Hatsan Should I modify a new pcp air rifle and if so which one?

[SpindleB]

As it was mentioned already... HPA (high pressure air) is to be respected. I suggest you spend some time leaning about and how these PCP guns work.
There are thing like metal tinsel strength and safety margins. They can become virtual pipe bombs that you will be holding next to your face when shooting.
I admire your urge to modify, I do alot of that myself as do many others here but none of us want to hear about the accidents that can happen.
I once had a childhood friend that put dry ice in a plastic soda bottle. He added some water and screwed the lid on. Before he could get rid of it, it blew up and the shards of plastic really did a number on his hand. I can't imagine if the was metal at 2 - 4k of pressure.
Maybe just hang around a while and learn some more from the knowledgeable folks here before diving in.

I've not heard of any modern CF or Aluminum bottle exploding unless placed under high duress. Failure mode is cracking at a weak spot, usually caused by corrosion. I've seen videos of explosions but they have to shoot or compress the bottle.

The connective tubing, if any, could could at least break had have chunks fly but you would need to over pressurize the gun. But parts made from billets that is unlikely. More likely blow an o'ring if you over pressurize.

Unsafe discharge (there are no accidental discharges from a loaded weapon) is the primary threat from working on a gun.

AirForce platform really reduces the risk to gun safety failure. No air in the gun until the hammer/breech hits the valve on the bottle/ regulator. You just cannot make a simpler mechanism.

 

[Gerry52]

Haha yeah I suppose my goal is just to modify and learn basically have fun with but when it comes to pcp I want to find a good starter good to modify what do you think of the hatsan 777? I want to

IMHO - I would be VERY selective with advice provided for this young man. The sawed-off break barrel in an urban setting is likely to end in tragedy, or worse.

Moreover, the respect needed to SAFELY deal with PCP pressures is sadly not present with him (yet). I see shades of Conner Hollifield already.

Thank you! EXACTLY what I was thinking! Yet another guy who just wants to start making changes before he even understands ANYTHING about what he's making changes to. DANGEROUS mindset. Just about every post by him sets off red flags in my brain and yet people are ENCOURAGING him! I don't get it. This is the type of person that brings unwanted attention to those of us who are serious about this activity & understand our guns are NOT TOYS & should not be handled by someone with an UNSUPERVISED ADOLESCENT mentality!!!

 

[Avator]

I've not heard of any modern CF or Aluminum bottle exploding unless placed under high duress. Failure mode is cracking at a weak spot, usually caused by corrosion. I've seen videos of explosions but they have to shoot or compress the bottle.

The connective tubing, if any, could could at least break had have chunks fly but you would need to over pressurize the gun. But parts made from billets that is unlikely. More likely blow an o'ring if you over pressurize.

Unsafe discharge (there are no accidental discharges from a loaded weapon) is the primary threat from working on a gun.

AirForce platform really reduces the risk to gun safety failure. No air in the gun until the hammer/breech hits the valve on the bottle/ regulator. You just cannot make a simpler mechanism.

I suppose end caps and such would be more likely to blow off.

 

[Kwitdahusky]

Welcome to the rabbit hole.
The AF guns are single shot but that has the advantage of not requiring loading magazines. I did not expect to like the single shot but I shoot them a lot.

There are a couple AF guns in the classifieds. The one with the 50cc plenum is the Cricket Max-ATH regulator.

There is a Condor on Gunbroker.com selling tomorrow.

The Texan line is big bore, more expensive and starts out with fairly high power.

The Texan line sounds like where I’m going to start looking then! I’ll update you when I order something and mod it

 

[Kwitdahusky]

State law is the least of your problems though… you really gotta check out county and city/town laws and ordinances even if what you’re doing is ok based on state law (assuming it is). The really restrictive stuff is all local. It’s not about owning the Airgun, it’s about carrying it around and firing it. There is towns out there that’ll get you booked for a slingshot. Can also call the local police and ask them whether there are any rules for shooting a pellet gun in your backyard, they’ll tell you. I’m pretty sure they’ll also tell you that public areas is a no no and some parts of the video don’t look like private property (at at least with no backstop preventing pellets from leaving property…). As much fun as airguns are, no need to get in trouble because of it I guess…

Everything you said is 100% true one moment of forgetting anything you said comes with immediate consequences but if I made a video about how careful my plans are calculated nobody would watch or care to listen that’s why I leave all that out.

 

[Kwitdahusky]

Several pellet shotguns.

Gamo Viper break barrel shotgun.

Then there is the AEA Megalodon PCP shotgun...

I was super close to ordering a megalodon especially because you can take the 2nd air tank off easily but I’ve never heard of the viper I’ll check those out too! Thank you

 

[SpindleB]

I suppose end caps and such would be more likely to blow off.

