Custom SS .177 "Rat Sniper" build…

It all began a few months back while cleaning the work bench in my garage. Looking down into the abyss of 22xx, AF parts, tools, airsoft, nerf, misc. items, and more AF parts—amalgamated into a mountain of frustration—-I had an ephiphany! It was time to put together another AF rifle!

The next step was to put out the WTB out on TAG and the YELLOW for the main puzzle piece I was missing: The Frame, and as fate would have it, my post, still within the first page of the yellow, was answered, and I could not have been happier as to the hows and whys!

I am a hot rodder at heart and ironically the frame I received was not stock, but, as we say in hot rod circles: “drilled and filled”!

Making the quest even sweeter was the fact that we bartered! One week later I had one very cool, heavily modified frame courtesy of a man some of you may or may not know: Donald Thomopson (Thanks Don). Don milled in side cocking and he cut 5″ off of the frame, and milled some slots in the “extension”. He also filled in the left side of the breech for rigidity (frame flex) and he made (what I feel is a nice touch) a custom piece to replace the scope rail/carry handle up top. From the get go I planned on using the piece he cut off as a perfect/tacticool LDC.

Next I secured a fine shooting 12″ .177 LW barrel from my brutha in TAG arms Rob. Sawtime, Tagdagger, and Tony offered up a variety of misc. parts to allow it to happen, thanks guys, you are DA MEN!

Yet another trade between me and Rob (NC) {hell, how many does this make? I lost count} and he throws in that cool stock AF grip with a perfect fitting finger grip add on! and of course, some more misc. AF parts for my next/future build, lol.

Inspired by Roachcreek and his recent FX 4 and 500 “episode”, I painted the frame with this desert tan texured paint. I always liked the look of OD, DT, and Black combined….

I was going to make this build co2 powered, I even bought the AF co2 valve…, but in the end my hpa addiction won out. I even considered the “micro meter” way…but alas I have always enjoyed these “black rifles” for that one simple fact that sets them apart from all the other air rifles and hpa’s out there (and if I have to explain what that is…you wouldn’t understand,lol).

I have been trying to get a “dedicated” tank for this carbine…but so far I have not secured one. No worries though, I have a proven tank within arms reach. I “borrowed” the tank from my .25 Talon Tunes Condor. I have to admit, when I first attached the tank, and fired up the lights on the chrony, I started getting antsy. To me, chrony testing is about as exciting as pulling weeds in the summer sun. The last thing I was looking forward to was sore thumbs, wasted lead, sore butt cheeks, and sweat in my eyes…as most of you who chrony test can attest to. I simply wanted to run a few to see where she was at.

I set this carbine up with a stock hammer and condor weight. I had a few custom weights that would have given me anywhere from 15 to 40 more grams…but I figured that would be a good starting point since this is only a 12″ .177 barrel. I filled to 2800 psi and let the first shot rip. 1058 with Beeman kodiak extra heavies. The next 12 shots proved a more than acceptable SD (see photo). As far as I was concerned, my prospective “sweat lodge”, errr, I mean chrony session was over. Time to scope her up and see what she can do.

I reached for my trusty Tasco (older Japanese glass). The one I use on every new build. I retrieved some JSB exacts, CP’s, and Beeman kodiaks (extra heavies).

The JSB’s and the CP’s fit loosely into the leade in. The Kodiaks fit just like a glove. During the peak of the curve, the JSB’s went supersonic. When subsonic they grouped just fine. The Kodiaks grouped very good. They seemed to group better between 1030 and 1050. Below 1000 they seemed to open up a bit. The few I shot were under 1/2″ at 28 yards. These first few groups are not enough to reach any conclusions..More testing will soon follow, but I think the kodiaks may be the “heavies”..and the JSB’s for lower fill pressures…

The over all length of this carbine is 34″. If you choose to drop the “LDC” you will shorten that up another 5.5″. The LDC is very effective. I had four of R&L’s inserts lying around from a past build. They were a tad too big in OD so I “spun” them on the grinder very carefully until they slid in.

Overall I am very pleased with this build. I did it on a “poor man’s” budget. I bartered for almost everything! Future plans include a custom bolt to compliment the side cocking feature.

I don’t know if I’ll own this carbine for a month, or a year…that’s not what’s important. What does matter is the fun I had building it, the camaraderie exhibited by fellow airgun enthusiasts who helped make this build happen, and the blessing that this sport truly bestows. Good night guys!

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