Old Daystates

[Engraver]

I like the old daystates does anyone remember Jack stanton in the airgun mags, I remember him using one with a removable cylinder was it called the QC ?

But my favourites were the Stalker rifles like the Cheetah

And leopard

This is a rare beast a mk2 in .25 cal I think the action looks based on an X2

Ive personally always fancied a Daystate Merlyn might be an x2 under the skin but seen some lovely wood on them, people dont tend to part with the nice ones, which says a lot, possibly my favourite looking Daystate

 

[Hermitage10]

I like the old daystates does anyone remember Jack stanton in the airgun mags, I remember him using one with a removable cylinder was it called the QC ?View attachment 957427

But my favourites were the Stalker rifles like the Cheetah View attachment 957428View attachment 957432View attachment 957433View attachment 957431View attachment 957430

And leopard
View attachment 957429

This is a rare beast a mk2 in .25 cal I think the action looks based on an X2 View attachment 957434

Ive personally always fancied a Daystate Merlyn might be an x2 under the skin but seen some lovely wood on them, people dont tend to part with the nice ones, which says a lot, possibly my favourite looking Daystate

View attachment 957435

Yeah!!!! I love the Merlyn . Have been keeping my eye out for one for a while Gorgeous looking piece of kit!

 

[Wayno-81]

Proper old school (quality) engineered.
Bought some bits to build my stalker cheetah homage (lr90 based) and they are lovely solid things

 

[Wayno-81]

Just look at this - it oozes quality

Post in thread 'Our friend Paul Chell.'
https://airgunforums.co.uk/threads/our-friend-paul-chell.110423/post-1827996

 

[rockdrill]

I've got a huntsman MK1 do you know what model it is I can't find any like it online

To the best of my knowledge the model is a Huntsman FTR, but you have the early style sporter stock and basic trigger fitted.

I would say the brass end cap at the rear and power adjuster (?) sticking out the back are after market add-ons.

The silencer and inlet valve cover are after market items as well.

 

[rockdrill]

Is the 2000 a ft? They looked very smart id love one!,im sure venom did something very similar looking

Yes, I will get some decent pictures done of it over the coming weekend.

This is the only image I have of it right now which was provided to me by my friend who sold it to me:


It has been slightly modified, it has a Robert Lane regulator now fitted so it works reliably (the 2000 was Daystate's first factory regulated rifle and from all accounts the regulator was the weakest point), also the muzzle brake and barrel collar assembly had been changed for that of a Mk3 and a quick fill added.

The original font end should look like this:

 

[rockdrill]

Is anyone not worried about the cylinders on these? Some will be close to 40 years old now.

No.

All of mine are spotless inside and out, plus these are no lightweight thin walled tubes.

Also the guns run relatively low pressures, the non-regulated rifles don't go above 150 Bar, the regulated 2000 can run up to around 180 Bar.

Based on several threads on here I would have more concern about their bottle guns, given the failures of the boss where the bottle screws to the action.

 

[Matt@Nearfield]

What you need is a CR-X, I hear they're very common, and cheap.

Isn't that a Honda? Used to have one.. not sure why its relevant

 

[Rich79]

I do like the cylinder DS rifles more than the bottle ones, if I could have any it's probably be either the CRX, 2000 or the grey laminate Merlyn.

 

[Blackmax]

So I keep finding myself looking at old Daystates. When they used to be pretty unlike the ugly bottle guns they insist on turning out these days.

So what do I need to be aware of?

Are they easy to service?

Did they fit the silly anti-tampers they cant build a gun without anymore?

And what's your favourites? I'm liking the look of the Harrier, the Mirage et al.

They’re generally excellent well made guns. Watch out for parts availability, there’s certain spares you just can’t get hold of now and Daystate don’t hold them. Regulator and valve parts for example.

 

[rockdrill]

They’re generally excellent well made guns. Watch out for parts availability, there’s certain spares you just can’t get hold of now and Daystate don’t hold them. Regulator and valve parts for example.

Valves - easy enough to make from scratch, I do that for the AA 100 Series when required.

For regulators by and large it's easier to bin any old factory regs and use Rob Lane's ones because they are better designed and work.

