Removing the moderator from an older Daystate Huntsman Regal

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ronmcc4

ronmcc4

Member
Mar 13, 2020
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Jackson, Tennessee, United States
I have a Daystate Huntsman Regal .177 (18FPE) that was bought new in 2014. It has the silencer “permanently” installed. What I’d like to be able to do is to remove this silencer and upgrade to something larger to quiet this rifle down. It’s pretty loud for a .177.

So - how do you remove the “built in” silencer. Obviously I want to avoid damage to the rifle or the existing silencer as well. Any knowledge, experience, or suggestions appreciated.
 
I would just try unscrew the endcap and redo the internals since its probably an old Airstream that just needs a better quieting revamped internals and thats permanent red locktited onto the threaded barrel probably ruin the shroud and LDC attempting to unscrew it from a vise. 

You may try 2 strong gentlemen one holding the shroud close to the LDC and another hulk to twist counterclockwise it may do and never can tell put it in a hot car trunk for a day try when hot. Heat gun may discolor and ruin the finish. Hot car should be fine since the heat is evenly distrubuted rather than concentrated.

OR! If that fails even when redo of the internal Airstream Get a Huggett full length try AoA first and if they are out then only other place I can think of is Utah Airguns.

It's only a 177 so you should get that quiet as-is FYI.
 
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If the parts are all metal, just heat it up. The silencer on my HW100 was also bonded on, but about 30 seconds of heat melted the locking material and it screwed off easily. But, it takes HEAT, I used a small propane torch, and had a strip of leather for protection in handling the parts. Hairdryer heat won't do it. Again, I'm not familiar with the parts in this application, so use caution. 
 
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A lot of folks have offered good suggestions on removing the Airstream moderator. I'm not sure if you know about this but if you're unsuccessful at removing the Airstream moderator from the shroud and the threaded portion also comes off attached to it, you can purchase a 1/2" x 20 UNF adapter specifically made for the Huntsman from DonnyFL. This will allow you to attach most moderators to it.

Screenshot_20200903-213636_Chrome.1599133538.jpg


Here's a direct link...

https://donnyfl.com/collections/adapters/products/daystate-huntsman-regal-1-2-x-20-unf-adapter-with-thread-protector-a17

I know it's an additional cost you're probably not willing to spend but it's an alternative fix. While you're on Donny's site, why not pick up another one of his moderators to go along with it? Hope this helps you out.

☝🏽

Another thing to consider about heating up the threads is that the Airstream moderator is a Reflex design meaning that it slips over the shroud about half way. The portion that needs to be heated is about halfway down the middle where the carbon fiber is at. I'd be careful about using a propane torch on it.
 
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I had good luck removing mine from a Huntsman Regal 25

I left the shroud attached to the gun & gripped the shroud with a pair of rubber padded channel locks and gripped the moderator with a small leather strap pipe wrench.

I left the gun in a vise and held the shroud firmly with the channel locks while giving consistent pressure turning the moderator CCW



The adapter stayed inside the moderator, so I used DonnyFL adapter

The bonus here is that I can still use the original moderator

No loss in accuracy with a Tatsu, Tanto, Shogun or OEM moderator

If I were to do it again I'd consider removing the shroud before applying any turning force

And if the task were to require excessive force I'd stop & consider the consequences

Hope this helps



Ed
 
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Thanks folks! Yes - the whole point is to get rid of the moderator that is on there now (an Airstream as I have learned) and replace it with one of DonnyFL's models. I'm a big fan of Donny and his company. I didn't realize how ineffective the moderator on the Regal was until I compare it to my .22s and even .25s with Donny moderators on them.

I'll be looking further into this today for sure. I think I will remove the shroud before attempting to remove the Airstream - just easier to handle without the rifle attached. I really don't want to put a torch to it as that could easily damage the finish. With the shroud off - I'm wondering about dipping the moderator end into a large pot of boiling water. I'll report back here with my efforts.

Thanks again.
 
