by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Daisy 22SG.
This report covers:
- Old 22SG
- Warmup
- First 10-pump shot string
- Oh, oh! What happened?
- Did it need more oil?
- Variable pumps
- Help!
- Fixed
- Second 10-pump shot string
- Variable pumps again
- Heavy pellet
- Trigger pull
- Pump effort
- Summary
Well! If the comments are any indicator I would say that this report has struck a nerve! Apparently if you don’t currently own a Daisy 22SG now you used to, or you wanted to, or you own/owned an 822 or a 22X, which are the same rifles without the scope. I saw the same kind of enthusiasm on the internet in general. The 22SG is an air rifle people remember!
Today is the day we test velocity, but I’m going to make it something a little more than just that. Several of you are asking me about the automatic transmission sealer that I tout for fixing the seals on old pneumatics and gas guns. You say I don’t specify what exactly it is. Well, I’m doing so right now. The stuff I use is called Bar’s Leaks (that’s the name of the company) Transmission Stop Leak Concentrate. I have written about it numerous times, including the report titled A proven CO2 fix for leaking guns.
This is the stuff. It works.
Old 22SG
I tell you this because my Daisy 22SG is not new and fresh anymore. I reported on it 14 years ago, and it hasn’t really been shot since then. So it’s got some age and the seals could be starting to harden. ATF sealant does soften their surfaces so they seal better, but we have learned another trick to keep pneumatics running well — we flex their seals by partial pumping! I will do that today as I test this fine airgun. Let’s go!
Warmup
The 22SG valve and firing mechanism doesn’t allow partial pumps the way I have been doing with other airguns, because if this gun isn’t cocked all the air from each pump rushes out the barrel. I had to devise another way to warm the pump cup. So I decided to shoot a first string where the gun was pumped 10 times for each shot. I started the tests with RWS Hobby pellets.
First three shots
Shot……..Vel
1…………537
2…………545
3…………554
At that point it seemed like the gun was warm, so I shot a 10-shot string. Still shooting Hobbys. It looks like this.
First 10-pump shot string
Now I shot the first 10-pump shot string.
Shot……..Vel
1…………558
2…………552
3…………550
4…………549
5…………531
6…………530
7…………518
8…………519
9…………521
10………..506
Oh, oh! What happened?
Something in the pump mechanism or valve is not functioning as it should. This is a rare occurrence, but a very useful teaching tool, so let’s discuss it.
The average from this string is 533 f.p.s., but as you can clearly see, something went wrong. You can really see it after shot number four. This is another classic example of the value of a chronograph for testing your airguns. At the average velocity for this string the Hobby pellet generated 7.51 foot-pounds. But this average isn’t representative of the gun at the end of firing.
Did it need more oil?
I looked at the pump head before shooting the gun the first time and noted that it was still wet from the previous application of ATF sealant. However, to leave no stone unturned I oiled it again with the same stuff. And this is what I got with the same Hobby pellets.
Shot……..Vel
1…………513
2…………510
3…………507
Variable pumps
Okay, it’s clear the gun has degraded in some way that oil alone cannot fix. There is another test I can do that will tell me more about how much it has degraded. This time I will shoot the same Hobby pellets with variable pumps from 3 to 10, and watch the velocity.
Pumps……Vel
3…………342
4…………404
5…………450
6…………476
7…………495
8…………511
9…………513
10………..518
See how this test reveals more about how the rifle is performing? Daisy said in the manual (available on the Pyramyd AIR website) that the rifle got 625 f.p.s. on 10 pumps. To the best of my recollection that number is close to correct. Of course they don’t tell what pellet was used, and that makes all the difference in the world. I was using Hobbys which are the standard lightweight lead pellets in .22 caliber.
The velocity for three pumps looks about right, and on up to 6 pumps it looks good. Then the velocity increase starts slowing down. From 8 pumps on there is almost no increase. So something is happening after 6 pumps.
I noticed for the first time that the pump handle was springing back after 6 pump strokes. With a multi-pump that’s an indication there is pressurized air that hasn’t entered the compression chamber. The culprit is the pump cup that isn’t bottoming out in the compression cylinder. In some more expensive multi-pumps there is or used to be a way to increase the stroke length of the pump cup. Gene Salvino told me that the older Daisy 880s had that feature.
Help!
I placed a call to Gene Salvino and we talked about this for a while. He told me there is no pump cup. He told me the pump piston of a Daisy 880 and this 22SG is sealed with a 113 o-ring. I have a huge assortment of o-rings, so replacing that was no problem. I didn’t think the valve was a problem because the rifle still fired with relatively good power.
Fixed
I fixed the rifle in about the same time that it took me to write and edit this next paragraph. Two screws and the wooden forearm slabs (one on either side) came off. The pump mechanism was not retained by anything beyond that. I had the pump mechanism out of the rifle in two minutes, and the o-ring exchanged in 15 seconds. Back together in two more minutes and back to the chronograph.
The 22SG piston is sealed by a 113 o-ring.
