R3 .30 caliber problem and fix
The Problem:
I first noticed after about 2K rounds my velocity dropped off. That can be common, sometimes the HST needs to be readjusted. So I screwed in the HST 1/4 turn and I was back at the 890 fps I was before. I was fine for about another 150 rounds until the real problem started. The gun started behaving erratic when trying to find zero on my target. I put the Matador on the chrony and I found a strange phenomenon. When the gun was full (220 BAR) no manner where the HST was set the most I could get out of the gun was 750 fps. As the pressure in the reservoir dropped the speed conversely would rise until below 150 bar the speed was at 912. I concluded that the valve must be stuck and the reason for the change in speed is that the valve gets more resistance from the air in the reservoir the higher the pressure. The valve must be allowed to move freely in the regulator. The belleville washers are clean, the O rings are perfect and the regulator is assembled correctly. What I found was the valve stem was slightly bent. I know this problem developed over time because the gun was super consistent when I was new. . The valve stem was not too long as it was in Ed’s factory specs. I straightened the valve stem reassembled the gun and I still had the same problem.
The fix:
what I found was the valve stem was slightly oversized and a little rough. Because the stem is steel and the valve stem housing is brass the valve was getting caught/sticking and in my opinion the valve couldn’t open enough. When the gun fell below the 150 pressure setting the valve didn’t have to work as hard to move forward when the hammer hit the stem. I polished the valve stem with 220/20/400/600/800/1200/2000 grit paper on a lathe until I could see my reflection in the valve stem. The valve moved like it was on ball bearings inside the housing. The regulator gave me 24 shots with the average at 880 and the ES at 2.6 fps.
I welcome any criticism you may have about my fix. It’s is possible that I just got lucky. Hell, it’s better to be lucky than good anyway.
All Replies
looks good Dan who did the work?
Preview of my modified valve body and new stem. Should be on its way from the airgun smith in the next day or two. More to follow once it arrives and is tested. Looks promising!
Man, that is good to hear. Sounds like you are dropping the hammer a lot! The Grim Reaper of Raccoons!
I hope to have mine up and running by early to mid Feb with the new VS.
DT
Yep – the standard hammer but never weighed it. My 30 cal has really shot well after fixing the slight clipping and tuning a bit down now some two years+ ago. I know the guys that tuned it up a bit seemed to have the stems snapping after 750 shots or so. Mine has killed a LOT of raccoons (maybe 100+). 😉 I also noted that the hammer slap was a lot lighter than my R3 .25 Edgun set at 915 FPS I have since sold. I never lost a valve stem on it either but never got to 7500 shots. It was so much louder than the .30 which is quiet. A nice thunk. I never measured the hammer travel either and hate to touch something working so well. I have broken stems on both Crickets after thousands of shots but they are so easy to change. My .177 Compact Cricket is approaching 10,000 shots on its second stem. I ordered a caldron of the AA pellets for this next lot on Sir Ville and others recommendations. The shoot very well.
I’m also curious how much the small hammer weighs(haven’t tried taking it out yet). I think I saw that the large one was around 39g?? 😯 On my .30 I measure about 17-18mm of travel before it hits the valve stem from full cock. Hoping the 3mm stem will deal with this especially with the lighter hammer.
DT
Thanks SECoda. Do you have the standard size hammer as well?
I’m also curious how much the small hammer weighs(haven’t tried taking it out yet). I think I saw that the large one was around 39g?? 😯 On my .30 I measure about 17-18mm of travel before it hits the valve stem from full cock. Hoping the 3mm stem will deal with this especially with the lighter hammer.
DT
Mine is marked 130 as well. I adjusted my hammer spring down to 875 fps. I have no idea if the reg is really 130.
Hey guys,
What is the factory reg pressure for the .30 and target fps? I have the 1st gen (waiting on new valve stem) and when I pulled the reg it was marked 130. I have heard 150b/880fps but wanted to confirm before I go jacking with it.
Thanks
DT
I would have to say that the PCP air-gunners and some of the manufactures owe Ern a debt of gratitude for his services. “He da g00ds”.
He is the airgun man. 😉 Ashamed the manufacturers don’t employ his consulting services.
Ernest is the clean up guy in Airgun business he makes shit right when it ain’t right.
Great news. Is it one of the stainless steel stems with Delrin John made? I wonder if Ernest has any more of them. 🙂 I only have one Edgun now (the Gen 1 30) and three spare stems but it wouldn’t hurt to add a few more. 🙂 If I sort the pellets the accuracy is pretty darn good. How about you?
Is there anyone else watching this thread with a Gen 1 30 that is also not having problems? I really didn’t expect this many shots out of a stem on a 30. I am afraid to change anything on it but it still shoots well. I wonder if the 3mm stem will cure all of the ills on the Gen 2?
I also have a Gen 1. .30. Not sure on the shot count, probably around 2k-2.5k. I did a preemptive change on the valve stem to one from Ernest at maybe 500-1k shots. Also tuned down to 880 fps or so. No problems so far, but watching this thread with interest.
H00T just adjusted my meds told me two more joints a day will take the edge off the knife.
Is there anyone else watching this thread with a Gen 1 30 that is also not having problems? I really didn’t expect this many shots out of a stem on a 30. I am afraid to change anything on it but it still shoots well. I wonder if the 3mm stem will cure all of the ills on the Gen 2?
I also have a Gen 1. .30. Not sure on the shot count, probably around 2k-2.5k. I did a preemptive change on the valve stem to one from Ernest at maybe 500-1k shots. Also tuned down to 880 fps or so. No problems so far, but watching this thread with interest.
The air tube and breech block need to be upgraded if Ed is going to send you a new regulator. The new ones attach from the bottom not the top.
Thanks for the offer Brian! you always so helpfull brother, at this time Tony has my gun. i told him to keep it till Ed has the parts for it, but to be honest i dont know which parts are needed to fix it for good, the 3mm rod? before i sent the gun to him, he sent me a metal valve stem and a different regulator to try but it didnt work.
Then Tony sent this email you got two options here……
– replace the valve with the recent production 2mm shaft (the shipment is on the way from Russia to me, would be about 10 days before it gets in). Charge for repairs and return
– replace the valve+brass insert with the future production valve (3mm shaft) I was told by Ed it’s in production but don’t have any ETAs yet. Charge for repairs and return
There is nothing else I can do or nothing else would help to fix your gun.
I keep pushing Ed to run a limited production of 3 mm valves for a permanent fix ASAP but still no firm date on this. Right now this is issue #1 with the .30s
If you noticed I don’t charge you for parts just labor and freight.
Tony
Yeah thank you Tony for not charging me the parts!!! are you seriuos!!!
Brian should i wait for the parts and once they get here bring everything to you? or you have another way to fix this problem?
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Nice job. Let us know.