Hello and 78G questions

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mrto
Posts:14
Joined:Sun May 12, 2013 8:22 am
Re: Hello and 78G questions

Post by mrto » Sun May 12, 2013 1:36 pm

Justin wrote: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,
I have the same model of 78g as you and experience the same thing.If on cocking I allow the cocking 'lug' to over travel it seems to find a second position that it will stay cocked at albeit tenuously a good slap on the pistol grip is enough to unseat it.Short of stripping the gun to investigate I can only guess at the cause,but am sure it was never intended as a secondary position so I cock the gun and concsiously avoid this happening.They are great guns,powerful and accurate and I am sure you will anjoy yours.ATB

Mark.

Justin
Posts:5
Joined:Mon Apr 08, 2013 1:21 pm

Re: Hello and 78G questions

Post by Justin » Sat May 18, 2013 3:10 pm

Hi Mark,

I've got used to the cocking device now! I took it to the range recently and a friend with a chronograph measured its power. With the screw turned to low power it ranged from 383 FPS to 385 FPS, and on high power it ranged from 399 FPS to 409 FPS. I keep the C02 in it as the manual instructs but it loses the gas after a couple of weeks.

I saw a 79G advertised on Gunstar. It would be nice to have the .177 version too, but I can't justify forking out £350!

Justin

gingernut
Plinker
Plinker
Posts:61
Joined:Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:52 pm

Re: Hello and 78G questions

Post by gingernut » Mon May 20, 2013 9:55 am

Two things there.
Whilst it is nice to have both calibres they perform much the same, and that is a silly Gunstar price!

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