Bsa Air Rifle ?

[Cedric 132]

I'm currently playing with a friends rifle, BSA with no model name in .22.

 

I think it's a Lightning as it has the BSA silencer fitted.

 

I've managed to get the spring out (which was broken) but can't get the piston barrel out. When I depressed the trigger/sear which was sticking up in the way it came out a little more but then stopped again.

 

It has the Maxigrip scope rail fitted and I see from the parts diagram pistons for these have a cut-out in the top. Do I have to remove the Maxigrip rail in order to get the piston out ?

 

Hope someone knows !

[WhiteRabbit 112]

Ideally, if you don't know what you're doing, you're best leaving this to the professionals... Not only could you damage the rifle, you could really injure yourself if precautions are not taken into consideration.

 

BSA rifles tend to have the model name branded on it somewhere, usually on the barrel or near the safety lock. So if you can't identify it or find the model, you really don't know what you're doing or where to find the correct parts.

 

I'd personally take it to your near gunsmith and avoid harming yourself or the rifle any further.

[shergar 42]

if it has a really short barrel , 10" long then I think it's a lightning , mine does not have the name stamped on just on the barrel bsa and the calibre .22

serviced mine a very long time ago and can't remember if I removed the scope rail but if you think it's stopping the removal of the piston then take it off.

 

trying compressing a new spring in can be dangerous if you don't know what your doing

 

like whiterabbit says take it to a gunsmith if in any doubt

Edited June 23, 2014 by shergar

[WhiteRabbit 112]

Well whether the model name is stamped on or not, normally it's not hard to identify a BSA but the point is, if you're not use to dealing with air rifles, you're best off leaving it to someone who knows and will do a better job than most.

 

White

[Cedric 132]

Thanks for the concern but I have a blacksmith's shop and all the gear for making spring compressors etc.

 

I've managed to work it out, took the rail off by tapping it back for about an inch then it lifts put of the slots - turns out I didn't need to, no fixings under it !

 

I got the piston out by removing the upper pin in the trigger assembly and sliding the sear forewards until it came out. A protrusion on this sear sits in a cutout in the piston preventing it releasing, quite simple if you only knew how ! It all seems in good shape so will fit the new spring tomorrow and check for power.

 

I identified the model by looking on Chambers web site and compairing the parts diagrams, process of elimination.

[moxy 617]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[WhiteRabbit 112]

Hey, I'm glad your getting it sorted.

I just don't want people having accidents from missing fingertips to loss of sight, at the price of an air rifle or what could have been a cheep repair

 

White

[shergar 42]

definitely a lightning that mate , great to see you know what you are doing ,many years ago I caught a friend trying to compress a main spring in with a large flat head screwdriver then it flew out and nearly took his face off , I pissed myself laughing at the time but looking back it could of ended up all horribly wrong .

 

atb shergar

[Cedric 132]

Moxy - great pics ! I do like the big hammers ! My piston is not at all shiny, more of a matt, sandblasted finish except where it slides. I had a bugger of a job getting the spring circlip back on the safety assembly but managed in the end - only lost it on the floor once !

 

I fitted a Titan spring, it seemed very long and I thought it would take far too much to compress it so I cut about 3 coils off. Fitted it and got 10.6 ftlbs on first test - maybe i over did it! Never mind, I'll pop a washer of two in and see what happens.

 

To compress it i made a U shaped fitting out of flat bar, enough room between the prongs for the spring retaining bolt to fit and wound it in with a sash clap, worked fine.

[moxy 617]

Apologies Cedric. I was distracted whilst putting my post up. So forgot to write anything

 

The pictures were to give you a comparison to try and ID your mates rifle.

And yes. The rails can be a pain to get off. Hence the plastic deadblow hammer and blocks of hardwood.

 

I meant to put up a few more pics showing the spring replacement tool but no need as you have sorted it.

 

Atb.

[Cedric 132]

Fitted three thin spacer washers and got 12.5 ftlbs ! Took one out and it's now just right. Lovely little rifle for something so old, bit of a recoil but shoots fine.