 

[Blackmax]

Valves - easy enough to make from scratch, I do that for the AA 100 Series when required.

For regulators by and large it's easier to bin any old factory regs and use Rob Lane's ones because they are better designed and work.

I was talking about the valve bodies and springs. Such as where the valve cover is seized or the body damaged.

Lane replacements are fine for inline regulators, but the offset ones such as on the X2R are problematic as there’s no spares.

 

[rockdrill]

OK, not really had issues with major structural components on the older rifles from Daystate or Air Arms, as they are mostly over-engineered.

For me the X2R is a 'newer' Daystate, I think of older Daystates as pre the year 2000.

 

[junglie2022]

Dale @rockdrill has it right-the older Daystate and FX rifles were built like tanks and has soul

The LR90 FT is a superb little rifle-mine was as accurate as my Mk3 out to 45 yds.
The Mk3 was much more forgiving to shoot.

Got a spare new stock for one in the loft from AA's sale , it'll come in handy one day.....nice looking ambo stock with pistol grip - forend capped.

 

[junglie2022]

I like the old daystates does anyone remember Jack stanton in the airgun mags, I remember him using one with a removable cylinder was it called the QC ?View attachment 957427

But my favourites were the Stalker rifles like the Cheetah View attachment 957428View attachment 957432View attachment 957433View attachment 957431View attachment 957430

And leopard
View attachment 957429

This is a rare beast a mk2 in .25 cal I think the action looks based on an X2 View attachment 957434

Ive personally always fancied a Daystate Merlyn might be an x2 under the skin but seen some lovely wood on them, people dont tend to part with the nice ones, which says a lot, possibly my favourite looking Daystate

View attachment 957435

Got an x2 merlyn with the best tiger striped stock I've seen on one. Lovely gun that won the NEFTA the year before I bought it. Just had it resealed just over a year ago by the loganator. Keep meaning to sell it but it's just Soo good to shoot & look at i keep changing my mind.

 

[6.5 shooter]

I used to have a PH6 around 20 years ago, was a brilliant rifle, very accurate, though I do believe the magazine system could give trouble in them.
Mine never did though

 

[zogg364]

My favourite is the Merlyn, I have had 4 over the years and sold my last about 10 years ago on the premise it would always be easy to buy another one...

Not seen once since

 

[Mackem]

So I keep finding myself looking at old Daystates. When they used to be pretty unlike the ugly bottle guns they insist on turning out these days.

So what do I need to be aware of?

Are they easy to service?

Did they fit the silly anti-tampers they cant build a gun without anymore?

And what's your favourites? I'm liking the look of the Harrier, the Mirage et al.

I recently bought this Griffin for my daughter.She is shooting it really well and we think it looks beautiful as well. (Wishing I'd bought it for me!)
I guess its from around 2016 and although its not regulated it's very accurate. I was in two minds about the bolt action but it's incredibly smooth. All in all we're really pleased with it. I'm wary of the newer Daystate electronic rifles as I think there's more to go wrong, although people I know who have them love them. I was tipped off about the availability of this rifle by The Logunator who seems relaxed about servicing when it's needed. So thanks for the tip-off Mick!

 

[Engraver]

I know the thread was more regarding the old retro daystates but much later on I dont think there was a more attractive rifle than the Mk3 especially the blued ones where the barrel finished almost flush with the cylinder, and these stocks were they gary cane?

I had one with a paul wilson stock it was the most accurate airgun Ive ever owned, but it was owned by a soon to be world champion hft shooter at the time, and I think he had done quite a bit to the gun and barrel, but thing could hit a bluebottle on a target card at 50 yrds with mozzies.

 

[rockdrill]

Is the 2000 a ft? They looked very smart id love one!

As the weather was nice when I got home from work I decided to get some pictures of the 2000 and the other two Daystate's I didn't have pictures of.

The 2000:






The 2000 is a bit different to the other Daystate's, as it is more of a 'straight pull' action, the button on the right side of the breechblock releases the bolt for cocking and hold it locked on closure.

Huntsman FTR (Mk1) / CS1000 stock / Zeiler 6-24x44:



Huntsman Mk2 / Leslie Hewett 3-9x40: