N/A Lightened Piston

[Vincent10]

Hi Folks,
I am considering replacing the piston in my HW97 or TX200 with a lightened factory piston. My goal is to dampen the shot cycle and reduce hold sensitivity while keeping power at about 10-12fpe for target shooting at 50+ yards. I tried a shortstroke spacer and also leaving out the steel tophat but that didnt improve performance. Is a lightweight piston worth trying? I appreciate any help with this.

 

[BABz58]

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[wamf]

I put one in my HW97 and in my TX200HC. They both have a few hundred shots on them and are fitted with 12fpe Vorteck kits. In both cases the recoil is lighter and the shot cycle is quicker. The 97 feels a bit more violent upon firing than the TX.
The pellet fit etc has a more pronounced effect on the firing behavior now than it did. Both guns were shooting about 12.5fpe before and about 12.25 fpe after with HNFTT. I don't know that it makes the gun any better but I would do it again.
Both pistons were purchased from apex airgun parts/Ratworks UK.

 

[bustachip]

Hi Folks,
I am considering replacing the piston in my HW97 or TX200 with a lightened factory piston. My goal is to dampen the shot cycle and reduce hold sensitivity while keeping power at about 10-12fpe for target shooting at 50+ yards. I tried a shortstroke spacer and also leaving out the steel tophat but that didnt improve performance. Is a lightweight piston worth trying? I appreciate any help with this.

I think Tony Leech is the titanium piston guy, I think you can find him on facebook, but I don't facebook, so just hear say for me.

 

[Temesvar]

I put one in my HW97 and in my TX200HC. They both have a few hundred shots on them and are fitted with 12fpe Vorteck kits. In both cases the recoil is lighter and the shot cycle is quicker. The 97 feels a bit more violent upon firing than the TX.
The pellet fit etc has a more pronounced effect on the firing behavior now than it did. Both guns were shooting about 12.5fpe before and about 12.25 fpe after with HNFTT. I don't know that it makes the gun any better but I would do it again.
Both pistons were purchased from apex airgun parts/Ratworks UK.

If you don't mind me asking: why would you do it again, therefore spend money, if you don't think it makes the gun better? And, for what i understand, not necessarily true, a lighter piston requires a stronger spring.

 

[wamf]

If you don't mind me asking: why would you do it again, therefore spend money, if you don't think it makes the gun better? And, for what i understand, not necessarily true, a lighter piston requires a stronger spring.

It was an interesting thing to do. I learned a lot and had fun. They both lost power but not much. They may be better, I don't know yet. And as a bonus it didn't cost much and I believe they would be easy to sell used for no loss.

 

[maxtrouble]

I have probably put three tins of pellets through my TX200 with the Vortek 12 fpe kit. It is one of my smoothest springers I have. Really likes the JSB/ AA 8.44 452's. I think Tom at Vortek nailed it with the stock piston.

 

[thumper]

A notably lighter piston can sometimes cause piston bounce when reducing power.

And bounce will make a gun more hold sensitive than absolutely anything else.

Lightened pistons are great, but you need to be ready to do transfer port work and play with different springs to see the most benefit.

Just have to try it and see.

The juice ain't worth the squeeze if you aren't going all in IMO.

 

[Temesvar]

I put one in my HW97 and in my TX200HC. They both have a few hundred shots on them and are fitted with 12fpe Vorteck kits. In both cases the recoil is lighter and the shot cycle is quicker. The 97 feels a bit more violent upon firing than the TX.
The pellet fit etc has a more pronounced effect on the firing behavior now than it did. Both guns were shooting about 12.5fpe before and about 12.25 fpe after with HNFTT. I don't know that it makes the gun any better but I would do it again.
Both pistons were purchased from apex airgun parts/Ratworks UK.

Checked out the pistons from Apex. With the 3 slots (believe are 3, hard to tell from the picture) the piston must be much lighter. Did you consider using longer/stronger spring, or shim up the one you have?

 

[wamf]

Checked out the pistons from Apex. With the 3 slots (believe are 3, hard to tell from the picture) the piston must be much lighter. Did you consider using longer/stronger spring, or shim up the one you have?

I only lost 1/4fpe and it is still over 12fpe so, no I didn't consider another spring. My goal is a smoother firing cycle not more power.