the CREATING A NEW field target rifle

No problem here. The trouble with something like what you are asking is that I am a one man operation that is so far behind it’s ridiculous.


The rifle has continually moved forward because I compete in FT....and I’m constantly thinking about what is needed to make something better. I can implement...and often do...changes on the fly because I’m so small of a company. My only goal is to make the best rifle. I never have thought about how to sell it. If I make a great rifle...the best shooters will want to use it. The other big companies focus on how to sell their product's much more than how to make them the best. Their answer is to entice good shooters to use their products in the hope that they can make it seem better than it is. I see it all the time. 


Frankly, it probably wouldn’t be that interesting if I told my story.



BTW....what are you going to do about your forum name next year?

Mike 

Within this search you will find many, many posts dating back to the first mentions of the gun. https://www.google.com/search?q=thomas+air+rifle+prototype&oq=thomas+air+rifle+prototype&aqs=chrome..69i57.22122j1j7&client=ms-android-sprint-us-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

I saw my first one, #2 or maybe #4 at a BR match. After watching it perform I new it would make a great FT rifle as well. I waited patiently, and five years later I was able to buy one.

Beginner,

There is not a lot ... but a few in the realm of Air gun designers, inventors and R&D specialists that don't work for or have any affiliation with a factory or manufacturing business, or do threw a back door and while not an employee do help better the production product.

As with many sports or hobbies these are known as privateers who finance there own path and many times manufacture there own parts and pieces to make some specific production gun far better as it comes from the factory of manufacture. Not uncommon however if a very good shooter with a successful track record a manufacturer may help you out some if there is something in return on the back end ? Be it R&D advancement / sales etc .... Tho do note as Mike N eludes too that the SPONSORED SHOOTERS are sales tools first and foremost.

In my 60+ years something learned is that those who pioneer, think outside the box, pick up on and investigate details seemingly trivial to others tend to have the most success in this and many hobbies / sports. You don't need top shelf equipment to compete at a high level ... what you need is to be diligent in attention to details be it your gun, your methodology of how you shoot it and becoming environmentally aware of the surroundings.

I too am not going to spell out my life path to where currently at in this sport today, but state the above paragraphs are paths walked with many lessons learned and disappointments realized along the way.





Likely off the OP's intended line of Q's ... Thoughts shared none the less.



Scott S





PS. In recent years have been fortunate to work with a few manufacturers after years of 100% privateer efforts ... to follow your threads TOPIC here is a link to such work being currently done for a struggling NEW manufacturer that may of may not survive and the R&D done may not even matter ? Hell of a journey tho and a whole lot of fun !!

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/the-making-of-a-field-target-rifle-using-the-jsar-raptor-mini/

I can think of a large handful of airgunners that have had a direct and ENORMOUS impact (har no pun intented) on my involvement and enjoyment of the sport. Mike and Motorhead are both on that list.

Sooooo maybe not a book, but I think one could easily fill a Youtube channel with interviews of the folks on that list. YouTube would be much easier, faster and cheaper than trying to get a book published, even in this age of desktop publishing.

My first contact with Mike N was as I was practicing with my FT "pistol" at the 2017 National Championships (I think it was). Surprised by the number of Thomas pistols on the line, I became aware Mike was observing us at the very moment someone asked "what the hell" my pistol was. Being naturally provocative, I remarked something on the order of, "It's a ghetto Thomas!" Don't think Mike exactly 'appreciated' that comment. But upon seeking him out to introduce myself at the awards dinner two days later, I found Mike to be a very gracious and humble gentleman. 

The reason I called my FT pistol a "ghetto Thomas" is it was converted from a 1960s vintage Crosman 180 Co2 rifle into a regulated high-pressure air pistol. The closest I'll ever get to (affording) a Thomas, Ol' Homegrown cost me total of $325 to build... from a rifle that sold brand-new in the early sixties for $21.95! 

Though I am an unapologetic techno-grouch throwback, having also founded pistol field target competition, I don't hesitate to give credit where credit is due. The growing number of Thomas pistols in FT competition not only speaks volumes about the acceptance and growth of pistol FT, but contributes immensely to that growth! 

THANK YOU MIKE N! 

Ol' Homegrown-

please forgive me if this is not received well by the creator of Thomas rifles.

they are very nice and someday I will git me one, if the Canadian exchange rate ever climbs back up and if the owner does not remember this thread

we have all seen the air arms factory, the FX stuff by,videos

what might be of interest is the story behind the invention of and creation of Thomas rifles as they are known

not just a paragraph but a chapter of a book (so as to speak) a couple of dozen pages outlining details of why the decision was made, some of the tribulations along the way,

how the brainwaves were controlled to end up making a really nice tool for br and field target

this would take a few weeks or months and he may not want to go down that road

But for the unwashed masses, me, it would be very interesting

just like a chapter on shoebox


one of my pleasures has been touring factories on how stuff is made, speaking with the inventors or owners on,how stuff came about



asking for a book would certainly get me right on the bottom of the list for a complete rifle for ft & br so just asking for a chapter may just postpone the order until next year. (Not even placed yet)


is this something of interest or would this be asking to much in the way of time and not secrets but inner thoughts on the whole journey



hiding under a chair now and awaiting your most reasoned reply. Jeffy from Canada saving money for a dream rifle next year

Click to expand...

If you're in a financial pinch and want a much cheaper precursor instead for anywhere from $900--$1500 on the used market then the MAC1 USFT gets my vote and I own a Thomas which I previously owned two of BTW and 5 Mac1 USFTs in all configurations. They are good enough IMHO and I particularly like the original unregulated ones that fill to only 1450psi those had huge tanks and weight perfect for FT your 3000psi dive tank Will seem to last forever if you got one of the original unregulated USFTs. I know someone selling a USFT for $1250 BTW. You may call Tim at Mac1 and ask if he still makes and sells new ones for $2200. If so pkease let me know and hopefully you catch him in a good mood then he just might build you one. I had to spend THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS to get special VIP treatment from him. Good Luck. Yo!

I hope referencing another forum isn't against the rules but I followed Mike's development here:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=50414

Admiring his innovation and craftsmanship long before the Thomas was a product and he was a friend.

Danny

No need to worry Danny. There aint no stinking link police here.

The Thomas is a finely crafted rifle indeed. However, most, if not all, rifles on the upper end of the quality scale are just as accurate. Winning at FT is mostly dependent on the guy behind the buttplate and the action of his brain and trigger finger. I've seen too many people think they can buy winning scores by obtaining an expensive gun only to find out that their skills are still sub-standard.

I'm going to stick around in the FT section so no worries there. I've only recently started placing in Grand Prix's so there is plenty more for me to learn in trying to be better. Trying to translate that knowledge for others to learn from seems equally as difficult. I'll try though. 

Jeff...if you find yourself near Colorado...you are welcome to stop by and shoot my FT course with me. Anyone can come by with a little notice, for that matter. I don’t care what kind of gun you shoot.


Mike