Gas Ram Me...

[thebookdoc]

I have a Gamo Big Cat with a broken spring, and I want to replace the spring with a gas ram (gas spring). I'm not looking for a spectacular change, I just want to have a rifle with a gas spring, and experience the difference in performance (not necessarily improvement). I see that several places sell a Nitro or Air Venturi for about $109 but they require sending the rifle to them for installation. I've got a spring compressor and I'd like to try it myself. However, I'm wondering about two things: price and procedure.

* Anyone know where I can get a gas spring for less than $109?

* Anyone know where there are instructions for gas ram installation? (I imagine it isn't really all that complicated, but find it interesting vendors won't even sell to people now...so maybe there is something I am not anticipating?)

Thanks!

[daved]

Interesting, PA used to sell just the rams for DIY installers.  This is a wild guess, but I suspect it has something to do with Crosman now owning the Nitro Piston rights.  

The only other alternative I know is a Theoben ram from Dave Slade of AirgunWerks, but it's going to be more expensive than $109.  Good unit, though, I put one in a Gamo CFX several years ago, back before Air Venturi and Nitro Piston were even on the horizon.  Wish I still had that rifle.  Nothing complicated about the install at all.  I'd even go so far at to say it's easier and definitely cleaner than installing a spring, since there's no spring tar involved, just a little moly on the piston.  Here's the link to AirgunWerks aka Theoben USA: http://www.theobenusa.com/  Good luck!

Dave

[airiscool]

I think the change to no more selling just the ram has to do with staying in business.

Last year, I bought an air venturi gas (spring) ram from PA to install in my Whisper. It came with no instructions for how to install it, and for what details/mods were needed for what current model gun. Mine being a later production Whisper, apparantly had some differances from earlier ones. I found that out by reading details of what some others posted about what they had to go throught to install one in their Whisper.  

I would assume that as a result, PA got fed up with all the phone call questions and possably loosing money running a gas ram installation school over the phone. Having been in a similar situation, I made the mistake of selling carburator rebuilding kits I hand made. I  lost more money than I ever made by spending countless hours on the phone trying to teach people who know nothing of how a carb even works, how to re-build one. Yes, I could have done a detailed "how to" sheet but it still doesn't teach how to use tools and deal with every other problem that pops up even if it has nothing to do with carbs. Sell a kit and you own  every problem with that gun/car/whatever, no matter how remotely connected. So, if that's the case with PA, I can understand why they would now say we won't sell ram kits, just send us your rifle if you want one installed.

At least that's my guess for the change.

Paul.

[larspawn]

Hey bookdoc,

I just sent another PM.

Andy Wong aka larspawn

[thebookdoc]

lars... it must have got cut off -- I checked and see nothing... send to thebookdoc@aol.com as well!

[pindog2000]

do they make one for the talon mag?walther type?

[thebookdoc]

Got a response back from Theoben...They said:

"Theoben make one that fits the Gamo Hunter 440 and the CFX -- they are $145 plus shipping -- however, I never taken a Big Cat apart, so I cannot say if it would fit, sorry."

Any idea if the hunter440/CFX ram would fit a Big Cat?

[thebookdoc]

Thanks for the offer, Andy. I'm just interested in converting this so I have a gas ram on hand. It may cost almost as much as a new rifle to do ($145 for the RAM!!), but I got it with the intent to add the gas ram. Good thing I got it for nothing.

[LongIslandArcher]

I just read on another forum that a gas ram can be installed in the Big Cat.  I sent a query asking him which model would fit.  If he comes back to me that says the CFX one will fit, then you could probably get the Theoben.

[thebookdoc]

Hey, thanks for that! I look forward to hearing either way, and deeply appreciate the extra effort!

Richard

[LongIslandArcher]

Get your gas ram here - http://www.airgunwarehouseinc.com/crosman-nitro-piston-springs.html  I don't think they require you to send your gun to them for the conversion.

[LongIslandArcher]

Or splurge a little and get the Theoben gas ram.  It's a much nicer gas ram with a smoother cocking effort, but shoots pellets faster.  Installation of the Theoben gas ram is reverse what it is for the Air Venturi and requires you to shim around the gas ram body with tape so that it is a snug fit inside the piston sleeve in the rifle.  I already have 2 CFXes with synthetic stocks (.177 & .22 cal.) fitted with the Theoben.  I have third one coming for my CFX Royal that has the Air Venturi gas ram in it.  I did a side-by-side comparison between the Theoben .22 and the Air Venturi .22, and that is how I know the Theoben is a superior gas ram.  It shoots 14.3 grain pellets at 725 fps (close to the rated 750 fps) with lead, whereas the Air Venturi CFX shot the 14.3 grain pellet at 680 fps.

[airiscool]

Reading the listings in the link LongIslandArcher posted, it says the gas ram that fits the Whisper is the same one for the Big Cat and other Gamo's.
http://www.airgunwarehouseinc.com/py-a-2103.html

"....Fits Gamo Whisper-series,Hunter Sport,Varmint Hunter,Big Cat&  ..."

If it's the same Air Venturi I put in my 22 Whisper, you may find as I did that it's not going to be as powerfull as you hope.  Jumbo heavies at 595fps, Jumbo 15.8gr at 620fps, Superdomes at 686fps. Very consisant velocities, and very accurate with Jumbos, good for back yard hunting and plinking, but not the power and range I wanted for hunting in woods and hay fields.

Paul.

[LongIslandArcher]

That's why I recommend going with the Theoben.

[thebookdoc]

yes, and I'll probably be going in that direction...Theoben that is. Just wish it wasn't $140 more than I paid for the gun ;-)