S&W 79G Reseal

[Jonah]

Was given an S&W 79G last week that had set up for a long time. Covered with dirt and still had one of the old top hat crimped CO2 cartridges in it. Didn't expect much, but put in a fresh CO2 cartridge and it shot very well. When I put in the second CO2 cartridge, it leaked out in about five seconds. Didn't surprise me. Got a seal kit and took gun apart. All the old seals were toast. Wonder the gun even fired on the first CO2 cartridge. Didn't think I'd ever get the valve apart, but gentle heat and brute force finally got it apart, so I'll get it cleaned up and get it back together with the new seals. Wish the exhaust valve seal would have been included in the seal kit. Maybe it's seal will hold up. If not, I'll have to replace it also. These were fine looking guns when made.

Then the S&W 79G will go well with my Crosman Mark 1, Crosman 600 and Crosman 115. These are all classics and a lot of fun to shoot. Crosman did make some nice all metal guns back then.

 

[6PtStar]

I see you are still having fun! Did you give up converting it to 22? I remember those old crimped CO2 cartridges. Always thought they would not chew up the seals as bad as the new ones with the rough tip.

 

[Jonah]

Never give up, but I may leave it .177. It's ready to put back together. Hope the exhaust seal will hold out, but if it doesn't, I'll fix it also. 

 

[Kev]

Look for a S&W 78G , which is a .22 and leave the S&W 79G a .177. both their original calibers. Then you would have a brace of S&W s. The cool thing is the grips and cocking mechanisms are ambidextrous so you could shoot one left handed and one right.

You have some really nice vintage CO2 pistols. Those are my favorite plinkers.

 

[Bobbed06]

Pics or it didnt happen!

 

[Jonah]

The exhaust seal did crater, so am replacing the whole thing. Ordered a Teflon sealed one and will send the original in for exchange later. Was able to shoot it several times before the co2 leaked out. All the o-ring seals held just fine after replacing, Really didn't expect the exhaust seal to hold, but gave it a shot.