Haven't been posting much here lately, but here's a suggestion for those considering one of these for your rifles. DO IT! I've now done two rifles, a Diana 34 and a TX 200. Although I had a hiccup with the 34 install, it's ended up a very sweet shooter. The only issue I now have with that rifle is unrelated to the tune, it's all about the TO 6 trigger I installed.
The real stand out was my recently acquired TX 200 Mk. III. This rifle was like new, maybe a tin or so of pellets through it by the previous owner. All the stuff you've heard about the TX is true, they are incredible rifles. But I managed to get one that was twangy! Didn't affect the shooting, but it was really irritating. I expect a Gamo to twang, but not a TX. Considered the Macarri route, but this is one of those cases where being able to buy via PayPal made the decision, so a Vortek kit for the TX arrived last Saturday. Real simple install, the TX is undoubtedly the easiest springer to work on. And the results were night and day. No more twang, just a solid, quick thump. A slight decrease in velocity, but that was fine, it was shooting a little too fast anyway. I ordered the 15 fpe kit, and it's very close, 14.5+ fpe with JSB Expresses, and just under 14 fpe with Heavies. Average is about 775 fps with JSB Heavies, and it will stack them at 25 yards if I do my part. But now I'm starting to review the rifle, and that's not what this post is about :-).
At this point, I'm just waiting for the R9 kits to become available, I also recently acquired a like new R9, but it's a real monster, all the things we hate about springers rolled up in one. Twangy, buzzy, vibrates like crazy, I can't get a scope to stay put. You'd think it was a magnum! But based on the results I've gotten so far, a Vortek kit will settle it right down, and make it as sweet a shooter as the rest of my small collection.
BTW, I'm not suggesting that these kits are better than Macarri parts. JM has been making tune up parts for springers for a VERY long time, and is still the way to go if you want to make a radical change, i.e. turning a "1000 fps" twanger into a 700 fps softie. Nor am I suggesting that this is as good as a pro tune, there's a lot more to tuning a springer than dropping in a new spring and guides. But for someone wanting to do a home tune, this is a fast, simple, competitively priced way to go, and the results live up to the hype. When's the last time you've heard that about a new product? They're customer service is also excellent, I've emailed several times about various things, and have always gotten a prompt, courteous, and personal response back, even on weekends. Finally, if you are interested but don't know how to find them, here's the link to their site:
http://www.vortekproducts.com/ Hope that helps someone, later.
Dave
