TargetTalk

What is the opinion on attaching weight (up to 100 gms) to the forward end of the air cylinder.
I realise there may be a safety issue here with the weight putting more downward force on the cylinder. This may in turn lead to undue stress and eventual failure of the cylinder.
Am I worrying about nothing, or would this be bad practice?

Not too sure but would you not have to remove the weight every time you change cylinders ? If so you will perhaps get consistency problems re. the balance. I can't see it causing too much stress on the cylinder / connector but I'd personally fix it on the gun itself.

Rob.

Sergey Luzov told me just to take the weights off, he said there was no reason for them...

-Ryan Benteman

With all due respect to coach Luzov - I'll bet even he would admit that one size does not fit all. While one shooter may not benefit from adjusting the balance of a gun, others might.

I agree with Rob that you should find a way to attach the weights to the gun itself. Perhaps you could tell us which AP you're using. Maybe someone has already figured out a way to do it and can provide specific advice.

Good shooting to you

To Paul F in Denver.
Please go to - http://pilkguns.com/coach/sws.htm and to a post I made in Olympic Pistol to Bob259 on Saturday March 20, 2004.

It is an inexpensive solution for attaching weights on an air pistol. There should be no problem damaging the cylinder or pistol if you remove the weights before screwing the cylinder on or off the pistol. There is a lot of mass at the pistol/cylinder juncture once the cylinder is screwed on properly. Then the film cannister with weights is slipped on and adjusted. The tire weights are 7 grams (1/4 oz.) each. They have an adhesive strip, are easy to cut and can be shaped on any round shape (dowel, broom handle etc.) before attaching them to the film cannister. I have three sets of weights. It depends on how I feel that day.
Sandy Santibanez

Edited by Shin: Fixed the link

Ingenious device Sandy. I cant get to the link you provided for some reason though.

To F Paul,
Shin fixed the link (I am not that knowledable about navigating with computers). Here is the post to BOB259 of Saturday, March 20, 2004.

1. There is little or no cost involved so experimenting with weight/balance is cost effective.
2. The plastic sleeve weighs 3g or less when trimmed. It grips well but can be moved easily on the cylinder so that experimenting for optimum weight/balance can be tried and tested.
3. The wheel weights are 7g each and are easy to cut and attach in fractions and/or multiples on the sleeve.
4. The weights can be positioned at lowest center gravity under the cylinder. If you cant your pistol they can be placed on the side so as to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.
5. Since fatigue can be a factor during a match, it is easy to change the balance (perceived weight) during a match by easily sliding the weight back fractions of an inch without releasing your grip on the pistol.
6. Some shooters like a heavier pistol and do not necessarily want all of the weight out on the end of the barrel. It just feels and shoots better for them. Perhaps it is physical, perhaps it is mental.

As humans we respond to many external stimuli and variables. We change the sights up, down, and even the width of the rear sight during a match depending on how the shots are grouping, the level of illumination, direction of the light, visual contrast, blood sugar, on how we feel at the time, etc. Grip are adjusted, the size of the irises are adjusted, if your back or shoulder gets tired, feet position may be adjusted, jackets removed or added to adjust body temperature, etc.
Why not the weight/balance adjustment since we are not an immutable part of a given equasion? Function and practical application that is easily adjustable to the many variables involved should be used with the theories.
For example of some limitations on my LP-10.
1. The weights are just over 10 grams each, and if that is your optimum weight, fine, however all the weight is on one side. I am not sure what the engeneering calculation for that is.
2. If the optimum wight is not a multiple of 10g (adding more weights) then you must cut or grind the metal weights, which is not easy to do to.
3. The weights are at barrel hight which is not optimum (tight-rope walkers keep the balancing weights below their feet on a tight-rope).
4. A shooter tends to not make changes since it is not easy to do.
5.The manufacturers components are fairly expensive so shooters are even more reluctant to make changes even if they think they should.

Outstanding solution Sandy - thanks for taking the time to share it with all of us.