The old ring is on the left. It is still soft and pliable but I can see a difference in their sizes. The new ring looks fatter.
Second 10-pump shot string
When I inserted the pump piston back into the pump cylinder there was greater resistance than before. Did that mean the new o-ring was doing its job? One way to find out! I did not warm the gun in any way. Just went right to shooting for record. And I’m still shooting Hobbys.
Shot……..Vel
1…………552
2…………513
3…………535
4…………549
5…………541
6…………541
7…………546
8…………549
9…………548
10………..544
What do you think? I think the new o-ring did the trick. Maybe you could get a little more velocity with a complete rebuild, but that will either cost me $125 (shipping both ways and repair costs) or I will have to try to get the parts from Daisy. I think I will leave it as it is. The average for this string is 542 f.p.s. and that generates a muzzle energy of 7.76 foot-pounds. This average isn’t much better than the first time, but this time the numbers are stable at the higher end.
Variable pumps again
Remember the variable pump test I did? Let’s do it again see how it does.
Pumps……Vel
3…………353
4…………414
5…………462
6…………498
7…………514
8…………535
9…………552
10………..558
I will say the rifle is back, and performing as it should. I don’t have any historical data that I’m aware of, so this will have to be the baseline.
Heavy pellet
We have looked at a lightweight pellet; now let’s look at a heavyweight. For this test I used an obsolete Beeman Kodiak that weighs 21.14 grains. First a string on 10 pumps.
Shot……..Vel
1…………469
2…………456
3…………468
4…………469
5…………474
6…………476
7…………470
8…………473
9…………470
10………..473
The average for this string was 470 f.p.s. The spread was 20 f.p.s., but exclude shot number two and it’s 8 f.p.s. At the average velocity this heavy pellet generates 10.37 foot-pounds at the muzzle.
Now let’s see how this heavyweight does with variable pump strokes.
Pumps……Vel
3…………293
4…………338
5…………374
6…………400
7…………426
8…………449
9…………462
10………..480
Trigger pull
None of these airguns (Daisy 880, 820, 22X) have good triggers. They are all single-stage and creepy. This one fires with a pressure of 6 pounds 5 oz., though the creep makes it feel heavier. There is not a lot that can be done with the trigger. There are You Tube explanations of how the trigger is assembled, but when you look at them you will see that, because of its design, the Daisy 880 trigger does not lend itself to tweaking. Just get used to it and do your best.
Pump effort
I talked so much about the light pump effort that I thought I should measure it for you. Here goes.
Pumps……Pounds
1……………2
2……………5
3……………9
4…………..11
5…………..14
6…………..14
7…………..14
8…………..14
9…………..15
10…………15
I have to say it felt heavier than that from pump 5 onward. I think the resistance builds higher the faster you pump. But I also think a fast pump stroke is more efficient.
Summary
There we have it. My older Daisy 22SG was a bit tired but was revived by a simple o-ring swap that took five minutes. Other than using ATF sealant, that is the quickest fix I have ever performed!
I’m satisfied with the rifle’s power now and will proceed with this series as planned. Accuracy is next.
Everyone,
Why am I the first to post a comment? I thought you guys read this as soon as it published. That was three hours ago!
I think this report is a big one because I fixed this gun during the test! Has that ever happened before? Not that I can remember.
B.B.
B.B.,
Why are you still up at this hour? I get up early because I have to for work. On a day off, I might actually sleep in till 4 am. 😉
Fine testing and glad it was fixed so simply. My, my,…. that sure was a lot of pumping. Looking forwards to the accuracy test.
Good Day to you and to all,……….. Chris
Chris,
I don’t know why I’m up so early. My neurons started firing at midnight and after an hour of tossing and turning I decided to get up. I’ll probably take a nap later this day — at least I hope I will!
B.B.
Oh i read it i just don’t feel that I have anything productive to say. For all they got right the plastic pump arm. I hate it so much it is making me hate Daisy even more.
BB,
All the reports I’ve read about the 22SG say the top velocity is 550 FPS so I think you’re right on the money.
Brent
B.B.
I like these old guns (have a couple) but new technology attracts me much more – there is just so much happening in the airgun industry right now!
Speaking of new technology… I looked up Captain Drone (really passionate and intense isn’t he!) and for me, as a novice looking for an easy to fly photographic drone that did not require licensing/registration, he recommended the DJI Mavic Mini. I checked out a bunch of reviews and the Mini looks to be a real performer at a reasonable price! I’d have a couple of uses for a Mini (like flying down to the 100 yard target to check it) so I may see about saving my nickels to get one in the spring.
Hank
Hank,
I bought the Mavic Mini based on Captain Drone and Ready Set Drone’s recommendations and I am very pleased. And YES to using it to fly downrange to see the target! That was my plan as well.
B.B.
Great stuff B.B.!
I would appreciate hearing your comments on the Mini’s operation once you have has some flying time.
Such neat toys the kids have these days – glad that I am in my second childhood!
