Crosman Bitten by the custom bug

Jump to latest Follow Reply
G

GunnerBlack

Member
Sep 15, 2022
49
29
GARY
I'm coming up to the finish line on an Airforce build that's spanned over a year. That rifle was build with a specific vision, style, and purpose in mind, and the custom work had to adhere to those standards, which is EXPENSIVE. So now that it's almost done, I've realized... I love customizing. The endless hours scouring every corner of the internet for obscure parts and adapters. Talking to the airgunners and commissioning custom bits and bobs. And the TINKERING. So now, I want to do it again, but this time, customizing just for the sake of customizing. And I'm going to need it to be a lot cheaper. (I think I dumped something like 5k into that texan, the missus will not have any more of that, and she's right). So I'm looking at doing a crossman 2240 hpa conversion, but I want to make sure I'll actually like it when I'm done. I'd love to see other builds, and hear what kind of numbers can be squeezed out of one, if I were so inclined to be absolutely silly about it. I'm also open to ideas on other guns, so long as they have a strong aftermarket community.
 
Last edited:
Have you thought about learning to engrave and inlay. That could keep the price down and add the artistic twist. Engraving tools and a holder for the action won't cost much. You could practice on scrap Aluminum for starters You can also watch some vids on how to go about and maybe make some of that money back.



Smitty
 
  • Like
Reactions: GunnerBlack
Upvote 0
I think a lot of us did the 2240 HPA build at some point. You can wind up with a box of parts that were a waste of money once you learn the limitations of the platform. The full hot rod approach is not the best path. I think I wound up around 700+fps with 14.3’s out of a 14 inch barrel. Pinning the valve and mounting the drop block while not creating a bomb is fun. Then playing with reg settings, hammer springs and getting the hammer to stop bouncing occupies some time. I think I was also happier with just a ported exhaust on the valve. The hogged out valve is in that box I spoke of. I don’t shoot mine much but when I do, it puts them where I aim and has a great shot count.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GunnerBlack, Dairyboy and SteveV
Upvote 0
I don't know how much customizing you want to do. I've done at least a little on all 5 of my airguns. I have 3 SPA P35s and each wears a wood stock I made for them, all have 3D printed moderators other forum members made for me, and all three have had at least the trigger adjusted. There is some after market support but mostly in Europe. It helps that many P15 parts fit the P35 and it has been around longer. I attached a picture of my P35-22 sitting on a purchased bipod and on a home made elevation and windage adjustable monopod (another home made project). P35s are under $500 so the initial investment is reasonable. My P35-22 shot a 200 on the 30 yard challenge for me. They tend to be pretty accurate and solidly made but a little rough around the edges. You can add a spacer for more plenum, or a different regulator (but mine work well, the ES for 23 shots on the 22 was under 6 fps last time I checked) or any of several 3D printed items.

windage monopod on 22.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: GunnerBlack and Deadlands
Upvote 0
While I do enjoy the shooting, the Tinkering, manufacturing of parts and general process of R&D to find or gain some distinct attribute is what really does it for me. My personal AG's all have some distinction of my internal fiddling & improving, & cost or complexity does not detour me.

Have fun in your journey !!
 
  • Like
Reactions: SteveV, mubhaur, GunnerBlack and 1 other person
Upvote 0
Motorhead said:
While I do enjoy the shooting, the Tinkering, manufacturing of parts and general process of R&D to find or gain some distinct attribute is what really does it for me. My personal AG's all have some distinction of my internal fiddling & improving, & cost or complexity does not detour me.

Have fun in your journey !!
Click to expand...
Scott,
I've benefited greatly from your Tinkering/R&D to enhance the efficiency/accuracy of my Airguns for almost 10 years;).
I don't have the time or inclination to figure out what you have, but have been an avid "copy cat" of your work ..... when possible -> Thank You!

My Son recently asked me ......... "Why I would think of Tinkering with a $2K RAW PCP?"

