Farco 0.51" Air Shotgun

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

I managed to fulfill an adolescent dream, now the proud owner of a Farco Air Shotgun:

Full album on Imgur



It's made for CO2 but I've been testing it with compressed air using a cheap and cheerful Chinese three stage PCP pump, it takes about 60 strokes to fill the chamber to 1000 psi, and around 15 strokes after each shot to bring it back up to pressure. Not the most efficiently designed airgun by a long shot but extremely fun to shoot, hope to be able to try it out at longer ranges and a bigger variety of loads in the near future.

edit: I originally called it the "Model 470" because of the number marked on the breech, however after seeing this video with a similar rifle marked 424, that's probably the serial number.

[Cthulhu]

That's a beauty!
Where did you find it?

If you're having trouble finding CO2, I'm sure you could figure out some adapters to fill it from a large paintball tank

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Where did you find it?

It came up for sale on a forum and I snapped it up. I believe it was originally sold here.

If you're having trouble finding CO2, I'm sure you could figure out some adapters to fill it from a large paintball tank

I have bulk CO2 on tap but prefer to use air, more consistent even if it isn't as dense as a power source.

[hectmarr]

I really like this weapon. It charges exactly the same as my standalone hybrid. Shoot pellets? What size are they? Apart from this, if you shoot it with air, you will greatly improve the physical state

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Shoot pellets? What size are they?

Much like a spudgun, anything that fits in the barrel becomes an option

I tried 8 x 0.177" BBs at 50 feet fired at a soda can, they patterned nicely in a 1 foot square and did not lack power, punching straight through 1/4" thick fiberboard - but the can was untouched. Definitely a short range weapon without a choke. Same target at the same range with 30 x #4 shot (about 1/8" diameter) resulting in a similar spread and only three hits on the can.

I also tried a 3/8" steel bearing, punched straight through a 1mm thick mild steel sheet and went on to penetrate 1/4" thick fiberboard 30 feet behind it.

Apart from this, if you shoot it with air, you will greatly improve the physical state

Aside from better velocity because of the reduced density, air is definitely nicer to the seals than CO2.

[hectmarr]

Cute gun like I said before and with air must work very well. You have awakened in me very keen to manufacture a shotgun but with gas and air 8) I have a lot of 3/16 "steel balls without knowing what to use.

[Cthulhu]

What kind of valve does this use?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

You have awakened in me very keen to manufacture a shotgun but with gas and air

Shotguns are definitely fun if you have the power. The power of a single slug is divided by multiple projectiles, so you need to start with a high number to make it worthwhile. With hybrids, power is not usually an issue

What kind of valve does this use?

Hammer valve just like most commercial airguns. One day I'll take it apart and do some detail photos.

[Anatine Duo]

that's definitely on my adolescent dream list

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

that's definitely on my adolescent dream list

One of the few adolescent dreams I can actually share in polite company

[Brian the brain]

Me likey.. How about putting a partially balanced valve in this one aye. Like you did with the Crosman pistol?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Me likey..

I'm surprised, it has a 30 inch barrel definitely your style of build though!

How about putting a partially balanced valve in this one aye. Like you did with the Crosman pistol?

I have something similar in the pipeline, but it has value as a collectible so I'm not really inclined to modify it.

[Air2theBrain]

I'm in love with this...