this long to test it so my hernia surgery could heal. In fact, it isn’t that the cocking effort is that high as much as where they had to put the fulcrum to hide the lever inside the forearm. It’s located way back toward the rear of the rifle; and when you cock it, you soon run out of the leverage that’s always there in rifles whose levers are located in the forward position. So, prepare yourself mentally for a harder cocking effort with this rifle; and if that seems like a good tradeoff for the sleeker look, then you’ve made the right choice.
On the plus side, there’s no ratcheting lever release on the side of the Pro-Sport. It acts just like an air rifle from the 1950s, except for the automatic safety. Pull the cocking lever down until it cocks, load the pellet and close the lever. Nothing else to do. Owners of other rifles with sliding breeches, including the TX200, are used to pushing buttons before the cocking lever can be moved back to the stowed position, but not on this gun.
Baffled barrel shroud
All the years American airgunners have been debating the legality of barrel shrouds, Air Arms has been steadily selling them on their rifles. The Pro-Sport has a baffled shroud that entirely conceals a barrel 9.50 inches long. Because of the shroud, observers will think the Pro-Sport is noticeably quieter than other spring rifles. The shooter, however, hears all the sound transmitted through the stock and the bones in his skull, and the gun doesn’t sound as quiet as it really is.
Trigger
Like its other spring-piston siblings, the Pro-Sport has the same wonderful trigger that is so adjustable. It’s an updated redesign of the famous Rekord, only the Air Arms trigger is even more adjustable. There’s no reason not to have exactly what you want with a trigger like this. The safety is also like the one on the Rekord and only pops out when the rifle is cocked.
Finish
There’s no denying the best finish in the airgun business. The metal parts sparkle with a deep mirrored black that resembles a Colt Python Royal Blue finish. The wood is equally beautiful, with sharp detailing on the Monte Carlo comb and deeply scalloped cheekpiece for right-handed shooters.
The pistol grip and both sides of the forearm have sharp impressed checkering that does feel rough to the touch. The aluminum cocking linkage and bright steel sliding compression chamber are both silver and the trigger is plated with gold.
Because of the underlever residing in the forearm, the stock is split nearly in two, which leads to additional vibration with each shot. Were this my personal gun, I would get some tar on the mainspring to quiet it down.
The metal and wood this rifle is made from puts it on the heavy side. The nominal weight of just over 9 lbs. is given in the specs, and of course that’s without a scope that’s necessary. The TX200 is a few ounces heavier, but there isn’t that much difference between the two.
Scope mounting
An 11mm dovetail is provided on the top of the rear spring tube, and there are three holes for positioning a vertical scope stop pin. Mounting a scope on this rifle is very easy for anyone.
What’s ahead
This is an important look at an important airgun, because people labor long and hard deciding between this rifle and the TX200. I’m going to try to show you as many of the differences between the two air rifles, while still giving the Pro-Sport its turn in the spotlight.
After I get some condition and maybe tuning issues sorted out with my well-used FWB-300S, I have been thinking of scoping it and then trying to learn a bit of field target shooting. It’s nice enough condition to use, and as Scott Pilkington suggested, not so nice that I would be miserable if I got a scratch on the stock or the action. I know my physical problems might hinder my ability to win in FT, but not my ability to enjoy myself in the outdoors.
Is this a nutty idea? Is a scoped 10m match gun hopelessly underpowered?
–pete
Pete,
Here, shooting FT or targets @ 25m with low-powered match rifles is not an anomaly, places are won and sheer fun gotten. Of course indoor ranges are better – low velocity mid-weight pellet is not as much wind-proof as heavy 0.7g “lasers” flying close to 290.
Maybe you should check the ballistics and adjust scope and sometimes learn to cope with the wind – but no one will strip you off your rifle’s accuracy. So you really must try it out.
duskwight
Pete,
A 10 meter rifle will work in field target, but you will have problems with the longer targets. The gun has enough power to topple them all, but you will need to estimate and adjust for range very carefully because of the lower velocity. I have competed with a 12 foot-pound rifle and it was always more of a challenge than competing with a 16 foot-pounder that I normally shot. You will be competing with a 6 foot-pound gun. Also, the wind will be your constant enemy.
B.B.
PeteZ, my initial understanding of the Crosman Challenger was that you could dial the power up and down for 10m and field target. Ha ha, so much for that idea.
