MY DAISY MATCH GRADE 753S
PART TWO - TROUBLE IN PARADISE

I had been shooting my 753 rifle about a month and a half when I started to notice vertical stringing of my groups. I applied oil to the pump wiper and shot several cleaning pellets through the barrel, but there was no significant improvement. A couple of times the rifle didn't fire, but shot the pellet when pumped again. Then it happened: PFFFT every time I pumped the gun. It was definitely leaking.

I decided that before contacting Daisy I would take the action out of the stock and see if there was anything obvious I could easily remedy. These rifles are easy to work on for someone with mechanical aptitude, and parts are readily available and inexpensive.

I found the seal between the compression tube and the receiver had been pinched on assembly and it finally blew out. I viewed YouTube videos on rebuilding the 753 type air rifles. I also read up on the various O-Ring materials and their applications. I made a quick trip to Home Depot and purchased a small set of O-Rings. These included the ones commonly used to rebuild/maintain the 753 rifles heavily used in shooting programs and clubs. I also bought a factory seal set to keep on hand because the kit includes a replacement air discharge valve, spring, and retainer.

- Seals -

While I was at it I did a simple trigger job by lightly smoothing the sear and hammer contact surfaces. I also replaced the factory sear return spring (part #22) with a lighter one, reducing the factory 3.75# pull to a 2.25# pull. The rifle passed harsh bump testing.

- Sear spring closeup -

The following is an excerpt from my rifle notes:

Addendum 2 - Sear Return Spring
Part #22 in Factory Parts View

Factory trigger pull = 3.75#
Custom spring trigger pull = 2.25#

Spring Specs:
Wire: Factory = 0.0195" Custom = 0.0160"
Outside Diam: Factory = 0.2000" Custom = 0.1930"
Number Coils: Factory = 7 Custom = 5

After I cleaned all the parts I reassembled the rifle using Crosman Pellgun Oil, which is safe for the seals. I also use on-detergent motor oil, which is safe, and recommended by Daisy for some of their other pump guns. The small white bottle in the picture contains motor oil.

- Airgun oils -

I shot the rifle enough to distribute the assembly oil and start shooting consistently. Groups were again tight. I chronographed pellet velocity and it was like new. I also did a 5 minute leak-down test and the rifle held air pressure. The following is an excerpt from my rifle notes:

08/27/2024: Replaced blown valve group o-ring with Danco #14
Rifle cleaned and lubed like new - 100+ shots
Performance tests:
Sig Air Match 7.82gr pellets (10)
Hi = 505.3 f/s
Lo = 499.0 f/s
Av = 502.0 f/s
Spread = 6.3 f/s
Std Dev = 2.3 f/s
5min bleed-down test = 503.2 f/s

The standard deviation is now half of what it was when the rifle was factory new.
___

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

PARTS DIAGRAM: The parts diagram in the Daisy 753S Owner's Manual is a PITA to use because the front half is on one page and the rear half is on the next page. I made this one page diagram out of the two pages in the manual.

- One page Daisy 753 parts diagram I made -

BARREL/FRAME SPACER: There may or may not be a small plastic spacer between the barrel and frame, which falls out on disassembly. I had a really hard time finding information about this spacer.

- Barrel/Frame spacer -

The surface with the tighter radius goes toward the barrel, and the larger radius toward the frame. It is installed between the barrel and frame in front of the section where the frame diameter increases.

- Spacer and assembly location -

I tested my rifle with and without the spacer and found it shot better without it.

FOREARM ASSEMBLY SCREW & NUT: When assembling the action in the stock pay attention to the orientation of the front screw and nut, parts 10 and 34. These will only go on as shown in the parts diagram. If you install them on the opposing sides the head of the nut (34) will not be flush in the stock.

- Forend screw and nut assembly orientation -

 

MY DAISY MATCH GRADE 753S
PART THREE - AIR RIFLE BLISS

Now that my Daisy 753 has been restored to peak performance I have resumed target shooting. I set up my 10M target early in the morning and try to finish before the sun comes up over my neighbor's house. Once the sun is up it starts to get really hot, which takes all the fun out of shooting.

