B26-2 Thumbhole Inquiry

[TexasShooter72]

Greetings folks!

Due to a broken cocking foot and some chamber issues my Nitro 17 had died.  For its replacement I'm looking into purchasing a B26-2 with the thumbhole stock.  If you happen to have one of these little gems, especially if it's been tuned by Mike Melick can you let me know your thoughts on these guns?  I am all too familiar with the notion that the B series guns show-up with imperfections in the stock, have occaisional blueing issues and seal issues from time to time but I also know that Melick works some wonders with these guns.

What're your thoughts?

Matt

[PeakChick]

Matt, the action and trigger is indentical on both the sporter B26 and the -2. The only real issue with the -2 is that the comb on the stock on the -2 is very, very high. The height of the comb requires reshaping or VERY high scope mounts to be usuable. Do a search on the -2 on the forum and you will see what I mean.

[TexasShooter72]

Yeah, I did a search and I was just now seeing that.  I really liked the Tyrolean stock that was posted.  Pretty sweet if you ask me.  I think you've got a good point on the comb and scope mount height.  Basically I'm researching what I should replace the Nitro with.  I was also kicking around the idea of doing a B28(350 Mag rip-off) and sending it off to Melick along with a real 350 Mag spring I've got collecting dust in the closet.  I need a good thrasher gun!

[bcshooter]

Hi Matt, I have both, the B26-2 in .22cal and the B26 in .177cal. No issues what so ever with quality control. The B26 .177cal I bought from Mike Melick, he did a OEM tune for me and its smooth as a babies butt(hope I can reference that, no disrepect intended) The only headache I have is the high comb, ditto Peakchick. She got that correct. I solve the problem by using a scope rail add on by Gamo. It clamps on the original and raises the scope rail about 3/8 inches higher. I can site in easily now. I have it mounted with a 3-9x50 AO/IR scope and one piece high mount. Both air rifles are accurate, easy 3/8 to 1/2 groups at 10m. Not pellet picky,can shoot allRWS, GAMO Match or Hunter,ProMagnum, Crosman Premier HP, Domed, Ultra Magmun, Wadcutters, take your pick. I only shoot pellets under $8.00 per 500, tight budget. Here is my info, now its up to you.......Shoot Safe.....Shoot Straight and Enjoy.......Bill

[shadow]

I also have the Sporter stock version and the -2 with the high comb. To me the B26 is a all around good shooter out of the box and even better with a tune. A good one piece mount and risers took my scope up to where I needed it and still comfortable to shoot, I didn't want to cut the comb since I really like the lines of the stock with that comb. Ed

[daveshoot]

I agree about the lines of the -2 but just didn't want the extra hardware to raise the scope up. That's why I ended up hacking the stock.

If you think you'd like to try a stock mod, the -2 stocks are occasionally available separately from Xisico. You could get the sporter version of the 26 and work on your stock mod at your leisure.

In any case, the -2 is pretty much unshootable out of the box without one or the other solutions. The B26 is a sweet rifle with a great trigger and should not be missed.

[Jerrycup]

Matt, the BAM B-26 is great. I have a regular (some say "Sporter") B-26 that Mike sold me. Mine is a .22 cal. It shoots a good pattern out to 30 yards or more with the cheap Crosman Premier HP's every time. No complaints, except it makes the other springers seem impossible to shoot by comparison. My stock was blemish free, Mike can polish them like glass with some secret technique (he told me how) he learned in the Navy. ;-). Small area where the bluing must have been affected by the drying rack, otherwise metal looks good. Great trigger IMHO, light and predictable second stage with clean release.

You can set up the regular B-26 with a Wal-mart Centerpoint AO scope, a one piece Accushot medium mount (under $100), and you are good to go. $170 (until tomorrow) for the gun with Melick lube tune, and the other springers with similar performance and reliability will cost 2X or more.

http://dynamo.airgunartisans.com/flyingdragon/announcements.php

Agree that the B26-2 looks good, guys. It's still a lot of work to customize this one off, and if you want a scope it will need to be mounted 3 inches high.

Isn't this an opportunity for someone to set up a milling program to make dozens of stocks from high quality wooden blanks? Or maybe just mill the BAM stock to do the Monte Carlo thing on a machine in an efficient manner...
Mike, would that work?

I wonder if the geometry of the BAM -2 stock would be OK with a peep sight? Is there a off the shelf solution like that?

[TexasShooter72]

Wow, thankyou for your input you guys.  I got to shoot a standard B26 at the NTAM shoot in Fort Worth a couple months back and was very impressed with its delivery.  Which is why I'm leaning towards this particular gun.  I'm saddened that the Nitro didn't make it because it was a VERY accurate shooter.  Did 746-750fps consistently and was spot-on every time.  That gun had a hoard of squirrels lying in its wake and a couple of rabbits too.  I've since made the Hunter Elite my go-to for such things.  

Power isn't everything but to me shot-placement is.  I tend to use the 350 Mag for mid-sized critters(skunk, possum etc) and I'm still working on BSA SuperSport- haven't scoped it yet and there's a custom stock inquiry on the wire as we speak.  I see the B26 as a new carry-in-the-field shooter.

Thankyou!

[7MMMARK]

One more thot on the b26-2.   Several of us cut the top of the comb down and while we were at it carved away at other spots to make the gun REALLY fit. Then the hot setup is to bedliner the stock in black which gives it that tactical look and makes it easier to grip. Many people have done this and liked it alot .  Mark

[JohnC]

I have both the 26 and 26-2 both in .22 from MM, both are excellent guns, shoot very consistently in the the 710fps  range, actually i gave the B26 to my father in law and kept the 26-2 for myself, I put high mounts on the scope and its fine. Shoot very consistent 3/8" groups at 25Yds, very quiet and and smooth firing cycle. For the money you can not beat a MM tuned BAM.