Beeman by the numbers...

Thanks Mike, yes, my MKIII is definitely a gas ram. Are the blonde laminate stocks the only ones that have the wood that comes down to nearly the bottom front edge of the trigger guard? I wonder what the thought was for designing it that way?

New member. Impressive collection to be sure. Glad to see the RX-2 in there. I own only one, the RX-2. Have kept it in like new condition and have used it on a few squirrels. Nothing much else but it has been very effective. I owned the airgun for maybe 20 years since new. Just wondering about the Theoben gas ram life span? Also, I'm getting along in years and will be needing to get something easier to cock. Any suggestions?

Supposedly the rams are good for thousands and thousands of shots but hard to say how long anything will last. If it's getting a bit hard to cock small amounts of air can be purged from the rear Schrader valve this will of course lower fps as well as cocking effort. If you do not have the pump to recharge it though this may be a bad idea as many have let out far too much air then are unhappy and don't have the pump to bring the pressure back up. Another Beeman/HW to consider with good power and easier cocking is the R9/HW95 and if you want something easy to cock but again far less power than the RX is either an R8 (fairly hard to find) or the Beeman R7/HW30. The RX series is the top power for the HW piston guns with the R1 running a close second...

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Agree with DMM - HW95 will certainly be easier than the RX2 as far as cocking effort. The quoted numbers might not show a big difference in effort, but perceived effort is definitely harder with the RX2 because you start out with almost full effort as soon as you begin the cocking stroke (as compared to regular springer where the effort builds through the stroke).

But if you're not hunting or shooting past 30 yards or so, and HW30/R7 is a very accurate, easy to shoot gun that you can cock all day long. It will also take out a squirrel no problem out to 20-25 yards.

If the RX2 ever needs any service, David Slade at Airgunwerks is the man for Theoben gas rams. 

Supposedly the rams are good for thousands and thousands of shots but hard to say how long anything will last. If it's getting a bit hard to cock small amounts of air can be purged from the rear Schrader valve this will of course lower fps as well as cocking effort. If you do not have the pump to recharge it though this may be a bad idea as many have let out far too much air then are unhappy and don't have the pump to bring the pressure back up. Another Beeman/HW to consider with good power and easier cocking is the R9/HW95 and if you want something easy to cock but again far less power than the RX is either an R8 (fairly hard to find) or the Beeman R7/HW30. The RX series is the top power for the HW piston guns with the R1 running a close second...

Click to expand...

Supposedly the rams are good for thousands and thousands of shots but hard to say how long anything will last. If it's getting a bit hard to cock small amounts of air can be purged from the rear Schrader valve this will of course lower fps as well as cocking effort. If you do not have the pump to recharge it though this may be a bad idea as many have let out far too much air then are unhappy and don't have the pump to bring the pressure back up. Another Beeman/HW to consider with good power and easier cocking is the R9/HW95 and if you want something easy to cock but again far less power than the RX is either an R8 (fairly hard to find) or the Beeman R7/HW30. The RX series is the top power for the HW piston guns with the R1 running a close second...

Click to expand...

Agree with DMM - HW95 will certainly be easier than the RX2 as far as cocking effort. The quoted numbers might not show a big difference in effort, but perceived effort is definitely harder with the RX2 because you start out with almost full effort as soon as you begin the cocking stroke (as compared to regular springer where the effort builds through the stroke).

But if you're not hunting or shooting past 30 yards or so, and HW30/R7 is a very accurate, easy to shoot gun that you can cock all day long. It will also take out a squirrel no problem out to 20-25 yards.

If the RX2 ever needs any service, David Slade at Airgunwerks is the man for Theoben gas rams. 





Thanks guys for your insights and information. Hopefully I'll be able to move the RX-2 and get something I can be happy with.

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Mike

Wasn't there an R5??



JC

I thought so. I think one of the Matts (Noe or Saenz) has one. I also recall an R3 being produced in .25.

All in all, a mighty collection Mike!

I thought so. I think one of the Matts (Noe or Saenz) has one. I also recall an R3 being produced in .25.

All in all, a mighty collection Mike!

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If memory serves, the R5 was a FWB 124/127 in .20 caliber, correct? What has the R3?? 

Shareef

I am mistaken about the R3. But yes....R5 was a Feinwerkbau 125 .20 caliber.

Now try and find one! Dr. B claims only 4 were made. 

JC

With my RX-2 what I may take into consideration is to carefully bleed out a little compressed air in order to reduce cocking effort. Yes, the airgun will be less powerful but the alternative is to buy a less powerful replacement anyway (R-9/HW95). If I screw up the pressure release then I could send the gun to an expert for a recharge to some recommended pressure. The question I have for anyone out there is to what pressure should I make the RX-2 operate at? Subjective; I realize.

Thanks Mike - good advice. Got any recommendations for pumps and adapters? I've been out of the game for several years and need a little guidance (if that is permitted on this forum).

Hi Mike,

That’s a beautiful collection of Classic springers!

The Commemorative R1, caught my eye, as haven’t seen one in years. I forgot how nice that guy was. I bought a .20 cal. With the best scope, and rings, offered for it, along with all the extras, the case, Beeman’s fanciest sling, and swivels, muzzle brake, sight hole covers, etc. I lost that gun, along with an early, pre order, P1 Mangnum pistol, in a house burglary, way back in January 95. Now that it is becoming collectible, that guy may turn up some where. I expected mine to be abused by the thieves not not knowing what they had, dry firing it or firing finish nails or something in it. so figured it would eventually wind up back at Beeman for repair, but Beeman was going through changes at the time, along with the local dealer, and I abandoned the sport and forgot about it.
I started shooting again about fifteen years ago, starting with an HW75, pistol. I just bought my first PCP, and I’m really enjoying airgunning again. I remember being interested in FWB 124’s, back in the day, as a high quality, handy, yard plinker. Now I’m thinking maybe HW30, or R7, but I have a little catching up to do. 
All the best! 

I'll take the sixth one from the top...Mk1 Laser. That's my favorite R1 by far.

I have an HW 90. I bought it with a reduced pressure ram. It is tuned to 14 foot pounds. In the 30 pounds to cock. And laser accurate out to about 45 yards. A much more pleasant rifle to shoot. I still don’t care for the ridiculously light trigger. No real adjustability.

Do a YouTube search on HW 90 trigger adjustment. Or GTA search. Very light And not very adjustable is a thing. One guy tears his down completely and sees almost no adjustability. That’s exactly how mine is. About 5 ounces single stage. I have adjusted in both directions in qtr turns Until maxed in both directions. No luck. It is called the elite trigger. A lot have complained about it.