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Gateway To Product Reviews => Air Gun Reviews => : KK0605 November 22, 2009, 01:27:46 PM
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Here she is. 4 sections: 1. Arrival/Looks,2. Power, 3. Accuracy, 4. Misc. I shot her up in northern Arizona, and squirrel hunted with her.
Pictures are up!
Pellets: CP, JSB Jumbo's, TF Wadcutters.
Scope: Leapers 3-9x40
Rings: Leapers Accushot High
1.
I ordered the gun on the 11th (Vet's Day) and Compasseco shipped on the 13th. She arrived on the 20th. Came double boxed, with only three foam blocks holding it. But, she had only a few extremely tiny marks on her. Out of the box, she looked GREAT! Compasseco was very nice by giving me some freebies (see misc section). If there is any doubt at all the the TF89 is the AR1000, they can be shattered; the users manual was for the AR1000 magnum. The 89 is a very nice dark wood of some sort, with pressed checkering on the forearm and handgrip that is not very deep. I am O.K. with that though.SAG has replaced the old iron sights with fiber optic ones, which I REALLY like. They are very nice; just put the red in between the green and fire! The scope stop is junk, (see accuracy) and should either be made better or not included at all. The cocking has some grinding, but after shooting it has gone down a bit. A tune will fix that hopefully. For me, the cocking was a breeze. It is not "extremely light" or whatever Compasseco advertises, but it is not hard by any means.
THE BARREL LOCKS VERY LOOSELY. The barrel has dropped after the shot on me to many times. When setting the gun down on my sand bags, is must do it very gently or the barrel will fall. To me, this is a safety hazard.
The trigger was nice for a plastic one. The first stage was "good enough", but the second stage had to much creep. Muzzle break was fine. Once I get a good scope I might replace it with a better one. As you can see from my pics, she is a good looking gun. She looks like a real killer with a scope!
2.
This gun has some power. It has some heavy recoil (for a air gun; comparable to a .22 firearm) and it tore up my scope (see accuracy) It twists to the right (the spring) after firing quite a bit, but that does not effect shooting. I shot a small Grey squirrel with it and it knocked him right out of his tree. Clean kill. It is quieter than a .22 firearm (no powder or supersonic boom), but it might be enough to agitate the neighbors. For power testing, I grabbed a Elk femur (I shot at my cabin, which is in the middle of the national forest where there are elk everywhere. Great place to be!) I found on the ground not far from where I was shooting, and set it up at 10yrds. If you have never seen Elk bone, it is comparable to cow; that is THICK! I drew a bulls-eye and fired away with a mix of the free pellets Compasseco gave me and some CP's. This gun shot THROUGH both sides of the bone..... WOW! TONS of power!
3.
And here is where my troubles started.......
I put on the brand new Leapers scope with the Accushot rings. If you look at the pics, you can see how good it looked! I was so excited to go shoot! I had not shot her with open sights yet, but went straight to the scope. All my shooting was off a table, with sand bag. Very steady the entire time.
It was not a good day to shoot. 10-20mph winds in 20-30* temps was not fun. But, I tried. I set up at 10yrds to sight it in, about 50yrds away from the cabin. You can see from the pics of my 1st group, I moved my way up towards the bulls-eye before it got VERY cold and windy, and I was forced to go inside. While still to windy to shoot, I set up the power test and some cans to shoot off my front porch. I probably show 50-100 pellets for fun then, not for accuracy. Midway through, I noticed that my rings were sliding back. I adjusted them, and tightened them down more. A little while later, (25-40 shots), they had slid AGAIN! I was not happy.......
Just to try it, I put the scope stop on.......
10 shots later, something flew by my head...... you can guess what......
So, I tightened the rings to their max......
It stayed to windy to shoot any more that day....
But, when I awoke, it was all calm! So I went out, set up for 30 yrds, and began to "Finish" sighting in the gun. My groups were shot gun groups! How could this be? I knew this gun could be accurate! I would adjust left, and she would shoot high! I had to put a huge 100yrd target behind the trap to see where the way off shots went. The scope was still moving, but very little. I wondered if the scope could be bad. If the recoil could have of moved the scope, it may have damaged the internals also. I shot using the open sights.... They shot quite a bit low. At 30yrds, the red fiber optic sight covers up the entire black circle. Well, needless to say, after adjustment, she shot great with open sights. VERY accurate gun. It was the scope that was bad. I went out and shot the small Grey squirrel after that (see misc.) Now I just need a scope that can match these open sights....
4.
Still need to find that perfect pellet, need to get a better scope. Getting her Gene tuned in the near future.
Small Grey Squirrel Hunt: http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=23067&posts=1#M183338
Free Stuff:
Pellet Trap
Wadcutters
Hat
Targets
Bad Stuff:
Scope
Rings
Scope Stop
Pellet Trap
Good Stuff:
Targets (thin cardboard for good holes)
The TF89!
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While I am a little surprised the leapers fell apart on you (they are supposed to be springer rated) I know how the recoil can be. You will have a lot less recoil after a tune. That means not only better accuracy, but less worry about your scopes.
Glad you found out it was the scope and didn't blame the gun. I think the latter can happen a lot -- especially if it should be a scope you trust.
Nice review! No chrony?
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Sounds like you're enjoying her, if not the scope. If you have the receipt they should replace it though. Those 89's look great don't they?
And yeah, isn't a clamp on scope stop the most worthless thing ever?
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yeah, I took the silly scope stop off all three of my AR1000s. Wish they came with a rail like the RWS -- it is probably the best part of that gun!
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Pictures are up (may not be in order though.)
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Thanks for the Pics!!How thick is that trap? Is it actually going to hold up against that 89?
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It should be thick enough. It looks nice and sturdy. It has taken around 300 pellets so far.
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LOL! That is a legitimate concern! I was shooting traps and they ended up turning into car wrecks from all the denting. That's when I switched and startd shooting balsa traps I made myself. They do a great job of capturing and holding the lead.
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How do you make your traps??? Is there a guide somewhere???
Yes, a good pellet trap is important. I like it because it was free! I had no idea they would send me one, and 100 targets to go with it!
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I had exactly the same scope and scopestop problems with my AR-1000. I'd suggest a DIY scopestop, a piece of thick plate screwed onto the top of the scope rail/reservoir. Do it properly and it won't fly away and keeps the scope from sliding. Some other AR-1000 versions use such a scope stop and no-one has complained about those. One other thing, the muzzle "brake" was loose on mine which made even open sights worthless - check yours. Trigger adjustment is also worth consideration, mine was not so nice on factory settings.
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My muzzle break is fine. My trigger could use some work. Thanks for the heads up!
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It is actually a very nice trigger once you adjust it. Two screws behind the trigger blade.
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I had Gene tune my gun and he worked on the trigger -- he refused to replace it cause he said i'd like this one adjusted. It was night and day when I got it back -- wonderful trigger.
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I do believe it will be a great trigger when he is done with it!
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The pellet trap is now under the "bad stuff" section in misc. It couldn't take the pain, so it tapped out! LOL
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hehe thought so. Bet it makes you disappointed in the trap, but even more thrilled with that TF89, eh? (But hey, the trap was free..)
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In this case, I payed $0.00 for the trap so I got $0.00 worth of performance! Richard said he makes his own balsa traps.... does he mean ballistic gelatin???
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I doubt it. I don't see ballistic gelatin holding up for very long at all. If I had to guess I'd say he means a balsawood frame and duct seal innards, but I dunno. Have to wait for him to chime in.
Hey, you got what, 300 pellets into the trap? C'mon, that's more like $.34 worth of performance, not $.00 (http://../jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
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That would make sense. Sounds expensive though.
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*sigh* all these raving TF89 threads are making me want to sell my B28A and get another TF89 lol. That oughta change tomorrow though. It sounds like Gene has those AR1000 variants down to a T when tuning them. Hmm I wonder if he could tighten up that bad barrel detent.
Yeah I don't know if I could bring myself to pay for a trap yet. My current backstop is a hillock with a basalt outcropping. It's free and I'm not terribly worried about shooting through it.
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From your review you mentioned that the breech lock is weak making it fall it not careful bagging it. That will affect your vertical stringing, it will shoot high or low with each shot. If you can't work it need to call Compasseco for advice. Looks like your scope mount is riding all the way in the back of the groove and that will cut the end of for accushot mount it slips. Did you degrease the groove and mount with alcohol. Have you tried this article on mounting scopes >>> http://www.pyramydair.com/site/articles/scopes-part2/
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6.5x6.5x6.5 inch balsa blocks. I actually get 3.25x3.25x36 balso, and screw/glue them together. I've got about 1000 rounds in one -- you can shoot all 6 sides. Eventually it'll fall apart, I guess, but holding up well so far!
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Could you post a picture?
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Oh nifty! I thought maybe the balsa was the trapping material then dismissed the idea in my mind. Goes to show how little I know about it lol! Where do you get them/ how much do they cost?
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I did not degrease, but I mounted it according to the article you posted. I am replacing both the scope and rings. I'll get Hawke rings most likely.
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You get to chrony it yet? Just curious what kind ofnumbers it turned out.
Thanks and Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
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I get the blocks 4 at a time from here: http://www.specializedbalsa.com/balsa_blocks.php
you'll see them as 3x3x36 for about $12. Each will make about 1.5 blocks...so it ends up being about $8 a block plus screws. Takes about 10 minutes to make one if you are drinking a beer!
If I have scrap, I wrap it in tape and stick things to it like bottle caps. Makes for some fun movement. I also use an 18x18x3 backer so that if I miss (never happened) or get a ricochet there is something to stop it. I have to admit, I went to 6x6x6 after I became well aware that a gun shooting about 900fps was going through 3" of balsa... But I really like the 6x6x6 blocks
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How do you get it 6x6x6? I only see 4x6 as the biggest. And can you upload pics of the trap?
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take a 3x3x36 and cut to 6" lengths, then glue and screw...
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OH! Ok. Thanks for the trap tip!
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No, I don't have a chrony. I might get the reconditioned one that Shooting Chrony sells (alpha chrony) and a scale for some more in depth testing. First, I need to grab a good scope.
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I bought my TF89 .22 and sent it to Gene for a Turbo Tune and you talk about a night and day difference, I had the grinding to and also after about three days worth of shooting my pellets started going everywhere, sent it to Gene it came back super smooth and Gene told me that the stock seal had torn up one side so my power had dropped and it was showing signs of spring fatuige after just 2 weeks, Gene installed the hand fitted spring guide,maccari spring and seal, when Gene tested the gun after his tune it was shooting 15.3 grain pellets at 830FPS which is 23.3lbs of energy after about 3 more weeks of shooting it has settled in to shooting the same 15.3 pellets(gamo hunters) at 860FPS which is a tad over 24lbs of energy and is smooth cocking, he also did a trigger job on the gun and smoothed it out nicely, I cleand my scope rail really good with goo be gone and used a leapers 1 piece mount and mounted up a 4X12X44ao Barska airgun scope and locktited everything down good and let it sit over night to set up, dialed it in the next day and its never budged since, I don't even use the stock scope stop, I just snugged the mount down really good and after Genes tune the firing cycle is A LOT smoother with no twist or twang, I absolutely love my TF89 now, Genes Turbo Tune made the gun, without the tune I doubt if it would have even lasted until now, at least Compasseco has a very good return policy, I wrote them and told them about the spring and seal and they offered to replace the gun or the spring and seal whatever I wanted but I told them I sent it off to get tuned and they sent me two of the same hats you got too.
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I'm sending my .22 to Gene beginning of december, and I can't wait as I am getting back this gun (already shooting 24FPE) and a Cometa Fusion 400 I bought from him both at the same time. Somewhere in between I've got $100 worth of pellets coming in (cost $75 -- 12 tins, 3 free!). I've got time off coming from work over the holidays and I look forward to me and my new guns partying at the range!
Last gun I sent Gene wasn't even firing, and it came back sweet. I'm curious how much of a difference I'll find sending him a gun that is already behaving. If it gets much better I'll be doubly amazed!
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Richard, I'd be prepared to be amazed, the firing cycle is what impressed me the most,before it was a little harsh and had some torque, now its just a smooth push back, I never lose sight of my shots where before it would be all over the place after the shot.
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I too can not wait until I send mine off to Gene! I should be sending it early Dec.
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I built a silent trap using a plastic bucket with a lid. A kitty litter bucket 9 inches square and 14.5 inches high works well.
Take the lid off the bucket and cut a 7-inch square out of the center. In the bucket fill it with pine bark chips to a depth of 2 inches and then cut a piece of corrugated cardboard with ears on it to fit the sides of the bucket. Compress the chips by pushing down on the cardboard and then taping the ears to the side of the bucket. I do this so I can dump out each layer if I have to change the cardboard or the bark and not dump the whole bucket at one time. I have only done this once to see how far the pellets have penetrated. With my Gamo Big Cat, I have not been able to reach the 6 inch deep cardboard point in the bucket.
Repeat this pine bark chip and cardboard process until the bucket is full. Now place two layers of cardboard on top of the last layer of chips. Replace the lid on the bucket.
You can hang the bucket on its side and tape your targets to the cardboard. As the cardboard wears out (big hole in cardboard) just glue apiece of single layer cardboard (cereal box, can pop box, etc.) and cut it to fit the opening in the plastic lid. A drop of white glue in each corner of cardboard is all that is needed to secure it to the corrugated cardboard.
Make sure that you dry out the bark chips before placing them in the bucket (mold may grow). Dump them out on a plastic sheet and leave them in the sun for a couple of days, or you can dry them in your garage or basement. Other materials may be used in place of the pine bark chips (cedar chips, sawdust from a sawmill, small chunk rubber pieces, etc.)
For a larger trap you can use a 5-gallon bucket with lid (Home Depot, Lowes etc.)
I hang my silent trap from the ceiling of the basement using the bucket handle on the front half of the bucket. For the back half of the trap take a wire coat hanger and cut the center of the bottom cord of the hanger (horizontal piece), and then drill a small hole on each side of the bucket to slide in the cut wire coat hanger. Now there is a place to tie a cord, one cord to the bucket handle and the other to the wire coat hanger hook. The trap can now be hung from the ceiling rafters.
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Wow. Thanks for the detailed answer! Good idea!
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I'm ticked....I didn't get a neat hat. :(
Good gun though!!! And only $134.99 + s/h of $21.00
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
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I wish i got it for that price. I got mine for $150 + ship. Maybe that is why I got a cool hat!