I mostly have PCP air rifles, but am looking to add a decent springer or gasser rifle to the collection. I've noticed that most of the options out there today don't seem to be moderator friendly (have threaded barrels). Why is that? I want to be able to put on one of my LDC's if I buy one of these. What are my options? I'd prefer as light of a gun as possible, .177-.22 caliber, 650-850 fps would be ideal, and of course needs to have a threaded barrel.
Other Threaded barrel options?
- Thread starter roaoro
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How about the HW30, HW50, and HW80 that come with a sound moderator? Airguns of Arizona has them.
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HW98 comes to mind as one that comes threaded. Various shrouded Hatsan and Benji/Crosman barrels were actually threaded for 1/2x20. The Diana 34 EMS and K98 underlever also. None of these are particularly light, an HW30 or HW50 mentioned previously would be your best bet. You can get threaded adapters too, one double ended for the TX200 or a generic slip on adapter for 14mm/15mm/16mm barrels.
A moderator does nothing for the action noise in a piston gun. A heavy piston backed by a strong spring (coil or gas) makes quite a bit of noise. Piston guns also push a smaller amount of air (relatively) behind a pellet at higher pressure compared to most pcp's or co2 guns, thus a moderator is less efficient. The need for a moderator isn't great on piston guns unless the barrels are are carbine length or shortened considerably, but they do reduce/eliminate muzzle report. Reduced piston weight, swept volume and/or softer spring will reduce action noise and report (power too). Still will make some noise though.
A moderator does nothing for the action noise in a piston gun. A heavy piston backed by a strong spring (coil or gas) makes quite a bit of noise. Piston guns also push a smaller amount of air (relatively) behind a pellet at higher pressure compared to most pcp's or co2 guns, thus a moderator is less efficient. The need for a moderator isn't great on piston guns unless the barrels are are carbine length or shortened considerably, but they do reduce/eliminate muzzle report. Reduced piston weight, swept volume and/or softer spring will reduce action noise and report (power too). Still will make some noise though.
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Thanks for the suggestions. I really like the looks of the Diana Mauser AM03, and kind of like the gas piston option. I wonder if this has standard 1/2x20 threads. Anyone own and have any input on this model? Nothing against woodies, but I think prefer the synthetic look.
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Every springer that comes threaded off the factory that I know (save for my Baikal) has the standard 1/2" UNF thread.
Springers threaded for moderators off the factory include:
Every modern Walther model (LGV, LGU, Terrus, Classus, Parrus)
Diana K98 Mauser
Current HW57
Some "spec ed" Weihrauchs (other than the 57) are threaded, and threaded aftermarket barrels are commonly available for the breakbarrel HW's.
BSA Meteor Super & late Superstars
I haven't seen an AM03 that was threaded for moderator. The N-Tec powerplant has also been discontinued (but replacement gasrams are still available).
Many companies, such as Weihrauch, Diana and Cometa, offer slip-on moderators for their springers, negating the need for a threaded barrel.
Everyone and their uncle says springers can't really be moderated, but a quality springer with tight-fitting, delrin-suppressed innards, such as my LGV, really makes almost no sound with a moderator on, only a muffled, mild 'thud'. Even an alerted jackrabbit, ears a-scanning, doesn't register it as something to react to.
Springers threaded for moderators off the factory include:
Every modern Walther model (LGV, LGU, Terrus, Classus, Parrus)
Diana K98 Mauser
Current HW57
Some "spec ed" Weihrauchs (other than the 57) are threaded, and threaded aftermarket barrels are commonly available for the breakbarrel HW's.
BSA Meteor Super & late Superstars
I haven't seen an AM03 that was threaded for moderator. The N-Tec powerplant has also been discontinued (but replacement gasrams are still available).
Many companies, such as Weihrauch, Diana and Cometa, offer slip-on moderators for their springers, negating the need for a threaded barrel.
Everyone and their uncle says springers can't really be moderated, but a quality springer with tight-fitting, delrin-suppressed innards, such as my LGV, really makes almost no sound with a moderator on, only a muffled, mild 'thud'. Even an alerted jackrabbit, ears a-scanning, doesn't register it as something to react to.
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Thanks, Lagerlarconist
I was under the impression HW97's have integral moderators. Not a gun for me, because HW97's don't have iron sights, nor stocks for 'em.
I was under the impression HW97's have integral moderators. Not a gun for me, because HW97's don't have iron sights, nor stocks for 'em.
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You also mentioned gas. This is the Diana Chaser pistol/rifle. C02 - 22 or 177. Already has a moderator. Basically silent. Very accurate. The 22 caliber I have shoots 14.3 CPHP’s at 560fps. 177 probably in the 650+ range. 35-40 good shots on a single C02 cartridge. Also makes into a pistol. Very light weight. Around $129 new. 
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Possibly because spring/piston rifles make more noise on the back end than the front end.
I played around with a DFL Tanto on my little Stoeger X20 using a slip on adapter from eBay. I found that it made very little difference to the noise level percieved by me shooting it. My wife, standing about 25 yards away told me that the sound of the rifle shooting seemed slightly duller from her position 90 degrees to the shooting direction.
Also, the set screw slip on adapter quickly walked off the barrel dumping my Tanto in the dirt. Enough of that foolishness.
I keep reading that some of the Gamo Fusion rifles are very quiet, beats me. If Gamo designed the thing from the beginning to have a quiet shooting cycle then maybe they really are.
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