by B.B. Pelletier
Tech Force Contender TF89 is a large, powerful breakbarrel spring rifle.
Today, we’ll look at the power of this .177-caliber TF89 Contender. The rifle is advertised at 1,100 f.p.s., and today we’ll see if that’s true. I tested a TF89 air rifle back when they first came out; although that report is no longer available online, I remember saying lots of nice things about this air rifle.
Cocking effort
This breakbarrel has a long arc to cock the long-stroke piston and you feel it all the way. It takes a peak of 42 lbs. of effort to cock the test rifle, though most of the way through the stroke it was just under 40 lbs. When the rifle was brand new, I could feel a dryness to the powerplant, accompanied by a squeaking sound during cocking. That went away during the velocity test, but the barrel still does have a hesitation spot about at the midway point through the barrel arc after the rifle is cocked. Through that arc, the barrel will remain wherever it’s put, but outside that hesitation spot the barrel is loose and floppy.
A tuneup with the removal of burrs and proper lubrication would no doubt help here, plus it might knock off a pound or two of cocking effort. I think the rifle could benefit from a look inside to remove the sharp edges and metal shavings that remain from manufacture.
Trigger
The trigger is two-stage and supposed to be adjustable, but I did not attempt to adjust it for this test. As it came from the factory, stage two is very creepy and releases with variable pressure of 3 lbs., 7 oz. to 4 lbs., 6 oz. It averaged 4 lbs., 1 oz.
A close examination of the trigger shows that it is not a copy of a Gamo trigger, nor is it like anything else I recognize. It appears to be somewhat sophisticated, and Im going to devote a separate report to the adjustment of the trigger; because if I were to test the rifle for accuracy as the trigger is now adjusted, it would not be to the rifle’s favor.
Firing behavior
The firing behavior varied with each different type of pellet. RWS Hobbys were loud (they broke the sound barrier) and just a little buzzy, while Beeman Kodiaks were solid and quiet. The ball-bearing detent that closes the breech is solid and reliable. From the test results I don’t think any air is leaking at the breech joint.
Overall I would rate the feel of the rifle while firing as very solid. It feels like an airgun that wants to be broken in. It also feels like an air rifle that I want to adjust as nice as possible, because it may have some real potential. I can’t explain how that feels, but sometimes I just sense that an airgun has more to offer, and this one certainly seems to.
Velocity
The first pellet I tested was the Crosman 7.9-grain Premier dome. It averaged 989 f.p.s. with a velocity spread that went from a low of 956 f.p.s to a high of 999 f.p.s. That’s a total variance of 43 f.p.s., which is fairly large for even a new air rifle. Perhaps the lowest-velocity shot was anomalous, because the next-lowest was 980 f.p.s., bringing the total spread to a more reasonable 19 f.p.s. At the average velocity, the rifle produced 17.16 foot-pounds of energy.
Next, I tested the H&N Field Target pellet. This is a 8.5-grain domed semi-wadcutter design that should work for both paper targets and steel targets, alike. The average velocity was 962 f.p.s. and the total spread ranged from 954 to 968 f.p.s. — a spread of only 14 f.p.s. At the average velocity, the rifle produced 17.47 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.
The next pellet tested was the RWS Hobby, a very lightweight, all-lead pellet. Hobbys averaged 1083 f.p.s., and all of them broke the sound barrier; so, there was a distinctive crack upon firing. They also made the powerplant noticeably buzzy, so they’re probably too light for this rifle. The spread went from a low of 1071 f.p.s. to a high of 1099 f.p.s., proving the claim for 1,100 f.p.s. At the average velocity, Hobbys produced 18.24 foot-pounds of energy.
Had to try Kodiaks
After seeing these velocities, I knew I had to try at least one heavy pellet to slow down the rifle below transonic velocity. I selected Beeman Kodiaks because I expect to choose them for the accuracy test, as well. They averaged 848 f.p.s., which is ideal. The total spread went from 843 to 855, so a very tight 12 foot-second difference. At the average velocity, they’re producing 16.33 foot-pounds of energy.
The feel when shooting the Kodiaks is like you’re shooting a tuned rifle. It’s so solid that it gives me confidence that the rifle has a lot of accuracy to offer.
