Sell or not to sell? When do you give up?

Mycapt65 · May 19, 2022

I have a very nice Huntington Beach era 177 R1 that I impulse bought on ebay. That cost me almost $600 when all was said and done. Then I put a lot of time, money and work adding a bunch of stuff to customize it.

New 20 caliber barrel, new style cocking shoe, cocking arm & rivet - $200

Custom length Vortek kit and piston seal - $130

Gun is violent breaks Airmax scope - replaced warranty

Sportsmatch Dampa mount. To protect replacement scope - $80

27 coil standard length Vortek kit spring to soften the gun- $35

Power wasn't where it should be so I slugged the new barrel. I found it defective. It was way oversized in the middle and the choke way to tight. Contacted Weihrauch and eventually they replaced it with a new 20 caliber barrel.

Now before I install the brand new 20 caliber barrel, I'm wondering if should put the 177 barrel back on the gun and sell it and the 20 caliber barrel separately to recoup some of my money. Looking at the list I have over $1000 into this project. That's not including at least $200 worth of hard to find pellets I've shot testing the gun and diagnosing the damaged scope.

I figure I could probably get $500 for the gun with the original 177 barrel and $125 for the brand new 20 caliber barrel. I'd get back a little more than half my money. Not a great return on investment. Remember it would be worth even less the minute I install the new barrel. When is enough, enough? Sell or dig the hole deeper?

Keep in mind two things. I already have a beautiful Blue laminate 20 caliber Limited Edition R9 that makes almost as much power @ 16.5 fpe. It's also much lighter, easier to cock and shoots absolutely beautifully.

The other thing is this past week I bought a home with 113 acres and I can shoot ANYTHING I want, at any time. If I need anything stronger than the R9 I can just shoot one of my 22LRs or bigger for that matter.

What would you do? Sink more money and time into customizing a gun you don't need because it's cool piece of airgun history or cut your losses and bail out now before devaluing the new barrel?

Thanks
Ron

Jeffs55 · May 19, 2022

Once you have customized a piece of history it becomes a piece of poop. I used to be into firearms and the old military/oddball kind. I would not touch a modified one. Cut your losses and sell or leave it factory stock.

Jeff

beerthief · May 19, 2022

SO ? if you finish this project will you use the gun ? or every time you think of using will you think of all this description stuff ? I would sell and "move on "

thumper · May 19, 2022

Personally, I wouldnt spend another dime on an R1.

As you said, the R9 shoots almost as fast, and does so much more pleasantly.

Unload it to a Beeman collector nut and get on with life. They will just talk about how amazing it is and never shoot it lol. Everyone ends up happy that way. Someone will buy it and give you a fair price for it.

I'd sell it. Fast. I've had a couple and didn't find much to like about any of them, honestly.

Mycapt65 · May 19, 2022

Thanks all

Jeff,

you're absolutely right about collectables. I can put this back to stock or sell it with all the original parts I purposely didn't do anything irreversible.

Beertheif, (I love the name btw)

I will occasionally use the gun as a whole and enjoy it. Even over sprung it was still pretty fun to shoot. I just didn't like it the power output. Do I need it? No but I'd shoot it as a novelty.

Thumper,

I agree with you I do like my 26mm Weihrauchs better. Everything you say makes perfect sense. It's just hard to admit my folly by selling it.

Thanks all for your input. I just got the new barrel yesterday and I want to put it on and play with it. I'm posting this thread and holding off to avoid another impulsive mistake.

Thanks all

Ron

Jlowe · May 19, 2022

I've been there before several times with the R1. I've tried Vortek and Maccari kits. The Vortek's make more power, but the Maccari (ARH) kits are smoother. Some people like the snappy recoil and some don't that you get with a R1 shooting 20+ foot pounds. My thought has been that if I ever bought another I would put the Maccari kit in with a Vortek piston seal as I have had good results in the past with that combo and probably in .177cal as it has the most pellet options and would more than likely shoot the lighter slugs as well.

.20cal Pellets are harder to find that ever and .22cal Weihrauch barrels are not always the same as I used to keep every diameter of H&N FTT's on hand (5.50-5.55) just for that reason.

Plus, your right about the difference between the R1 and R9 in power. If its close, why not go with the lighter gun. Plus, you have the best looking one ever made any.

BryanH · May 19, 2022

If the .177 barrel is good I would just keep it on there. Probably put a high power kit in it, and try to beat 1,000 fps. And then just keep it. I wish I had a sweet R1, I love the checkering on those stocks. What a sweet rifle.

I also want one of those blue laminate R9’s.

