Precihole AR's - any recent comprehensive review?

[rupam]

Dear Friends,

Is there any latest update on the Precihole AR's? From the early posts it seems they had a bit of teething trouble initially. I have been waiting patiently for them to sort out all the minor glitches before I can buy one. I was also hoping that they would consider adding sling hoops to their AR's. My inclination is mainly towards the .22 for plinking.

I am aware that nothing can be perfect but I would like to be as sure as possible and take advantage of the collective knowledge of this forum before spending my hard earned money.

I am sorry if I missed any recent update on this. Looking forward to any feedback on this.......

[Ganesh TT]

Dear IFGians

Im too on the same track of Rupam.
Pls update

[jatindra Singh Deo]

Hi friends ,

I got a myself a new precihole orion from Aimco from their shop at esplanade kolkata.Everything went well but as a minor irritant the butt pad fell off .Mr Joy Biswas asked me to bring it back so that he can replace it but I decided against it ,considering the terrible kolkata traffic.Just a few drop of fevi quick and the job was done .

The finish of the product had a premium feel to it comparing with other products on offer in India.The trigger issues have been solved it seems as the one on mine is rock solid ,no loose ends .The rear sight getting loose which was a issue in earlier products still persists.Please let me know the allen ke size for the rear sight as the tool set I have all the heads are slipping off i.e not a proper fit .

I was in kolkata and visited my farmhouse in orissa for a couple of days .Used up 5 -600 pellets to break it in ,accuracy seemed to be okay ,while I hoped would get better.Had to comeback to kolkata for sometime .Went back during the Puja leave and was pretty much indoors due to the cyclone .

Have been trying to sight in on a cheap chinese tasco which was used during the breakin period .Mounted a BSA sweet 17 (not springer rated but took the chance).Had to shimm the scope for barrel droop (with a xray film) as the groups were about 6 -7 inches lower.At 10 meters its somewhat respectable but the accuraccy has gone to the cleaners and the groups are all over the place at ranges 15 ,20 ,25 ,30 mts and that too with the open sights or the scope on.

Very dissapointed at the moment but hope to find a solution from some of the senior members .The sales guy at at Aimco had dry fired the rifle once in his eagerness to demonstrate the safety before I could stop him .Could this have damaged the seal??

I would like to know the expected group sizes of the orion at 15 -20-25 mts ,how hold sensitive it is and any trick off the sleeve of esteemed members to get the best bang out of my orion .

Need some input from fellow members !!

[jatindra Singh Deo]

Brihaji your take please !!!!!!! I feel disillusioned !

[bennedose]

I got an Orion which is accurate (and consistent) enough for plinking - and I have checked it up to 30 meters. However I never rest the rifle on a bench or other support and have no clue how accurate it would be if I did that.

As an aside I have begun to hate the idea of a telescopic sight more and more and more (for ranges less than 30 meters) simply because I think it is too much hassle and the returns for me are negligible - I don't care which part of a tin can, pot or bottle the pellet hits. Judging from how my rifles perform at 30 meters - I suspect that they would be accurate up to 40 metrs - but no more. The Orion retains enough power to puncture a can at 30 meters. In any case 25 - 30 meters would be the upper limit for open sights. An old Weichrauch HW 35 I had was fitted with a cheap non springer scope ( I did not know when I bought it). The scope lasted for 25 years but would move off target after 2-3 shots. After I got a better (single) mount and fitted it onto the Orion the scope died after 10 shots.

The only issue I have with the Orion is that the hex screws need to be tightened after every 30 to 40 shots.

[jatindra Singh Deo]

@bennedose Thank for the reply but mine is going haywire even with the open sights.Can you please tell me the size of the allen key for the rear sight .May be I am not able to tighten the rear sight screws enough .Apart from the rear sight all other screws are holding up fine.I just love the trigger but will have to sort out the accuracy issues.

[jatindra Singh Deo]

One more thing I may ask ..As there is a play after the rear sight screws get loose ,will the point of impact change after I tighten the screw ?

[Basu]

Loosening of screws can be addressed by a product called FEVIFIT-33 comes from the house of Pedilite,
Cost- Rs 25/-.
Just clean the thread and nut, apply 2 drops on the thread ,tighten the screw and let it cure for 24 hours.
Pl do not use more than 2 drops,that may cause problem while unscrewing.

Basu

[brihacharan]

Brihaji your take please !!!!!!! I feel disillusioned !