Matt61
Hi, Pete. One of our regulars at DIFTA has been using his FWB 300 on and off for the past year-odd. It is a lovely FT rifle. What it lacks in raw power it seems to make up for with its absurd accuracy. The occasional target does fail to drop, even when drilled dead-center with the 6fpe beast. But that’s not a problem if, like most FT shooters (I think!), you’re playing for the fun, the camaraderie, and the challenge, more so than for score.
The next DIFTA match is Saturday, July 16. See you there???
-Jan
GenghisJan,
Is Werner Wicha the one using the FWB 300?
Edith
Hi, Edith. Rex Gori is the guy I’m talking about. I don’t believe I’ve met Werner. I’ve only been at it for less than two years, so I haven’t met much of the old guard, such as these eccentric Gaylords I keep hearing about.
-Jan
Jan,
Is that stuffed turkey still in its glass case inside the Isaac Walton building at Damascus? I don’t know why but this morning I woke up thinking about it.
B.B.
You know what, B.B.? I have absolutely no idea. You’d think a guy would remember something like that, but I’m just the sort of slow-witted, unobservant fellow who could walk right past a stuffed turkey under glass without noticing.
I will check the next time I’m there. I’m out of state on vacation for a week, so I’m developing a major jones for the IWLA-WAC and its airgun range. I’m in Fred’s PRoNJ, so I figured I shouldn’t bring any guns 😉
-Jan
That’s a very good idea – if you do, don’t get caught as it will be painful given the myriad of contradictory laws in this place. In two weeks, I plan to be in Pete Z and Lloyd’s State (VA) doing some exploring. I will be in Charlottesville, among other medium to large cities.
Fred PRoNJ
Hi, Fred. Let me know if you have time to stop through MD for some shooting on your way to VA!
-Jan
GenghisJan,
that’s very kind of you. Are you going to be in Union County during your sojorn in NJ? We can get together for coffee or other refreshments. I’m assuming you’re somewhere by the NJ shore?
Fred PRoNJ
908 531-7355 – cell
Hi, Fred. Am I that predictable? Yeah, lazing around in Stone Harbor. The seagull population around here, combined with local regs plus my current airgunlessness, makes for a frustrating combination. Not that I would ever take a potshot at such majestic and presumably-federally-regulated waterfowl. Where’s Union County? Seems to be up north near NYC?
-Jan (jvvjvv at gmail dot com)
Yep, about 110 miles North of you. I have no idea if seagulls are Federally protected or not. They aren’t the State Bird but as scavengers, they certainly deserve to be.
Fred PRoNJ
Thanks, all for the comments and advice!
Jan, It will be a bit longer than mid-July before I can even consider joining you for a shoot in Damascus. There a couple of issues to resolve on the rifle; I don’t even own a scope, let alone know how to use one; and my back problems are cycling upwards now instead of being back on the mend.
Besides, it’s too darn hot in the DC area to spend a day outdoors! Or is your range air conditioned? 😉
pete
One of these days, Pete. Bummer about the back problems, but still good to know that you’re fixed up enough to scratch your 10m pistol itch. Remember there’s a “hunter class” in FT, where folks sit on five-gallon-bucket-size stools. Also, many shooters shoot whole matches offhand. Scrunching into a back-killing seated position is entirely optional!
-Jan
PS, Pete, I suppose you could call the course “natually air-conditioned,” if you count oak and maple leaf shade: http://www.network54.com/Forum/451309/thread/1308442874/DIFTA
-Jan
Great! I have um-med and ahhhd over a Prosport for a long time so will be very interested to hear your opinion. The thing that has always made me dubious is the concealed cocking lever. I just find it a bit more awkward than the TX200. I have used the similar arrangement on the Airsporter (the original Mk1 from the late 1940s is still in my opinion the nicest of them and incidentally well worth a review by you BB, should you happen to come across one) series, and again it was always the thing that turned me away from them. I find having to lift the rifle almost vertically each time to get easy leverage annoying. Nevertheless, it was a very innovative design for its time (the Airsporter). So I shall be interested to hear you thoughts on the Prosport.
