Quick review of the R1 in 177

[Peter M. Eick]

I got my new R1 and started blasting away with it. It came with a Bushnell 4x12 AO scope that is "ok" but now anywhere what I was used to from Leupold.

So, sorry no picts of the gun yet. I just forgot.

First off the gun is not that big. If you read about it online, you get the impression it is the size of an M1 Garand. It is not. It is bigger than an Hw30 but about the same size as my Beeman 400. I consider it a nice size and it can be carried easily.

The cocking effort is up there, I would guess around 30 odd lbs but it is smooth and staight forward. I did not find it objectional to do it several hundred times just plinking.

The stock is a nice fit but the palm swell is a bit low for my hand. I will get used to it but it is low. Nice checkering but the screws were loose in the stock.

I got it sighted in with RWS Meisterklugen's. I have about 5000 of those left from the 80's so I figured I would blast with them until my order of 20 different pellets showed up so I could experiment.

I noted that the manual says don't lube the compression chamber. I was suprised so I called Pyramyd and they confirmed it. So I just shot the thing. I am not sure but I did not feel any dieseling since I got it.

I agree that hold is critical. I am used to my 400 which is very forgiving and zero recoil target gun so you can plink by just grabbing it anywhere and let the shot off when you want to. The R1 you have to hold it the same way, and mount the gun similarly. I am still working on that aspect so I expect I will improve my groups in a while.

Here are a couple of targets I shot from about 70 ft. I was just playing shooting off the porch and trying to figure out how to hold it but you can see the potential is there, I just have to master it.




If I got my stance down (I was sitting on a lawn chair) and held the gun the same way, I could drop shot after shot into the same spot. Otherwise I definitely saw my movement of holding the gun different ways.

So bottom line:
The R1 is a great gun, lots of fun to plink with, not very forgiving on how you hold it, reasonable to cock, very accurate if you do your part.

 

[chicharrones]

Nice. Looking forward to the photos.

 

[Chevota]

I think switching to heavier pellets will do you good. I'd consider JSB 10.34gr and see how it likes 'em, maybe even the 13.43gr which may be the most accurate, just slower. The H&N Barracuda Match are excellent too. I consider ~8.4gr the lightest pellet for a gun of that power range, but trial and error will tell. Another reason for the min pellet weight and heavier ones is less stress on the scope. Basically the heavier the pellet the easier it is on the scope.
I disagree with not oiling it, but it should be fine for some time w/o adding any. I would also never use silicone chamber oil, the gun too valuable to risk it imo. And certainly never use silicone spring oil or any silicone anywhere on it.
The spring twang can be tamed with spring tar and/or making a plastic sleeve for the piston, which I can explain if you want to try it. You can also buy similar in a kit from Vortek with a stronger spring and new seal.
The gun is pretty big and heavy compared to most airguns or firearms... I've never owned any kind of gun as heavy as this is. I've also never owned a gun as nice, and I hope they're still the same quality. Whatever the case, you just spoiled yourself.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Chevota,

I have already taken your advice. I ordered up one tin of every type of H&N pellet made so I can try them all in my different rifles. I got them in Monday so I have a whole stack of different pellet types to try out. Some of the new designs for pellets are really heavy compared to what I remember from the 80's. Back then Beeman Silver Bear's were the biggest and now they seem puny by comparison.

Thanks for the advice about oiling the chamber. I was also worried about not oiling it "ever". I must ask why no silicone lubes and what would you recommend instead?

I am really interested to hear your info on the type of oil I should use and yes I would be interested in the "spring tar" (never heard of it) and plastic sleeve for the piston.

I do realize I have spoiled myself.

If I had known it would be this much fun I would have bought it 30 years ago. I got so focused on target shooting with my 400 the R1 sat on the sidelines till now.

 

[fpgt72]

You might also play with different head sizes as well.

For some strange reason this is one area of air guns that I just like. I enjoy going over pellets and pellets.

Weight is one thing but head size (as you well know) can make a big difference as well.

I enjoy taking "cheap" guns and making shoot well, changing little things on the gun itself or trying different pellets.

I currently have one 2100 that will put 10 shots into a dime at 18 yards (funny distance, but that is how far I can go inside my basement/garage)

It is really my unwind time after work....oddly enough I find it very relaxing.

Back when I was shooting fire arms I felt the same about reloading....it just relaxed me.

 

[g.willikers]

Thanks for the input.
Airguns are quite amazing.
Even the inexpensive ones are impressively accurate.
As you say, the hold for springers is very important for consistent accuracy, though.
My maximum distance at home is 18 yards, too.
But shooting at paper just never grabbed my attention like reactive targets.
So, I have lots of home made ones.

 

[fpgt72]

Thanks for the input.
Airguns are quite amazing.
Even the inexpensive ones are impressively accurate.
As you say, the hold for springers is very important for consistent accuracy, though.
My maximum distance at home is 18 yards, too.
But shooting at paper just never grabbed my attention like reactive targets.
So, I have lots of home made ones.

I have started doing this as well....I would love to see some photos.

I just had to replace some rails on my porch. The ends of the new rails are a little long so they had to be cut down a tad....those parts I had to cut off make great targets and the wood must be pretty hard as well as they have not split up as quick as I was thinking they would. Pellets stuck inside them but it has not split yet....getting a great deal of use out of those. I have the old rails that I am going to cut into different sizes....they are making some fun targets.

But indoors I am pretty much stuck with paper.