JTS Anyone having a moderator clipping problem on Airacuda Max .30 ?

Sky King said:

Anyone having a moderator clipping problem on Airacuda Max .30 ?

3 Dec 2023 UPDATE. I received another Max in 30 caliber from Pyramyd Air a few days ago. This replaced my previous three Max, one in each caliber that were clipping moderators due to a manufacturing defect in the air gun not the moderator. This defect has been extensively reported and commented on through most of the appropriate forms. So it's likely my new Max in 30 caliber was from a batch wherein the defect has been corrected. That means that I shot my Airacuda Max in 30 caliber with the Ronan 35 caliber moderator and it did not clip and it shot very accurately and substantially reduced the report.

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Great news! Been trying to determine if JTS is addressing this problem before continuing to recommend brand. Hope they didn't just keep sending guns out until you found a good one, as I believe guns with good shrouds, from the factory, do exist. The accuracy of my MAX is a dream come true, with the DonnyFL adapter installed, problem is it's as loud as a .22 powder burner. Tried .30 moderators from FX (DonnyFL), STO Falx, STO Pugio and .25 moderators from BuckRail and FX (DonnyFL), accuracy suffers with each. Awaiting another .30 moderator from STO, Brevitas II. WM

WorriedMan said:

Great news! Been trying to determine if JTS is addressing this problem before continuing to recommend brand. Hope they didn't just keep sending guns out until you found a good one, as I believe guns with good shrouds, from the factory, do exist. The accuracy of my MAX is a dream come true, with the DonnyFL adapter installed, problem is it's as loud as a .22 powder burner. Tried .30 moderators from FX (DonnyFL), STO Falx, STO Pugio and .25 moderators from BuckRail and FX (DonnyFL), accuracy suffers with each. Awaiting another .30 moderator from STO, Brevitas II. WM

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You could try what fixed mine. Drill out a plastic moderator to 7/16"

Shaky2 said:

You could try what fixed mine. Drill out a plastic moderator to 7/16"

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If the Brevitas II doesn't work out, definitely on my to do list. WM

WorriedMan said:

If the Brevitas II doesn't work out, definitely on my to do list. WM

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Even hogged out like that it still made a big difference in the report

Sky King said:

3/8" will do it for .30 Airacuda Max

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Post #26 reflects exactly that for my STO PUGIO .30 moderator, unfortunately still affected MAX .25's accuracy. Without moderator, pellets in one ragged hole in dime-size circle @ 50 yds. Install moderator, pellets 19 inches high, 24 right. Drill out plastic moderator insert with 3/8 drill, pellets 3 inches high, 7 right. Remove moderator, pellets return to ragged hole in dime-size circle @ 50. Trying 7/16 drill bit seems like a logical next step, IMO. WM

Sky King said:

Or better yet, call JTS and tell them you want a warranty repair of their defective gun

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Looking back, should have done just that. Too much modification to get warranty now. Without moderator it's just like one of my .22 powder burners. Didn't need another .22 powder burner so I'll keep trying to moderate the sound. WM

Sky King said:

Yes, the drill may be an interim Band-Aid, but I suggest you contact JTS directly and tell them you have a defective air gun and if you’re in the warranty. Your Golden. Where and when did you buy yours?

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October 31, 2022, from Pyramyd Air.

Latest modification of the STO Pugio .30 moderator seems promising, noise is partially tamed, accuracy nearly matches that without moderator. Plastic internal section has been drilled out to 1/2 inch, exit end cap is now a spare M14 cap, which provides a 1/2-inch opening. WM

STO's .30 Brevitas II performed similar to the 3/8 drilled out PUGIO but could not match the 1/2 inch drilled out (.50) PUGIO. Tested both on Gauntlet .25, .50 PUGIO highly outperformed. WM

Best way to describe accuracy with .50 Pugio is few group in ragged hole, one hits inch left, next few group in ragged hole, almost touching first ragged hole, then another inch left. So, with JSB 25.39 pellets and .50 Pugio, accuracy decent, but not ideal, still fairly loud but pull Pugio and you realize how much noise it's muting. End of session, just about to fall off regulator, loaded a magazine of JSB 33.95s. Hole in hole till off the reg. Will follow up with 33.95s WM

Shaky2 said:

Thanks worriedman....I already heard about over tightening the stick bolt and so checked it. I had it loose enough the action would move when I would shake the gun and the mags are still tight. Where is the archives located I looked and never seen it.

