AirArms S500 XS Problem

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WatchHobby

Member
Nov 13, 2019
28
6
FL, United States
I have a brand new S500 Carbine XS, which I bought from PA about 2 years ago. Only shot maybe 10 pellets through it, when it first arrived. It worked perfectly and on high power it was shooting properly. Now I pulled it out after a year, still holding air fully all the while. But with a full charge, on high, it barely pushes the pellet out. It's now running 200 fps via both chronys. I shot about 20 pellets to see if it needed to settle for some reason but no, still barely shooting. Any idea what might be happening? Of course I'll send it right back to PA as soon as they will answer, but I've waited on hold for service now for several days now and haven't yet reached anyone.

Ideas?
 
I don't know how the power adjustment knob works on that rifle, but is it possible it could be in a position that is impeding the air flow? Otherwise, I would guess it is an issue with either the reg or valve. Such a lack of response from the dealer is concerning. I'll remember that before buying from them. Good luck, and please post your resolution with the dealer.
 
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I agree with elh0102, most likely the regulator is passing full reservoir pressure to the valve, and it is experiencing valve lock. Meaning the hammer is unable to overcome the pressure to adequately knock it open.

To confirm, what you can do is dry fire it until the pressure drops by 20 bar then chronograph a couple of shots, dry fire again to drop it another 20 bar and chronograph another couple of shots, and again a third time. If the velocity starts moving up toward what it should have been, it’s the regulator.
 
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They have a simple transfer port knob, which does not seem like it could go wrong assuming it's like others and is just a narrowing groove cut into it. But that is a though though, as it shoots on high much like it's on low.

I'll try to shoot it down and monitor the power.

I support PA and have bought countless thousands from them for many years. They give good service but for some reason I have not been able to reach anyone lately. Maybe they're short staffed.
 
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WatchHobby said:
It always popped air because the shroud has vent holes right at the rear very close to the breech making it hard to tell if it's that or the seal, but good idea and I will check the oring.
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I believe those vent holes are well forward of the breech opening. You might feel it on your face or hear it, but if tissue is placed directly over the breech opening, the shroud vents should not blow it off, and you could tape them off.
 
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WatchHobby said:
Well I shot a few more and it air dumped. I think maybe it's fine but was way below the reg and out of air, but the guage is wrong. It is still showing 180bar even though it dumped. So hopefully it's fine and the gauge is bad making me think it had plenty of air. Will fill in the morning and report back if that's all it is.
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Are the air arms gauges usually good ones?
 
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The Air Arms guages are supposed to be good and they cost about 5x what others charge, but this one wasn't good I guess. They are BSPP which is a little nicer as well. Funny thing I called to get a new gauge and was told it was not covered under the new gun warranty. They said it only covers mfg defects. I debated that obviously it was not mfgd right since it failed within a year for no other reason, but they declined to support me. So I have to order a $40 gauge for the gun I already paid > $1000 for. I love AA guns and they are some of the very best but that did not please me as a customer.

Though to be fair, I can't tell if this was AA declining me, or PA (where I bought it) as with AA you have to call PA to support it in the USA.
 
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WatchHobby said:
The Air Arms guages are supposed to be good and they cost about 5x what others charge, but this one wasn't good I guess. They are BSPP which is a little nicer as well. Funny thing I called to get a new gauge and was told it was not covered under the new gun warranty. They said it only covers mfg defects. I debated that obviously it was not mfgd right since it failed within a year for no other reason, but they declined to support me. So I have to order a $40 gauge for the gun I already paid > $1000 for. I love AA guns and they are some of the very best but that did not please me as a customer.

Though to be fair, I can't tell if this was AA declining me, or PA (where I bought it) as with AA you have to call PA to support it in the USA.
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It's been a while-did refilling to working pressure fix the velocity issue?
 
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