Tuning New Akela, I want to love it but has some issues.

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katcher06

katcher06

Member
Feb 15, 2021
18
0
OH, United States
So I just purchased my first PCP, a Benjamin Akela, and to be honest it is a great looking gun and is almost perfect (for me and what I expected). I have 2 MAJOR issues:

1. The "picatinny" rail that is on the rifle, does not fit a picatinny scope mount due to the slots not being spaced far enough apart. With some google and some calipers on hand i discovered that picatinny rails have a 0.206" spacing , when my akela's "picatinny" rail is 0.193". This is an issue with with mounts like the monstrum cantilever mount that has square cut outs to help stabilize in the groove. I have this mounted on 2 of my benjamin/crosman break barrels without any issue. DOES anyone know if this is a machining error, or is benjamin falsely advertising the picatinny rail when it is not? I can find another mount but i really like this specific one and am somewhat disappointed i have to spend more time with this gun unable to shoot it.

2.  My main issue with the gun. As some may know, there is now barrel strap on this gun, which allows the shroud and barrel to flex with slight pressure, having some floating barrels in other rifles i don't know that its a big deal and should be fine for accuracy as long as aware of it. My issue is that the shroud is actually resting on the tank reservoir strap, and when removing the shroud, has rubbed off the finish of the strap and scratched and marred the shroud. As this is a brand new gun i am really upset at this. A floating barrel is one thing, but when it isn't floating and actually resting on the tank, i feel something is wrong. 

As i am new to the PCP world i am looking for advice on these topics. Any would be greatly appreciated!!!

Pic with calipers and gap in rail, pic showing gap in front strap and resting on second, pic showing damage on strap from turning shroud and scratch on shroud from taking it off of barrel. 

Rail Gap.1613650938.jpg
Shroud on strap.1613650938.jpg
Strap damage.1613650939.jpg
 
 
Request a return shipping label either from the dealer where you purchased it from or from Crosman so you don't add to the total cost of ownership footing any out of pocket postage and insurance expense by sending it back on your dime.

If you bought it from Amazon theres a possibility you may get an additional FREE AKELA (buy one get one FREE) when they tell you DONT send it back and they'll send another replacement Akela to you for no charge. Just like some compressors.
 
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Contact Benjamin Crosman. They will send a new one
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So I called Crosman and the shrewd of a lady who answered the phone insisted that i should have called before removing the shroud to adjust the barrel. I informed her that a manufactured product should be in working condition when received by the customer. I was very disappointed as I have heard there customer service is great. 

I then called pyramid air which is where I ordered it, and the service rep was super understanding and issuing a replacement without any difficulty. Also let her know that the advertisement from Crosman is incorrect and the picatinny rail is misleading. Super disappointing as i have been wanting a PCP for years and this is not the entry i was hoping for. 😞. Hoping its not a sign to take the refund and stick to break barrels 

Thanks for all the assistance. This is a great community
 
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I would buy a Benjamin Maximus b4 going back to break barrel (or any non RWS 54 or 56) springers. You won't know what you are missing unless you only have 25-30 yards to shoot in your backyard then just stick to springers.

I recently bought another AA TX200 and I'm thinking WTH was I thinking? Then shot it couple dozen times then put away and grabbed my Benjamin Maximus that outshot it silly with no effort.


 
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 My shroud rest on my front band also but does not affect the accuracy. I put a thin piece of rubber in between the band and the shroud on mine. Yours is the third one now that I heard that is like that including mine. And I’m sure there are several more that made it out of the factory like that. I wish these companies would inspect their guns before they ship them out. It’s just something that has to be done if you want to stay in business. I just don’t understand it anymore. That particular gun should come with a barrel band anyway. I’m hoping some aftermarket company will eventually make one since Benjamin don’t seem to want to do it although I know they’re not the manufacture but they have the say-so.I used a UTG mount on mine with no problems.
 
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My shroud rest on my front band also but does not affect the accuracy. I put a thin piece of rubber in between the band and the shroud on mine. Yours is the third one now that I heard that is like that including mine. And I’m sure there are several more that made it out of the factory like that. I wish these companies would inspect their guns before they ship them out. It’s just something that has to be done if you want to stay in business. I just don’t understand it anymore. That particular gun should come with a barrel band anyway. I’m hoping some aftermarket company will eventually make one since Benjamin don’t seem to want to do it although I know they’re not the manufacture but they have the say-so.I used a UTG mount on mine with no problems.
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Ya i have a replacement coming. The front band was pretty messed up and the shroud has some good scratches. Hopefully the next one will not be resting on the band. a floating barrel is meant to be just that floating. As far as mount goes, what mount did you go with. I want a cantilever and i really like the monstrum, but the newer monstrum and UTG have a square support slot instead of the round ones, and they wont fit in the grooves. I will get something to work as that isn't a deal breaker. Just a little disappointed 
 
Upvote 0
My shroud rest on my front band also but does not affect the accuracy. I put a thin piece of rubber in between the band and the shroud on mine. Yours is the third one now that I heard that is like that including mine. And I’m sure there are several more that made it out of the factory like that. I wish these companies would inspect their guns before they ship them out. It’s just something that has to be done if you want to stay in business. I just don’t understand it anymore. That particular gun should come with a barrel band anyway. I’m hoping some aftermarket company will eventually make one since Benjamin don’t seem to want to do it although I know they’re not the manufacture but they have the say-so.I used a UTG mount on mine with no problems.
Click to expand...

Ya i have a replacement coming. The front band was pretty messed up and the shroud has some good scratches. Hopefully the next one will not be resting on the band. a floating barrel is meant to be just that floating. As far as mount goes, what mount did you go with. I want a cantilever and i really like the monstrum, but the newer monstrum and UTG have a square support slot instead of the round ones, and they wont fit in the grooves. I will get something to work as that isn't a deal breaker. Just a little disappointed 
 
Upvote 0
My shroud rest on my front band also but does not affect the accuracy. I put a thin piece of rubber in between the band and the shroud on mine. Yours is the third one now that I heard that is like that including mine. And I’m sure there are several more that made it out of the factory like that. I wish these companies would inspect their guns before they ship them out. It’s just something that has to be done if you want to stay in business. I just don’t understand it anymore. That particular gun should come with a barrel band anyway. I’m hoping some aftermarket company will eventually make one since Benjamin don’t seem to want to do it although I know they’re not the manufacture but they have the say-so.I used a UTG mount on mine with no problems.
Click to expand...

Ya i have a replacement coming. The front band was pretty messed up and the shroud has some good scratches. Hopefully the next one will not be resting on the band. a floating barrel is meant to be just that floating. As far as mount goes, what mount did you go with. I want a cantilever and i really like the monstrum, but the newer monstrum and UTG have a square support slot instead of the round ones, and they wont fit in the grooves. I will get something to work as that isn't a deal breaker. Just a little disappointed
Click to expand...

Mine are the round ones that came with the scope ,And yes it should be a free-floating barrel but even so, you can’t rest that gun up against a tree or the wall or it will move Zero.I keep mine stored in a zip up case
 
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