Air Venturi MicroStrike PCP air pistol
This report covers:
- Experiment
- Power
- Adjust the regulator
- Word to the wise
- Velocity
- JTS 18.4-grain
- Test two
- Adjust the reg down
- Last string
- Summary
Today we will adjust the regulator on the Air Venturi MicroStrike PCP air pistol to increase the velocity. Before we do, though, we have an experiment to conduct.
Experiment
I’ve complained a LOT about leaking precharged pneumatics (PCP) in the past several months and I wondered if anything could be done about it. At the end of Part two I showed you how much air was left in the MicroStrike, The gauge is small but let’s call it 1300-1400 psi / 89.63-96.53 bar.
This is where the pressure is at the end of the previous test.
When I checked the pistol this morning, 21 days later, the pressure was the same or ever-so-slightly lower. The camera angle might account for the slight difference.
This is where the MicroStrike pressure is 21 days later.
I did this to see if leaving the reservoir charged a little would help the PCP retain its pressure. I didn’t invent this. Airgunners have been doing it for years. I guess with all the super high pressure airguns coming out these days, and the MicroStrike is one of them, we need ways to preserve the seals and o-rings. So far this way seems to work.
Power
In Part 2 we learned that this .22-caliber air pistol was putting pellets out at 10-12 foot-pounds. Pyramyd AIR says to expect up to 27 foot-pounds. That’s quite a difference. I thought adjusting the regulator higher would change my results. That’s what I will do in today’s report.
Tyler said his .22-caliber MicroStrike was getting 26 shots per fill. I got 49 shots because my pistol wasn’t pushing them out as fast. That will change if the velocity changes.
Adjust the regulator
The regulator was set to about 1000 psi / 68.95 bar as it came from the factory. I hoped to get the pistol up to around 20 foot pounds and I guessed that might take 1400-1600 psi to achieve. So adjusting to that level was my goal.
The MicroStrike regulator was set to around 1000 psi as it came from the factory.
The first step to adjust the regulator is to release all the air in the reservoir. You are given an Allen wrench to do that and the bleed screw is on the left side of the reservoir just above the reg. gauge.
When the air is out you turn the knurled regulator adjustment wheel in the direction you want to reg pressure to go. I wanted the pressure to go higher. And here is where I must criticize the design of this adjustment system just a little. There are no marks on the adjustment wheel. So when you turn the wheel you know the direction you are going but not how far you’ve gone. It took me three trial-and-error attempts to get where I wanted.
And that was also because I did not know how the MicroStrike behaves. After this report you will know.
Word to the wise
I used the RovAir compressor to fill the airgun and things went fast. But I didn’t fill the gun to its maximum because once the reservoir exceeds the reg pressure the regulator gauge will read correctly. So I set the compressor to stop at 3000 psi / 206 bar and saved some time.
After the first adjustment the MicroStrike regulator is now set to around 1500 psi / 103.42 bar.
Velocity
Today is not a full velocity test. It’s just a check on what the change to the reg pressure has done to the power. I wanted something around the 20 foot-pound range. I don’t care if it’s 18 or 22 foot-pounds / 24.40 or 29.83 joules. Something within that range will be fine. Let’s see where we are.
JTS 18.1-grain
I took the JTS 18.1-grain dome and shot it ten times for an average. I’m looking for between 663.67 f.p.s. and 733.71 f.p.s. My first 10-shot string averaged 641 f.p.s. That’s 16.79 foot-pounds / 22.76 joules, so I adjusted the reg up some more. But it is an increase over the 11.38 foot pounds / 15.43 joules from before, so we know that adjusting the regulator to higher pressure does work.
Test two
For test two I adjusted the reg up higher. This was a laugh and a learner. I won’t give you an average, just a string.
After the second adjustment the reg. looks to be set at 2300 psi.
Shot…….Vel
1…………766
2…………762
3…………761
4…………762
5…………752
6…………748
7…………731
8…………723
9…………707
10……….696
Know what happened? I had filled the reservoir to 3000 psi / 206 bar, and in this string I shot it off the reg at about shot 6 or so. Ooops! So I refilled to 3600 psi / 248.21 bar and shot a second string.
The second string averaged 761 f.p.s. At that speed this pellet generates 23.67 foot pounds / 32.1 joules, so it’s above the energy level I want.
Adjust the reg down
Now I adjusted the regulator down just a bit and then refilled the pistol to 3600 psi. The reg. needle now indicated just under 2000 psi.