Thus far
So far, I like the rifle. It seems solid and well-built; and if I can adjust the trigger to be reasonable, I’m hoping to get good accuracy from it. It’s powerful, yet not overly so. It handles well and feels right when I shoulder it. This might be a breakbarrel for someone who is looking for power and (hopefully) accuracy at a reasonable price.
Hey BB, the Tech Force’s trigger appears to be a copy of Norica’s Trigger design. It is actually a four-lever arrangement similar to the “Record”, only with a comepletely different geometry (and quality) of the individual parts.
Mell,
Well, that makes sense, since the rifle is also a copy of a Norica.
B.B.
When you do all these velocity tests, do you use hand-weighed pellets,or just as-found? Curious, since even a normally uniform pellets can have the occasional highs & lows…
Barrika,
No, unless I specifically mention it in the report I do not use weight-sorted pellets. I try to test each gun the way a prospective owner would be testing it.
B.B.
Here’s the trigger (if the link works):
The red circle indicates the area where polishing helps the most. The blue shows the trigger adjusters.
Generally speaking I back out the front screw until it’s just contacting the lever 2308. This gives me the most (and safest) engagement between 2308 and 2301. At that point the rear screw determines where the 2nd stage kicks in.. Backing it out lengthens the 1st stage and shortens the 2nd, tightening it has the opposite effect. I tend to have it backed out pretty far, so I wind up with a very long and soft 1st stage, followed by a well-defined 2nd with almost no creep.
The rear tensioner screw actually works on 2 springs, I like to remove the inner one. If the area in the red circle is polished you’ll wind up with a very soft pull that will reset the first stage if you release the trigger after partially pulling it.
It’s worth noting that if the front screw is backed out too far (so that it’s not contacting 2308 at rest) you can wind up with a three-stage trigger!
OK. Link didn’t get in there. Let’s try this:
http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu163/vfblovesnancy/ar1000triggerwork.jpg
Vince,
Thanks for the image and the explanation. I can’t modify the rifle because it has to go back to Pyramyd AIR for sale, but I can adjust it as you suggest. I’ll see what that does for the pull.
B.B.
Hi Vince,
When you remove that inner spring; how low does the pull weight go?
Thanks
Pete
Don’t remember! But it is quite noticeable. But again, I believe this should only be done after the aforementioned polishing, so that we can be sure that the trigger maintains its ability to reset the1st stage.
I did all the polishing and applied Moly to all the parts and it has become very smooth in the first stage and virtually no creep in the second. I also found that with some tweeking I was able to make it a single stage, breaking at about 2.5 lbs but did not operate the gun this way as I was not sure how safe it would be.
Pete
I too believe these rifles have real potential. As I have stated before, I purchased a TF99 underlever on the classifieds from Vince Brandolini. I don’t know what he did to it, but the telltale sign of moly grease leads me to believe he tinkered with it a bit. Suffice it to say that it is a smooth shooter especially with heavy pellets. I haven’t mounted a scope on it, so I haven’t shot groups to see what it is capable of. But I did nail a soda can, standing, shooting offhand, with the stock fiber optic open sights, at 40+ yards on my first try. I thought I had missed because the pellet tore through the can so fast, the can didn’t even move.
I also find the stock to be very attractive.
The overall quality of the gun at its price point is
This is a response to Slinging Lead’s question on the weekend blog.
My best stories are of the days around reunification in 1989-90, but I did make several forays into East Berlin in September and November of 1961. Got myself thoroughly frisked crossing back to W. Berlin once, and had this border cop pore over my (sealed, unused) package of Kodachrome film. Drooling, practically and asking me how good it was. I said it was very good, and then smiled and said that if he wanted to try it, he could take mine as a goodwill gesture from the USA. The yellow box disappeared into his pocket. In retrospect I thought… Kodachrome can only be processed in very special labs and there aren’t any behind the iron curtain. Wonder if he ever saw his pictures.
Also, I nearly got stopped by an E. German soldier when I sneaked a picture of a bunch of tanks.