BB,
I believe I’m with Oliver on this one. I found the lever on the Diana 48 to be a little awkward, at least if I wanted to properly restrain it while my fingers were in the loading port. On the other hand, the under lever of my 77k seems very natural to me. The Pro Sport certainly has better lines compared to the TX200 but for me the cocking action will be the deciding factor. I’m also a little surprised to hear about the spring buzz. I really enjoy opening up a rifle to attempt a little home tuning, but I understood the Pro Sport came in a tuned state. If you have the opportunity to go into this one, I’d really like to see the pictures.
Jay in VA
Jay,
This isn’t the first Pro-Sport I’ve shot that was buzzy. The one I owned was, as well. It’s quite a bit different than the TX 200. But I still want to give it every chance in the world to succeed because people like its looks so much.
B.B.
BB – really looking forward to your comparison with the TX200, as well as others here. Feel free to include the 77/97 as well! I picked up my 77k as a “project” that I thought I’d refinish and move on. Guess what I’m shooting most often… Jay
Jay,
We just did the HW 77. It was in the form of a Marksman model 60 and Mac did the report:
/blog/2011/01/marksman-model-60-part-3/
B.B.
Oliver,
I now have a beat-up Airsporter Mk II that I bought at a gun show last year for $75. It’s a real dog at present and needs a complete rebuild before it will shoot again. I got it because I am infatuated with the Airsporter design, but I perhaps went too far out on a limb.
So if I ever rebuild it my plan was always to review it here.
B.B.
The Mk2 is not bad either, you get a scope rail of some sort, but not quite as fine as the Mk1. After that, until the Mk6 for my money, they lost their character and charm (though shot OK I suppose). Will very much look forward to seeing what you make of it!
Morning B.B.,Your words painted a wonderful picture of a rifle that for me harkens back to the “good old days”–“There’s no denying the best finish in the airgun business. The metal parts sparkle with a deep mirrored black that resembles a Colt Python Royal Blue finish. The wood is equally beautiful, with sharp detailing on the Monte Carlo comb and deeply scalloped cheekpiece for right-handed shooters.
The pistol grip and both sides of the forearm have sharp impressed checkering that does feel rough to the touch. The aluminum cocking linkage and bright steel sliding compression chamber are both silver and the trigger is plated with gold.”
Thanks
Bruce
Bruce…
Are you starting to drool or something?
twotalon
I am! This is one of the holy grail airguns for me. One I’ve lusted after, but just can’t afford. But one day…
Your comment about the rifle not sounding any different to the shooter really hit home. I had one of those awful experiences while hunting rabbits where the animal was wounded because of a bad shot. I had to fish it out of the bushes and then finish it off. What I noticed was that when I did, I held the rifle way out in front of me so that the butt was not touching my body. I wondered for a second whether the rifle actually went off properly it was so quiet. Very interesting.
Try shooting one from the hip…particularly in the wind. Even the worst twanger does not sound too bad.
I was surprised about my Talondor. Not from mechanical noise but muzzle blast. Out in the open over flat open ground it does not not sound any louder than a 397 with just a couple pumps shot indoors.
Get around any surfaces that can reflect the noise and it is VERY loud.
All in what makes the sound and how it gets to your ears.
twotalon
Comparing the two on PA’s site, I noticed the cocking effort on the ProSport is 10 lbs heavier than the TX200. 39.6lbs vs 29lbs. That is pretty stiff for a hernia patient in recovery. 🙁 I also noticed the TX200 barrel is almost 4″ longer than the ProSport – accuracy issues? Also, the TX200 comes in a left-handed version whereas the Prosport doesn’t (grumble, growl).
I relish these rare times BB does actual rifle comparisons.
Chuck,
The TX barrel is also 9.5 inches long. It has the same baffled shroud that the Pro-Sport has. What the specs say on the website refer to the outer “barrel” length, which includes the baffled shroud.
And short barrels are just as accurate as longer barrels.
B.B.
Are you sure they’re both measured the same way? If not why not? But if so, then the ProSport shroud is the same length as its barrel, so how does that work? I feel like I’m missing something.
Chuck,
I am sure they are both the same length. The shrouds are longer in both cases and the description for the TX 200 used the overall length including the shroud.
Both rifles have baffled shrouds.
B.B.
