It's easier to lower velocity with a regulator than by changing springs. So you might want to set your springs to shoot a bit higher than your target velocity and then adjust with the regulator. However, don't set your spring-based velocity too high, or it'll put unnecessary stress on your exhaust valve and valve spring.
Changing the output pressure of the regulator changes the gun's shooting velocity. A higher output pressure results in higher velocity, and a lower output pressure lowers velocity. However, a regulator cannot increase output pressure higher than the gas pressure coming from your CO^2 / nitrogen bottle.
Furthermore, when you lower your regulator's output pressure, it DOES NOT immediately result in a lower velocity. You need to reset the pressure in the regulator by firing 3 to 5 shots.
This is because even though you've changed the tension on the spring which controls the pressure in the regulator, gas is already in the gun at the original higher pressure. You have to release this gas pressure by shooting your gun until the pressure in your gun goes down to your regulator's new lower pressure setting.
Why 3 to 5 shots? Well, your Sterling pump gun (especially with the bottom line) can still hold quite a bit of gas. If you're curious, gas up your gun with the regulator installed, then (turn off or) disconnect your CO^2 / nitrogen gas bottle. Now fire your gun (goggles on and in a safe area) and count the number of shots. Can be quite a few, eh?
Don't use a regulator if you plan to power your Sterling on liquid CO^2.
Make sure that the regulator you buy is designed for the gas you'll be using (CO^2 or nitrogen/HPA).
To learn more about how regulators work, check out these sites:
See the Upgrades section if you're planning to buy a regulator.Go
back to top of Velocity Adjustment section