Tench Regulators for the BSA Ultra, Scorpion and Hornet.
What is it?
A regulator is a device that regulates the pressure between the air cylinder/bottle and the firing valve. It allows air to to flow through to the action until it reaches a pre-set pressure and then it shuts off the air until a shot is fired, creating a constant pressure at the firing valve, when the gun is fired this pressure drops then the regulator opens to allow the air to flow through to the firing valve again until it reaches the pre-set pressure. By fitting a regulator you eliminate the power curve and the hunt for the sweet spot, that is common with most unregulated rifles.
Where does the regulator get fitted?
It is fitted in between the air reservoir/cylinder and the firing valve, adding 37mm to the length of your reservoir/cylinder, which means you may need to change your silencer/moderator.
How long does it take to get fitted?
It depends largely on how many jobs are on the go when you send
your airgun in, they are fitted on a first come, first served basis.
The actual work takes around half a day to complete if there are no
other problems with the rifle. If you would like a more accurate lead
time, contact me before sending your airgun or have a look on my Facebook page. I try to get guns returned
within 7-10 days of receiving them but this may sometimes take longer if
there are a lot of guns already here when yours arrives.
What are the benefits to having a regulator fitted?
Unregulated rifles tend to have a “power curve” with a “sweet spot”. The first few shots after a fill may be under powered then the power increases until you get to the sweet spot, where they are more consistent, then the power drops off after a few shots. Once your rifle is regulated you are in the “sweet spot” for the whole string of shots, until the regulator stops working around 90 bar (depending on calibre and barrel length). The regulator makes the rifle more consistent and more air efficient, which improves the shot count and can improve accuracy. It also allows you to fill the gun to a higher pressure, which will further improve the shot count compared to the unregulated rifle.
How many shots can I expect from my airgun after the regulator is fitted?
The .177 Ultra should give 55-65 regulated shots.
The .22 Ultra should give 65-80 regulated shots.
The .177 Scorpion should give 75-85 regulated shots.
The .22 Scorpion should give 90-110 regulated shots.
The .177 Hornet should give 80-85 regulated shots.
The .22 Hornet should give 90-110 regulated shots.
Please note these figures are averages and some rifles may be
higher or lower and it also depends on the pressure the reservoir has
been filled to, the type of pellet being used, the power the gun is set at etc.
These figures are based on a 250bar fill but only fill your gun to 250bar if you have been told to by Tench, RT or myself.
What pressure should I fill my airgun to after a regulator is fitted?
Ultra 232bar
Scorpion 232bar
Hornet 232bar
How do I send the rifle to you and what do I send?
I only need the action when fitting the regulator, please do not
send the scope, stock or silencer, it may add to the return postage
cost.
Please make sure the trigger is well protected when packing because it is a weak spot.
The action should be wrapped in bubble wrap and put in a sturdy cardboard box. The box will need to be under 600mm long for some carriers.
Please note you are not allowed to post pressurised vessels, so please make sure your airgun/buddy bottle is empty before sending it to me. Your airgun/buddy bottle will be returned empty. Ultras and Scorpions can be emptied by firing until there is no air left in them.
YouTube clip showing how to pack your action for posting
You can use:
Royal Mail Special Delivery, which is insured and next day delivery, which is £10 if it is under 2 kg and £25 between 2 and 10 kg. Royal Mail Price Finder
You can use other couriers but please be aware that some will not offer any compensation for air rifles.
Delivery in person.
Ultras
usually weight under 2kgs if you do not go too mad with the packaging.
Scorpions weigh just under 2kg once the regulator is fitted but it is
very difficult to pack it safely under 2kg, so best to package it
properly and pay for the extra weight.
Can I drop off and collect my gun rather than posting it?
Yes this is an option, if you want to drop
it off and collect it the same day then please give me advanced
warning so I can make sure I am available. I am quite happy for you to
drop your guns off, you can then go and explore Worcester, Elgar's
Birthplace Museum or the pub, I will call you when it is ready for you
to collect.