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You can find the thread here: Airacuda Updates

HKVP9 said:

You can find the thread here: Airacuda Updates

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Thanks HK, I'm computer challenged as far as links. WM

WorriedMan said:

Thanks HK, I'm computer challenged as far as links. WM

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HK,
Will report on testing today for heavier pellets (JSB 33.95) in my .50 Pugio-equipped Airacuda. Over a year of ownership, am I finally on the verge of success? WM

Okay even though my Max 22 was doing good and not pellet clipping with my Notos Moderator bored out I decided to try a buck rail 30 cal moderator. I ordered and received one and fired a couple pellets at my usual 1/2" dot at 30yds to make sure I was on target which it was. Now I install the 30cal and take a shot and BAM! it hit right in the center of the dot. I'm happy.

Firewalker said:

Yes, the mag-pinch issue but there is a tiny hole normally found on the left side of the tube where the hammer strikes, this allows air displaced by the hammer to escape.

You may have to channel your stock to solve that issue as well.

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Can you show a picture of where this hole should be? My stock fits very snug.

BBGunn said:

I was also able to fix my rifle's clipping issue to the point of getting consistent grouping. The point I was trying to make is that a person should not have to alter a new rifle as much as is needed with many Airacudas in order to get them to not clip. What's even worse is JTS will not stand behind these faulty rifles and correct them for the buyers.

My Airacuda is going on the consignment rack at the local gun shop and I'll have no worries about JTS products or lack of support.

If yours is fixed to your satisfaction then I hope you have many hours of enjoyment shooting it.

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I've had problems getting my 22cal to group so i posted on a airacuda Facebook page looking for answers. I posted pics of my barrel and a rough patch inside it that i have concerns with. Travis whitney commented
"just lap it out".
To me that is the wrong response. He should have said, sent it back and I'll replace the barrel! I shouldn't have to gather up a bunch of tools and products to work on and try to repair a new gun. To me it says alot about what kind of guy travis is. You don't treat your customers this way and you should stand by your products. I will not purchase nor will i refer anyone to purchase any products travis whitney is involved with.
Below are pictures of the rough patch inside the barrel.

WorriedMan said:

Shaky,
There's a known problem that JTS never addressed, the single stock bolt is unsupported between action and stock so tightening will warp action causing pinching of magazine opening, thus, hard to insert. Loosening stock bolt should allow magazine opening to widen. The old adage to keep stock bolt as tight as possible doesn't apply to Airacuda MAX. There's plastic support blocks available from Warranty Department, check out "Airacuda Updates," in AGN archives, starting around page 7, for more information. Had a loud clang in my .25 MAX, too, turned out builder never tightened stack bolt in shroud, so stripper and baffles clanged at every shot! Chinese Quality Control at its finest. WM

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WorriedMan said:

Shaky,
There's a known problem that JTS never addressed, the single stock bolt is unsupported between action and stock so tightening will warp action causing pinching of magazine opening, thus, hard to insert. Loosening stock bolt should allow magazine opening to widen. The old adage to keep stock bolt as tight as possible doesn't apply to Airacuda MAX. There's plastic support blocks available from Warranty Department, check out "Airacuda Updates," in AGN archives, starting around page 7, for more information. Had a loud clang in my .25 MAX, too, turned out builder never tightened stack bolt in shroud, so stripper and baffles clanged at every shot! Chinese Quality Control at its finest. WM

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