Busted CFX spring!!!

[daved]

Is there anything quite as ugly as the sound/feel of a main spring breaking? I need some opinions here. This gun is still under warranty, only had it for about 3 months. Probably have 3 to 4 thousand pellets through it. So here's the question. Do I send it back to Gamo for repair, and maybe have the same thing happen again in 3 months, or do I bite the bullet (pellet?) and send it off to CDT for a Turbo tune? Technically, I've already voided my warranty, since I installed one of Bob's GTX-II triggers, and made an extension block for the stock. Bob, I'd like your opinion here, too. Does the CFX respond well to one of your tunes? And does Maccari make a spring for it? Would a CFX with a tune compare favorably with an RWS 48/52, since that's the gun I didn't buy, due to financial considerations. But adding the cost of a tune makes that just about a push. So let her rip, people! Any ideas, suggestion, or opinions are welcome here. And thanks in advance.

Dave

[vinceb]

...that a Gamo blows a spring that quick. I've had the springs go short - but not actually break.

Assuming that the guts are basically the same as the breakbarrel Gamo's - Macarri's spring will sorta fit, but it really oughta have a thicker guide - which, of course, Charlie (Bob) can do.

How happy were you with the gun before it went "sproing" If it met all your expectations before, you'll definitely be bucks ahead if you just let Gamo take care of it. Like I said, failure in a few thousand shots is not all that common.

As for comparisons to the RWS - even with a Macarri spring, I doubt you're gonna get the same power. The 48/52 has a larger powerplant, and there's not much that can be done to make up for that. However - is even 100fps really that important? As for accuracy - the CFX should not give anything up to it, and from the standpoint of the shooter - the lighter weight and easier cocking of the CFX probably makes it less tiring to shoot.

One last thing - I suspect that the Crosman Quest spring and tophat would fit in the CFX. If so, those parts are about $10 shipped. If the CFX spring and tophat are identical to those in the Gamo breakbarrels, it ought work.

[CharlieDaTuna]

I've done a lot of the CFX's (as well modifying as the European Royals), both the early and late ones and they do turn out well. You might check with Gene and a few others as well as checking the testimonials on my web site.

  http://charliedatuna.com/MKIIGTXTriggerTestimonials.htm

Maccari does make a spring for it but you should also make a fitted guide to match the spring if you are going to use it to get the maximum efficiency from it. All of the TurboTunes that I do have a machined spring guide and then finally hand fitted to each spring and spring block.

As Vince said, it is unusual for a sping to let go that early and is usually caused by either detonation or using excess weight pellets or both. It is possible to just get a bad spring also from Gamo but few and far between.

 Also, the Quest will work in it but a poor choice only because the Chinese steel in the springs areppretty soft and  fatigue pretty quickly and is  a very poor fit causing even greater vibration and twang.

I'll respond to the e-mail that you sent me.

[daved]

Thanks, Guys,

I realize that it's unusual, but I'm pretty sure it's just bad luck getting a bad spring.  To answer Vince's question, I've been very happy with the gun, but I've also been looking for an excuse to have Bob do a tune up.  As good at it was, I think it could be better.  Regarding cause, I don't think it could be either detonation or excess use of heavy pellets.  I have a tin of Beeman Silver Arrows, but I've shot less than half of it, this rifle definitely doesn't like heavy pellets.  8 to 9 gr. seem best, with JSB Exact and Match Diabolo S100's, both at 8.3 being the best.  RWS Superdomes, also at 8.3 are almost as good, but I get a lot more deiseling with them.  Something in the pellet lubricant that they come with?  Regarding the Tune, Bob, for the relatively slight difference in cost, I definitely want the Turbo Tune.  I'm still new to this whole air gun scene, and I think I lucked out picking a CFX for my first one, based on everything I've read since getting it.  I've been struggleing with consistency (me I think, not the gun), and I'm willing to bet that Bob's magic will help.  So thanks again.

Dave

[Gene_SC]

Replace the the original trigger, screw and spring. Put the original stock butt plate back on and ship it off to Gamo for repair. With that amount of use, I would bet they would just replace the whole CFX with another new one. Call em and feel them out.

As far as CDT Turbo tune, my opinion is that it would be like getting a new CFX back from him... I have two CFX .177's and both have been Turbo Tuned and new GTX triggers installed. I don't think  you went wrong with the choice you made by buying a CFX but I do not own RWS 48 or 52 air rifle. But I would speculate that if they were close in shooting charactoristics that after a tune by CDT you would be very happy you bought the CFX...

Good Luck Dave

Gene

[vinceb]

Didn't know that. The spring in my 2.5 year old B19 .22 has held up just fine... is the Crosman production stuff worse?