Opinions on traditional CO2 pellet rifles like Beeman QB78
- Thread starter swampfoxoutdoors
- Start date
'Good' is a relative term...
Especially when combined with the term 'Chinese', and/or 'cheap'.
You have a point. The chinese have put out many garbage-guns over the years, but I don't think that the current QB78 is among them.
Here's some back-story on the QB-78. Back in the early nineties, Tim and an associate decided to return the Crosman 160 and 167 to life...
When Tim (of Mac-1) was arranging for the production of the QB77 and QB22 rifles, I spoke with him about having them made here. He said they'd be great! But that you'd have to spend $400-each for them. He eventually had to fly over to China and work with the factory to get the standards up to what he considered acceptable. It worked out and the originals were wonderfully made. The fit and finish weren't exactly up to FWB standards, but for the $130 "cool guy" price for a gun that would group into 1/4" or less at ten yards all day with inexpensive pellets, that was a pretty good deal. (Most of us just aren't going to spend PB money on an airgun.)
When the chinese took the production-rights away from Tim in the mid-nineties, quality went right into the crapper. You could get a gun-show-QB for forty-bucks and still get screwed in the deal. They were sold under various brand names in rather crappy form for a while. Then others and eventually Beeman picked them up and reintroduced a moderate amount of QC to their manufacture. They're still not near what they were originally, but for the money and the time invested in tinkering them into excellent shooters, I think they're just fine.
All that said, I'd still rather they weren't made in China.
Cheers,
J~
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I have the Sheridan MB2260, which is the same as the Crosman. The Sheridan MB2260 went out of production last year in 2022. I love my solid wood stock and all metal parts except the trigger blade. Mine shoots right on at 25 yds. and is fairly accurate out to 75 yds., at least I'm on paper out to that point. I shoot with the original metal sights and get some where in the neighborhood of 30 good shots from a 12 g CO2. Just my experience, whats yours. Orv.
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Though I can't confirm this, it was my understanding that Tim bought the original QB77 and QB22 in parts, and assembled them at Mac-1. Regardless, being such a Crosman 160 fanatic that I'd written magazine articles and book chapters about them by then, I bought an original QB77 from Tim soon as they were available. In sighting it in the first time I shot three consecutive three-shot bench-rest groups at 50 YARDS. The first group measured .30" center-to-center, the second group measured .40", and the third was .50"! Do the math.
After conversion to regulated HPA bottle and a different stock, that QB went on to take second place in Hunter Class at my first-ever AAFTA National FT Championships in 2009-
However, since the Hunter 'Champion' that 'beat' me CHEATED, that's actually a National Champion trophy. Said cheater has since been banned from AAFTA field target after being caught cheating years later in a similar way (after he also cheated me out of a second National Champion title).
And here's how good a 1950's vintage Crosman 160 is; in this case a Sears & Roebuck Ted Williams Match 160 variant. The awards below were captured at the expense of 40+ year more 'evolved' airguns, including Air Arms TX200s, HW97s, and Whiscombe. I'd say they never knew what hit them, but I made sure they DID know what hit them!
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That's awesome!
I used to hang out at Tim's shop on saturday afternoons with the FT crew. When one of them said that you couldn't have an accurate 5mm QB, I had Tim order and machine a 5mm LW barrel for one. It stacked pellet on pellet all day long.
I think the first few came in and Tim had to pull them down and fix them. After that, he did all the assembly himself. I remember watching him straighten barrels... Good times.
My only complaint is that the comb is too low. I had to make up an adjustable cheek-piece for my newer one.
J~
I used to hang out at Tim's shop on saturday afternoons with the FT crew. When one of them said that you couldn't have an accurate 5mm QB, I had Tim order and machine a 5mm LW barrel for one. It stacked pellet on pellet all day long.
I think the first few came in and Tim had to pull them down and fix them. After that, he did all the assembly himself. I remember watching him straighten barrels... Good times.
My only complaint is that the comb is too low. I had to make up an adjustable cheek-piece for my newer one.
J~
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I have a "Sheridan". Crosman lists the 2260 as out of stock on their website. But I don't know if they're going to make another run of them or not. They still show the Maximus, which is out of production.
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Hey Swamp,
I know this isn't exactly what you wanted, but the QB78/QB79 are best in HPA.
I added a tank block/bottle to my QB78 and just a bottle to my QB79.
70 shot per fill, Regulated flow instead of the inconsistency of CO2.
The small paintball tanks used to be $50 on Amazon.
Unfortunately, you need a pump.
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I actually called flying dragon today and talked to the owner for 10min or so. He stated that the parts availability for the QB series have dried up and they are no longer being imported. He did say that the XS-60c had plenty of aftermarket support and was a good platform once tuned. We also discussed 177 vs 22 and medium vs full power. Thinking I’ll order one tomorrow.
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How did you get the regulator and everything hooked up? Seems pretty neat.
And as far as pump we have 4500psi at the station and sister department has a fill station.
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The regulator comes with the bottle and simply screws into the tank block.
The regulator uses Belleville washers which need to be rearranged to get pressures of 1200/1500 psi.
The regulator uses Belleville washers which need to be rearranged to get pressures of 1200/1500 psi.
QB79 Ninja - The $200 PCP - Airguns & Guns Forum
QB79 Ninja - The $200 PCP, Air guns, Airgun Forum
www.gatewaytoairguns.org
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The QB 7x series and the XS-60C both rank high on the value per dollar scale. Out of the box, I would say the XS-60C is the better of the two but I do still prefer the QB platform for modifying and tuning and for HPA conversions.
Either one can be made to really shine if you have the motivation to do some cleanup and light smithing, because at this price point there is zero margin for the factory to do things like deburr edges or that sort of thing. For example it’s common for O-rings to get a bite taken out during assembly so breaking the sharp edges on the air tube or receiver will pay dividends. Accuracy can usually be improved by breaking the sharp leading edge into the rifling, and sometimes the crown needs dressing. I have not run into instances where the rifling was damaged, the way I’ve seen with SPA/Diana models in the same class. Granted I have seen the occasional barrel that just refused to cooperate and found a second life as a tomato stake but those are pretty rare.
The trigger groups on these are virtually identical, basically copies of the Crosman 160 platform. It’s a drop-sear design that can be made very nice with some smoothing, lubrication, and a lighter spring.
Leaks are an inevitability over a sufficient period of time but the good news is these are about as easy to work on as they come. And although they’re made in China, for the most part there are standard (AS568 or “dash”) O-rings sizes that work perfectly.
Best wishes for getting a good one. Mike is a stand-up guy so in the off chance you were to have trouble, I expect he will take care of it.
Either one can be made to really shine if you have the motivation to do some cleanup and light smithing, because at this price point there is zero margin for the factory to do things like deburr edges or that sort of thing. For example it’s common for O-rings to get a bite taken out during assembly so breaking the sharp edges on the air tube or receiver will pay dividends. Accuracy can usually be improved by breaking the sharp leading edge into the rifling, and sometimes the crown needs dressing. I have not run into instances where the rifling was damaged, the way I’ve seen with SPA/Diana models in the same class. Granted I have seen the occasional barrel that just refused to cooperate and found a second life as a tomato stake but those are pretty rare.
The trigger groups on these are virtually identical, basically copies of the Crosman 160 platform. It’s a drop-sear design that can be made very nice with some smoothing, lubrication, and a lighter spring.
Leaks are an inevitability over a sufficient period of time but the good news is these are about as easy to work on as they come. And although they’re made in China, for the most part there are standard (AS568 or “dash”) O-rings sizes that work perfectly.
Best wishes for getting a good one. Mike is a stand-up guy so in the off chance you were to have trouble, I expect he will take care of it.
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Gun arrived today. Very impressed with what I see thus far. Gun came charged and ready to shoot so went out on the front porch and slung a few. Couldn’t tell where my point of aim vs impact was at 45-50yards but could hear the rounds smacking the tree and sounded like it was hitting hard.
Hope to get this on paper soon. Have a set of rings ordered for it and a leupold vx-1 3-9x40 sitting in the safe to mount and try out on it.
Hope to get this on paper soon. Have a set of rings ordered for it and a leupold vx-1 3-9x40 sitting in the safe to mount and try out on it.
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Congratulations! Fun I purchased one when Mike 1st started selling them but with his FULL power tunes. A nice solid rig.
Having neighbors up so close to you (Kidding, looks like a great neighborhood) noise shouldn't be any issue but a TKO added (I added one) and you can shoot it all day long and the misses will have no idea where you are. This goes well with the honey "I'll be right back" but you walk outside with a full tin and some spare carts.
Did you spring for any tuning? When you get it scoped up please give an update.
John
Having neighbors up so close to you (Kidding, looks like a great neighborhood) noise shouldn't be any issue but a TKO added (I added one) and you can shoot it all day long and the misses will have no idea where you are. This goes well with the honey "I'll be right back" but you walk outside with a full tin and some spare carts.
Did you spring for any tuning? When you get it scoped up please give an update.
John
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I did a medium tune in 177. Told him what I was wanting to do with it and he recommended that.
AS far as TKO not sure what that is assuming a suppressor. I wouldn't mind having one for this one as I like to be quiet as possible even tho I only have 1 neighbor which is my uncle. Think its just polite.
The irons on this gun are kinda big and goofy looking but seem to be easily adjusted and having fiber optic glow really well when the sun hits them. Probably not going to get to shoot it today any with church tonight. But maybe tomorrow and get it on paper.
AS far as TKO not sure what that is assuming a suppressor. I wouldn't mind having one for this one as I like to be quiet as possible even tho I only have 1 neighbor which is my uncle. Think its just polite.
The irons on this gun are kinda big and goofy looking but seem to be easily adjusted and having fiber optic glow really well when the sun hits them. Probably not going to get to shoot it today any with church tonight. But maybe tomorrow and get it on paper.
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Scope rings came in today. Hope to get it mounted up. Need to chrono it so I can figure a MPBR for it.
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Scope is mounted. It’s a leupold vx1 I know I’m going to have an issue with parallax but it’s what I have on hand.
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