Can I fit the regulator myself?
I am sorry this is not an option, there is more involved to fitting a regulator than merely screwing the regulator onto the gun, various parts are modified inside the action when they are fitted.
Will it affect my BSA warranty?
If you have any BSA warranty remaining on your rifle, then it will be lost.
The BSA warranty is not transferable when the rifle is second hand, even if bought from a RFD.
Generally very little goes wrong with PCPs, the usual faults are leaks and I will repair these for free for the person who originally had the regulator fitted as long as the rifle has not been tampered with.
If the fault is not related to the fitting of the regulator, I will inform you and quote to repair the problem before carrying out the work.
Please note that the warranty is a return to base (RTB) warranty, which does not include postage costs.
When is the best time to get a regulator fitted?
If the gun is brand new then it is probably best to run a tin of pellets through it before sending it in for a regulator. This will give you a chance to spot any issues with the gun, which can be dealt with by BSA under warranty.
How much does it cost to have a regulator fitted?
Ultra - fitted with a regulator
and a service costs £130 + return postage by your chosen carrier.
Scorpion - fitted with a regulator
and a service costs £130 + return postage by your chosen carrier.
If you would like the bolt modified on a multi-shot to allow the magazine to be changed without pulling back the extra bit then please add £10 to the cost.
Scorpion SE - fitted with a regulator and a service costs £200 + return postage by your chosen carrier.
Hornet - fitted with a regulator and a service costs £140 + return postage by your chosen carrier.
Please note this price does not include any spare parts or repairs that are not part of the regulator fitting process. If the rifle needs spare parts, I will contact you to let you know how much it will cost before carrying out the work.
Please have a look in the shop for more details.
How do I pay?
- You can pay by selecting the relevant options from the eShop, which include the PayPal fees.
- PayPal to xtxair@gmail.com,
please note that you are responsible for paying the PayPal charges
(normally around 4%). Please also include your name and address with
the payment, so I know who has paid. If I receive a payment from
bigstuff@btinterweb.com ,
with no other information, I will have no idea who it was from and it
may delay any work.
- You can either send the cash or cheque with the action (make sure it is insured because I will not be held responsible if your riffle and/or cash do not arrive).
- If
you are paying by cheque I will return your rifle once it clears.
Please allow for the additional time while the cheque clears, typically 2 weeks.
- You can also pay by bank transfer, send me a message if you would like to pay using this method and I will send you my bank details.
Will my old silencer/moderator fit my rifle after it has be regulated?
Generally the Ultra will be fine with any silencers/moderators that do not sleeve over the barrel, like reflex silencers. The original SAS type silencer that the older Ultras came with will not allow you to remove the filling cap without removing the silencer first.
The Scorpion will be fine with silencers with a maximum diameter
of 28mm (like the Parker Hale) which will allow it to clear the air reservoir. I can
supply a small barrel extension to allow you to fit standard
silencers to the rifle for £10.
It is very close as to whether the HW silencer (30mm dia) will fit back
onto the barrel after a reg is fitted, some do some don't but all will
accept 28mm silencers.
I can machine a chamfer on some silencers, to make them fit but it depends on the model of silencer.
Silencers tested on a multi-shot Ultra after a regulator has been fitted that did not cause any problems:
Whisper, HW, BSA VC, Sirocco, Parker Hale...
What power do you set the gun to after fitting a regulator?
I set the gun to around 11.5flbs using a heavy pellet in .177 and a similar power using a mid weight pellet in the .22.
I will not set your airgun to over 12ftlbs, so please do not ask.
If you want an airgun that shoots over 12ftlbs then apply for a FAC.
Do you only fit regulators?
No, I can swap or thread barrels, add custom parts, carry out repairs and service your rifle.
I can also make modifications to the stock, such as adjustable
cheek pieces and hamsters etc.
The
rifle can be "short stroked", which basically means the distance the
hammer has to travel before it strikes the firing valve is shortened.