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The torch heat did not discolor or damage the metal base of my HW moderator. But, metals and finishes differ, so no guarantees.

You might also try putting the shroud with moderator in a freezer overnight. I know that glued-in rifle actions can be popped out that way. Don't know how thread locking compounds would react, but would do no harm. 
 
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Success! It wasn't nearly as difficult as I had imagined. After removing the shroud, I drilled a 1 1/8 inch hole in a short scrap piece of 2x4 (a 1 1/4 would have been better but I didn't have that wood bit) and then cut that in half to make a clamp. I put the Airstream attached to the shroud in the clamp and vised it up pretty tight. I then took a rubber jar opener from the kitchen to grip the shroud and attempted to loosen it. After a little prayer, I gave it a twist and it popped loose and then screwed right out. The adapter stayed inside the Airstream but that's not an issue as I plan to order an adapter and moderator from DonnyFL anyway. 

Looking at the shroud - I didn't see any evidence of the "tuning forks" I've seen a couple of people mention that position the barrel within the shroud. My barrel is quite large and the shroud simply slides over it held in place with 2 grub screws at the action and by a barrel band. 

Hopefully, I can get this rifle quietened down to nearly silent with the new Donny. Looking inside the Airstream, it didn't appear to have much in the way of baffles or damping material. It seems its mostly just for looks.

Clamp.1599161532.jpg


Grip.1599161552.jpg


Success.1599161565.jpg

 
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Funny you should mention Bagnall and Kirkwood SilentSquirrel. I ordered a set of o-rings for all 3 of my Daystates just to have in case I needed them back on 8/10/2020. They filled the order and it took only 2 days to get to Queens, NY where, I assume it went through customs. Ever since then, the USPS has had my package on a round trip of the US. Its in Memphis for the 2nd time now. It actually got to my home town several days ago but was then sent to another distribution center. I know B&K had nothing to do with that and their service has been exemplary. But, at this point, I'm afraid to order anything that has to come through the USPS as I'm not sure I'll get it.

OK - rant over - now back to shrouds and moderators and tuning forks - oh my!
 
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ronmcc4

I must admit chuckling aloud (COL?) reading your accounting of the USPS drama.

Not laughing at you, but with familiarity; recalling how the USPS decided a package from Huma (Netherlands) was

"Undeliverable; Address does not exist"

because the it was written Euro style as NW Madison St 14, versus 14 Madison St NW

Fortunately a USPS trace caught it in the nick of time, & I picked it up at the local Post Office

That said; Hopefully those O rings will appear on your doorstep soon!

As you already know of B&K, I'll assume you are the familiar with their parts diagrams & lists

I find them very helpful



Change of subject

In the it's a small world department, I think we met when you were under a different user name.

If so, you may recall the sale of a Hunstman Regal XL 25

Hope you are well

Ed




 
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ronmcc4 said:
Success! It wasn't nearly as difficult as I had imagined. After removing the shroud, I drilled a 1 1/8 inch hole in a short scrap piece of 2x4 (a 1 1/4 would have been better but I didn't have that wood bit) and then cut that in half to make a clamp. I put the Airstream attached to the shroud in the clamp and vised it up pretty tight. I then took a rubber jar opener from the kitchen to grip the shroud and attempted to loosen it. After a little prayer, I gave it a twist and it popped loose and then screwed right out. The adapter stayed inside the Airstream but that's not an issue as I plan to order an adapter and moderator from DonnyFL anyway.

Looking at the shroud - I didn't see any evidence of the "tuning forks" I've seen a couple of people mention that position the barrel within the shroud. My barrel is quite large and the shroud simply slides over it held in place with 2 grub screws at the action and by a barrel band.

Hopefully, I can get this rifle quietened down to nearly silent with the new Donny. Looking inside the Airstream, it didn't appear to have much in the way of baffles or damping material. It seems its mostly just for looks.

View attachment 115819

View attachment 115827

View attachment 115836
Click to expand...
That's one of them oh crap moments right there.
 
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