FX Impact ....first impressions

Thanks guys,
The Oz Impact comes with a muzzle break. No moderators or shrouds allowed here except if they are an integral part of the design, except in South Australia where I believe removable moderators are legal..
Just an observation regarding the barrel removal and replacement that other Impact owners might comment on, and I apologise if I'm stating the obvious. I think it is a good idea to remove the barrel locking thumb screw completely when remounting the barrel. A light coating of silicon grease on the barrel O rings carefully feed the barrel back into the housing so as not to damage the O rings. As the barrel approaches it's final position line up the locating recess on the barrel and with light rearward pressure slide the barrel back until the locating recess on the barrel can be seen lined up through the hole where the thumb screw has been removed. The locating lug in the breech would have settled into the notch in the end of the barrel. Replace the thumb screw and screw it in until resistance from the barrel locating recess can be felt. This process needs done carefully to avoid chopping out the locating notch in the brass at the end of the barrel.

Now since the barrel is supported buy O rings if the thumbscrew is tightened down each time with varying pressure I would think it possible to compress the barrel O rings differently each time and ever so slightly changing the position of the barrel with the possible result of changing the POI. In theory the barrel locating notch should prevent sideways movement of the rear of the barrel, but that would depend on how close the tolerances are between the notch and the lug. Also, the notch could enlarge over time if the barrel is seated heavy handedly.
I propose to replace the barrel locating thumbscrew with a nylon tipped grubb screw, and torque it down with my inch/pound torque wrench I use to torque scope mounts. This way I know the barrel is retained exactly the same each time, and hopefully there will be no POI change. The reason for using a nylon tipped grubb screw is the nylon has some give when tightened down and would help prevent any chance of the grubb screw working loose as some Impact owners have mentioned the thumbscrew can.

I know that many manufactures of powder burners with removable barrels state that the barrel must be torqued to precise values each time it's refitted to maintain integrity of the POI.
Anyway, I would be interested in feed back and thoughts about this.

Best regards,
Ross

Impact Picatinny Rail 
I have read that some owners have had problems attaching accessories to the picatinny rail, I haven't found this to be the case so far. My Atlas bipod fitted with their standard ADI quick release lever mount attaches and unattaches from the picatinny rail easily. Also, my scope does likewise using E.A.W brand OD (Quick Dismount) scope mounts. The E.A.W scope mounts use a thumb lever for locking the mounts to the picatinny rail, and the scope easily mounts and dismounts from the picatinny rail without loss of POI. I haven't tried any onther accessories at this point to see if any compatibility issues arise, however, it would appear that my Impact's picatinny rails are within specification.
Regards,
Ross

Thanks Txboy, I was aware of the off-spec spacing of the picatinny rail slots on early Impacts, and that issue was addressed by FX on the later guns. I had read Sharroffs comment below regarding the problems he was having fitting his Atlas bipod to his Impact.

"The Atlas bipod has a button to quick release (remove it) from a gun. The mount on the Impact is far enough off spec to not let that work correctly. Yes, you can mount the bipod on the gun and tighten the screw, but you can’t hit the quick release button to remove it. You need a screw driver to remove it. That or the bipod doesn’t firmly attach and everything is loose and floppy if the bipod can be quick released. It works correctly on my AR but not the Impact. This is confirmed with other Impact owners."

My comment 2 posts previous was regarding Sharroff's experiences as I have found the the Atlas bipod mounts up firmly and dismounts quite easily as it does in Ted's video review. My Impact is one of the latest version, however, Ted's is the earlier version, and although the scope rail spacing was out of spec, Ted doesn't seem to have had issues with mounting his Atlas bipod the lower picatinny rail.
Ross

How to tell visually if your Impact is cocked ....

Have you ever been in that situation of not being able to remember if you cocked and reloaded your Impact after the last shot and don't want to double load a pellet?
Sure you can cycle the cocking lever slowly feeling that the action is cocked as there is no initial load of the uncompressed spring.....but not moving the lever too far rearward as to cycle the magazine.

Well I've noticed another way of visually telling whether the Impact is cocked. When the gun is cocked if you look side on in the space in the trigger guard between the trigger and the regulator adjuster as the trigger pivots forwards the second stage adjustment grubb screw protrudes below the line of the rifle. When the gun is fired the grubb screw pretty much disappears up into the gun.
It's a quick visual inspection as to whether the gun is cocked. I originally noticed it when watching Ted's video when he was demonstrating cycling the gun. Have any other Impact owners noticed this?
Ross