I’m trying to track down something that’s bugging me about a new .22 break barrel I have. It sound like it’s ratcheting during the cocking cycle. Upon inspection, it looks like the cocking slot in the piston goes all the way through and exposes the piston sleeve. I have a theory that the cocking shoe is pressing directly on the piston sleeve enough to press it against the spring and making it sound this way. Anyone experience a similar problem? Does the cocking slot on the piston always go all the way through and expose the sleeve like it does here? Seems like it would happen more if so…
Any other theories as to why this sound would occur during cocking? Sounds like something is definitely rubbing against the spring. Front guide is snug to spring, rear guide is built into trigger and is also snug. Shot cycle is great, no vibration, twang or twist.
Any suggestions as to what I can do about it?
Fused,
I have felt the ratcheting when returning the barrel to the closed position after cocking. The cocking shoe is riding over the mainspring and you are feeling it.
Many breakbarrels have no piston sleeve and the shoe, or even the cocking link itself, does bear directly on the mainspring.
You can disassemble the powerplant and remove all burrs in the cocking channel and on the shoe. That will reduce the feeling, though it may never go away completely.
Replacing the mainspring could be a solution. Yours may be canted and therefore now presses against the cocking shoe.
Also you can lubricate the mainspring. I did that to my Slavia 631 a week ago and the cocking effort dropped from 36 pounds to 21 pounds. While that is extreme, it demonstrates just how much lubrication can change things.
B.B.
You’re right the spring is canted, although not that badly. I’m going to turn it around, add a little more heavy tar, but first I’ll also see if there is a burr on the inside of the sleeve.
Thanks!
This is a good one.
At one time I too struggled over picking between a TX 200 and the Pro Sport. The TX 200 had the distinction of being heaped upon by B.B. and others with praise and the Pro Sport is just so darn good looking. In the end I decided the TX 200 would be the winner since the Pro Sport seems to put form over function. That’s not necessarily bad, sort of the trophy wife of pellet rifles, just not what I desired.
In the ended however as I read more reviews and comparisons of the TX 200 it became clear that the HW 97k was its true competition. Delving even deeper, I found that the TX won most of its favor from feeling tuned right out of the box. But I already owned a HW97k and since Mr Watts takes rifles in trade for his work, I upgraded the 97 at no out of pocket expense instead.
Anyway, I checked the line in Vegas, and while B.B. may find many things to like about the Pro Sport, I think he will still give the nod to the TX 200. Anyone that will carve out a stock to fit an aperture sight is not likely to buy on looks alone.
The phrase “carve out a stock” could be interpreted by those that don’t know the story to be something like “modify the stock with great care” . . . .
I think “gouge out” or “chainsaw” would have been more descriptive to this particular event . . . .
😉
We love all you do, BB!
Alan in MI
Alan,
You’re too kind. No, really. If they made a movie about it, the audience would be screaming in horror. I didn’t know he’d done that until I proofed the blog. My eyes bugged out of my head when I saw it. My first reaction was to go into his office & scream at him. My words cannot be repeated in any church in America. In fact, they can’t be repeated on this blog, either.
Edith
Alan in MI
Pretty sure I recall spitting my coffee out on the desk, seems the residual affect of the meds most have been fairly strong. But I did much worse to a poor classic Walther 55 with nothing to blame but a few beers and too creative an imagination, so I will not judge.
Volvo,
Well, you guys just don’t give up, do you?
I sacrificed that stock for a test of a peep sight to satisfy some reader’s desire to know the results and I am still getting criticized a year later.
Well, I guess you can forget about me refinishing any of your rifle stocks, mister! 😉
B.B.
Can anyone be added to that list?? I’m volunteering! LOL
Tom,
The entire airgunning world breathes a collective sigh of relief 🙂
Kindly,
Your wife
Wife,
If this flameout continues I will stop dispensing free legal advice, too.
Be warned.
B.B.
Tom,
And the good news just keeps comin’!
🙂
Edith
This is too funny. I keep checking in on this site even though I’m buried in work and some personal issues because I thirst for airgun knowledge but the delivery is so upbeat compared to the nastiness on other airgun sites. This truly reminds me of our fishing club community since it’s so close knot it’s always warm and comfortable.
This exchange reminds me of the song I sing through clenched teeth when our close married friends start their petty, tongue in cheek bickering. It goes like this……….(think of delivery through clenched cheek),
“Isn’t love grand, isn’t love wonderful……:”
kevin
Kevin,
I was not a sarcastic person…and then I married Tom 🙂
Although he may have been a practitioner his whole life, I believe his time in the Army made him a master at it…and he taught me. We have a LOT of fun!
We’ve been married 29 years, and the laughter has never stopped…even over the past year during his illness. There are times that he makes me laugh so much that I literally fall to the floor & roll around & laugh uncontrollably. I don’t think most married couples can say that 🙂
Edith
Edith,
You were LAUGHING at me?
B.B.
BB: Don’t listen to them. If you don’t make any mistakes ,you haven’t ever done nothing, and if you don’t spend any time behind the tools, you won’t get better. Take care ,Robert.
BB,
The tool (sight and stock) exists for you, not you for the tool. If you need to adapt something to do a job, go ahead and do it! Sheesh, it was just chunk of wood, and it wasn’t doing what you needed it to do!
Pete
Pete and Robert,
Thanks for understanding! I have always been a “get it done” kind of guy, as opposed to a “ship in a bottle” man.
B.B.
B.B.,
One potential advantage that the Pro Sport might have over other under-levers (for me, at least), including the TX-200’s and the HW 97’s, is that you could possibly add target (front and back aperture) sights via a barrel band, Anschutz compatible base, and any one of many rear dovetail aperture sights.
LIPSKI makes a barrel band, and competition barrel band in the following diameters; .750″ (19mm), .812″ (20mm), .835″ (21.2mm) or .922″ (23.4mm).
What is the diameter of the barrel?
Just a thought.
Victor
Victor,
The barrel is 0.782″.
B.B.
Thanks!
B.B., well it will be interesting to see how this rifle compares with its lower-priced brethren the TX200. By the way, my special reloading stand arrived. The concept is not that different from the pictures you showed me. There is a wooden board with holes pre-drilled(!) to mount the press and this board is then attached to the stand although with bolts, not C-clamps…and I’m that much lighter in the wallet. Now, I am awash in nuts, bolts, and washers putting it all together.
Victor, Leo Tolstoy claims that your cunning person will defeat your intelligent one every time. How about that….
Duskwight, well I obviously missed a lot of Bladerunner, but I’ll describe one other scene that was memorable to me. There is some genius of a scientist in there responsible for creating the androids who has a conversation with Roy. It’s all about how the androids start self-destructing at some point, and this guy has all the answers except for one which is when the super-strong Roy grabs his head, places his thumbs just so…. It’s pretty gross, but it does take the scientist down a peg. The scene reminds me of a similar one in Braveheart where the villainous English king, Edward “Longshanks,” confronts the gay lover of his son with whom the son has been spending his time instead of attending to the business of the kingdom. The king is all smiles as the young fellow says how he is extensively educated in military theory, tactics, and techniques. And next thing you know, crash, the guy goes flying out of a window and falls to his death. As the saying goes, “If you are in a fair fight, your tactics suck.”
Matt61
Matt,
Just remember, tab A goes into flange B.
B.B.
Matt61,
I think that Tolstoy is partially right. Everyone eventually learns that the world is smaller than they might have originally thought. Eventually, the “cunning” player has to face his/her reputation. As they say about “difficult personalities”, people do what they think works for them. However, as in the case of the habitual liar, eventually they are only able to fool themselves.
Unfortunately, Tolstoy is correct in that, in the real-world, the “best” don’t always win. In some ways, intelligence is a product of honesty, which carries with it; integrity, conscious, and shame. The “cunning” often lack any of these qualities. For them, the ends always justifies the means.
Victor
A few weeks ago I asked for some advice on picking out an air rifle. I wanted to thank everyone for their input, and say that I just purchased a Bronco, along with a Leapers 3-9x32AO and the Leapers Accushot high one piece mount, from PA. I’m looking forward to taking it out this weekend!
John B,
How utterly timely! My August airgun column for “Shotgun News” is about the adult who gets into airguns for the first time. I mention that one way in is to just go out and buy the mostest-powerfulest air rifle they can afford and then discover how raw and specialized it really is.
The other way is to select a tractable lower-powered airgun (I used the Bronco as one example) that you could shoot all day and still be having fun.
I am very interested in your impressions of the gun and the airgun shooting experience in general. I want to see how well it fits what I have written in my column.
Please shoot the rifle with the open sights before you mount the scope. I want you to have that as a basis for comparison.
Thanks,
B.B.
I do intend on doing just that. I have done some .22 plinking in the past, and I have some experience with a Crosman Quest x1000, which is how I knew I didn’t really want a “magnum” springer in the first place.