The reg is now set to around 1950 psi.
Last string
The final string of JTS 18.1-grain domes averaged 713 f.p.s. At that speed this pellet generates 20.78 foot pounds / 28.17 joules at the muzzle and it is within the range I wanted. Job done.
I still don’t know what the pistol does with other pellets, nor do I know the shot count, so that’s coming next. Things went well today except for the lack of markings on the MicroStrike reg adjustment knob. That needs work.
Summary
So far the MicroStrike is testing out well. We will take a bit longer with this one, but the same things we always test will be covered.
Tom,
For an airgun of this price not having those markings in a place where the user is going to adjust to his preference is a bit of a let down. I can’t tell how much it would cost to have an extra step to get some laser engraving to indicate a starting point and increments. It would only need a few seconds and an additional step to do so though.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
My thoughts as well.
BB
BB
As to incremental markings, did the adjustment band have to be rotated very far for the changes you made? If it wasn’t more than one complete revolution I think that a small dot, say from a paint marker, would allow for faster readjustments.
If, on the other hand, it need greater than a single revolution one would need to use both a mark of some kind plus additional notes.
This is assuming that moving the adjustment ring back to the same position would give you the same regulator pressure. (something else to think about)
As I also assume ( I have to stop doing that) this pistol does not belong to you, so marking it permanently would likely not be acceptable, My thought is that a very thin piece of masking tape, placed judiciously, might suffice . If wrapping round the ring wouldn’t interfere with it’s function.
Just random thoughts from an equally random mind.
Ed
I have owned a few Air Venturi pcp airguns in recent years.
If I recall correctly, All of the .22 caliber ones were set to the 2000 ish psi mark on the regulator.
Regardless of the barrel length.
To quote Wolfgang (played by Artie Johnson) on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh In
“Verrrry interesting…”
Ian.
Happy New Year
&
Happy Friday everyone!
Happy New Year to all!
This crew seems pretty happy with their MicroStrike being used for pest control purposes. The iguanas may not agree but, as believes FM, if everyone agrees with you, you are doing something wrong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joSTRdBCA4o&t=2962s
As many here know, I am an advocate for lower pressures.
As an example, I resealed the very leaky Disco I had recently acquired at the NC Airgun Show. I filled it to 2000 PSI this past week and so far, it has not lost any air. I filled my Max a couple of weeks ago and it has not lost any either.
If the airgun manufacturers were to spend a little more on engineering and a little less on marketeering, they might find themselves unable to keep up with the orders. It costs way less to fill to 2000 PSI than it does to 4000 PSI. That means more money can be spent on the PCP instead of the fill system.
I can see me getting a 3622 and a 3677 in the near future.
RidgeRunner of the Peeples Demakratik Republik of Virginia 🙁
RidgeRunner,
Keep beating that drum! I’m behind you with mine. I still don’t own a PCP but I’m closer than ever to trying it out. That said, if (or when) I do, will probably be a Crosman 3622 because of the low fill pressure. I know it doesn’t have a reg, but I like the KISS method myself. BB has taught us through out the years to just stay with in the desired pressure the gun preforms we at. I would consider the Beeman Chief, but it’s made in China (Just me). The Crosman wasn’t but who know now. Thanks again for keeping up the pressure for a low fill PSI guns.
Doc
Note to self, proof read before submitting! Geez. When I go back and read what I texted, I can’t believe I don’t catch some of it.
Doc
Doc,
The 3677, a .177 caliber version of the 3622 will be released this year. There will also likely be a 367 if you are into pumpers.
I hear it beating loud and clear and like it!
Deck
This post will likely also be somewhat off subject, but not too far.
This week I have received an email suggesting that I should change my TCFKAC when referring to Crosman to something else now that it has been acquired by Gamo, who had recently also acquired Daisy.
Well, my reference means “The Company Formally Known As Crosman”. No matter how many times it is past around and not matter how many times the name is changed and no matter how many companies make their products, it is IMMHO still TCFKAC.
For those who may be unfamiliar with this it means “In My Most Humble Opinion”.
I do understand that everyone has their own opinion and that is fine. But should you come to my ridgetop, only Mrs. RR’s and my opinions matter. Her opinion does usually trump mine though.
May all have a Blessed New Year.
RidgeRunner of the Peeples Demakratik Republik of Virginia 🙁
RidgeRunner,
I’d only consider changing TCFKAC to something else only if Gamo actually meddled with the production. So far, I don’t believe they have introduced anything new. If anything it would become “The Company Formally Known As Crosman Now Under Gamo” TCFKACNUG
Siraniko
Siraniko,
I think you are onto something there. I just may have to take that up.