And finally, in November I was asked by a German student group if I would lend my passport to be used to help an E. Berlin student escape across the border into West Berlin. I declined, even tho’ several hundred dollars was on offer for the pass. Two of my classmates returned to Berlin when the time at Stanford in Germany was finished. Both worked with the refugee groups; one got caught passing fake papers to an East German and sent to an East German jail for 21 months.
Thanks Pete
I find all this checkpoint Charlie stuff to be fascinating. The risks East Germans would go through to get to the West send tingles up my spine. I hope you had a great vacation.
Hello all,
I’m back on the internet having had Verizon swap out my power supply and terminal box this morning. Yea! Basement is dry (has been since Wednesday from the 1.5′ of water I had as a result of the power going out and the sump pump stopping) and almost everything that has been ruined has been removed. Just have to take the sofa apart to get it out (too big to get up stairs but no need to bore everyone). Air guns are safe but several pistols that I neglected to remove had to be oiled down and I lost the original boxes they came in.
Pete, I asked a business associate to find out what the airgun laws are in Turkey. He had never heard of Hatsun and all of a sudden, a light went off in his eyes w/r/t airguns. Hopefully, I’ll have some information for you this week. Also, the Hatsun site froze my work computer. Either that or the PC police up in Portsmith did and are preparing a report to my boss about improper work computer usage.
Fred from the soggy PRoNJ
Fred,
I’m sure you’re looking at gas operated power generators now, right? At the least, you only need one big enough to run that sump and you don’t necessarily need an auto start one. I always wonder why any home with a sump pump dosen’t also have a backup generator. Seems like the power always goes out under the same conditions that causes the flooding. Right?
Chuck, not always – I’ve had the sump running and the house stay dry while my backyard turned into a lake (complete with ducks that got ticked off as the water evaporated). Right now, I’m on the trail of either a Honda or Yamaha suitcase invertor generator – the EU or whatever, 2000 watts. That will power sump and fridge.
Fred PRoNJ
If the hatsun website doesn’t work maybe you should give hatsan a try? It works for me 😉
Sorry to hear about your flooding, it really sucks.
J-F
Fred,
I’ve had the Hatsun site crash my Mac at home. Lousy site.
Really sorry to hear about the flooding!
pete
Fred, a flood would be devastating for me. I can’t imagine. I’m glad the storm wasn’t worse for you.
Matt61
Fred
I used to live in Ridgewood NJ as a young lad. It was the nicest neighborhood I have ever lived in. We only lived there for about a year and a half and we had an enormous flood with about two or three feet of water in the basement. We didn’t lose power, but the flood was so encompassing, the sump pump couldn’t keep up.
A year after I moved to Powder Springs GA we had a 500 year flood. 21 inches of rain in 48 hours. Luckily, my house is on high ground so the only effect was that it flooded all the roads out so that I couldn’t go to work. Darn!
Good to hear you are drying out.
I mean the light went on and he’s looking at airguns for himself now.
Fred PRoNJ
Hi all,
I’m still thinking about an inexpensive rifle to remove the sights for “Shoot Where You Look” practice. I also discovered some nice articles (maybe just one) B.B. wrote about Lucky McDaniel.
The Crosman 1077 looks interesting, as does my first choice, the Hammerli 490. The Crosman was suggested as the rate of fire would be faster than the Hammerli. However, if I need to wait an average of about 15 seconds (warm weather) to get a decent number of shots out of a 12 gram CO2, that is more than enough time to cock, load, and shoot a break barrel spring gun.
Now, claims are made that with practice you can get pretty accurate, even without sights. I don’t know how accurate in terms of MOA, but I know it is better than a Red Ryder BB gun will produce! The one thing about the spring gun is that this style of shooting cannot be done with the Artillery Hold, so the accuracy is going to suffer from the hold. I don’t know if the effect would be as bad with the CO2 rifle or not. Again, I welcome any comments and ideas.
Thanks all,
Gun Doc
I’d like to give that a try
I’m shooting my Slavia 618 using only the front post as the rear sight is broken with excellent results.
My Tanfoglio Witness lost the front sight and the results aren’t so good.
I tried shooting cans with my RR without using the sights and it’s not so hard and the accuracy isn’t bad.