Hi JSD,
> No need to get disillusioned friend
> Touch Wood - My Orion is almost a 'Year Old' now - It's consistent, accurate & smooth
> Like IFGian Bennedose mentioned - Up to 30mtrs / 40mtrs my Orion gives 1/4" to 1/2" groups depending upon the brand, type & weight of pellets I use.
> Some of these shots have been taken in a sitting position /nee rested & bench/bean bag rested.
> To my knowledge all initial teething problems such as:
1. Barrel droop
2. Trigger jamming / loosening etc.
3. Shallow grooves (scope rail)
> Have been taken care of...
> Believe me no AR out of box performs with 100% efficiency - This is a very general statement - If you Google AR sites you'll find many reports complaining of minor defects - This does not mean that one has to accept these - Manufacturers jolly-well give us ARs that function satisfactorily - After all we pay good money for it
> Regarding your Rear Sight, the problem could be because the threads anchoring the screws must've become oversize - really surprised as to how this can happen.
> Any way the solution is to fill the slot with M-Seal & insert the screws & tighten them & leave it overnight.
> If you need any further help / assistance please feel free to call Precihole & speak to Dr.Shirsat - he will take care of your problems & advice you accordingly.
> BTW - In Mumbai the following IFGians own Orion / Pegasus & have had no major problems...
Briha / Essdee / AK49 / Pratik Mahale / Airgun-Novice...
Briha

[bennedose]

Jatindra I had to buy a box of hex (Allen) screwdrivers starting from 1 mm and getting bigger. The Orion requires at least 4 different sizes.

But if your air rifle is that inaccurate it may be the pellets. I struggled and struggled with my SDB 50 and found that it was true and accurate only with two or three brands of pellets. In fact my SDB is no good with Mastershot Export quality which most people seem happy with.

I experimented less with the Orion and found it to be good with GSmith round head ("High Impact") pellets. The thing to do is to start with one box of each pellet type and keep shooting, and shooting (and shooting) till your rifle begs for mercy and says "Enough - I like these pellets". Try Mastershot Wadcutters.

[brihacharan]

Jatindra if your air rifle is that inaccurate it may be the pellets.

> I'll agree with Bennedose on this pertinent point
> Its been my experience too...
> Surprisingly GSmith pellets - although they are heavy (19gr) shoots well in all my 3 ARs - The new under development pellets (15gr) by Precihole also behave satisfactorily
> Perhaps its the construction of the pellets (both metallurgy & design) that makes it get accepted.
> BTW I compared the structural design of RWS with GSmith - they appeared to be similar (GSmith claims that their pellet dies are imported) Must check on this on my next visit to Pune where GSmith is located - Mr. Kulkarni owner of GSmith is an old friend.
> On a lighter note - An out of box AR is like a 'wild horse' - needs to be trained to make it a 'race horse'
> For that matter any moving mechanism needs to be put to work continuously for it to get set (synchronize moving parts)
> Just like an automobile out of the showroom has to run 1000kms to 2000kms before it gets tuned to run smooth & efficiently.
Briha

[mercury]

One more thing I may ask ..As there is a play after the rear sight screws get loose ,will the point of impact change after I tighten the screw ?

JSD......yes as any retaining screw on the rifle loosens there will be deviation of the pellet. you will need to re zero after you have reset the loosened screw.

BUT...please check some of the other reasons for deviation, besides the loosening of the rear sight screw on your rifle. some of the other common reasons are and this should also be checked by you on the rifle besides the rear sights.

>>stock screws could also be working loose... even minor turns of the screw can have an impact on the accuracy.

>>the screw on the trigger guard holding the action must be tight at all times....this is often overlooked.

>>the barrel pivot screw should have the right torque. too tight and the barrel will not lock consistently in the same position. too loose and you will loose air pressure at the breach.

>>right choice of pellets has been highlighted by Briha and Bennedose.

>>straight out of the box, it always a good idea to run some patches through the bore to clear any dirt.

>>check the breach seal. if damaged the rifle not only drops in fps but also can cause deviation in poi.

>> faulty piston seal......but that would require you to strip the rifle !!

>>I do not use scopes so not qualified to comment.

these issues are an irritant , but one can not point these as critical issues pertaining to PH rifles. any air rifle.......choose any brand you wish......could have these minor issues out of the box.

[rupam]

Dear IFGians,

Many thanks for sharing all the knowledge and insights. I guess the only thing left for me is to go ahead and buy an PH AR. When I do, I will remember to share my layman's experience with you all. In the mean time I will keep watching this forum for more information and feedback. Many thanks ...........

[jatindra Singh Deo]

H Brihaji ,Mercury ,bennedose ...Many thanks for the elaborate response !!I apologise for the delay as had to travel back to kolkata to attend to a urgent official contingency . I presume the inacuraccy has developed due to some pertinent issue .I have been using mastershot export round and pointed pellets .I believe the rifle was farely accurate to start with but cannot say with abolute authority as didnt try it on target sheets but random plinking.At point of time felt something was wrong and arranged few sheets while I was at Talcher Rifle club ,where I have applied for a membership .As soon as I tried on the sheets ,the groups were 6 -7inches all over the sheet .

While I am at kolkata I will look for a box of allen keys .What bothers me is the rifle which seemed to be good with the scope has started misbehaving even with the scope .

I have a feeling as stated above by you ,there might be a issue with he seal which I will pick up from any hardware store .Can I know the ID-OD of the seal to ask for the right one .

[balaji hustler]

*** Posted in text speak / sms lingo - deleted by moderator ***