Effects of valve-stem length on Co2 performance...

Actually that stands a pretty good chance of increasing CO2 consumption. Depends on the particular valve but most valves will allow more travel than is necesssary for normal operation. By shortening the stem, it allows more hammer travel (stroke) and that in turn produces more hammer momentum. More hammer momentum means more valve dwell, thus more CO2 usage.

The thing I usually do with CO2 guns is add a bstaley O-ring buffer. I add O-rings (and spacers if necessary) until the velocity just begins to taper off. It's not uncommon to see a 50% increase in shot count for almost no velocity tradeoff. And it’s completely reversible if you don’t like the results.

Shortening the valve stem will help I expect you could also shorten the hammer spring by cutting a coil or two off at a time. I would think either of those two should get you to use less gas. Actually I think the spring is pretty big so probly cut less than that.

The 180 is heavily sprung (adjuster or not) and was designed to give about 20+ shots then dump all remaining Co2 when pis got a bit low. that way all full power shots. Swaping the hammer spring would be good. You might try adding some buffer -maybe a felt washer or oring- over the stem also before modding your valve stem.



John

I was thinking the same things as n-n-nervoustrig posted above, before I read his post. I think he's right on the money. BTW, 20-25 full-power shots per charge is pretty normal in 180 Land.