Just installed @OldSpook CF mod on my AEA HP SS plus .25 and now it’s really backyard friendly. Cycles fine with stock baffles in place and just measuring with a db meter app it went from 92db down to 83. Really like how it looks and can’t beat the price.
U gotta get the thread lock hot. Just purchased my plus from Pellet shop 2 weeks ago. The thread for the bolt handle had a ton of thread lock on it. Try blow dryer or heat up just the metal part with soldering iron.