Beeman R9

[JohnL57]

I haven't seen too much here about the R9/HW95 rifles and it's raining too much to shoot out side, so here's my experience with the R9.
I got mine in 2010 after the "pefect storm" of ground squirrels hit the property I live on. My trusty HW55 wasn't up to the longer shots (Or so I thought) so I fell for the hype and got a cheap Chinese springer. Guess what? I hated it instantly. all I wanted was a bunch of dead squirrels so I fooled around with cheapies for a year or so (learning all about accuracy issues and scope mounting problems in the process.)
I finally decided to spring (no pun intended) for an Beeman R9, Leapers 3-9x32 and one piece mount. I basically mounted the scope, sighted in, and proceeded to clear 50 acres of ground squirrels. My gun shot with a 'thunk' right out of the box, though many untuned R9s are somewhat twangy. For 4 years I was that 'guy with only 1 gun' as the R9 was all I shot, and even after I got into PCPs was still my rabbit gun till I got my little CZs200. I read and worried about 'hold sensitivity' and it's true it takes some practice to get the hang of shooting a springer. I find the more you shoot, the easier it seems to be consistent. 
Anyway thanks for reading-here are some pics.
My gun came with this style ambi stock, very comfortable and perfect for scope use.

While at an airgun show I ran across a table full of the Goudy designed Beeman stocks and picked up an R10 deluxe stock that would fit my R9 with a little inletting work.

Even though I have 3 PCPs now I still enjoy shooting the R9!
John

 

[socaloldman]

there is something special about a quality springer. Lasts forever, simplicity of design pick it up and it works every time. Just like a fine old hand tool your grandpa had and you now cherish. Makes you smile and happy you bought it.

 

[Kev]

@JohnL57
Enjoyed your thoughts on your R9 what a classic. Mine is the .22 version while a good friend has the .177. He is at 83 squirrels and counting off of his pecan tree with it. I competed against myself with my RWS 54 vs R9. The R9 won at 25 yards and the RWS at 50 yards. After shooting a constant barrage of PCPs it was refreshing in a way to pull out the springers. 

 

[Smaug]

Great post. Makes me want an R9. I had a Chinese rifle (Stoeger X20) in that phase of my airgunning career, and when I got my first Euro springer, it was quickly forgotten.You did the right thing, to get that R9.

 

[Kev]

I shot my R9 today during our Sunday, neighborhood shoot because of this post. I once again marveled at the Rekord trigger and accuracy of the R9. Thanks again for reminding me of this excellent airgun.

 

[JohnL57]

Thanks for the replies!
I think the R9 is a really good balance of power to weight. I find it hefty enough for good offhand shooting but not too heavy to carry on a hunt.
After 4 years and about 5000 shots, I needed to rebuild, so I put in a Vortek kit. The mainspring looked like this when I tore it down,

I got concerned beacause it started twanging which was something it didn't do when new. It was still accurate and doing around 550 fps in .22 cal!
Here's 5 shot group at 15 yards off sticks after the rebuild, not worrying about POI, just shooting a group. The dot is about 3/8".

And a bunch of bunnies and some quail-

 

[Wadcutter]

Your R9 is a real beauty. Looks great with the sling attached too. I noticed the gold trigger, is that referred to as the Goldfinger model?

 

[JohnL57]

"Wadcutter"Your R9 is a real beauty. Looks great with the sling attached too. I noticed the gold trigger, is that referred to as the Goldfinger model?

Yes, the Beeman branded R9s have the gold trigger as well as the muzzle brake and no open sights.

 

[Wadcutter]

"JohnL57"Thanks for the replies!
I think the R9 is a really good balance of power to weight. I find it hefty enough for good offhand shooting but not too heavy to carry on a hunt.
After 4 years and about 5000 shots, I needed to rebuild, so I put in a Vortek kit. The mainspring looked like this when I tore it down,

I have never seen a mainspring shatter like that before. Were you experiencing any dieseling?

 

[Birdo]

Mines 20 years old this year. Tuned my Watts in about 1997. It's has a budget scope and has held zero sine then too. It's been on loan to dad since 98. It's still on the first box of CPLs. Almost every pellet has killed a squirrel. Dad leaves it cocked almost continuously.

 

[JohnL57]

The gun shot with a nice 'thunk' from the day it came out of the box and never dieseled at all. I did shoot somewhat light (12.8 gr.) tin pellets in it primarily. From what I read, it's not uncommon for stock springs to fail after considerable use. Springs and seals are considered 'consumables' in that regard.

 

[Wadcutter]

Thanks for the reply,

My interest was peaked having run across quite a few warped or broken springs over the years, but never one in that many pieces. Thought maybe you could provide an aha reason for it.

Seems a mystery still.

 

[Kev]

@Johnl57
What improvements if any did the Vortek kit make over original R9 (pre broken spring) and how was instillation?

 

[JohnL57]

"Kev"@Johnl57
What improvements if any did the Vortek kit make over original R9 (pre broken spring) and how was instillation?

I didn't have access to a chrony when I bought the gun, so I don't have numbers for when it was new with stock spring. The Vortek kit brought the velocity back up, with the broken spring it was doing 550 fps. After the tune I was getting 685 fps with 14.66 grain pellets, The Vortek spring did lose some velocity, I'm at around 650 fps with 14.66 grain pellets two years later. I had a buddy with some experience help me do the rebuild, it's not too difficult if you watch some videos or look up some teardown posts. You will of course need some kind of spring compressor.
My R9 shot like a tuned gun out of the box (unlike most) and with the Vortek kit it is very smooth. I got another R9 in .20 for my brother in law and that one is twangy, but accurate. On my buddy's advice I chose a Vortek kit over Maccari because the Maccari seals sometimes require some sizing to fit the compression tube. I've heard it's not unusual for the Vortek springs to lose some velocity, so if that's a concern you might want to go with a Maccari kit from ARH.
Are you looking to tame down a twangy gun or trying to get more power?

 

[Kev]

Tame down a twangy gun. It's shooting a H&N FTT 14.66g ~680fps. In all honesty I probably need to shoot it more. I' ve noticed groups are starting to tighten up but still is very twangy.