BSA Airsporter Mk 1 gentle refurb

[Mossey]

That looks fantastic, nice to see a vintage air rifle getting a new lease of life.

 

[GMballistic]

That looks fantastic, nice to see a vintage air rifle getting a new lease of life.

Thank you.
I love vintage airguns and most to me seem better made than a lot of todays offerings. Hopefully I can enjoy it for many, many more years to come.

 

[Laverdabru]

Good Job! I've got a 'car boot' condition Mk 2, which could do with a going over, must get round to it now I've retired...

 

[GMballistic]

Good Job! I've got a 'car boot' condition Mk 2, which could do with a going over, must get round to it now I've retired...

Definitely give it a go.
If you need any pointers if you get stuck I'll help if I can.

 

[Mossey]

Hi GMballistic, I was looking over your fine work again, and I noticed that the block at at the back would unscrew to get to the piston and spring.
I've only ever stripped down a springer rifle with a flat rear section, that is reasonably easily removed with the help of a sash clamp.

How on earth did you remove that sloping pointy thing?

 

[GMballistic]

Hi GMballistic, I was looking over your fine work again, and I noticed that the block at at the back would unscrew to get to the piston and spring.
I've only ever stripped down a springer rifle with a flat rear section, that is reasonably easily removed with the help of a sash clamp.

How on earth did you remove that sloping pointy thing?

I used two off-cuts of soft wood that I put either side of the end block on the lower flat parts (where the trigger sears/springs are housed) and then clamped it in my vice that's on my bench.
As seen here.


With the rest of the rifle sticking out of the vice I was able to simply just unscrew the front part from the end block. The spring wasn't under a lot of tension and because I'd already put some heat through the end block when removing the broken stock bolt it was easy to unscrew by hand.

 

[Mossey]

Got you now, clamp the back and remove from the front... I was half expecting to see a collection of new scars

Again, excellent work!

 

[GMballistic]

Did some more "running in" today and also a partial zero. I say partial because although pretty close to zero it's not bang on just yet and still needs tweaking.
Such a nice rifle to shoot though and I feel the more slender stock design really fits me well.


Also can't understand why more tap loading guns don't have the auto open function for the tap. Such a simple design mechanic and very useful.

 

[Sam the man]

Did some more "running in" today and also a partial zero. I say partial because although pretty close to zero it's not bang on just yet and still needs tweaking.
Such a nice rifle to shoot though and I feel the more slender stock design really fits me well.
View attachment 1018072

Also can't understand why more tap loading guns don't have the auto open function for the tap. Such a simple design mechanic and very useful.
View attachment 1018073

Looks Fabulous , I've just bought one off this forum, can't wait for it to arrive

 

[GMballistic]

Looks Fabulous , I've just bought one off this forum, can't wait for it to arrive

Thank you.
I doubt you'll be disappointed they're such good rifles and have stood the test of time.

If you need any parts TW Chambers, Protek, John Knibbs or even eBay should have what you need. Hopefully though you won't need a thing and can just get down to enjoying your new rifle.

 

[DanSimpson]

Youve done an excellent job there mate.
Well done!
Dan

 

[GMballistic]

Youve done an excellent job there mate.
Well done!
Dan

Thanks Dan ~ just bought some H&N FTT 5.55mm the other day to see how they go in the old British sized barrel.
I found it also shoots RWS Hobby really well which is nice as they punch clean holes in my targets.