John,
I wish every new airgunner had your experience before they bought their first gun.It only takes a few minutes before you know a whole lot about what you don’t like.
And, with that experience I predict that you’re going to fall in love with the Bronco. But I wait to hear what you have to say.
B.B.
Do you guys have any idea how many tables the Baldswinville show is going to have because I live 4 1/2 hours away and if there’s nothing good I’m going to hate myself for going
wprejs,
So, what is “good” to you? Do you like vintage Crosman and Benjamin airguns? The will have them. Do you like old Daisys? they should have them.
Are you looking for brand-new models? Almost every airgun show has one or two, but none of them have many unless a company like Pyramyd AIR goes.
So, what does “good” mean?
B.B.
I’m looking for a good airgun pistol because I have yet to own one and they seem like loads of fun, hopefully I’ll find a CZ ZAP960 but if not I’ll try and find a hammerli master co2 pistol or an old heanel.
wprejs,
You might find a Haemmerli Master at B-ville. And you never can tell when a Haenel 28 will turn up. The model 26, 28R and 50/100 BB pistols are much less common, though one could turn up. I think the CZ is pretty remote, because B-ville doesn’t usually have a lot of new guns.
B.B.
BB,
I am not sure how far back you check for responses so I am posting the same thing on todays post as well as yesterday’s.
In connection with your response to my question on the T05/T06 piston difference.
Yes, I see the other difference between the T05 and T06 Piston! I wonder if that change has any real operation value and is not just more spares to sell by the manufacturer! I’ve seen it happen with a pair of drum brakes I had left over from an older model Japanese car from the 80s. The old brakes would not fit on the newer model only because of a pin sticking out from the drum! A drilled hole fixed that problem. Another such case was with terminals on a battery for a cordless phone. Manufacturer no longer made batteries for that phone, but when I checked that the amps, volts and size of a newer model were the same I bought that battery, clipped off the terminal and soldered on the old one. When I told the sales clerk that that was my intention, he was bold enough to tell me that that was not allowed!
Ton,
I saw your other comment but wasn’t going to respond until I saw this. Obviously you want an answer.
No, the piston wasn’t changed to add more parts to the line. That’s the LAST thing a manufacturer wants to do, because it only makes their life more difficult. They don’t make any money selling spare parts.
The piston was redesigned to fit an new trigger that catches it differently because of different parts in the trigger. I worked for three years building airguns and believe me when I tell you that a new or different part is a management nightmare for a manufacturer.
B.B.
Heh… Dig up a copy of the late 70s mini-series “Wheels” (I hope I recall the name), and listen to the discussion about how much the company will lose because they need to add a ~$5 brace under the hood to remove a bad vibration/noise problem.
B.B.,
I came across a fella wanting about $500 for an older model TX200 mkIII. He said he heard the older ones such as his may be better built and the newer ones may be made w/ cheaper parts to keep costs down. You ever heard that the older TX200 mkIII’s are better than the newer ones? Thank you much.
Julius,
Absolutely NOT!
The Mark III, which is the current model, is the best made of the TX200 rifles. The materials have always been and continue to be the finest.
The guy who wanted to sell you his gun for $500, just wanted to get more $ for his gun. There’s nothing to what he said.
Edith
I just bought a .177 prosport, which one pellet is the best ….jsb exact 4.50, superdome, jsb exact heavy , kodiak or CP Heavy ? Because difficult to find other pellet than these in my country (indonesia), please info …thank you very much
Thunder,
A Pro Sport is a spring piston rifle, so it is going to be very sensitive to how you hold it.
I would try the JSB Exact light pellet and the Premier light in it, as the powerplant is best-suited for them. You will have to try them all to find out which is best.
Remember to use the artillery hold.
B.B.
Thunder,
You are reading Part 1 of the report, but I tested accuracy in Part 3 and I show how several pellets did.
/blog/2011/07/testing-the-air-arms-pro-sport-part-3/
B.B.
@ B.B…Thanks a lot for your quick response, it’s mean that +/- 8 grains pellet would be the best? Anyway according your experience it is not damage the spring and valve for long time using the light pellet?
Thunder,
Yes, I mean the 8-grain pellet. Although I don’t believe it, many people think that the heavier 10.3-grain pellet will damage the spring.
B.B.
Sorry forgot info mine is .177 FAC, light pellet (+/-8grains) still suitable for long time for FAC ?, thank you