- View of target from 10M line -

I have an old archery foam target that stops lower velocity pellets. I tape targets to a piece of cardboard and mount that to the archery block with four nails.

- Target -

I measured off 34 feet from the target wall and painted a 10M line on the patio floor. I know 10M = 33 feet. The extra foot is for the target thickness.

- Rifle with weed whacker line 'safe rifle' indicator and pellets -

I like to use the RFC 10 shot benchrest target. The only change I made was to indicate 10M on the target header. I print these in blue because it is the best color that works for me. Needless to say, I'm going through a lot of blue ink.

- Slightly modded RFC target I like to use at 10M -

Eventually the archery block is going to wear out and I will need a replacement pellet trap. I have read and watched videos about using rubber mulch pellet traps and made a test trap out of cardboard. It's 3 inches thick and has stopped hundreds of pellets so far, including many heavy pellets shot at high velocity.

- Old foam archery block (L) and my rubber mulch test target (R) -

With the success I had with the test mulch trap I'm eventually going to make one out of a cat litter box. The litter box is heavy duty and is large enough to comfortably hold my printed targets, plus it has a carry handle built in. My cats make sure I have a good supply of boxes.

 

MY DAISY MATCH GRADE 753S
PART FOUR - THE SHOOTING SLING

The Daisy 753S comes complete with a match sling and all attachment hardware. It's a decent sling and perfectly usable for its intended purpose.

- Daisy box label image showing sling -

I tried using the sling and it just wasn't working for me. I really wanted a conventional shooting sling but the stock had no rear sling swivel stud. I gave the stud installation a lot of thought, wanting to do the job right the first time.

There are two 2 3/8 inch #8x32 screws that hold the buttplate and spacers to the stock. The holes in the stock are 3 inches deep with 1 inch long brass threaded inserts.

There is plenty of meat in the stock to hold a sling swivel stud. I found one in my parts box with a 3/4 inch long threaded shank. I wanted to install the stud 2 1/2 inches from the rear of the stock. The stud thread is long enough to come out inside the hollow space in the stock, grabbing plenty of stock material.

I used a pilot drill with a shank almost the same diameter as the widest point on the stud. I drilled deep enough to make a shallow countersink with the pilot bit, finishing with a conventional bit. When installing the stud I recessed a white plastic washer in the hole.

- My sling stud installation closeup -

The buttplate screws just barely miss the sling swivel stud when no spacers are used. If the screws were too long it would be a simple matter of finding shorter screws if I ever want to shorten the length of pull.

- Lower buttplate factory screw fully tightened at shortest length of pull -

The 753 rifle comes with a front sling bracket that attaches to the pump handle. The handle has a slight taper at the front toward the hinge point. I made sure I was behind the taper when installing my bracket for the most secure hold possible. I used a locking nut to make sure the bracket screw would not loosen.

- Front sling bracket installation closeup -

The sling I'm using is a Magpul MS1, which can be configured several different ways. It has an adjustment slider that is easy to use and stays put. It's also a very comfortable sling. The MS1 is probably the best sling I have ever used. Unlike the supplied match sling, it's easy to get my arm in and out of the sling when working the pump lever for every shot.

- Rifle with Magpul MS1 sling installed -

I'm very happy with this air rifle. It's easy to use and rewards me with incredible accuracy, provided I do my part.

 

MY DAISY MATCH GRADE 753S
PART FIVE - THE PELLETS

Like I do with all of my rimfires and airguns, I tested a variety of pellets in the 753. The Sig Air Match wadcutter pellets were the best out of all the pellets I tried, shooting the tightest groups as well as the ease of loading - YMMV.

Lately I have been reading and watching videos about washing and lubing pellets. What got my attention was the ammount of swarf and other contaminants that were being removed from pellets in some of the videos, including some well known brands.

I had to try it. All tests were done with the Sig Air Match pellets, same lot number, chronographing 10 shots. I will spare you of all the mundane details, simply posting the chronograph data, which speaks for itself.

New rifle data 07/11/2024:
Hi = 519.4 f/s
Lo = 508.2 f/s
Av = 512.6 f/s
Spread = 11.2 f/s
Std Dev = 4.6 f/s

Post repair data 08/27/2024:
Hi = 505.3 f/s
Lo = 499.0 f/s
Av = 502.0 f/s
Spread = 6.3 f/s
Std Dev = 2.3 f/s

Washed & lubed pellets 09/22/2024:
Hi = 507.6 f/s
Lo = 485.3 f/s
Av = 491.1 f/s
Spread = 22.3 f/s
Std Dev = 6.9 f/s

Looking at the data, it does not support any cleaning and lubing benefits in my tests. I also noticed that even though groups were acceptable, there were a few shots that hit a little farther out compared to pellets straight out of the tin. Initially I thought it was me.

The match pellets I'm using are well finished and clean, and shoot well as they come from the manufacturer. I'm glad I tried cleaning and lubing pellets to see the results for myself. As always - YMMV.

 

Excellent post!!
Thank you very much for the write-up. One of these is on my radar. What do you think of the synthetic stock? Would you prefer wood if one was available?

 

Regular wood stocks can be pretty and have a nicer 'wood' feel, but can have issues in the high humidity and heat in the tropics. I'm not crazy about synthetic stocks, but I prefer good ones because of their stability and care free nature. If I lived in a cold climate I would probably opt for a wood stock if shooting outdoors.

The synthetic stock on the 753 is a good design as it comes from the factory, which is primarily intended for Sporter Class CMP competition. I have no problem shooting standing/sitting/prone with the stock and find it comfortable to use. It is a pretty solid and rigid stock, and the carefree nature let's me concentrate on shooting.

Daisy dropped the wood stock 753W in favor of the synthetic stock 753S. They haven't been available for a few years.

 

I shot this target earlier this morning @ 10M Sitting position.

Targets 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 give a pretty good idea of the potential this rifle has.
The other targets give a pretty good (bad?) idea of my potential.
Actually, not bad for a 70yr old.

 

what a great write up. I have been on the fence about getting a 753s. I have been shooting my CMP 853 for about 13 years now and i was thinking i owe myself a new 753. I think this article just helped me make up my mind . thanks again.

 

Well done report!

 

👍👍👍👍👍👍

 

I wanted to see just how accurate my 753 is. I put a scope on it and got it on target at 10 Meters. I took 10 shots standing offhand, resting my forearm hand against the house wall. Nine of the shots went through the same tight hole. Of course, I buggered one shot just to prove to myself I'm human. I couldn't post a picture because it started raining hard again (pesky hurricanes) and the target got soaked, leaving nothing to scan. If I don't pinwheel the X it's on me, not the rifle or pellets.

I took the scope off. The scope gets in the way of the loading port, making it really hard to get a pellet in the gun. I prefer shooting this rifle with the match sights anyway, finding it more fun and challenging.

 

UPDATE 12/20/2024

I had a very interesting experience this morning shooting my rifle. I set up at dawn in my backyard as I usually do, but this morning it was extremely humid and foggy. I was shooting the 10 Meter A-17 air rifle targets using my Sig Air Match wadcutter pellets, which are normally tack-drivers. This morning the rifle was shooting horribly, with a blast of vapor and mist coming out the muzzle with every shot. I knew it was the conditions affecting the shots. On a whim I decided to try the H&N Excite economy domed pellets. I was surprised, almost shocked, to see these pellets shoot as well as they did.

Funny how much the weather affected the shooting. Now I'm thinking I want to try some of the better H&N match pellets. The rabbit hole gets deeper.

 

Darn! Fog! One more thing to worry about.

 

Where did you get your mini lathe..?

 

I bought it from Harbor Freight in 1988. I did a Google search for MINI-LATHE and was surprised by what is available today.

 

Sherline is USA made and very nice, though small. I have their deluxe vert mill and would like the lathe, but my big 12x36 can do small work too.

 

I've been reading reviews of the new China made mini lathes and they haven't been real good.
Looking for older lathes like craftsman and south bend

 

12/31/2024: This morning conditions were near perfect, with no wind and mild South Florida temperature. I shot two unofficial A-17 10Meter air rifle targets offhand using the Daisy 753S with Globe/Diopter sights, and a sling. I recently switched from the 3.8mm front sight insert to the smaller 2.6mm insert, which I believe helped add a couple of points to my totals on this target.

