calibre change rapid mk1

[kennyboy]

Hi Guys. Advice please. What tools do I need to change barrel and probes on a rapid mk1? Serial number starts 00279. going from .22 to .177. Have got barrel and both probes (DR BOB)  for conversion. Barrel swap seems easy enough, but the probes seem more complicated.  Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated, but please remember this is my first solo attempt.  I would like to be able to diy it, but if all else fails KEV G is only thirty mins away. Kev gets into a Rapid faster than anybody I know, he could do this wearing boxing gloves and a welding mask I am certain, but everybody has to start somewhere. Thanks Ken.

[Squinty]

Earlier Rapid 7 ?   serial number 00279x not 0279xx ??

Imperial Allen keys, probably only 3 sizes... you can never tell tho. ,
front trigger guard bolt and hammer spring cap 3/16
rear trigger bolt and barrel clamp 5/32
barrel location grub and cocking dog 3/32 or 7/64

Draper Mechanics long reach set from toolstation is pefect as you need a longer one to get the cocking dog off the bolt.

circlip pliers... . for the probe.

and that's all of the tools you need.

[KCE]

Some good info squinty.
Thank you much appreciated.
Regards kev.

[KevG]

also you will need to mod the bottle adapter if going from .22 calibre to .177.yours may or may not have a cross pin running through were the bearing thread relief is.if so drive it out.if no pin but solid thread relief you will need to drill a 4mm hole through both sides.
KevG

[Squinty]

cheers

although if the bolt has been updated in it's lifetime to the later adjustable type...could be a mixture of imperial and metric...
Joys of sourcing imperial screws in a metric world ?

dog' bolt - metric or imperial
locking grub...any of three... 2x imp, 1x metric
adjustment grub almost definitely  imperial as it has a  2ba pitch but...3/32....7/64 ?

[kennyboy]

Just re-checked serial number, it is 00279##. My other Rapids only have a six figure serial, where as this one has seven. Could it be an error from when the action was stamped as the last two numbers are the same? I have no idea has anyone else? Thanks Ken.

[KevG]

7 digits were the sub standard blocks that left the factory.
KevG

[kennyboy]

Hi Kev. Does that mean it is not safe to use? It shoots well and is accurate but if its unsafe I`ll just strip it for spares for my other rifles. Never realised Theobens released substandard units. Thanks Ken.

[KevG]

Hi Kev. Does that mean it is not safe to use? It shoots well and is accurate but if its unsafe I`ll just strip it for spares for my other rifles. Never realised Theobens released substandard units. Thanks Ken.

sorry for the confusion Kenny m8.i was just jesting.
KevG

[kennyboy]

Hi Kev. After reading how complicated changing the bolt is going to be, I have a feeling that you are going to be seeing the action first hand. I`m considering one of your regs and a quick fill for it too. Any thoughts on which quick fill will be best suited?  Even though it`s shooting fine I would like to have it checked as I intend to make it a bit of a project rifle, now I know it`s not a substandard block. Thanks Ken.