Karma .25 Karma EQ has arrived!

[trapdoor2]

Frankly, I think this thing is beautiful. My second job (10yrs, 1980s) was at a NASA/Military machine shop...the workmanship in this thing looks amazing. I ran the plating shop for a few yrs. I wish we could have done such lovely anodizing!

As yet, I haven't been able to do anything but handle it. Scope is on the way, slugs too. It is fairly heavy...but comfortable to shoulder. Feels solid. My BSA Martini is way heavier (oof!).

I like the cocking handle. I have no comparables...the Mrod's bolt is crude/caveman in comparison.

The magazine appears well made, easy to fill. I've watched the videos...but will have to actually have it in action to further comment. Although breech access is good, I can see a need for a flip out single shot loader, like the Maple I have for the Mrod. Might have to make one.

There's no manual, no parts list, no details beyond the "quick start guide". This is not something for the beginner or the clueless, it will take hours of careful "figuring out"(which I'll enjoy). Thankfully, the tech team at DonnyFL is only a phone call away (nice folks too).

I'm an old-school PB competitor, reloader, bullet caster, etc. No equipment is ever perfect out of the box. Everything requires testing, tweaking, adjustment, massage...lather, rinse & repeat.

I don't have all the tech (or the smarts) to do videos but I can write and take pictures. I'll try to document my progress here...I bought it, so expect personal opinion. I only get hyperbolic when I'm excited...

I'm looking forward to it all!

 

[Struckat]

Photo?

 

[rdtricks]

Following along.

 

[trapdoor2]

Photo?

I posted it to the "what did you buy today" thread. I guess I should include it here...

 

[Lewis]

Very interested.
Please let us know how the trigger is. So far, that is the only real sore spot I'm hearing.

 

[trapdoor2]

Ok. I just spent a very nice 2hrs playing with the EQ trigger group. I watched the "Don's World" video, which goes into a good bit of detail on the EQ's trigger group, before I started in. Don's EQ trigger video

I didn't take any pix, as it is all covered in Don's video. I essentially followed his techniques. Big plus for the EQ: adjustability and access is excellent. Everything can be done with three metric Allen wrenches. Con: it is a series of fussy adjustments...but what trigger group isn't?

I really like that there is a port in the side of the rifle to view the sear engagement (usually blind). Take off the little sheet-metal cover and there's a 2mm screw under there for engagement. Very easy to adjust...and when you've gone too far, it simply won't reset. Back off a little and you're back in business. Just like any other sear, too little engagement = safety issue. I easily found "too little" and then backed off till I felt I had a safe trigger.

The long (it's a bullpup, the trigger is quite a ways from the sear) trigger bar doesn't have a threaded adjustment. There are locking collars on both ends with Allen screws to lock them in place. It also holds the trigger 1st stage spring. By futzing around with these locking collars, I was able to create either a single-stage trigger or a 2-stage trigger. I prefer 2 stages. I'm also an old-time NRA Service Rifle shooter...which means I'm used to a 4.5lb trigger. The Mrod is 1.5lbs...really too light for me.

In the end, I obtained a 3.5lb trigger (I have a "Wheeler" digital gauge)...but not as crisp as I'd ultimately like. The sear is just a tad lumpy for me...I imagine the engagement surfaces need honing. I'm also not entirely sure the hammer spring isn't part of the problem (the problem: getting a lighter trigger). I confirmed it is backed off to minimum (actually the adjustment nut was loose).

So, I'm not thru with the trigger group. But I'm not ready to go further until I get some shooting time with her. Waiting for a scope and mounts to be delivered...

Other things:

Working on the trigger group means I'm at the bench and handling the rifle a lot. Pick it up, flip it around, adjust, dry-fire, etc., etc. At some point I noticed a bit of wiggle...like the rifle's got a microscopic hinge in the middle. After messing around with it a bit, I found that the joint between the tank and the action (just ahead of the trigger) was just a little floppy. After some further investigation, there is an Allen set-screw in the back of the trigger guard which was loose. 1/4 turn (snug) and the rifle's no longer wiggly. I wish I had a parts breakdown/manual to tell me what that screw's job is! Maybe these are common to PCPs...but I'm pretty new to how they're put together.

I noticed the plenum cap (which appears to take a spanner) has had a bit of wrench slip. It is a painted part and some of the spanner holes have paint chips missing.

I removed the picatinny accessory side-rails. I'll never use them. Bagged and taped to the inside of the case under the foam.

I did take a few shots. Loaded up the magazine with a few 23g Dead Center pellets. Different magazine, slightly different procedure, no real issues. Shot them into my rubber-mulch trap from 3ft away (no scope yet). I installed the Shogun moderator and took a few more shots. Quieter!

As received, the cylinder pressure was 3700psi (255bar). All my dry-firing today took it down to 3000psi (207bar). The regulator was showing 2000psi (138bar) initially but dropped to 1900psi (130bar) after a few shots. It stayed there all the way down to 3000psi. I got out the fill probe and tested the GX CS3-1 compressor: 4,000psi (275bar), no problem (I've never used a probe, the Mrod has a foster fitting).

Oh, and I received an interesting Chrony today. It's a "Natechrony". 1/2-20 mount, crazy simple. I'll be testing it out on the Mrod as soon as the power bank arrives (it uses any 5v power bank, like you would have for your phone, etc.) NateChrony I'll review it separately when I get it up and running.