Doing this shortens the lock time on the gun, which means the pellet
leaves the barrel sooner after the trigger is pulled, decreasing the
risk of pulling a shot. Short stroking often results in more action/hammer noise.
I offer a pressure gauge which is fitted to the end of the air cylinder, which will let you know how much air you have left in the cylinder so you don't get caught short when out shooting. Pictures and prices are in the eShop.
I can make custom probe knobs for Ultras and bolt handles for Scorpions and R-10s, have a look in the eShop.
If you can think of something that you want done then there is a good chance I can make it happen or I can put you in touch with somebody who can.
Prices vary depending on what you want do, so please feel free to get in touch for a quote.
Do you stock/sell spare parts?
I don't generally carry a stock of spare parts apart form the parts used for servicing the rifles and fitting the regulators.
If you need spare parts, I can source them from John Knibbs International, who are now dealing with all the spare parts for BSA. You can have a look at their website for prices http://www.airgunspares.com/ You are also welcome to source your own parts for me to fit.
Please note that if I need spare parts, repairs may take a bit longer, as they need to be ordered and delivered.
Will my gun need maintenance after fitting a regulator?
Like any mechanical device, a rifle needs regular maintenance. Parts wear and lubrication can dry out etc. The action should be wiped down regularly with gun oil that contains corrosion inhibitor (like Napier Gun Oil), moving parts should be lubricated and O rings should be lubricated with a suitable product, like Abbey SM50.
It
is a good idea to clean your barrel with a pull-through after it has
been worked on, when swapping pellet brands or you notice the
grouping is opening up.
It is advisable to chronograph your rifle regularly, to ensure it stays below the 12flbs legal limit with any commercially available pellet. Chronographs can be bought for as little as £40.80 and are a worthwhile investment if you want to keep yourself and your airgun on the right side of the law. It is also a great way to keep an eye on the consistency.
What lubricant/oil do you recommend for the airgun?
I use Abbey SM50 on the O rings and seals.
Any quality gun oil that contains a corrosion inhibitor is recommended for wiping down the action (like Napier Gun Oil), especially after using the airgun outdoors.
Spray
the oil onto a cloth and wipe down the action, do not spray the oil
directly onto the action because if oil gets onto the hammer your rifle
will become inconsistent and is not covered by the warranty.
The stock can be maintained using stock oil or conditioners, available from your local RFD.
Please do not use 3 in 1 oil or motor/engine oil to lubricate your action, it will do more harm than good.
What are the best pellets for my airgun?
Generally BSA barrels tend to like larger sized pellets 4.52 in .177 and 5.52 in .22.
The actual choice of pellet is personal to your barrel/gun
combination, there is no one pellet that is perfect for all barrels.
The best way to find your barrels favourite pellet is to try a number
of different brands of pellets and see which gives you the best
grouping, remembering to clean your barrel when swapping pellet
types. Some shops sell pellet sample packs, which are useful for pellet testing.
When using a chronograph to check your airgun is legal, make sure you use a pellet that gives the highest power/efficiency.
Generally pellets such as Bisley Magnums or JSB Exact Heavies in .177 or AA Field or JSB Exact in .22 are best.
It is your responsibility to ensure your airgun is below the legal limit with any commercially available pellet.
Which airguns do you work on?
I generally work on BSA PCPs, like the R-10, Scorpion, Hornet and Ultra. I also work on the Air Arms S200 rifles but I do work on other makes and models.
Did you design or develop the Tench regulator?
No, it was designed and developed by Tench/Tweaky, I purchase the regulators directly from him.
My airgun has been blueprinted or tuned, can I have a regulator fitted?
Yes, this is not a problem.
Where can I find out more information about my airgun?
One of the best resources for BSA airgun information is the BSA Owners Group forum.
You can also find out more on the BSA websitewww.bsaguns.co.uk
Ultra exploded parts diagram click me.
Scorpion exploded parts diagram click me.
