Canadian Airgun Forum

I posted this in the "What Did You Do To Your Airgun Today" thread, and then thought it might be useful for anyone with the weak latch issue.

My Nitro Venom's barrel latch was not holding securely because the spring behind the "chisel" shaped latch wasn't pushing hard enough. Recently the latch would occasionaly let the barrel droop enough that air would escape with a loud report at the breech and the shot would be over an inch low at 10 yards.

The fix was simple. I removed the barrel at the pivot point, removed the pivot washers and the pivot bushing and the latch slid right out.

I put some shims inside the latch under the spring so that it had more push (I think the hole for the spring was just bored too deep), reassembled the gun and the problem is solved.

The gun now latches firmly and shoots about an inch higher than before.

Peter

I tuned up my venom the same way but ALSO put a plastic shim (well lubed) behind each barrel washer to stiffen up the movement of the barrel....which also helps for a sturdier lockup......and accuracy....

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The cave you fear to enter....holds the treasure you seek

Yeah I had to do that to a Benjamin Trail NP pistol.

Washer shims are a good idea!!

I'll have to make mine out of something very thin, but I'm going to give it a try.

Thanks

Peter

Yes...the shims should keep your barrel from falling from gravity alone or at least it should fall VERY gradually after the gun is cocked and the barrel is cracked open again...too tight is ALSO no good....I used that clear stiff plastic from packaging....cut it to shape and drill holes dead centre of course...you may have to sand them a bit thinner (just sand one side of both plastic shims and keep the smooth unsanded side lubed and against the plastic washer) ...you'll notice a nice solid feel to the lockup and increased accuracy....

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The cave you fear to enter....holds the treasure you seek

Good points Peter G and M/C. Some people overlook how a gun locksup when tuning for accuracy and instead only concentrate on barrel cleaning, breech seals, etc.I know I did at first.This forum is great.