Kinda like humans, I've found the more "sophisticated" the airgun, the more temperamental they often are; sometimes to the point of heavy emphasis on MENTAL! Cases in point, I really enjoy ten-meter pistols, but have found several regulated ten-meter pistols WAY less dependable than unregulated guns.
As if spring-piston guns aren't maddeningly temperamental (as anyone that has shot field-target competition with a springer will loudly testify), and Co2 guns aren't "quirky" enough (to put it mildly), I've found regulated ten-meter pistols can drive a sane man to distraction (though how would I know?). Not to mention what they can do to a nut-job like me!
Virtually every regulated ten-meter pistol I've owned has given me some amount of grief or aggravation; ranging from inexplicably dropping way off in velocity from one shooting session to the next, to sudden and catastrophic failure to fire at all. But in case my problem is more karma related than anything inherent in the guns, I'll not mention brands or models other than to say so far I've now had problems requiring professional help (for the guns, not me) with five regulated ten-meter pistols of four European brands. That said, and in the interest of full disclosure (and possibly, responsibility), my propensity to hop-up power-levels may well have contributed to some of the guns' afflictions.
Yesterday's experience prompted me to compose this post, and is one of the more poignant examples of my (ongoing) regulated-ten-meter aggravation-odyssey. After several years owning and shooting this ten-meter pistol whose brand you would recognize but not relating to airguns, yesterday it was obviously shooting slower and lower than its last session; the chronograph confirming by 130 FPS. Mind you, this gun has made TWO trips to the only U.S. agent for servicing, having come home from the first trip (for a complete reseal) exhibiting extreme spreads in excess of 200 FPS! Thankfully increasing the hammer-spring tension (adjustment) yesterday got her back "up to snuff"; that being 8.4 grain JSBs at 510 FPS and 3/4" groups at 25 yards (in gusty conditions).
I've also had to send two examples of an eastern European regulated ten-meter pistol brand to the only individual in the U.S. that can/will service that brand; one of the guns now in his hands a second time for fabrication of a custom exhaust valve. MoF, a few years back a different brand top-level European ten-meter pistol had to make two trips to a different top-level (custom) airgunsmith. That experience not only nearly cost me my sanity (and a national champion title), but the sanity of said custom airgunsmith!
A sane person might wonder why I subject myself to all this aggravation. The possibilities are many; the answers likely several.
A)- I'm weak-minded.
B)- I'm just plain nuts!
C)- My karma is getting back at me for a lifetime of vice and sin.
D)- Being a passionate and life-long handgunner (see C above), I've developed an understandable fetish for the most accurate air pistols in existence (consistent 1 MOA accuracy).
Though I'd like to believe my affliction relates mostly to D above, I suspect those who know me realize it is more a matter of A, B and C!
Five shots into .16" c-t-c at 25 yards equals less than 2/3 minute-of-angle.
"Were it worth all the trouble, Pilgrim?"
"Errr... what trouble?"
As if spring-piston guns aren't maddeningly temperamental (as anyone that has shot field-target competition with a springer will loudly testify), and Co2 guns aren't "quirky" enough (to put it mildly), I've found regulated ten-meter pistols can drive a sane man to distraction (though how would I know?). Not to mention what they can do to a nut-job like me!
Virtually every regulated ten-meter pistol I've owned has given me some amount of grief or aggravation; ranging from inexplicably dropping way off in velocity from one shooting session to the next, to sudden and catastrophic failure to fire at all. But in case my problem is more karma related than anything inherent in the guns, I'll not mention brands or models other than to say so far I've now had problems requiring professional help (for the guns, not me) with five regulated ten-meter pistols of four European brands. That said, and in the interest of full disclosure (and possibly, responsibility), my propensity to hop-up power-levels may well have contributed to some of the guns' afflictions.
Yesterday's experience prompted me to compose this post, and is one of the more poignant examples of my (ongoing) regulated-ten-meter aggravation-odyssey. After several years owning and shooting this ten-meter pistol whose brand you would recognize but not relating to airguns, yesterday it was obviously shooting slower and lower than its last session; the chronograph confirming by 130 FPS. Mind you, this gun has made TWO trips to the only U.S. agent for servicing, having come home from the first trip (for a complete reseal) exhibiting extreme spreads in excess of 200 FPS! Thankfully increasing the hammer-spring tension (adjustment) yesterday got her back "up to snuff"; that being 8.4 grain JSBs at 510 FPS and 3/4" groups at 25 yards (in gusty conditions).
I've also had to send two examples of an eastern European regulated ten-meter pistol brand to the only individual in the U.S. that can/will service that brand; one of the guns now in his hands a second time for fabrication of a custom exhaust valve. MoF, a few years back a different brand top-level European ten-meter pistol had to make two trips to a different top-level (custom) airgunsmith. That experience not only nearly cost me my sanity (and a national champion title), but the sanity of said custom airgunsmith!
A sane person might wonder why I subject myself to all this aggravation. The possibilities are many; the answers likely several.
A)- I'm weak-minded.
B)- I'm just plain nuts!
C)- My karma is getting back at me for a lifetime of vice and sin.
D)- Being a passionate and life-long handgunner (see C above), I've developed an understandable fetish for the most accurate air pistols in existence (consistent 1 MOA accuracy).
Though I'd like to believe my affliction relates mostly to D above, I suspect those who know me realize it is more a matter of A, B and C!
Five shots into .16" c-t-c at 25 yards equals less than 2/3 minute-of-angle.
"Were it worth all the trouble, Pilgrim?"
"Errr... what trouble?"