J-F
Gun Doc,
Shooting offhand negates the need for the artillery hold. I haven’t ever written about the difference, but I know it exists.
Don’t worry about the Red Ryder. It can hit a ping-pong ball every time at 20 feet. Chief AJ, (look him up) is an instinct shooting teacher and demonstration shooter and I have seen him hit a ping-pong ball every time at 20 feet on a special air-powered target he made. The ball floats on a cushion of air and hovers while bouncing around and he shoots and hits it every time without sights.
B.B.
B.B.
I did look up Chief AJ when I first learned of him a day or two ago. I trust what you are telling me you saw him do, but I’d be willing to bet he cherry picked that Red Ryder.
As I mentioned in a another post, I created a makeshift aperture for a Red Ryder a few years ago just to see how well it would group. I couldn’t adjust the sight very well, but it wasn’t shifting on the gun, and group size was all I wanted to know, as I was looking to then remove the sights. Grouping was dismal. I don’t remember how dismal, but it I don’t think it was ping pong ball at twenty feet. Now, I know how to take a good rest and hold a gun steady, but at the time I knew nothing of the Artillery Hold. Maybe that was the issue, or maybe I got a bad one, or maybe there aren’t all that many good ones. Whatever, I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to consistently hit US quarter size objects at twenty feet with a gun that couldn’t do it when well aimed.
If I lived where I could shoot .22RF all I wanted, I would likely just take the sights off a Ruger 10/22 and be done with it. But I don’t live there. I will take a crack at the occasional coyote that hangs around long enough. It is illegal, but I do it anyway 😉
Don,
You have earned Friday’s blog! Congratulations!
I’ll let you wonder about it until then. 😉
B.B.
Gun Doc,
You might be worrying about the rapid-fire/CO2/accuracy-drop-off issue too much. You get 12 shots out of the magazine that comes with the rifle. Granted that there might be some poi change – 1/4″ to 1/2″ – with rapid fire but you can let the gun warm up again as you refil the magazine. Maybe Matt61 knows or can do some testing with his 1077 to see the total shot difference out of a cart between rapid fire and 10-15 sec warmup. I’m sure BB has discovered the max # shots from a 1077 cart in past testing, maybe he can share that info.
Chuck,
As I recall, 45-55 good shots. 60 would be five magazines.
B.B.
Gin Doc,
I meant to say rapid fire/CO2 cool down could give you 1/4″ to 1/2″ additional poi spread at 10m.
Oops I meant Gun Doc not Gin Doc, but, hey, could be that, too for all I know. 🙂
B.B. and others, thanks for the replies. I hear about people getting so good that they shoot small candy, aspirin tablets, and even BB’s (NOT B.B.!, I doubt he would put up with much of that!) I don’t know how close these small targets are, but an aspirin at only five (5) feet still works out to about 1.6 inches at twenty (20) feet.
Perhaps I am believing too much or expecting too much? I am usually not so gullible, but I have read reports from what I believe to be creditable sources.
I think a good goal would be to often hit the end of Coke can at sixty (60) feet, or twenty (20) yards. I just now stepped outside with my range finder and ranged that distance so I would know what I was typing. That is some pretty fancy instinctive shooting, but there is nothing wrong with setting a high goal. Certainly a regulation clay bird is possible.
