First I would like to say "Dat A Boy Crosman". With that said I had time this afternoon to break down the NPSS .177.
First is the stock. Personally I have never like any of the thumbhole stocks that I have shot. Reason being my thumb knuckle does not fit right. Very uncomfortable for me.
The rubber comb pad is a nice feature though. The stock weight is much heavier than any synthetic stock I have held in its class. On my NPSS the stock screws were securely
fastened to the point of aching hands after I got them out..
That is a good thing though. The stock feels well balanced once the scope is on.
The Centerpoint "4-9-40AO" scope is very nice that came with the gun. In fact I was a bit surprised at its feature with the lock down gimbals. This is another feature that
Crosman seems to be dealing well with. Selling a combo with a good scope. It is clear all the way up to 9 power. As some of you know I am not a Centerpoint or Leapers
fan..
, but outside of this Center Point being heavier than any of my 50AO scopes I own, it has good glass and a bargain at that.
The barrel is a bull barrel and on close inspection it looks like it can be removed. Did not try but you can see at the end of barrel you can use an allen wrench to turn the
end to remove it. I am not positive but that is what it looks like. The barrel is a steel barrel in the shroud, not a sleeve with plastic around it. Great quality there.
The barrel and breech has a common screw to hold and adjust the preloads. Another good quality and it all is steel and not plastic...
I checked the barrel with a swab and I
have to say it was very dirty with oil. So remember to always clean your new gun barrels before shooting them to get the factory goop out of there...
One other note is that Crosman has increased the size of the chisel wedge pin. I took a picture of it so you can check that out as well.
The NPSS is made right here in the USA. Lets hope Crosman keeps that up..
OK now for under the hood of the NPSS.
First off you really need a spring compressor to relieve the pressure from the gas ram. Right away I noticed that the action tube was much larger than any Crosman, Gamo,
Chinese etc. air gun's in its class. Once apart it was very apparent that the size of seal and piston were big. Seal measures roughly 1.1375". About the same O/D as a RWS
350 Magnum.
I had a chance to compare some of the parts from a Gamo that I exchanged the gas piston for a spring. Have had a few of these because of complaints that the Gamo with the
gas ram was way to harsh, and I tend to agree. The gas pistons are the same shaft diameter, but the Crsman gas ram is shorter than the one's I have taken out of the Gamo's..
I have heard the NPSS referred to as a short stroke air rifle... Here is where Crosman is way ahead. The piston itself is one machined part which ways in at about 16 oz. Very
heavy one piece piston but shorter than the Gamo piston which is just stamped metal and it is two piece affair. Crosman also machined a hole in bottom of piston so the gas
ram shaft would fit and not be able to move, unlike Gamo which they just use the standard piston. There are a few other details that make the Crosman NPSS a winner like the
rear adapter for ram to the inside diameter of action fit. Also Crosman has use a solid piece of steel for the rear block. What I have seen so far makes the NPSS a very
solid built air gun.
Three Main Improvements. The larger action tube. Then new design of the piston and it's weight factor. The over all weight of the gun makes for a great balanced shooter.
Just the weight itself will help with hold sensitivity. All around great build. I hope that Crosman keeps putting out guns built like the NPSS.
Chrony numbers. After the deburr and new lubes along with cleaning the barrel bore. I run about 40 pellets through her. Then set up on the chrony.. Respectively with JSB
Exacts "8.3 grn" she was pumping lead out at an average of 932 fps which calculates to just over 16 fpe. I only run 12 shots through the chrony but the overall deviation was
14fps. That is a good as some high end springers get..
I have taken some pictures so you can actually see some of the differences between the parts.
Next will be my review on CBT Trigger change. And when I have time I will take some target groups as well. I hope this answers some of your questions. Feel free to ask me
what ever comes to mind on this review that I may have forgot to put down.
Also I will be buying a new Trail NP but will have to wait until the .177's are released.