You have some real nice rifles by the way

boscoebrea · May 19, 2022

Limit your loss.I think you may get $600 for the rifle add the barrel and other stuff in the deal,should get close or over $700.

It was an expensive learning experience,put it on ebay and people will bid higher.

Don't think,just sell it and be done with it.

Long_Gun_Dallas · May 19, 2022

I have more $ in worse guns. I always prefer to finish what I start. Can't put a price on that. I also prefer to keep my finished work.

thumper · May 19, 2022

If the .177 barrel is good I would just keep it on there. Probably put a high power kit in it, and try to beat 1,000 fps. And then just keep it. I wish I had a sweet R1, I love the checkering on those stocks. What a sweet rifle.

I also want one of those blue laminate R9’s.

You have some real nice rifles by the way

Did you notice the part where the OP mentioned his R9 makes almost as much power but was nicer to shoot?

Just checking..

Mycapt65 · May 19, 2022

If the .177 barrel is good I would just keep it on there. Probably put a high power kit in it, and try to beat 1,000 fps. And then just keep it. I wish I had a sweet R1, I love the checkering on those stocks. What a sweet rifle.

I also want one of those blue laminate R9’s.

You have some real nice rifles by the way

Thanks Bryan,

I got the 177 barrel back on it and it shoots JSB Exact 8.44 in the 970s and H&N FTTs in the 940s. That's with the normal Vortek HO kit in it and the shot cycle is surprisingly good for an 177 R1. Testing in my basement at ten yards the gun shoots single round hole 5 shot groups with the FTTs. I'm not sure if I want to risk giving up that accuracy or some manners to drive them any faster. I believe the R1s legendary 1000fps rating was done with lighter pellets. I think it and the barrel are going up for sale soon.

Bear-of-Grayling · May 19, 2022

The R9 is just a better gun than the R1 will ever be. IMHO. I’ve sunk a ton of unrecoverable loot in the many R1’s over the past almost 40 years and do not own one now or want one now. Have a 30,35,55,95,97,98 and that is just the Weihrauch’s. I also moved out onto property that I to can shoot my other guns. My airguns are used less now. Still love springers but enough is enough. What is the best prediction of future behavior? Past behavior! Enjoy your new home.

Mycapt65 · May 19, 2022

Thanks everyone who helped me see things more clearly.

Be well

Ron

Glenroiland · May 20, 2022

Don't ask me...I've never gotten rid of any gun ever. Springers or firearms....

Mycapt65 · May 20, 2022

Don't ask me...I've never gotten rid of any gun ever. Springers or firearms....

I totally understand, I don't let go of guns easily. This is why this has been a difficult decision to make and sought help here. To date I've only only sold one gun to date and it was to a friend for a very reasonable price because I didn't like the caliber.

Be well

Ron

EMrider · May 20, 2022

Personally, I wouldnt spend another dime on an R1.

As you said, the R9 shoots almost as fast, and does so much more pleasantly.

Unload it to a Beeman collector nut and get on with life. They will just talk about how amazing it is and never shoot it lol. Everyone ends up happy that way. Someone will buy it and give you a fair price for it.

I'd sell it. Fast. I've had a couple and didn't find much to like about any of them, honestly.

Yep, the R1 is the only spring gun I’ve ever sold because IMHO it fell short in every category to my other springers. A collector was happy to buy it and everyone happily moved on.

R

Glenroiland · May 20, 2022

Don't ask me...I've never gotten rid of any gun ever. Springers or firearms....

Click to expand...

I totally understand, I don't let go of guns easily. This is why this has been a difficult decision to make and sought help here. To date I've only only sold one gun to date and it was to a friend for a very reasonable price because I didn't like the caliber.

Be well

Ron

Totally get it!

Be well and shoot straight..

GoldenStateAIRGUNer · May 21, 2022

I believe the R1 was rated at 980 fps. That was with the Laser pellet which I think was around 6.5 gr. Your getting very good performance with the 8.44 gr JSB. I remember when Beeman came out with the R10 they rated it as a 1000+ fps springer which mine never achieved.

Mycapt65 · May 22, 2022

I believe the R1 was rated at 980 fps. That was with the Laser pellet which I think was around 6.5 gr. Your getting very good performance with the 8.44 gr JSB. I remember when Beeman came out with the R10 they rated it as a 1000+ fps springer which mine never achieved.

Thank you I wasn't aware of that. For some reason I thought it was the R1 that was the first gun rated for 1000 fps.. I thought that was it's claim to fame.

Thanks

Ron

Sell or not to sell? When do you give up?

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