New to the Forum and to the Condor
Just pulled the trigger on a Condor SS. I was looking at an uber-expensive show-off gun and after dealing a bit with those involved I was put off a bit by the “hint” of snobbery. I finally asked myself, do I want this gun or …one I can customize and just have a lot of fun with.Well I’m here to tell you that me being here says it all.
I had a .25 cal Condor SS on order and was watching the “next in stock” date being pushed further and further back when, at the last second ( yes I had been watching for one) a refurbished one came in. Snagged it and it arrived looking as though it had never been touched…YES! Saved 105 bucks.
Got it together and fired 10 shots over the chrony at PW=2. Going from memory, it started around 995 then rose to the low 1000’s (maybe 1018) then back down into the high nines again with the JSB Exact Kings. Then, ten shots at PW=10 and it started out @ 1029fps with a gradual, downhill slope.
I plan to put the o-ring on the top hat and adjust the gap to flatten the curve and get the Velocity down to the low to mid 900’s for the JSB’s.
Got the scope on and zero’d it. Getting nice groups at PW 2.
First impression: What an amazing gun! Nice machine work and nice design. I love how the air supply is applied from directly behind the pellet and not up a transfer tube and through a hole in the barrel. Seems like that causes undue turbulence problems. I’ve been shooting a Marauder .25 for the past few years It’s a fine gun, but I think I’ll be spending a lot of time with this SS. Volume-wise, I’d say it’s on par to the Marauder but it’s got a higher pitch sound quality which might give the impression of a higher volume. I’ll put a sound meter on both when I get the time…though I’m sure that this has been done somewhere on this site before.
Speaking of this site. Very cool…I’ve gotten a lot of really helpful info already from you guys.
I had a couple of quick questions…
1. I need to do an initial barrel clean (maybe the previous owner did one…maybe not). Can I clean the barrel while on the gun, using the soda straw method at the muzzle? I used this on the marauder with good results, otherwise the mono-filament and patch can get caught in the baffles. A Subway straw works great.
2. Is there a schematic anywhere of the SS, showing o-rings, etc. that need periodic maintenance?
Thanks in advance….let the games begin!
KP
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Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
Seconding that…cool idea. Now off to Home Depot for different o-rings. does it matter what dura # to get? 70… 90?
Thanks for the feedback.
You can also fine tune by sanding the O-ring thickness down on a piece of 400 grit sandpaper to increase the velocity if you like.
I have 8 in varying thicknesses and keep them each label separately in a small zip lock bag with the speed, pellet type and hammer setting for each. Just remove and add what ever speedy you need when ever you need.
Changing to another speed made easy I’d say !
~ GKU
Very good Idea!
The reason for the difference in velocity and compared results are that you used a # 5 and I used a # 10 O-ring. A huge difference.
You can also fine tune by sanding the O-ring thickness down on a piece of 400 grit sandpaper to increase the velocity if you like.
I have 8 in varying thicknesses and keep them each label separately in a small zip lock bag with the speed, pellet type and hammer setting for each. Just remove and add what ever speedy you need when ever you need.
Changing to another speed made easy I’d say !
~ GKU
Update:
After a night for the loc-tite to set, I got home yesterday and managed to get in a shot string before meeting my girlfriend for a beer.
2650psi
PW=2
top hat= 0.095
JSB EK’s
909
924
928
926
935
922
924
927
915
918
915
922
921
914
916
916
914
905
905
907
897
Av. 917
ES 38
SD 9
I had three “err” readings ( I took off the diffusers and got no more) around the middle of the string so I would have gotten 24 really good shots from the fill. I’m surprised and happy with these numbers. I got lucky choosing 0.095. I think I have 150-200 shots down the barrel. I’ll continue to break it in and enjoy shooting…then tackle the barrel lapping.
Well, I experimented more with some tunings and I’m really not sure why I can’t get on a curve. No matter where I set it it’s “the back-side slope.” Tried GKU’s setting and my first shot was in the high 900’s…hmmmm. Even with the Vibra tite I can’t seem to lock down the top hat, (PW is set to around 2), so that might be a reason. Anyway, after an hr of pro-chrono time, I decided to set it to 0.095 and loc-tite it with RED loc-tite and be done with it……just kidding, i used blue, SPARINGLY. At 0.10 it was a little on the high side of the ball park so .095 @ PW-2 at 2600-2800 psi will keep me happy enough for a while. I think after a few years messing with Marauder tuning, I want to play for a while. Not to worry, I’m sure I’ll get the itch again soon.
More quick questions:
What is the idea behind polishing the inside of the gun? Are we talking about the inside of the shroud? GKU mentioned doing that.
I am probably, at some point, (after the 30-day trial), going to lap the barrel with Mothers. Has anyone lapped theirs? is it advisable with the LW? it’s grouping quite well now is so no hurry.
AF recommends lubing pellets. I tried using Finish Line wax lube but I don’t think that the Condor (LW barrel) likes it that much. Has anyone else noticed that? I pulled a few dry patches through then went back to un-lubed and after about 12 shots, things went back to a tight group at around 5/8 or thereabouts at 50yd. using JSB Kings. How do I protect the barrel if I don’t’ lube?
Thanks for any input,
kp
great read, GKU. I think I might give your tuning a try and see what numbers I get. I’ll post when’s I do. I’d like to lube the trigger assembly as well…too stiff for me too.
I’ll report what I find.
Thanks
Kp
Thanks for the welcome…and answers.
The barrel was very dirty. I use a 50 mix of Kano-Kroil and Shooter’s Choice Bore Cleaner. Nice pretty red fluid…does a good job. (Also have used Goo Gone as well).
Here are some strings:
Out of the box at PW=1, Top hat was loose so I didn’t measure it…but wish I had. So these are quick ten shot strings just to see “Whats Up.”
3000psi
All shots with .25 cal JSB EXACT KINGS….
989
994
997
992
1000
995
982
993
988
985
Out of Box: PW=10, Top hat? 3000psi
1029
1027
1022
1015
1003
999
994
995
984
Note: I’ve never seen a 4-digit number on my chrony 😯 ….ever! WOW, Crazy!
Tuned with the #5 o-ring under the top hat. Valve stem polished, gap set to 0.10; Pressure at 2600-2800psi; PW=2
931
932
929
930
929
927
922
918
914
915
910
908
903
907
904
900
910
899
894
892
ES: 40
SD: 13
What are you guys getting/ Does this look like a decent string?
I am having trouble with the top hat grubbies coming loose. Using Vibra Tite VC-3 but they still come loose. What’s everyone’s take on the TT one-piece top hat with the inserts. That might b the way to go but will have to wait as I went ahead and got an Airhog 88cf tank as well. So the secret word for the day is KA-CHING!!!
Now to go out and find a good way to hold this to get good groups…actually the groups are very tight…some were I think about 5/8″ @ 50 yds…some uh, bigger :confusedn:
Thanks again for the help.
KP
Welcome to the nuthouse :8: !
You shouldn’t have any trouble using the straw method to go from breech to muzzle; I’m guessing that’s the direction you’re pulling through. I use that on all my guns with shrouds.
Congrats on the great deal. If you can get an etac and regulator put on that puppy, you’ll probably be glad you did.
Please post some groups, when you’re ready. Thanks.
The easiest way to clean it would be to remove the tank and remove the end cap and take out the baffles. It is very easy and fast and no messing with straws. Doing it like that allows you to clean from the breach with no hassles.
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Thanks for the feedback.
I only used A70, but never tried the harder ones. If you do let us know how they differ ?
~ GKU