Ruger Air hawk

[ironglow]

 I've had a Ruger Air Hawk for about a year now.  Shot it some when I first got it but have left it pretty much in the locker since then.  Reason ? I did not get a cleaning kit with it and have no oil for it.  From what I read in various places, air guns are very finicky about lubrication...one can oil too much or too little..use wrong oil etc.
  Is regular pneumatic oil used with pneumatic tools acceptable ?  Can the same oil use dfor the bore and moving parts be used to lube the piston ?
   Although I have many years experience with conventional firearms..air rifles are new to my experience.  Are there some common-sense tutorials available for this purpose ?  Can you offer some advice..especially for models which are very similar to my Ruger ?
 
                                                                                                                      Thanks; Ironglow

[keith44]

STOP!!!
 
Using any oil not specifically made for spring powered air rifles to lube the piston can damage the gun beyond repair.
 
Too much oil of any kind in the compression chamber will cause dieseling, which can by it self in extreme cases damage the piston, the seals, and has even contributed to swollen compression chambers, and broken main springs. 
 
Pneumatic oil is acceptable in CO2, and similar air rifles, but not springers.
 
Use a high quality, extreme temprature moly grease on the piston and mainspring.  The bore can be wiped with the pneumatic oil, but must be dried before firing, and do not allow any to enter the compression chamber.  A good gun oil can be used on all joints and the exterior.  The gun oil should also be kept out of the compression chamber, as well as away from all seals.
 

[ironglow]

  Thanks Keith;
   That helps a lot!  From what I understand, my Ruger may bne one of those whih has a compression chamber that should not be lubed...I'll have to dig up my manual.  How does it work that some chambers should not be lubed..is there some kind of a sealed deal where they are "lubed for life" ?  It still seems as if there must still be a seal which  the compression rod operates through..which would require lube..explain please..  Any help is appreciated.
 
   BTW: I got the Ruger equipped with a Ruger label scope.  The tru-glo style sights works so well for my applications, that I put the scope on another rimfire rifle, where it works very well..

[keith44]

Basically if you have a spring powered piston you should not lube the chamber, the extreme temp grease on the piston will provide the lube, and not cause problems.  Air rifles should not smoke during or after firing.

[ironglow]

Thanks Keith..   I had an old Baikal (cheapie) which I bought back in the 70s.  The instruction book was in Russian, so I treated it like kids used to treat their Daisys..slip some oil down the bore and dry-fire a couple times.  I realized later this was wrong and didn't want to make the same mistakes.  Thanks..

[keith44]

any time, have fun with it
 

[scout4]

ironglow, how do you like the airhawk? I've read several reviews on this gun and most were positive. Pyramydair.com has a very good video on the airhawk. You go to where the Ruger airguns are listed and click on the airhawk. Its worth the time. Thanks! scout4<><

[ironglow]

Scout;
  First,ii must admit this Ruger Airhawk is my first venture into a real air rifle, so there are some here better equipped to comment than I.
   I do like the Ruger however..it is accurate and is more like handling a centerfire than an air rifle of the past.  It comes with "Glo" sights..which work fine with me, even though thes eold eyes sometimes have trouble with regular 'irons'. I like the Glo sights so much that I transferred the Ruger label 4X scope to my H&R .22 mag barrel, where it works very well.
     My Airhawk is a .177..but Judging by my grandson's experience with his switch barrel Beeman..when hunting coon &  opposum, I would opt for the .22 cal for that usage.  The .177 is great for accuracy though..  Hope this helps..  Ironglow

[scout4]

Thank you for the reply ironglow. What pellets shoot the best out of it for you? Thanks! scout4<><

[ironglow]

  I have tried only 3 varieties so far...RWS Superpoint extra, Crosman Premier Hollowpoint and RWS Diabolo Basic.  Although all shoot very well and very close, my rifle seems to prefer the Crosmans.  Since they seem to be a better point for hunting, they may be my best choice.  All three produce groups which are very tight.

[scout4]

Thank you very much ironglow! Good shooting to you! scout4<><