Beeman R1 repair?

[Litetrigger]

I have a Beeman R1 air rifle that I've had and been shooting since 1980's. It no longer seems to have much power and I have found that the seal at the breech is cracked and crumbling. (pic attached) I expect replacement seals are available and I can replace it myself if I get the right part. But I suppose that the piston seals also need replacing, which I don't want to try doing myself.
Also, the safety cannot be returned to safe position after moved to "off" position.
So my question is recommendation of repairman, or repair center, where I can get the rifle working properly again. Thanks for any help

 

[JohnKSa]

Better to not shoot it until you get that breech seal fixed. The escaping air will let the piston hit the end of the chamber very hard without the normal air pressure in the compression chamber to cushion it. That will beat the piston seal to death against the end of the chamber.

Replacing the breech seal is an easy repair, Pyramyd Air (and others) sell replacement breech seals and the job is as easy as getting the old one out and sticking in the new one. You'll need some kind of a pick to dig the old seal out of there, then the new one just pushes in and is held with friction.

Here's a video showing the repair on a similar airgun. Lots of talking. If it was just the seal replacement it would be about 30 seconds long.

 

[cslinger]

I have a Beeman R1 air rifle that I've had and been shooting since 1980's. It no longer seems to have much power and I have found that the seal at the breech is cracked and crumbling. (pic attached) I expect replacement seals are available and I can replace it myself if I get the right part. But I suppose that the piston seals also need replacing, which I don't want to try doing myself.
Also, the safety cannot be returned to safe position after moved to "off" position.
So my question is recommendation of repairman, or repair center, where I can get the rifle working properly again. Thanks for any helpView attachment 1140733 View attachment 1140734

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

Pick up the breach seal and a tune kit (spring/piston seal etc.). Tear it down and give it a once over. You will want to build a simple spring compressor but honestly that is the hardest part.

Go very easy on the lube and keep it all behind the piston seal.

 

[JohnKSa]

Just a caution about taking a spring piston airgun apart. The springs are big and powerful and are under significant compression as installed, even with the gun uncocked. There is enough stored energy to cause serious injury to you and significant damage to property and/or the airgun if things are not handled properly and carefully.

You don't have to do any disassembly to replace the breech seal--but the piston seal/spring/etc. will definitely require disassembly.

 

[cobalt327]

There are several options for springs and seals for the Beeman R1, and you may find that max power isn't necessarily the best. In any event, you can learn a lot about working on and tuning the Beeman R1 by the numerous articles written about it. You can get started here: https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2015/09/beeman-r1-supertune-part-1/

 

[tallpaul]

is it just me or does the rear of that breach look ROUGH or is that grease?

 

[Jack N]

I have a similar R1 from the early 80s also. I ended up sending it to David Slade at Airgunwerks who was a senior gunsmith at Beeman in the 80s. It cost a little to have him change seals and tune it but it was worth it. Really accurate and quiet now for a springer.

Airgunwerks

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Don’t know if paul Watts is still working. He was the best back in the day. Jg Airguns Randy Brimrose ? Out in California (iirc) was also a go to. Definitely not a model to jus pop the end cap on. If oyu want to try tour hand at a tune. Tim’s pgp tune kits work really well.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Thanks for the link to Airgunwerks, always looking for options when I need help on my air stuff.