Hello and 78G questions

[Justin]

Hi all,

Glad I found this useful site!

I've just purchased a Smith and Wesson 78G. It is a later model with the non-adjustable trigger and the cocking knob only has one power setting, unlike the earlier version. I didn't realise the later ones lacked the 2 settings on the cocking knob and for some reason mine does have 2 points at which the knob may click into place. However, if you push it fully forward, to the second click, it then jumps back to the first point as the trigger is depressed. I wondered why this is so? If there is just one power setting on the cocking mechanism, why have 2 points at which the cocking mechanism may be clicked into place?

It seems to perform fine - I got around 50- 60 shots from 1 C02 capsule. Does anyone know if this is the normal range shot indoors in the warm?

When it arrived via airmail I could not open the screw plug in the pistol grip to put C02 in. I took it to a local airgun specialist gunsmith nearby (Knibbs) who told me it had C02 in it! They then, oddly, told me that was why it had been jammed and, equally oddly, told me they could not release the screw to let the C02 out slowly because it may 'explode'. I was told they were fully booked so I could not leave it to be repaired. I then took it to Shooting Supplies in Bromsgrove who fixed it in 5 mins for a fee of £2.30. They opened it with grips (Knibbs had tightened it up again too tight), a tiny amount of C02 hissed out, and then it was noticed a new O ring was needed, and one from an Airmagnum was fitted.

In future I'd like to get it serviced and wondered if anyone knew of someone able to work with these. Most people who deal in vintage airguns seem to have never heard of the 78 / 78G and think a Smith and Wesson must be an Umarex 5/686.

Cheers,

Justin

[zunmik]

Sadly i know little about this pistol, however others on the site do & will i'm sure provide you with info on this pistol, regarding sevice i can happily reccomend Lawrie Amatruda for co2 & ssp pistols no doubt others will tell you the same, and welcome to the forum, atb, M.  :)

[Ian]

I am not too certain about the duel power issue - mine had just one setting.

As CO2 pistols go these are pretty powerful with good accuracy - there is more drop on longer ranges due to the larger calibre though. I only shot mine at 6yds and 10m.

If you don't want to leave a partially filled CO2 bulb in these then you can discharge it by pushing the hammer forward firmly and holding it there - the gas will vent out of the end of the barrel.

The undisputed expert at resealing and fixing these classic American CO2 guns is Lawrie Amatruda in Surrey. He is happy to deal with things via the postal system and has a very quick turnaround.

He can be contacted via the Airgun BBS forum.

Hope that helps
Ian

[pmh]

Hello,

And welcome to the forum.

Alas, I know very little about this gun, but Lawrie Amatruda certainly comes highly recommend should you need it servicing or given a one over.

Kind regards,



Phil

[Tank]

Does anyone know if this is the normal range shot indoors in the warm?

Shot, Indoors and Warm?

Do these three words actually belong in the same sentence, have they ever co-existed together and if anyone has any experience of this would they care to share?

[Ian]

Does anyone know if this is the normal range shot indoors in the warm?

Shot, Indoors and Warm?

Do these three words actually belong in the same sentence, have they ever co-existed together and if anyone has any experience of this would they care to share?

[zunmik]

Gad Sir, are you suggesting that some people shoot outdoors in the cold?,
how refreshingly primitive.!!, M.  :lol:

[Justin]

Thanks for the quick replies ! Sounds like Lawrie is the person to go to!

[Tank]

Gad Sir, are you suggesting that some people shoot outdoors in the cold?,
how refreshingly primitive.!!, M.  :lol:

Quaint is the word I use

[Joe]

Hi all,

Glad I found this useful site!

I've just purchased a Smith and Wesson 78G. It is a later model with the non-adjustable trigger and the cocking knob only has one power setting, unlike the earlier version. I didn't realise the later ones lacked the 2 settings on the cocking knob and for some reason mine does have 2 points at which the knob may click into place. However, if you push it fully forward, to the second click, it then jumps back to the first point as the trigger is depressed. I wondered why this is so? If there is just one power setting on the cocking mechanism, why have 2 points at which the cocking mechanism may be clicked into place?

It seems to perform fine - I got around 50- 60 shots from 1 C02 capsule. Does anyone know if this is the normal range shot indoors in the warm?

When it arrived via airmail I could not open the screw plug in the pistol grip to put C02 in. I took it to a local airgun specialist gunsmith nearby (Knibbs) who told me it had C02 in it! They then, oddly, told me that was why it had been jammed and, equally oddly, told me they could not release the screw to let the C02 out slowly because it may 'explode'. I was told they were fully booked so I could not leave it to be repaired. I then took it to Shooting Supplies in Bromsgrove who fixed it in 5 mins for a fee of £2.30. They opened it with grips (Knibbs had tightened it up again too tight), a tiny amount of C02 hissed out, and then it was noticed a new O ring was needed, and one from an Airmagnum was fitted.

In future I'd like to get it serviced and wondered if anyone knew of someone able to work with these. Most people who deal in vintage airguns seem to have never heard of the 78 / 78G and think a Smith and Wesson must be an Umarex 5/686.

Cheers,

Justin

Hi Justin

When I received my 78g I too had trouble removing the screw plug until I realised it was still gassed which I thought unusual until I read the owners manual where it is recommended that the pistol is stored with a full or partially full CO2 in place.
When the pistol is nearly empty you can fully empty it by pulling the cocking hammer back towards the pellet loading chamber. Once empty the screw is easy to remove
If you need a copy of the owners manual let me have your address and I will copy it for you
Pellets per CO2 depend on the power setting. Only had my 78g for a few weeks and only just decided to count the pellets. Done about 70 shots out of the current CO2 which is about empty at the present setting.

Joe

[Justin]

Hi Joe,

Thanks for the advice with emptying the gas and offering to send over a copy of the owner's manual. I did get a manual with this (and the box and even the original SW pellet tins - with pellets!) but did the usual bloke behaviour of using the item before reading the manual. When I read it I saw that they said keeping C02 in it was recommended, so I'll do this in future. As someone who is used to Umarex guns though, it strikes me as odd. I wonder what the reason for that is.

Justin

[Joe]

Where did it come from via airmail
Any problems importing

[Justin]

I saw an advert. on Gunstar. The seller, Jose, is based in Spain and has sold a number of SW 78 and 79 G pistols, along with other classic C02 pistols. I went for this one rather than a cheaper one on Gunstar at the same time because I wanted the original box, manual and pellet tin. Gunstar seems better than Guntrader for classic airguns.

No problems with importing. It came via special delivery with a tracking number. Not sure what the Royal Mail policy is though on airguns.

[pmh]

Royal Mail have to carry airguns by "law"; though they did, again, try not to during a recent attempt at changing terms and conditions.

Luckily they backed down after the number of complaints they received and a campaign by  the BASC.

That said, Ofcom didn't allow this the first time they tried, so I am not sure what prompted them to have another go!

Kind regards,



Phil

[wmp50075]

looks like ian has the very same garage/range as me, and a tempest too!