Possible, but still requires some exceptional circumstances.

I keep seeing a lot of maybe rather than definite. Unsafe discharge being the big one.

Watch some videos of the weapon of choice.

Uncock the weapon if possible.
Clear the chamber/breech
Degas or disconnect the air source.
Disassemble or modify at your leisure.
Reassemble and verify at lower pressures.
Once verified fill up and enjoy yourself.

Check your work at each step.

This is not rocket science and all the FUD seems overblown.

 

[Kwitdahusky]

I've not heard of any modern CF or Aluminum bottle exploding unless placed under high duress. Failure mode is cracking at a weak spot, usually caused by corrosion. I've seen videos of explosions but they have to shoot or compress the bottle.

The connective tubing, if any, could could at least break had have chunks fly but you would need to over pressurize the gun. But parts made from billets that is unlikely. More likely blow an o'ring if you over pressurize.

Unsafe discharge (there are no accidental discharges from a loaded weapon) is the primary threat from working on a gun.

AirForce platform really reduces the risk to gun safety failure. No air in the gun until the hammer/breech hits the valve on the bottle/ regulator. You just cannot make a simpler mechanism.

This is what I wanted to learn about before creating my own ammo how much pressure can I build in a rifle that has a break mechanic before blowing the barrel downward after the trigger pull …. Or just blowing up as long as it leaves the barrel from a safe distance I’m fine I can also tie a string to the trigger before actuating the firing mechanic so if the gun does blow up I’m 50ft away behind cover with only a camera sticking out. But just because I didn’t do a 10 hour rant about safety people just assume I don’t care about safety

 

[SpindleB]

Thank you! EXACTLY what I was thinking! Yet another guy who just wants to start making changes before he even understands ANYTHING about what he's making changes to. DANGEROUS mindset. Just about every post by him sets off red flags in my brain and yet people are ENCOURAGING him! I don't get it. This is the type of person that brings unwanted attention to those of us who are serious about this activity & understand our guns are NOT TOYS & should not be handled by someone with an UNSUPERVISED ADOLESCENT mentality!!!

No, he is enthusiastic about the process. There is nothing wrong with that.

My question is, where does he get the experience you say he needs and what does that experience look like?

Just shooting a weapon does not provide that.

Watch a few videos and give it a go.

Uncock, clear, remove air.
Modify, Reassemble, Test

It really is that simple.
If you can't follow those simple steps no amount of experience will help.

 

[SpindleB]

This is what I wanted to learn about before creating my own ammo how much pressure can I build in a rifle that has a break mechanic before blowing the barrel downward after the trigger pull …. Or just blowing up as long as it leaves the barrel from a safe distance I’m fine I can also tie a string to the trigger before actuating the firing mechanic so if the gun does blow up I’m 50ft away behind cover with only a camera sticking out. But just because I didn’t do a 10 hour rant about safety people just assume I don’t care about safety

It is simple, do not exceed the safety limits of the equipment. Guns, bottles, compressors all have their maximum defined.

There is no need to be 50 ft and stringing the trigger. If you got it wrong either it leaks and won't hold air or it just won't fire.

Sure you can adjust a trigger so far that a bump causes unsafe discharge.

Sure you could fill a 200bar bottle to 300bar.

Sure there are manifold ways to damage the gun or yourself.

Read the manual, they are somewhat informative. Watch some YouTube videos.

Keep it simple to start with. Disassemble, clean, lube, reassemble.

Fire the gun to break it in.

Then figure out what you want from the gun. If necessary ask here as how you get there.

Just don't do anything that starts with "Watch this"

 

[Kwitdahusky]

Thank you for that insight I’m so excited to put my hands on these now that you guys who give me the information and direction are my main link to bettering myself I love this community I’ve learned so much in the last 24 hours alone

 

[SpindleB]

I'd start with the Talon or Condor before the Texan. Unless you are planning to hunt you dont need a Texan. If you are then you need to find out if hunting with pellet guns is allowed where you live.

Learn the platform before moving up to the big bore.

You also need a well protected target area for the Texan. They are very powerful. Just a target box is probably not sufficient. A clear hillside is a better option. Or just stick to a gun range.

My .30 G30 Gauntlet will put a pellet through two 3/4 inch particle board.

The Texan, depending on caliber, are 3 to 10 or more times as powerful.

Also plan on spending $1200 or more for a Texan and significant amount on the ammo.

 

[357cal]

As it was mentioned already... HPA (high pressure air) is to be respected. I suggest you spend some time leaning about and how these PCP guns work.
There are thing like metal tinsel strength and safety margins. They can become virtual pipe bombs that you will be holding next to your face when shooting.
I admire your urge to modify, I do alot of that myself as do many others here but none of us want to hear about the accidents that can happen.
I once had a childhood friend that put dry ice in a plastic soda bottle. He added some water and screwed the lid on. Before he could get rid of it, it blew up and the shards of plastic really did a number on his hand. I can't imagine if the was metal at 2 - 4k of pressure.
Maybe just hang around a while and learn some more from the knowledgeable folks here before diving in.

I agree strongly!

 

[SpindleB]

How long did you all wait before you disassembled your first air gun?

How much did you know about the mechanicals?

Did you have it blow up on you?

I take my guns apart a lot. And I'm really struggling to figure out how one could blow up at any point. If you left it pressurized and could unbolt the bottle from the receiver it would start degassing before flying off. Most anything you could do to the internals when under pressure will degas, nothing explosive. If you ignore the degassing I guess you could get a part to fly.

I am sure there are stupid human tricks that are possible, youtube is full of them, but that requires intent to be unsafe.

 

[SpindleB]

Thank you for that insight I’m so excited to put my hands on these now that you guys who give me the information and direction are my main link to bettering myself I love this community I’ve learned so much in the last 24 hours alone

Be calm, be careful, be safe and enjoy yourself.

Keep it simple at first and don't jump in the deep end.

This place is a great resource but it helps to provide detail and context to your questions.

 

[Avator]

How long did you all wait before you disassembled your first air gun?

How much did you know about the mechanicals?

Did you have it blow up on you?

I take my guns apart a lot. And I'm really struggling to figure out how one could blow up at any point. If you left it pressurized and could unbolt the bottle from the receiver it would start degassing before flying off. Most anything you could do to the internals when under pressure will degas, nothing explosive. If you ignore the degassing I guess you could get a part to fly.

I am sure there are stupid human tricks that are possible, youtube is full of them, but that requires intent to be unsafe.

The first several I took apart were not HPA... I started with springers and pumpers with alot of guidance from forum members. When I got to the PCP game I had already read and listened alot. I began with the Mike Mellick's FD-PCP (the $100 tinkerer's dream) and there were several others tuning and tinkering with them at the time. Tons of support.

 

[Avator]

I think the very best advise I could give is... when not sure, degas the gun.
Many things such as trigger/hammer work, barrel work and breech work don't require degassing. Anything valve, regulator, fill assembly/gauge and air tube does require degassing.

 

[SpindleB]

The first several I took apart were not HPA... I started with springers and pumpers with alot of guidance from forum members. When I got to the PCP game I had already read and listened alot. I began with the Mike Mellick's FD-PCP (the $100 tinkerer's dream) and there were several others tuning and tinkering with them at the time. Tons of support.

Kinda what I'm pointing at, there is a lot of help available. Not heard of anyone getting seriously hurt, but I'm sure it has happened. Like a thread recently where somehow side lever were unsafe. The convolutions required to get a finger in a breech and have the trigger drop the hammer? WOW, that was exceptional.

But if you are comfortable with basic mechanics and tools this isn't hard or dangerous. Maybe some of the high end guns get complex, i wouldn't know, I have little interest in them.

But AirForce, Umarex, Hatsan etc are pretty simple beasts. Some people are making this out to be a hobby with massive danger lurking around every corner. Maybe it is to them, but the reality is a little common sense and there are no problems.

I still remember trying to figure out how to compress a spring on my first springer...

 

[SpindleB]

I think the very best advise I could give is... when not sure, degas the gun.
Many things such as trigger/hammer work, barrel work and breech work don't require degassing. Anything valve, regulator, fill assembly/gauge and air tube does require degassing.

I degas 90% of the time. Minor stuff, maybe not.
But I have 2 9L tanks of air and a Tuxing dual cylinder compressor so filling back up is a breeze.

Where that can fall apart is people who hand pump. They are quite often loath to degas a gun.

 

[Gerry52]

No, he is enthusiastic about the process. There is nothing wrong with that.

My question is, where does he get the experience you say he needs and what does that experience look like?

Just shooting a weapon does not provide that.

Watch a few videos and give it a go.

Uncock, clear, remove air.
Modify, Reassemble, Test

It really is that simple.
If you can't follow those simple steps no amount of experience will help.

I knew YOU would have pearls of wisdom to add, you ALWAYS do. "I don’t care about safety", a direct quote from this guy! I guess you're not circumspect enough to see where this might be headed. I have a much different perspective & approach than you & do not agree with yours. It's not the 1st time. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT SAFETY" tells me all I need to know about this guy. You call it enthusiasm but I'll be looking for him on the Darwin awards! Use your brains people!