I just shrug my shoulders and say - "Well, there's easy modifications other people have done to improve the gun 10-45%.
Why wouldn't you .... if it's just waiting to be done?"
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: mubhaur, GunnerBlack and Motorhead
Upvote 0
Vetmx said:
I think a lot of us did the 2240 HPA build at some point. You can wind up with a box of parts that were a waste of money once you learn the limitations of the platform. The full hot rod approach is not the best path. I think I wound up around 700+fps with 14.3’s out of a 14 inch barrel. Pinning the valve and mounting the drop block while not creating a bomb is fun. Then playing with reg settings, hammer springs and getting the hammer to stop bouncing occupies some time. I think I was also happier with just a ported exhaust on the valve. The hogged out valve is in that box I spoke of. I don’t shoot mine much but when I do, it puts them where I aim and has a great shot count.
Click to expand...
I kind of expected that hot rodding might not be in the cards, which is ok, because the point is really the tinkering anyway. Because I do hunt, I was just hoping I might have a practical use for it when it was done. But again, for this one, it's about the building. And you do make it sound fun. About that parts box... I am one chassis, barrel, and 1/3 of a trigger group from building a second Texan lmfao! I wish I were kidding....
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Motorhead said:
While I do enjoy the shooting, the Tinkering, manufacturing of parts and general process of R&D to find or gain some distinct attribute is what really does it for me. My personal AG's all have some distinction of my internal fiddling & improving, & cost or complexity does not detour me.

Have fun in your journey !!
Click to expand...
That's kind of where I'm heading. I have the discretionary income to support a modest habit, but the last one was expensive, so I'll tone it down for this next one. I'm hoping for a decent challenge in learning a new trigger group and platform, and finding lots of adjustments and tuning to be done. The harder the better, hopefully I make a bunch of mistakes and it takes a while to finish!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Motorhead
Upvote 0
Converting Beeman QB78/QB79’s to HPA were some of my more enjoyable, past projects.
Check out Bob Sterns …. GTA posts done around 2012/2013.
Only a single shot affair, but you can achieve 70/80 (regulated) shots per fill with a Ninja bottle.
Project only cost just shy of $200 + elbow grease👍.

QB79 Ninja - The $200 PCP - Airguns & Guns Forum

QB79 Ninja - The $200 PCP, Air guns, Airgun Forum
www.gatewaytoairguns.org

QB79HPA.jpg


QB79 Tune Parts.jpg


QB RVA.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: GunnerBlack
Upvote 0
Midneight said:
Latest 22xx custom uses a 2260 main tube, 362 stock, fore, barrel (21") and trigger group. This could have just as easily been safepac'd or drop blocked like any other 22xx build but I used a dummy CO2 and a tether. Yes it's a rig but I'll have a lot less problems than drop block builds that leak if you sneeze on them. This essentially has one cheap seal to replace maybe every 2 years. I could easily pop in an 88/90g adapter and ditch the tether if the need for mobility arose. This was an easy cost effective way to get regulated power. It was shooting 640fps and dropped with every shot with 14.3 CPHP on 12gram carts and that went up to 685fps shot after shot on 800psi HPA. Optimistic about the next test at 1200psi. Fitting the stock took some time. Betting I have the only 362 PCP in the world so far. I'm with some others who have said I like having the only one. Have a few more custom 22xx I can post for ideas in the next few days. .

I do have the obligatory parts bin of probably $300 in bits and bobs for 22xx guns but after building dozens I don't think it's that big of a deal. Recently started a build for the purpose of using bin parts up and will end up with a damn nice 12g pistol with a 14.6 barrel to sell and recoup probably $150. It all works out in the end.
View attachment 391043
Click to expand...
That's a pretty interesting solution. I wasn't sure if it would work, I thought you'd need a plenum. Pretty cool to see it works. It could all be mounted on board with some modification I would think. That setup kind of opens up a lot of possibilities.
 
Upvote 0
This made from Misc parts & pieces ...
P-rod breech sitting on a 1701 lower tube, 18" LW .22 barrel from ??? Crosman. cobbled together reverse drop & ASA valve fitted with an @ 8 cu in HPA bottle & Ninja regulator. Custom valve, hammer & SSG
End result a mini magnum carbine that runs about 22 fpe giving near 40 shots and is accurate to a shooters fault inside 50 Y

Yup ... Tinkering !!!

DSCF1044.JPG


DSCF1042.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: bf1956
Upvote 0
Motorhead said:
This made from Misc parts & pieces ...
P-rod breech sitting on a 1701 lower tube, 18" LW .22 barrel from ??? Crosman. cobbled together reverse drop & ASA valve fitted with an @ 8 cu in HPA bottle & Ninja regulator. Custom valve, hammer & SSG
End result a mini magnum carbine that runs about 22 fpe giving near 40 shots and is accurate to a shooters fault inside 50 Y

Yup ... Tinkering !!!

View attachment 391322

View attachment 391323
Click to expand...
love everything about that. 22 fpe and DNA at 50 is pretty dang good by any standard, let alone a "pistol". What do you have it regulated at?
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu