what now???

[xtratoy]

Hi, I just joined up here after reading for about a week. I have a Gamo Shadow that I bought new about 4 years ago. I doubt that it has had 200 pellets shot through it. I got curious and and decided to shoot through the Chrony. Two different crossman pellets averaged 840 fps for pellet #1 ( cheap pellets that came in the plastic box) and 890 fps for Pellet #2   (pointed hunting pellets sold in a round tin). The Gamo PBA pellet  averaged 1120 FPS. I built a simple spring compressor and took it apart to do a lube tune and afterwards got an avg of 860for pellet #1 and 922 fps for pellet #2. The PBA was down to 1080 fps.  I then ran about 50 pellets through it resighting and plinking then shot over the chrony again. Pellet #2 was averaging 840fps. To say the least I was disappointed. I knew it would be slower by the sound of it before I reshot over the chrony. When I had it apart I noticed that the spring was not straight and the coils unevelny spaced. I polished the spring ends and spring guides and reassembled with instructions  found here   http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:kKug2r5yMHYJ:charliedatuna.com/airgun_docs/B19%2520Super%2520Tune.doc+b19+supertune&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us  written up nicely by Charlie da Tuna  (thanks for that info). Before I took it back apart I looked in at the spring while it was under compression and noticed that some coils were touching and others had space between them. So now I am asking what my direction should be. New spring and seal or  I would really like to have the gun firing consistantly in the mid 900's.  Any input would help.

[Walt]

Bill welcome to the forum. I would say your on the right track do it your self. New spring and a seal or the big one, a pro tune. You will gain consistency either way.
W

[longislandhunter]

Welcome to the GTA Bill, nice to have you with us....

I agree with Walt,,  seems like your on your way to gettin that gun shootin just the way you want.  

Just a word of advice,,,, those PBA pellets really aren't good for the rifle and could damage it.  They're just to light and will cause "piston slam" when you fire the gun.....

Will be looking forward to your future posts.....

Jeff

[Dave1899]

Welcome Bill...You've found a great place to be. The shadow is an awesome rifle. I just got another one today. I've never tuned one up so I can't help on the spring spacing but I'm sure some of the experienced tuners here will chime in and answer your question. All of my Shadows have been professionally tuned and let me tell you, they rock!!!

David

[xtratoy]

Can't do a pro tune due to finances. I took it apart again and looked at the seal and it looks the same as the first time I took it out .Seems to be a snug fit but not to tight. I guess I should have left well enough alone. While looking at the seal I was trying to figure out how to remove it. Do you get get a screwdriver between it and the piston and pry it off? Everything is real smooth as far as the piston and the spring guides. The first thing I did when I bought it was fix up the trigger. I can't remember exactly what I did, but it breaks just under a pound. Does Gamo sell parts or is there a place where I can buy a seal and a spring?  Is there a list of forum sponsors that sell parts? Thanks again

[RedFeather]

Someone here can verify this but I believe the Crosman Quest springs will work in these.  Also, there may be a Jim Macarri spring that fits.

[70GTvert]

JM spring E3570 will fit @ about $17 each. Crosman Quest spring from the 1000 will work to, but after about 1000 rounds, they start to weaken and your #'s will be back at what you have there. Don't know if the JM spring will do that yet as I don't have but about 500 rounds through is since I replaced mine, but if others are any indication, they are better built. Ina pinch, you can even use those springs in a QF2 3# rebuild kit.

[Gene_SC]

Yes Bill you use a small screwdriver like you said to remove the seal.

[xtratoy]

So far I haven't found a JM E3750 spring by Googling and searching. I did find a list of spring rates in THE SHOP area.  http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=13806&mid=111011#M111011    DAVED  has a PDF file at bottom of his post.  Which spring is an improvement on the stock Gamo spring rate? Since I put this back together and forgot to measure the O.D. of my seal, does this take a .990-.995 sized seal?

[xtratoy]

Is there a preferred seal type or is a seal a seal? I have seen different names of seals (Tesla ,  Apex,  Crosman ) but have no idea if any have an advantage over the other.

[70GTvert]

WOW, what were my fingers thinking? Not even CLOSE. Try E3650. Sorry. My SWMBO got me 4 at x-mas. Seem very nice overall.

[crazy4salmon]

Sounds like, if you order something from Jim Macarri he can set you up with what you need. Look up his number and give him a ring.

Dan L

[xtratoy]

I measured my parts and ordered a 3650 spring and a .995 Tesla seal from JM. Will let you know how this turns out!  Thanks for your help.    Bill

[70GTvert]

Let me know if you run into any problem with the Tesla seal. I had one with mine but got it sorted out with a minor fix. Symptom of my problem was it was too tight in the receiver, causing the seal to pop off on the cocking stroke. Not all have that problem, however, so don't look at this as given issue you will have.