So my springs busted - Options

Well I was initally going to just send it to Bob and have the gun tuned. But was looking around and seen gas rams.
Anyone know if you can but just the ram and make it work, yes/no? Also would it even be worth it. (velocity/power)

I heard that someone in the US is going to handle the gas rams but can't remember who.

They are expensive!!

On the web site they list them for Shadows and Hunters but not the CFX; it’s the same power plant as the break barrels so I don’t know why it would not fit.

I have a customer in England and he swears by them and has them in two of his Gamo’s and says they are smooth and put out the power. The expense is the only reason he has not installed in his other rifles.

[CharlieDaTuna]

The gas rams are available for a number of guns and though Theoben shows them for the Gamo's, as of a few months ago, I don't know of any that has been imported in the US but I could be wrong. The only way I could get one was from Europe at the time but after a lot of research, I changed my mind.

The gas rams have a higher cocking effort with a little less power for the cocking effort. They are a sealed unit and are not resealable and pretty expensive to replace. They also have a harsher recoil than a correctly tuned spring gun. They do have some pluses though, the biggest one being that they are very consistent.

The big reason why they are not in this country is that here we are not limited to power and to achieve the power that is demanded here would require a very high cocking effort. To aquire 800 fps in .177 requires at least 52 pounds of cocking effort. I know because we were in the process of developing one to market. We had developed several protypes. But because of the high cocking effort  and the fact that Theoben already has a couple of law suits against a couple of other individuals for patent infringements, we discontinued our efforts. In Europe, because they are limited in power, and does not require such effort, it will fly there.

[shadow]

Was checking some info on them too. They say there hard on scopes also, recoil kills em. Ed

[CharlieDaTuna]

Yep...you are right about that I'm sure. During our testing, I was amazed by the impact created by the gas ram. I had read about the difference but was surprised by how much it was even at such a low velocity. But then it required about 375 pounds of compression in the tube to compress it to lock up to get approx. 800 fps. The only real advantage that I could see was there was no torque but was still very hold sensitive.

[vinceb]

....exert a relatively constant pressure over its travel, as opposed to a coil spring that exerts more pressure the further it is compressed?

[CharlieDaTuna]

As the gas is compressed in the cylinder it becomes harder to cock just as in a springer. When it gets close to the bottom it's pretty tough.  In fact, when we set it up to where we thought it would reach about 920 fps, the linkage on the 440 bent and broke. Scared hell out of us and we didn't do that again...lol...  However, the action was not in the stock at the time (we were afraid of breaking it) and was not or could not be cocked in a straight line by hand because of the cocking effort required.

[daved]

Theoben USA, aka Airgunwerks (David Slade) handles gas rams.  Up until very recently, the only retro-fit rams available from Theoben were 12 fpe or less, except the ram for the Patriot/Kodiak rifles.  Because this has intrigued me, I've checked in with David several times.  The 12 fpe ram for the Gamo is/was available from him for $135 plus shipping, assuming Theoben UK had them in stock.  A while ago, David informed me that Theoben was going to start making a ram for the Gamo that would be over 12 fpe, probably around 18 fpe.  I told him then I wanted one when available.  So a week ago, he lets me know he got a FAC rated strut for a Gamo in a Patriot box, and did I want it?  The money order is going out today.  Price is $145, because there's no instructions, Theoben USA is picking up the shipping.  BTW, I'm planning on putting this is my CFX.

An important side note here.  It's been months since I last emailed David, and asked him to keep me in mind when the more powerful rams came in.  That's exactly what he did.  This kind of service always impresses me, and he's always been very prompt in his responses to my emails.  This is someone I intend to do more business with in the future.

Dave

Thats for the information everyone. It would make more sence in a rebarrel or a regular shadow. But with this plastic barrel thing they have going on on my gun. And such a high cocking effort it prolly wouldnt be the best thing.
David I would be interested in some test results after you get your rifle squared away with a gas ram.

[daved]

Count on it Jason.  This is something I've had in mind for quite awhile, don't really know why.  Just one of those itches we get that have to be scratched.  Of course, if this works out well, I'll have to get off my butt and get seriuos about carving a new stock.  Whoever heard of a gas ram rifle with a plain jane synthetic stock on it?  And if I don't like it, well, I'm starting to have questions about the CFX's design anyway.  From what we read on these forums, it looks like they are prone to spring breakage.  And I continue to have sealing problems that I beleive are caused by the rotary breech.  So as much as I've liked it, this may become an occasional shooter.  Damn, that means I'll have to buy another rifle for daily use!  Too bad I missed out on the 890 deal at Cabela's.  Time to do some shopping!

Dave