On a side note, I remember when I was a kid I had a Daisy 1894 BB gun that looked like a ’94 Winchester. I was Ol’ Death and Destruction with that thing. I don’t remember if it messed up or I just had to take it apart (those things happen to those of us who are destined to be engineers.) Anyway, since I was better at dismantle than “mantle” I replaced it with what should have been an upgrade, a Crosman V350. I couldn’t hit beans with that thing and it wasn’t me, because by then I was shooting .22RF (and maybe even a real .30-30) and I could hit things with those. I tried all manner of things. I first thought it was that front sight that was darn near as big as a BB itself. But a smaller black plastic post screwed into the hole didn’t help. (and yes, even then I understood you had to sight in, which I understood how to do) I don’t remember if the gun had provision to mount a scope, but I think I managed to hang one on it. That didn’t help either. Finally, in frustration, came my first efforts at simply instinctive shooting. It was a great gun for that, as you could run the sliding barrel almost as fast as you could shuck a pump gun. I got about as good pointing it without sights as I could do aiming it, but no better. What I hoped, but didn’t really believe, was that somehow great instinctive shooting could compensate for an inaccurate gun. Well, of course it cannot. So (long winded) but that is why I want an ACCURATE gun when I decide to get back into learning to “hit where I look.” I’ve tried it the other way years ago! That Crosman was well made, but it must have had a BIG bore compared to the BBs that rattled down it! I also tried a Red Ryder after I was an adult, and it seemed to me I couldn’t hit much even “benching” that thing either even after cluging up an aperture sight and shooting only for group. Again, I can pretty well hit what I want when I have a accurate gun to shoot, though now aperture sights, red dots, or scopes work much better than “opens” with my aging eyes!
Wow, that got long. I hope some enjoyed the stroll down memory lane!
Gun Doc
Hello Gun Doc. I read your dissertation with a grin on my face. My first gun was a 1894 Daisy too. I remember shooting at 2 inch plastic army men, and those little Match Box Dinky Toys. I got a kick out of listening to them rebound off the steel cars. I still have the use of both eyes, thankfully. All my shooting was done in my parents basement. I remember I got it for Christmas. I must have been 13 yrs. old at the time. Well, that very summer, I just had to see “what ticks” inside. I don’t remember getting it together properly. It never had the accuracy it once had. I often wonder what happened to it. Anyways, thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Titus
Don, I was thinking that you could just do a minute of angle calculation for an aspirin at instinct shooting distances to see what kind of accuracy you need. 1.6 inches at 20 feet is even worse than I thought. I can tell you that the Crosman 1077 will easily do that. It can put 10 inside of a dime at that distance. I also wouldn’t worry about changing point of aim because CO2 temperature. One of my drills is to fire of 6 shots as fast as I can pull the trigger. If they all don’t go into a dime you can’t tell the difference.
Matt61
Oh, and I meant to say that I wouldn’t worry right away about hitting an aspirin since that is one thing that I could not duplicate from the Lucky McDaniel book. Overall, I found that his methods do work.
Matt61
B.B.,
Looking at the claims on PA’s website for this rifle, it says “… shooting at 1100 fps in .177 and very accurate! At 30 yards, the c-t-c group measured 0.442 inches.”. This, as written, implies that the TP89 shoots PBA ammo very accurately at 30 yards. Or did they determine this ctc accuracy with heavier lead pellets?
If this rifle comes with a package of PBA ammo (like some rifles do), and a bunch of kids try to shoot it at 30 yards, expecting that 0.442 ctc is truly representative, PA may end up getting a lot of returns. I certainly do hope that it’s very accurate, regardless of what pellet produces the best results.
Victor
Victor,
First, second and third of all, Pyramyd AIR probably didn’t provide those test figures. They got them when they bought Compasseco. And I doubt the PBA ammo was the most accurate.
B.B.
Correct. The info for all Tech Force guns came from Compasseco’s site, and some of that info was provided by the mfr to Compasseco. I hope to update the pages as info becomes available and time allows.
Edith
Edith, B.B.,
Oh, I know that PA did NOT generate the claims, but it’s what the customers will see. I’m glad that that page will be updated. I only commented on this particular issue because, A) this is the gun being reviewed, and B) we’ve gone over the subject of PBA, speed claims, and accuracy.
I also know that it’s impossible for any one shooter, including B.B., to state absolutely how accurate a rifle is. Only an owner can spend the months that it takes, trying different pellets, and learning to shoot a gun, to know what the guns capabilities are FOR THEM.
The truth of the matter is that the work that you, Edith and B.B., do here help to make PA the most honest air-gun retailer on the planet. All readers of this blog know, respect, and appreciate this FACT.
Victor
Victor,
Since B.B. got 1099 fps with RWS Hobby pellets, I put that info in the description. I also updated the cocking effort (it was 28 lbs.). I’ve asked the people at Compasseco where they got the group size mentioned on their site. It could be that someone there shot it.
