Info on older Chinese air rifles

[kBob]

SO I took my son to a gun show and he had me buy a Chinese air rifle that someone had mounted a BSA variable AO scope on. They were asking about what I thought the scope might be worth assuming it worked, so I figured what the heck.

It is one of the under levers I saw back in the 90's or so and basically has no identifiable markings, maybe if I could read one of the Chinese languages it would, but I don't.

This is an adult sized air rifle in 4.5/.177. It features an under lever that snaps into a two fingered steel clip under the barrel and a huge chamber opens at full cock. I suspect the BSA scope was added just to sell the thing as the Objective interfears with an adult loading the thing and it is hard for The Boy to do so.

Anyone know where we might find some info on these30-40 year old air guns? I would like to know for instance if there was some sort of seal between the "bolt" and barrel. Currently the velocity with lead diablo flat points (ancient crossmans from the sliding top tin can) is "goes through both sides of an unopened Diet Rite cola can from side to side at 10 yards". I figured his first shots should be reactive targets and a shook up hot soda is pretty reactive.

Soon as I find a camera in the house that does not geo tag I will see if I can photograph the thing and try to post.

-kBob

 

[LoonWulf]

Id have a to see it but alot of the undercocking guns from the 80-90s are still being made. They should all have seals between breach, barrel, and powerplant.

These are probably the most common ones to run across.
http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2010/08/industry-brand-b3-1-part-1/

 

[kBob]

Thanks LoonWulf,

Yep, looks like that family. Not sure which dash model buy looks like that. He is very happy with it. Especially since I had a new unzeroed scope on my cheapy Phantom and he was hitting more cans than me.....until I pulled off my scope and started using "irons" (Plastics?)

I was already considering setting up the chrono this week and it may be interesting to see what is going on there. The groups in the articles are kind of sad.....especially since he has big plans for the squirrels digging up our garden plot. If this gets him more interested in shooting though then I am all for this cheap Chinese air clunker.

-kBob

 

[LoonWulf]

Accuracy is usually pretty good if you can find a pellet it likes, not ragged hole groups but accurate enough for them squirrels. Ive actually had or pretty fair luck with the industry brand "match" domes and wadcutters, i would try jsb exacts and a few others just in case...crossman premiers are sometimes another good choice, but being harder i dont think they are as forgiving as some of the other pellets.

Velocity on those should run 550-650 or so, they were never ment to be powerhouse's, if you get much lower it could probably use a rebuild.

 

[Ditchtiger]

I used to sell and repair the B-3 20-30 years ago. Taken apart, cleaned and correctly oiled they clear 800fps.
6" hold over on a sparrow at 100 yards and I've hit them often enough to make it worth the try using Crossman Premiers. Stay away from Industry brand pellets as there is no uniformity in shape and diameter. Parts are still available with a search.

 

[LoonWulf]

Good info, ive never owned one of the b3s. Shot quite a few over the last few years, seems someone bought a bunch and sold them locally. ALL springers were popular for a while after some fool posted a video of shooting a pig with one.
I didnt think they could hit 800, thats pretty punchy and makes them more interesting. The new industry pellets i got from archer airguns few years back were actually pretty uniform. My qb's and nicer Chinese springer didnt shoot them as well as the exacts or premiers but they held an inch or so at 25yds. I should say the only cal i have is .22 tho

 

[Speedo66]

I've had a Chinese side cock version for quite a while, bought in the days of $99 SKS's. While it's quite crude and heavy, it works well and is fairly accurate. Not Beeman or better accurate, but it certainly does well enough for offending critters.

I'm still happy with the rifle. I bought a factory repair/parts/cleaning kit at the same time, but have yet to need anything in it.

 

[HankC]

A more refined version of B-3 is the QB36. B3 and QB run .177 at 600fps, a big brother of QB36 is the QB99 which runs at 900-1000 fps (.177). Some say QB99 is a copy of TX200. You can find B3 and QB36 pictures at
http://www.airrifle-china.com/products/pmcId=23.html

"if there was some sort of seal between the "bolt" and barrel." Yes, there is a plastic seal on the cylinder, aka bolt, side mating the barrel.

Be careful on the under lever and side lever air rifles, make sure the anti-bear trap safety catch is working. I always hold the lever with one hand while loading a pellet, don't want accidental release of the cylinder and cut your finger/thumb off. I have Chinese fixed barrel side lever (B21, QB-6), under lever (QB99) and CO2 (QB78 in .22). Good quality and accurate. My first Chinese air rifle was a $25 B4 side lever, I regret I sold it!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have had a Chinese TS45 side cock for about 30 years. At 25 yards, it is beer can accurate. I have taken rabbits, squirrels and crows with it.