Gamo has indeed already messed with their production with a new multipump, the Vapor Max. This is pure speculation on my part. TCFKAC may have had this in the works already when Gamo took them over. We have not heard anything about it though. I do hope they do not cancel the 3677.
B.B.
A quarter turn to the right, a sixth turn to the left…..glad it is so adjustable.
You need more vacation time!
Best for the New Year,
-Yogi
I was going to argue with BB about the leaking PCPs, but my avenge x leaked again. This time I took it all apart to replace all o-rings. I found that most of them had turned from rubber to hard brittle plastic (could be quality of o-rings). Strange that my avenger has not leaked at all. I still think that it’s the quality of the o-rings you get with the airgun. I also found a lot of brass filings in the Air Reservoir Plug 2(QC?). I found a helpful you tube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqzZhiyjp6c (shooters den)
Sooner or later all PCP’s will leak!
B.B. even believes that now, I think he does?
Even this one may have leaked, “just a little”.
Yes quality 0-rings and proper lubrication will delay the inevitable.
Rubber and ozone do not mix. Nature always wins in the end!
-Yogi
Sooner or later “sproinger” springs will become weak and require replacement. Nothing is perfect and nothing lasts forever on this spinning and orbiting rock.
True That!
-Y
B.B. and Readership,
Marking the knurled regulator adjustment wheel would need to be done with generic increments since the airgun also has an adjustable hammer spring preload capability.
Took me a minute to figure this one out:
In Velocity
“I don’t care if it’s 18 or 22 foot-pounds / 24.40 bar (BAR is a unit of PRESSURE; perhaps you meant to write JOULES or drop the units altogether?) or 29.83 joules.”
My .25 cal. Benjamin Marauder continued to hold the 2,100 psi (145 BAR) so i increased to the maximum pressure of 3,000 psi (207 BAR) this morning (with NO LEAKAGE) to continue the leak down check. I have gathered all the parts for mounting the scope. I will be using the UTG dovetail to PICATINNY adapter and 1” FX No Limits scope rings to hold the SIG ASP WHISKEY 3 scope. The DonnyFL SUMO moderator and Marauder adapter are Out For Delivery by the USPS today ;^) i think the USPS’ AI knew today was my Seventy Seventh birthday!
A few BALLISTOL® wetted patches and some dry following to clean the bore, check the twist, and to get a feel for condition of the Bore. Running patches will also let me know how much choke and where the choke is actually located. I will be borescoping the barrel as well.
Then real fun begins finding the best maximum fill pressure for accuracy and selecting a suitable pellet or two.
Happy New Year all!
shootski
shootski,
Oops!
BB
shootski,
Happy birthday!
BB
B.B.,
Thank you!
Happy Birthday!
I just celebrated mine recently, too. Yesterday was also a special Holiday for reader Bill and me. Happy belated Namesday to Bill in Greece!
Roamin Greco,
May you and Bill have many more in good health and prosperity!
shootski
shootski,
Maligayang Kaarawan! Happy Birthday!
Siraniko
Siraniko,
Danke Schön/Maraming salamat po
shootski
B.B.,
No problemo!
I feel so much better now.
So I’m going to row a 10,000 on the Ergometer ;^)
shootski
Live long and prosper, Herr shootski. Wish that for all us who gather here.
FawltyManuel,
That is my plan and i hope God agrees with that plan.
I learned early in my Navy flying career to live life as though each day might be my last.
Speaking of that, i totally enjoyed my slice of Chocolate Mocha Buttercream Birthday Cake! Especially after finishing my 10K Ergometer Row in under an hour to even out the CALORIES :^)
My wishes for everyone who gathers here is to live each day with contentment in what was achieved today and with their plans for the tomorrows to come.
shootski
Mmmmmm! Chocolate!
Make it dark chocolate, RR. Excellent, tasty anti-oxidant.
FawltyManuel,
Of course it was Dark Chocolate ;^)
…to include the Dark Chocolate coffee beans used to decorate the cake…YUM!
I had another slice while watching Google Maps near real time Road Closure and Traffic overlay of Caracas, Venezuela and a few other SELECT Locations in that country.
Looks like low road traffic volume today! ;^)
shootski
PS: I hope life will go far better for the GOOD people of Venezuela in the future.