Custom work

The custom work I do includes barrel profiling to allow the use of longer or different calibre barrels to be used, barrel threading for sound moderator attachment, barrel crowning, jewelling of components (pics 1, 2, 3, 4), the valve body "O" ring mod, and recently breech work to convert the vertical cocking knob to a left or right hand side arrangement.

If the standard barrel is replaced with a longer one, a new end cap is generally required. I make these in aluminium in various designs, with a small annulus clearance around the barrel.

All my barrels are mirror polished after profiling to ensure minimal fictional losses in the working kinetic areas, which also aids shot consistency.

The safety release can also be improved both aesthetically and in function. For this latter modification, the mechanism remains the same, but I replace the little red plastic tip with a brass blade. This looks and feels much nicer than the standard offering.

The Stealth valve body machining for “O”ring groove is a fairly new technique originally suggested I believe by Ger on the Dutch Talon forum.

"O"ring mods have of course been around for a while, and in the early days these were to be found on the underside of the top hat. Not a very good arrangement, as this only momentarily sealed the escaping air during part of the air transfer phase.

The "O"ring on the valve stem however, is much more efficient, as it seals and prevents air escape throughout the whole of the valve open-close cycle.

For this I prepare an undercut groove in the valve body to accept an "O"ring. This slides on the polished valve stem and provides a sliding seal which substantially reduces the escape of air between the stem and valve body on firing. This very significantly quietens the shot, saves a remarkable amount of air giving more shots per bottle fill charge, and makes the discharge at the breech a much more pleasant experience, while protecting your ear drum which is very close to the valve.

Additionally, by reducing that almost subliminal flinch reaction on trigger sear release, concentration is better, giving improved follow through accuracy.

Another exciting mod that I do has come about just recently after some discourse on the Talon forum. http://www.talonownersgroup.com/

This is a major modification to replace the top cocking knob with a side cocking arrangement. 

For this I mill a side slot in the frame to accept a new breech slide handle or knob.  (This isn't ambidextrous like the standard arrangement, so needs to be user specified).

The existing hole in the breech slide is filled with a stainless steel stud, which runs in the original slot. A new stainless steel handle is positioned at the side to run in the new slot, so the breech slide has guidance in two channels.

Both the Stud and the side knob have undergone a redesign recently. The top Stud is now smaller and lighter, and the side knob now has a raised portion which mates with the new slot. After assembly this becomes captive in the slot which stops it being accidentally rotated in use. The extended base also resists twisting forces, giving better stability and strength.

The side cocking arrangement is a very significant improvement and feels absolutely wonderful, particularly when used in conjunction with the cocking block I have invented.

This aluminium block sits on the underside of the frame just rear of the forend, which needs a slight adjustment to accommodate it, and offers a position for the index finger to rest, allowing the breech slide to be cocked between thumb and forefinger. This now makes single-handed cocking a reality and is a very comfortable secondary position for carrying the gun.