Ataman AP16 in .177

[MP44]

I received this pistol recently. I had been looking at the AP16 for years but I wanted a .177. Unfortunately, I could not find one in the U.S so I finally broke down and ordered from across the pond.

Bad:

1) I had read and seen on the net that, power wise, they come maxed out and that the power adjuster was more for lowering the velocity. While I could lower the power it was very little before the spring tension screw was backed out as far as it would go. Out of the box, 8.44gr AAs were running in the 650s, and with the screw backed all the way out it was still shooting in the 620s.

2) While the sights are not rudimentary, they are not what I expected on a $1K pistol. 

Good: 

1) The pistol is lighter than it looks and feels really good in the hand.

2) The trigger is excellent. 

3) Very accurate

4) Easy optics mounting.

After weighing sending it out to have the power lowered and then try to find and mount better sights, I decided to try to trade it. I planned on scoping but my planned use was 99% open sights 1% scope. After actually using the pistol scoped, I think I'll keep it and just run it scoped most of the time and purchase a 2nd pistol for open sight use.

The scope is an older 1.5X Redfield

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Left: 3 - 10.3AA & right: 3 - 8.44gr AA at 16yds ETA: 6 o'clock hold

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[Odoyle]

Nice! I'm first on the buyer list!!! After you get bored with it of course...

620fps is enough to shoot 50+ yards accurately...windless conditions of course...

 

[MP44]

Nice! I'm first on the buyer list!!! After you get bored with it of course...

620fps is enough to shoot 50+ yards accurately...windless conditions of course...

I wanted to turn down the power a bit as I only wanted the pistol to be a 0-25yd plinker, small pest eliminator, and firearms trainer. For my shooting, the extra velocity only means fewer shots per fill.

 

[Odoyle]

You could run much heavier pellets to get a better shot count.

 

[Odoyle]

You could restrict the TP to do what you want and it should be threaded and PA may have those throw away thread in restrictors you can just drill out to decrease power. Ctshooter may still have his. May wanna PM him. Or find plastic-delrin threaded screws that threads into your TP and mod cut file then drill out from your ACE Hardware. Even if the threads not perfect you are restricting air anyway through the TP as long as it somewhat screws in thats plastic being screwed into metal threads so probably no biggie.

 

[thumper]

All you have to do is clip two coils off the hammer spring. At least in the .22s. This is mine: 

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/yellow/ataman-ap16-compact-first-thoughts-a-little-tuning-t239520.html

 

[Odoyle]

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/atanman-m2r-no-velocity/#post-830393

 

[MrP]

"You could run much heavier pellets to get a better shot count."

Curious - how does shooting heavier pellets increase shot count? Trying to understand... only thing I can think of is maybe more back-pressure since it resists acceleration so more time with barrel in pressurized state? Thanks 

 

[ctshooter]

Best pellet I found for my .177 AP16 so far has been the H&N FTT 8.64gr in 4.52 head size. Give them a try. 

You can easily adjust the power on the gun yourself. The regulator is adjustable via a small hex through the air feed. And just clip 1-2 spring coils to lower the hammer spring power. 

 

[Odoyle]

"You could run much heavier pellets to get a better shot count."

Curious - how does shooting heavier pellets increase shot count? Trying to understand... only thing I can think of is maybe more back-pressure since it resists acceleration so more time with barrel in pressurized state? Thanks

The heavier pellets makes PCPs more air efficient and don't waste as much air. Try shooting lightest possible pellets ful fill start to finish over a chrony write notes shot count write down remaining pressure every 5-10 shots. Refill when at 1500psi. Then switch to heaviest pellets then do the same count till it reaches 1500psi. It is what it is...

 

[Odoyle]

CTshooter, you still got your TP plug restrictor? MP44 needs it.

 

[MrP]

That's really interesting about the effect of the heavy pellets on air wasting. It definitely makes sense it's kind of interesting how many variables there are interacting with these guns.

 

[ctshooter]

CTshooter, you still got your TP plug restrictor? MP44 needs it.

Take a set screw, drill a tiny hole in it - poof you have a restrictor.

 

[Hornclayton]

I received this pistol recently. I had been looking at the AP16 for years but I wanted a .177. Unfortunately, I could not find one in the U.S so I finally broke down and ordered from across the pond.

Bad:

1) I had read and seen on the net that, power wise, they come maxed out and that the power adjuster was more for lowering the velocity. While I could lower the power it was very little before the spring tension screw was backed out as far as it would go. Out of the box, 8.44gr AAs were running in the 650s, and with the screw backed all the way out it was still shooting in the 620s.

2) While the sights are not rudimentary, they are not what I expected on a $1K pistol.

Good:

1) The pistol is lighter than it looks and feels really good in the hand.

2) The trigger is excellent.

3) Very accurate

4) Easy optics mounting.

After weighing sending it out to have the power lowered and then try to find and mount better sights, I decided to try to trade it. I planned on scoping but my planned use was 99% open sights 1% scope. After actually using the pistol scoped, I think I'll keep it and just run it scoped most of the time and purchase a 2nd pistol for open sight use.

The scope is an older 1.5X Redfield

[/url][/img]



Left: 3 - 10.3AA & right: 3 - 8.44gr AA at 16yds ETA: 6 o'clock hold

[/url][/img]

did you end up trading that .177 in? Im looking for a standard .177. I have a compact .22 and love it but want the .177 standard for field target

 

[Hornclayton]

Best pellet I found for my .177 AP16 so far has been the H&N FTT 8.64gr in 4.52 head size. Give them a try.

You can easily adjust the power on the gun yourself. The regulator is adjustable via a small hex through the air feed. And just clip 1-2 spring coils to lower the hammer spring power.

looking for one of these if your interested in selling or trading

 

[MP44]

did you end up trading that .177 in? Im looking for a standard .177. I have a compact .22 and love it but want the .177 standard for field target

Long gone. I wish I would have kept it.

 

[ctshooter]

Probably posted before, but the reg is adjustable for power. You have to degass and remove the air tube. Then the reg can be adjusted up and down with a small hex wrench.

 

[AJ_Roberts]

I’ve got a compact in .177 took me ages to find one, it’s probably the only forever pistol in my collection