I'm pretty happy with the scores, especially at my age and the recent health issues I'm dealing with.

 

@Ed D How do use a sling when shooting offhand?

 

Well done Ed, keep it up!
Ive been plagued with vertigo/dizziness for 3 months now, maybe a mild ischemic stroke?.....just tried some offhand .22lr last week (which I used to be more than a little decent at) at only 25yd and I was all over a paper plate and lost a few Very discouraging; all these nice rigs.......
Maybe I will still be ok for some bench

 

What is "offhand"?

 

From Google, for the benefit of shooters that may not know:

Offhand target shooting, also known as standing unsupported, is a shooting position that requires a stable stance, good breathing control, and consistent grip and trigger control. It's considered the least steady and accurate shooting position...

Offhand shooting is challenging and I'm still able to hold my rifle steady. Unfortunately, at this point in my life, the only other shooting position I can practice is sitting with some difficulty. I haven't been able to shoot kneeling for a few years. Prone, which I was good at, may now be out of the question.

Gcrank, I hope you recover from the vertigo/dizziness soon.

 

Offhand is often misspelled. It's proper spelling is " Awful Hand "

 

@gnm I'm not sure I can adequately describe it, but see the section on the Hasty Sling in the Texas Hunter's Ed website, especially the last two pictures in that section:

Rifle Shooting Positions — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

tpwd.texas.gov

I tried the match sling that came with the rifle and it wasn't working for me, especially when trying to shoot and work the pump lever. With the way I use the two point sling I can easily get my arm in and out of the sling to work the pump lever. I don't grasp the forend with my hand, like shown in the website pictures, instead letting the forend rest on my open hand similar to a high-power shooter. I have been using slings this way since I was a teenager.

 

Thanks. I tried using the match sling that came with my 853 without success. I'll see if I can also attach a 2-point sling to it.

In our RFC offhand match, I was told that sling is not used offhand. So I am still a bit confused about the subject. Maybe it's because the rules for offhand matches or offhand position in 3p/4p prohibit it?

 

RFC offhand match, I was told that sling is not used offhand

As Ed posted, slings, shooting coats, gloves and shoes can be used.

 

@gnm: If you are shooting the RFC Short Range Match, started by David Valdina, in his post #1, paragraphs 3 and 4 state:

Match rules: 10 shots from a standing position, with or without slings, with iron sights or scopes, any air rifle or air pistol ok. Distance is 33 feet. The targets we use for these matches are the NRA Official 50 FT. Small Bore Rifle Target, A-17, and the U.S. Army Official 50 FT Small Bore Rifle Target, both being the same target as to size, ring spacing and number of bulls per target. One sighter bull and ten record bulls. The NRA Official 50 FT. Junior Target, TQ-1/5 which has 5 bulls can also be used. These targets for rifle and pistol and all shot standing at 33 feet.

So far there has not been any real difference between scoped and iron sight rifles, so shoot what you want. I will take the top score per shooter per rifle or pistol for the monthly compilation. First posted in time gets ahead of later posts in the event of identical scores. I do NOT know the make and model of all rifles and pistols, so if you are using a pistol, be sure to identify it as such. This is all to be very laid back and fun. We compete against ourselves with the aim, pun intended, to become better.

 

At this point in my life I want to keep my shooting as casual as possible.

Casual backyard target shooting

I enjoy the online airgun matches because I can shoot them at my leisure at home. The only in person match I enjoy is Steel Challenge, Rimfire Pistol Open, Distinguished Senior.

 

UPDATE 01/21/2025: I recently reduced the sear/hammer engagement for less trigger creep, while maintaining enough to pass bump testing. Although there is some creep to ensure safe engagement the pull feels smooth and crisp. I haven't measured the trigger pull, but I'm sure it's still around 2lb to 2.25lb, where I like it for unsupported target shooting.

I also went back to the 3.8mm front insert. The 2.6mm insert turned out to be a little too small for me to get good, consistent sight alignment.

Anyway, I shot the A-17 target this morning and was very pleased with the results:

My first shot was at the sighter target. When I looked at it I knew this one was going to be a good one!

I have a scoring plug on the way. If the 7 on the last row turns out to be an 8 I will correct it.