Changing Winchester SX2 gas pistons?

[David Roberson]

I have an SX2 Practical Mk 1, and just like it says in the manual, the gun won't cycle reliably with loads of less than 1-1/4 oz. I'd like to set the gun up for lighter loads so that I can practice with the commonly available (and much cheaper) 1-oz. loads.

I've seen that the Sporting Clays models of the SX2 come with two gas pistons -- one for heavy loads and one for light loads. Will the light-load piston work in the Practical Mk 1? It seems reasonable that it would, but I'm concerned because the part number for the gas piston in the Practical is different from the part numbers of either the heavy or light piston for the Sporting Clays model.

Anybody know for sure if this would work? I don't want to spend $63.25 for a new gas piston that it doesn't fit.

Thanks,
DR

 

[Preacherman]

I'd call Winchester and ask them:

Product Information: If your question hasn't been answered in the Frequently Asked Questions and it is a question about manuals, catalogs, & products please call our Consumer Department directly at: 800.333.3288 or 801.876.2711 & for Parts & Service call: 800.322.4626

 

[bbrown609]

Please let us know what you find out. Thinking of buying the SX2 in 3 1/2 inch version and have the same question about the ability to switch pistons.

 

[David Roberson]

So far no luck. I tried calling the 1-800 number several times today and it was always busy. Will try again tomorrow and will report what I learn.

Cheers,
DR

 

[David Roberson]

Finally got through on the technical assistance line, and got the bad news: The gas pistons for the Sporting Clays model will NOT fit on the Practical -- in fact, the tech told me, they don't fit most of the other SX2 models.

I asked also if there was any way to alter the Practical so that it would reliably cycle the 1-oz loads, and was told, after some hemming and hawing, that it can't be done. Seems odd to me, but that's what I was told.

Cheers,
DR

 

[coorsleftfield]

That sucks.. I just picked up an SX2 practical and have the same issue..
Do you reload by chance? I found that my SX2 will cycle 1 1/8 loads fine if they are going 1200fps.. This would be a 3 dram load in factory ammo.. Try picking up some of these.. 1-1/8 heavy target loads, and see if it cycles, mine does.
http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/shotdetail.aspx?symbol=AAM127&bn=3&gauge=12

I loaded up some 1-1/4 loads, one word, painful.

I've also read a few posts on the Brian Enos forums about this, people claim that storing the gun with the bolt locked back for a month really helps it cycle
lighter loads, so I store my gun this way now..

I don't know if I would believe winchester.. I saw a guy at the 3gun match today with a SX2 and a different gas piston that he ordered from Browning.. I could try and find out which one it is.. He said he bought it specifically to run lighter loads.

 

[David Roberson]

Thanks for the info. If you can find out what that piston is, I'd love to know.

 

[coorsleftfield]

I called Winchester and asked about getting the MK1 to run lighter loads.. This guys answer was basically that it can't be done without "tearing the gun up." Whatever..

Anyway, I have a reliable 1 1/8 load that runs fine, guess I'll just stick with that.. I was also hoping to run 1 oz loads.. One of the reasons I bought the SX2 was for lighter recoil than a Benelli.. But a benelli can run 1oz fine, so that evens out the recoil IMHO.

 

[bbrown609]

Just ordered an X2 in the 3inch field version with wood stock. It states that they will cycle the 1oz loads. Does anyone know if they will reliably cycle 7/8oz loads? Since this gun is also chambered for only up to 3inch shells like the sporting clays model, would the piston for light loads not fit right in the field model? Thanks for the help.

 

[coorsleftfield]

So I found out more info from some people "in the know" about the SX2.

David, if you want your gun to cycle lighter loads, call Jeff at Sure Cycle
and for $35 he can modify your piston .. I guess this is the best way to go from what I've heard.. They can also do a complete reliability package if you send them the entire gun...

-Brian

 

[David Roberson]

Thanks. Will contact Sure Cycle.

 

[coorsleftfield]

David,

Please post how things work out if you have them work on your gun. I'm interested in what mods they do, and how it shoots when you get it back.