Edith
Edit,
Here’s my take on air-gun accuracy, no matter what others say they have experienced. I have found, with one exception, that lower end (non German, or other more expensive models) shoot pretty darn accurately. Only recently have I found a tin of pellets from HELL. Forget about opinion! If you want to shoot squirrels at 25 feet, no problem. Just make sure you use a decent pellet. Selling air-guns is good business, with a good market. More importantly, the products are mostly good. If someone wants to get on their high horse, because “they have high standards”, then let them ride their prideful @ss out into the sunset, never to return. Enjoy your fancy air-gun. I taught my daughter in law to shoot a Crosman Quest 1000, and found her hitting shotgun shells at 10 to 20 yards with no problem the first time out. She had never touched a gun of any kind! The gun can shoot, as can all of my others that cost me UNDER $150. The air-gun market is a good business that no one has to apologize for. Sure, some of us can get really picky, but that’s no reason to look down our nose at what others feel is fine for them.
SO, with the facts stacking up in everyone’s favor, there’s no need for anyone to exaggerate claims.
Victor
Well said my friend!
Pete
Edith,
I am going from memory-and memory gets more fuzzy with age. I am pretty sure that CTC # was close to what B.B. got when he first tested the TF 89 years ago.
Pete
I like “feels solid.”
PeteZ, did you ever go to an Oktoberfest? I have wondered about it and even had the chance to go once but I declined. Someone said that it is just a bunch of drunk people and doesn’t do much for you unless you’re drunk too.
Matt61
Of course, Oktoberfest happens in September… but nonetheless it’s just a bunch of binge-drinking tourists on a tear for the most part. Binge-drinking Germans too. The minimum size you can buy is one liter mugs.
And no, I have never felt the need. Whenever I’ve been in Germany my local Kneipe (pub) or Gaststaette (pub, restaurant, bistro, bar) had better food and drink and pleasanter people than the beer halls and tents in Munich at Oktoberfest.
Just one person’s opinion; others may really enjoy the atmosphere. I agree with Gun Doc below, pretty much. Nobody much goes for the decorated wagons; they go for the booze.
Say, on the subject of triggers, I’ve been having trouble with the trigger on my Umarex Walther Nighthawk. It has always been heavy as a double-action trigger, and I’ve already had to send it in to repair when something broke. Now, after not much use since the repair it’s giving me trouble again. Sometimes, I just cannot depress it. When I do, it take a great deal of effort. And often I need to move my finger out of ideal position (like onto the joint of the trigger finger) to get enough leverage to depress it. And when my finger is sliding around looking for purchase it has a way of jamming between the bottom of the trigger and the guard–or something so that it hurts a lot and sometimes raises a blister. I flooded the trigger with Ballistol and that helped somewhat but did not solve the problem. Is this normal for the Umarex design with its revolver mechanism? Are there CO2 magazine pistols with better triggers? This is becoming a drag and snap shooting with the pistol is too much fun to put up with this for very long.
On a related subject, what is the story with the SW 686 model pistol? I’ve always thought that the SW 27 was the definitive .357 magnum pistol worn and attested to by George Patton himself. But perhaps that was just the first .357. I’ve read that the 686 (for which there is a very nice airgun version I believe) is actually Smith and Wesson’s best-selling revolver of all time. That is saying something for the definitive revolver company. How does the 686 compare to the Colt Python which I thought was also a contender for best .357?
Matt61
I have always lived in central Texas and grew up going to New Braunfels’ Wurstfest, which was that German community’s version of Oktoberfest? In 1993, I got to go to the real thing in Munich. Our hotel was even on the parade route. The decorated wagons were great. The buxom decorations on the wagons were pretty good too! I can tell you it is a bad day to be a chicken in Germany, as I never saw so many roasted chickens in my life! But, after a while, like Wurstfest, it is just a bunch of drunk people, and a bunch of drunk people is pretty much the same regardless of the country, culture, or language. Not to say it wasn’t fun to watch. Germans can drink a lot. I think Australians (not Austrians) can drink more. Some young men tend to shed far too many clothes when drunk. Unfortunately, drunk young women seem to have more decorum.
Gun Doc
I wasn’t going to weigh in on this, but your remark about clothes tripped my trigger. At the Erlangen Oktoberfest I have actually stepped over couples having serious family planning conversations on the walkways.
And don’t forget, fest bier is twice as potent as regular German bier, which is twice as potent as American beer.
B.B.
Is *that* what it’s called, “family planning issues?” Oooh. Good description.
You’re right; 9% or 10% can be found at a beer fest; and typical German beer exceeds 5%. We Medicare-eligible folks need to take care.
Thanks for the warning. It seems like Octoberfest would be fun for about an hour or so. Drunks lose their charm fast, unless you yourself are drunk. I avoid them at all costs.
One difference in Germany’s favor is that drunken Germans probably don’t start warbling ‘Margaritaville’ every damn time they get drunk. That song, sung by tone-deaf drunks, makes me debate the relative merits of stabbing out my eardrums with an icepick, or using said icepick to disable the larynx of the offending drunk. They both have their pros and cons.
Hmmm. Family planning? Do you mean they were making the beast with two backs? How uh….romantic?
Yeah, but I bet I sound great when YOU”RE DRUNK! 🙂
Well I certainly hope you had the good manners to say “excuse me!”
Have a problem with my new Benjamin Marauder airrifle. Loaded two pellets from the magazin in it and can’t get the magazin out now. What is the easiest solution? I can’t send it back to Pyramid Air. I live in suriname = South America. I’m thinking of cracking the magazin, make one pellet free and pull the other one (?) out with a rod. what is your advice?
Thank you
Nico Veenman Suriuname
Nico,
First — STOP! Don’t break anything.
Next, try to force the pellets back into the magazine with a rod from the muzzle. Lead is malleable and will crush with repeated taps. Nothing needs to be broken to fix this problem.
Please let us know how it goes,
B.B.
I’ll let you know. thank you for your reaction.
Slinging Lead,
I used to have a buddy who claimed there were two things he couldn’t stand. A drunk man when he was sober or a sober man when he was drunk.
Thanks!
This message was sent to the wrong address, so I have reportesed it here.
From Nico,
Dear B.B.,
I tried to push the pellets back into the magazine but it was impossible. I asked my neighbour to look at it, he is a gifted technician, but he could not force the pellet back. At the end we had to decide to carefully saw and drill the magazine to free the space between the barrel and the bolt. After that of course it was easy to push the pellets out with the rod. The surprise was that I didn’t load two pellets. There were six in the barrel. That explains probably why we couln’t remove the pellets into the magazine.
Anyway I learned to always be concentrated and don’t do things without thinking. With a new magazine the gun works perfect again. Since January of this year I bought 12 guns, most of them at Pyramid air, but this gun shoots the best from all. I ordered this gun as a package deal with scope, rifle case bipod and installation. A great deal.
Thanks again for your advice and I keep on reading your blog everyday.
Nico
Nico,
That’s good news that you were able to solve the problem. And I know that you will never forget the lesson you learned from this mishap.
B.B.
Granted, the comment is too late to be meaningful, but…
While trying to push six pellets into the magazine obviously won’t work, even two pellets wouldn’t be “pushable” into a one-pellet slot.
But between the bolt pushing forward, and a cleaning rod pushing backwards, it seems to me that one could have found a position where the nose of one pellet is far enough back into the magazine while the skirt of the other pellet is still in the barrel to permit sliding the magazine out — possibly scraping some of the pellet nose (or other pellet’s skirt).
Wilfraed,
I was trying to get him to smash the two pellets back into the magazine. I didn’t know there were six.
Repeated hammer blows would have smashed two diabolos unless they were extra-heavy ones like Baracudas.
B.B.
I suspect six would have been impossible with any method…
If it had been just two, getting them to align at the barrel magazine interface might have been sufficient.
That is the dangerous part of that magazine design — it’s so easy to cycle an extra pellet (I’m fairly certain my first chronograph session with mine (.177) had at least on shot with two pellets); all it takes is pulling the bolt back enough for the magazine spring to click over… If you don’t realize you’ve done that and remove the magazine before pushing the bolt forward…