Thursday, November 10, 2005
Copy Cats
I have been working on my HW97 triggers over the past couple weeks. I found a nice diagram of the trigger unit on-line a few weeks ago and after studying it for a few minutes, I decided that I needed to readjust my triggers a bit. Understanding how the Rekord trigger unit works helps to adjust it properly to eliminate any second stage creep and make the pull almost unnoticeable.
Last night I remembered that I had a copy of Tom Gaylord’s R1 book and I thought I remembered it having a picture of the Venom Mach 1 trigger unit in it. So I dug it out of the bookcase and looked for the picture. I remembered that it had more adjustments to it and that it was match quality. I found the picture and studied it for a while. Then it suddenly dawned on me that I had seen a picture of this trigger unit before. I went to my website and under the general information link I have an article by Cliff Smith on how to adjust the TX200 trigger. I pulled up the article and sure enough, there was a diagram of the TX200 trigger unit and it was almost and exact copy of the Mach1! The only real difference I could see is that the Mach1 had a blade position screw in the front part of the unit and an over-travel stop screw right next to the pull weight adjustment screw.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, Air Arms has copied many things over the years from other companies, many time improving on them as they incorporate them into their products. Just look at the ProTarget & EV2 rifles, they are basic copies of the FWB600 series rifles with Air Arms engineering added for higher power. I suppose it is rather smart business strategy to use as much existing technology as is available rather than re-invent the wheel. Air Arms has been very successful with this strategy.
The TX200 is a great case in point, Air Arms started with the successful HW77 base design and added several improvements to make a very successful rifle. The trigger is one of the best parts of the rifle, in my opinion, and now I know why. They say the imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I guess Ivan Hancock and Venom Arms should be flattered!
Last night I remembered that I had a copy of Tom Gaylord’s R1 book and I thought I remembered it having a picture of the Venom Mach 1 trigger unit in it. So I dug it out of the bookcase and looked for the picture. I remembered that it had more adjustments to it and that it was match quality. I found the picture and studied it for a while. Then it suddenly dawned on me that I had seen a picture of this trigger unit before. I went to my website and under the general information link I have an article by Cliff Smith on how to adjust the TX200 trigger. I pulled up the article and sure enough, there was a diagram of the TX200 trigger unit and it was almost and exact copy of the Mach1! The only real difference I could see is that the Mach1 had a blade position screw in the front part of the unit and an over-travel stop screw right next to the pull weight adjustment screw.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, Air Arms has copied many things over the years from other companies, many time improving on them as they incorporate them into their products. Just look at the ProTarget & EV2 rifles, they are basic copies of the FWB600 series rifles with Air Arms engineering added for higher power. I suppose it is rather smart business strategy to use as much existing technology as is available rather than re-invent the wheel. Air Arms has been very successful with this strategy.
The TX200 is a great case in point, Air Arms started with the successful HW77 base design and added several improvements to make a very successful rifle. The trigger is one of the best parts of the rifle, in my opinion, and now I know why. They say the imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I guess Ivan Hancock and Venom Arms should be flattered!