Hank
Hank,
I’ll tell you right now. The Mini flies better than any drone I have seen. It is super-stable, which beginners need. The videos are superb!nI fly it in the Cine(matic) mode, which is the slowest and smoothest mode.
The software from DJI works well, but their instructions (manual and online helps) are abysmal! I go to You Tube to learn how it operates because whoever wrote the manual used to write manuals for DVD players!
B.B.
BB,
Does the camera on that drone transmit back to the controller live? If so, wouldn’t just setting it near to and aimed at the target and allowing it to transmit back to the shooting stand as you shoot save on battery power and provide immediate feedback?
Half
Half,
The camera transmits 720P images to your smart phone that is coupled to the controller. That’s how you know where the drone camera is looking. You watch where the drone is through your phone. Once the drone is 100 yards away you can’t see it anymore, but the Mavic Mini can be controlled beyond a mile!
But the images are really 2.7K and save to a 128 gig microchip onboard. Download that and get BEAUTIFUL video and still images.
There are 4K drones that are not as good as the Mavic Mini. It has a great camera and also a great three-axis gimbal that stabilizes the image to a remarkable degree. It looks like professional video!
B.B.
Half,
I didn’t really answer your question. I would not leave a $400 drone downrange where it might be destroyed by gunfire! I can always use extra spare batteries that cost a tenth of what the drone costs.
B.B.
Half,
There are many less expensive ways to view your target while shooting at your bench. These systems also have a much longer battery life than the 30 minutes the Mavic Mini drone is rated for.
Among others, the Caldwell Ballistic Precision LR Target Camera System with 1 Mile Range (works ok), the SME Bullseye – WiFi Shooting Target Camera Systems (can’t recommend, lots of bugs and won’t work beyond 100 yards. I returned it), the Longshot Target Camera (haven’t tried this one), etc., etc.
There are even cheaper solutions like a gopro, or the Kodak PixPro SL10 (which I use out to 100 yards).
Just know that any system that is positioned near your target should have some protection from getting shot like a large steel plate/target.
KEVIN!!!!
You are messing with our justification!!! Shhhh! 😉
B.B.
B.B.
Why did spring guns catch on in europe, but in the USA, the pneumatic power
plant is more common? In europe, your first airgun is likely a springer, right?
I always liked the look of this model more than the 760.
That was a pretty simple repair job, you got off easy! Good sleuthing.
Best,
Rob
Rob,
Who knows why we went to pneumatics and Europe went to springers? I will say this — when springers were introduced correctly to the US market by ARH and then Beeman they caught on fast! Stoeger brought in springers in the 1940s but few people paid any attention. But in the late ’60s and 1970’s both ARH and Beeman blew the market wide open!
B.B.
B.B., is it possible the power restrictions imposed by the Allies after WWII had an effect on airgun power plants, at least in Germany? I thought I had remembered Dr. Beeman making a comment to that effect…but that’s reaching so far back into the past that I could be mistaken…these days, I have trouble remembering what I ate for breakfast last week! =)~
Dave,
That would be possible but I think the main reason is airguns were seen in Europe as target guns. You don’t need power to shoot targets. That is just a guess.
B.B.
“…airguns were seen in Europe as target guns.”
Thanks, B.B.; that makes sense. =>
Thedavemyster,
I’ll add to B.B.’s observations with what I observed during my time in Europe in the 70’s and 80’s. In Spain they did pest and hunt small game with airguns. In the UK they had been hunting small game for probably the longest time due to their firearm laws. In Germany the Airguns were mostly shot indoors at Sport/Social Clubs and even people’s living rooms/homes. The shooting ranged from informal (with side betting) to formal training/competitions and could be quite hotly contested. Since it was indoors the multipump pneumatics would probably have been to loud. Even the world class 10 meter PCPs are very quiet compared to our Multipumps.
shootski
BB ,
Glad to see You got it going . Those are only a problem too repair if you pull the receiver apart , not complex . Just a 3 handed job.
Gene,
Yeah. I watched a couple You Tube explanations of the disassembly/assembly and decided I didn’t want to do it unless I had to.
On the other subject we discussed I’m sending you an email in a bit.
B.B.
“Apparently if you don’t currently own a Daisy 22SG now you used to, or you wanted to…”
B.B., yes, you can mark me down in the “wanted to but just never got around to it category.”
I am intrigued by this gun, and thank you for reporting on it. =>
Did anyone get a Diana K98 PCP in the Black Friday sales? But then again, it may not have been on sale.
Brent
Everyone,
Here is an excellent review video of the new FX Hybrid .22 Slugs by Matt Dubber. Well worth the 20 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejx30kQHVXo&feature=em-uploademail
And here’s another great video of a tour of the Daystate factory by Rossi Morreale (American Airguner)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31MPkJ8gSMg&feature=em-uploademail
Enjoy 😉
Geo
There’s something intriguing about these simple multi pump pneumatics. And it’s interesting how Daisy airguns are internally very different than most other brands. They make use of some kind of greyish cast parts and use pull open valves, in contrast to the brass knock-oprn valves inside Crosmans etc.