Tech Force TF-99 Chinese built, .22 cal. air gun.
It was incredibly nice out today, so I figured to try tuning in the TF-99 again. I must have fired 50 to 75 rounds, before the lights went on. I was shooting only one style pellet, the Crossman 625 Domes, at 25 and 40 feet. At 25 ft, I could keep them somewhere in the outer circles of the bullseye, but they were all over the place. At 40 feet, I had trouble even hitting the paper. I was about ready to toss the TF-99 in the river! Regardless of what I did, it always shot low, and with about an 8 inch spead at 25 feet. I had no idea where the shots were going to print on the target. RIDICULUS!
I finally noticed that the Tech Force 3×12 scope that came with the gun, was starting to have problems. I knew it was a cheap scope, but it has incredibily clear optics. Unfortunately, as I was to find out, It does not hold a point of aim. First the rear bell of the scope loosened up, (again). I’d had this problem once before, and lock tighted it. (obviously didn’t help). Then the up/down adjustment just fell off!!
Next step was to pull the derned thing off the gun and re setup the iron sights, (also pretty cheap, but servicable). Within about 6 shots, I had the iron sights (plastic actually) lined up and was shooting 2.5 in groups at 25 feet and 3 inch groups at 40 feet. (shot from an unrested sitting postion).
I’m starting to feel a little better about the accuracy of the actual gun, and am looking forward to shooting it from a “Lead Sled” to see what kind of groups it’s capable of.
The Tech Force scope (POS) is a different story. It’s really a shame that they can build a scope with optics so clear, but can’t get it to hold it’s point of aim from shot to shot. I’ll shoot it a bit more with the iron sights, and if the accuracy holds up, maybe I’ll invest in a “working” scope for it. (you can be assured it won’t be a Tech Force branded scope!)
Bottom LIne: I suppose I would have saved myself a lot of time, had I gone the the RWS air gun. I don’t expect to ever get tack driving accuracy out the the TF-99, but it’s starting to look like I may be able to mold it into a fairly good plinker and pest gun.
One bright thought out of this whole episode was:
If we ever get into a shooting war with the people building these Tech Force sighting systems, all we’d have to do is stay 50 feet or so away from them, and our soldiers wouldn’t be in any danger at all.
~~GB