The B26/R9 Vortek kits are ready

[DMikeM]

All metal kit as opposed to the plastic ones for all the other guns. I will probably order one later this week. Sure looks nice, almost too bad it goes on the inside.

http://vortekproducts.com/home

[Gene_SC]

I have nothing against the Vortek Kits but IMO a good pro tune will deliver the same results if not better and longevity as well. Remember guys and gals these kits are proprietary and the cost of replacing the parts are much higher than your normal JM springs.

[larspawn]

Gene,

Actually PG2 replacement springs are $14.  I just bought a couple Macarri's and the cheapest was $17.

I know Tom Gore and he's a real bonafide airgun guy.  He's always looking for ways to make them better.  He had a part in the Crosman Nitro piston so he knows what he's doing.  He's no snake oil or fly by night salesman.

There was a lot of talk about his PG2 making pro tuners obsolete.  Aint gonna happen.  I just see his product as another alternative.  A really good one at that.  Is it worth $69?  I think so because it is a drop in kit that doesn't require advanced skills or specialized tools to make a quantum improvement in most guns.  He literally had my Diana 34 apart, upgraded and back together in about 10 minutes.  The improvement is amazing.  I applaud him for some elegant engineering and a product that does what it sets out to do.

Now like I said, it won't replace a real pro tune.  I.e., it doesn't hone your compression tube for you or make up for ill fitting pistons.  It also won't debur or fit a cocking shoe,  Nor will it smomth and adjust a trigger for you.  So will there always be a place for a pro tuner?  Yup craftsmanship and experience cannot be made from a spring and plastic.  

Bottom line for me is any advancement that brings more options to more people so they can enjoy the sport is welcome by me.  Plus it is nice to see an honest and hard working airgunner like Tom do well!

Andy Wong aka larspawn

[Gene_SC]

Yes the Vortec will not replace a good pro tune for sure. And I am one who feels you get what you pay for as well.. JM buys quality wire and winds his coils himself. To me a Vortec kit is like putting STP in an engine that has lost compression and the valves are clattering... But that is fine, I put STP in my old 51 Ford's engine and it gave me more mileage..

[fsdanlie]

I have one in my 34 classic 177 cal. and don't shoot it much(not braggin)it's to accurate to just shooting cans. It's more or less just for hunting,spits them 8.4  jsb's with authority.Pretty happy with my purchase my next one will be for my 350 mag to tame it down.

[Gene_SC]

I have a well tuned 34 compact that is as nice as my HW 97 to shoot. Extremly accurate as well..

[fsdanlie]

Mine don't come close to looking like that.That's a very good looking rifle.

[DMikeM]

Hey Gene,

I have been tinkering with both my B26 guns for a couple months now and cannot seem to get either one to perform as stated by others. Recently I purchased 2 Crosman Springs and seals for them as I was told this is the best route. Last night I installed one of these sets in my .177 B26 added 2 zinc washers to the top end of the spring and one to the bottom. I noticed the spring was about the same as the RWS 320 spring except the ends were not finished at all. I finished the ends up and polished them before install. I was able to get an additional 50 FPS out of the gun but it is still not up to par with the statements made by other members here. I understand it will get better as it breaks in which was evident as I was shooting last night. But here is where I am going with this, I went through 5 springs and 3 seals to get to this place. I had already deburred and honed the compression tube and performed a trigger tune. Had I been able to purchase the Vortek Kit a month ago I would have just about broke even in dollar amount but would have only had to get into this gun one time (assuming the kit will perform as stated).
So By the time I decide to order a PG2 kit for my .22 B26 my other one will be broken in and will aid me in my decision. Right now the .177 shoots hard with just a little vibration, probably from the washers. But if the PG2 can deliver this with no vibration and less kick I would consider this an essential part of a good over all tune. Also my JM springs and seals for this gun did not deliver the power desired to use this gun for hunting.

I do not discount a good pro tune, but I like to do things myself and this looks like the best means to do so.

[Gene_SC]

Mike, the Vortec system has proved to work very well on the different model air guns. That is a fact. But as I stated in my previous post that a pro tune works just as well and maybe a bit better.. With that said a pro tuner only uses springs and seals that have been proven to work with the different models of air guns. With the proper techniques and tooling that a pro tuner has at hand makesallthe difference between a home tune and a pro tune.

[speedturtle]

Mike, you are lucky. Getting 50FPS of velocity increase is a lot just by merely changing the spring. When I used the Crosman Quest spring the only increase I got was 20FPS but that was good since my B26 in 0.177 is already hot at around 890FPS using the original spring prior to breakdown. As one fellow member on another forum said "Tuning an airgun is all about a balancing act." I firmly believe that. I would like to add some thing to it: "Balance it in such a way that it will give you repeatable accuracy and not just go for smoothness. although from experience smoothness in the action usually correlates to good accuracy if and only if you have a good barrel to start with." Good luck should ever you decide to install a Vortek kit on your B26. I will definitely await your report on this.

[larspawn]

Gene,

Now don't go soft and endorse the Vortek ;-)  They'll revoke your pro tuner card.  LOL.

Yup no replacement for good old know how from a pro tuner or anybody who's been around the block a couple times!  I still have that RWS-320 I bought from you.  Smooooth and now that you are retiring I guess I can  never sell it. Just like I won't sell any of my other ones that are pro tuned!  I figure a bit of airgun history there.

Andy

[Gene_SC]

Andy, I am not getting soft yet... I do not own a Vortec load air gun and never will.. I know what makes up a fine shooter and a bandage only works so long...

[larspawn]

I may have to buy one and send it direct to you!

I should also tell you that my B25 had an ill fitting rear guide that made it twangy/buzzy and I fixed it myself...I used a piece of shrink tubing over the rear guide and then wound the spring down on it.  It helped tremendously and while I know you could turn a custom delrin guide for me I have no lathe.  Before you poke your eyes out let me tell you that it is an incredibly smooth shooter now and I opened he up a few weeks ago after several thousand pellets and the shrink tube/guide looks the same as when I did it originally.

So there now I've done it and lost all respect here on this forum!

Andy Wong aka bubba

[Gene_SC]

LOL Andy

Ya shrink tape will workl but there is always the chance of it getting torn up. But yes I do agree with you that it will calm down a twangy springer..

[shadow]

Nothing beat's a good old fashion pro tune and I will never get into the Vortek kit's myself. Ed