FWB124 again.

kBob · Jul 31, 2015

So I still have this wall hanger of an FWB which appears to have blown seals. I get varying reports where ever I post on the ease or lack of the same of working on these things and so have not spent the $75 or so to order a rebuild kit.

Last week while looking for something else I ran across a Gun Digest from around 1980 or so that in the catalog section listed the FWB 124 and noted in the text that it could be repaired on the kitchen table with but a screw driver.

Now some have written to me that one must have a spring compressor set up or death will soon follow. Others insist that any messing with it will some how ruin the trigger mechanism or at least the safety requiring a replacement that ain't available.

SO has anyone actually had one and taken their own down to reseal or put in a Marconni kit? Getting tired of just dusting it.

Bought it way back because of Mel Tappan's survival guns and for 30+ years it was a squirrel and bird killer par exallance, then one day I started missing, then the drop verses range in creased dramaticly and then came the dreaded clack of a piston hitting with nothing to slow it down. Sure wish I could get her going again without breaking the bank or putting my eye out.

-kBob

jmorris · Jul 31, 2015

Only one I ever rebuilt was a Benjamin, took more than a screwdriver to rebuild it but I am not a rocket scientist.

Kookla · Jul 31, 2015

From some of the rebuild pics I've seen, it looks like there's a few inches of pre-load on those springs. Better safe than sorry. Have you tried building an inexpensive spring compressor? Here's a quick one I found.

http://www.kermitairgunclub.com/airguntips/compressor/

kBob · Aug 1, 2015

Kookla,

Thanks for that link, a bunch. I may even have everything in the scrap pile to do it......and maybe the guilt free time to do this. I figure go ahead and pull everything and store it until I can talk Mamma into some toy money.

Turns out The Boy likes my barely acceptable Crossman Phantom springer ( Wish I had held out for the NP) since he has seen what it does to bulged cans of four year old soda. So if I fix the FWB the Crossman will not go to waste.

-kBob

Chevota · Aug 2, 2015

The 124 is easy to work on. It probably only needs a new breech seal and main seal.
Pyramid Air has the main seal for ~$30. I'm not sure if they have the breech seal but it should be a generic O-ring which I can measure if you need. I don't use a spring compressor but it's up to you. I just lay a towel on the carpet, push the receiver into that, remove the lug bolt behind the trigger which holds the thing together, then as you release pressure and the spring pushes the guts out.
I'd take it apart first to be sure you know what parts you'll need. It's possible it needs a main spring but they're high quality so it's probably fine. An aftermarket spring may net you up to 20% more power, but also more cocking effort and stress to the scope and mounts. It really works quite well with the oem spring.
The inside is likely full of chunks of the old oem main seal which disintegrate after 10+ years. The new seal should last much longer. That and check for damage that might have occurred from the broken seal and lack of lube or improper lube, like piston scraping the tube. These guns really need buttons on the piston to prevent that, which if you want to know how is covered in a guide I have on tuning break barrel guns. The info will be especially useful with the Crosman. Write me at chevota at hotmail, remind me of this post and the gun and I'll send it to you.
The FWB 124 is basically the gun by which all other break barrels are judged, and is still top of the line. Take good care of it and imo never sell it (except to me). It is my favorite and most accurate airgun. The barrel is top of the line so be sure the bore is not damaged by rust and take care of it. The factory accuracy claim at 10M was .012" ctc, which is no lie.
Attached is a parts diagram if that helps.

rodinal220 · Aug 5, 2015

I have rebuilt my 35 year old FWB124 with Maccari parts and a home made spring compressor. It is not that difficult. Plenty of spring compressor designs out there,so pick one that suits you. Mine uses a modified C-clamp.
It should last another 35 years.

James Maccari parts:

http://www.airrifleheadquarters.com/page/page/251327.htm

FWB124 repair primer:

http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/search/label/FWB 124

FWB124 again.

kBob

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