Hello to all; this excerpt from my CD Old Airguns and Memories.
The Crosman M-180 .22 caliber and the M-187 .177 caliber were introduced in 1956 and discontinued in 1962, as best I can tell. These units were very compact, weighed only 4.0 lbs. and was 34 inches long, with an 18-inch barrel, standard type rear sight and powered by 1- 12gr. Co2 cartridge.
I obtained my 180/187 units in the 1980s and shot them often, they are delightful little Co2 Carbines, the 187 delivered using Crosman 7.9 grain pellets about 600+ fps for about 28-35 shots before the velocity declined, the 180 using 14.3 Crosman pellets delivered 550 fps for about 28 shots before velocity decline as I recall.
A few years ago, I heard about a guy in California who had available some 8-inch Co2 tube extensions for these units along with a 45-degree angle bulk fill connection that would allow one to convert these units to bulk fill Co2. I decided to order 2 of these and add some scopes using 'Ron Robinson" clamp on scope mounts (excellent mounts) purchased two, 2x7x32 AO scopes and the custom upgrade began.
After a complete rebuild internally and installation of the upgrades mentioned, (NOTE the barrel band must be moved forward to support the ext. tube) I wound up with two accurate short compact powerful C02 Rifles. The weight of the rifles increased to 5 lbs. 8 ounces afterward, but that assisted in off-hand shooting in my opinion, but they still had the compact AOL of 34 inches as a bonus an increase in both shot count and velocity was observed.
The 180 moved to 600+ fps for 40-45 usable shots and the 187 up to 650 fps for 50-60 usable shots. This was with a 1.5 - 1.75-ounce Co2 fill. The most accurate pellets were the JSB Exacts in both rifles, 187 capable of .660" with a 5 shot center to center and the 180 with a five shot had a .985" center to center grouping at 25 yards.
The effort was well worth it in my opinion, two of my favorite old Crosman's in my collection.
Garey
Sorry bout bad photos , trying to correct that !
I have a 187 that I got from OldAir at Findlay a few years ago. It has the most highly figured elm stock I've ever seen, just stunning. Mine has the newer trigger with the safety in the trigger guard. I swapped the transfer port with ice-maker tubing, and added a dual-cart gas tube from a Crosman 400. It wears a 2MOA red dot on a short piece of Weaver rail attached with the rear sight screw.
Really fun little gun!
I added a scope base I made to a 160 in a similar way but added some epoxy for more support. It's been on there 30 years and so nice to have a scope on it. And it looks proper as well.
Piece of a plastic weaver rail that came as packaging from a Walmart scope. With some file work, I was able to contour it to fit the barrel like a glove. The single sight screw holds it all together perfectly, and I can restore it to original any time.
@jim_in_pgh and others;
Must say, some very innovative folks and their
C180/187 rifles , keep em coming !!!!!!!
Garey
Jim,
That is a beautiful configured stock !!!
Thanks for the photo.
garey
I added new photos hopefully they are a bit clearer.
