Crosman Phantom 500 Disassembly guide

By
losttourist

Hello
I’d like to start by stating that this was my first attempt at tuning an air rifle. I used a combination of guides found online from various sources including Charlie da tuna and information from several air gun discussion groups. I decided to make a guide specifically for the Crosman Phantom 500 .22 cal air rifle since there were none to be found at this time.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage done to you or your air rifle thru the use of this document. It is strictly a guide. Your results will vary depending on your own abilities.
That said if you take it slow and work methodically you should be able to achieve successful results.

First things first: Make sure the rifle is uncocked! The safety should be on as well.
Now onto the tear down.
1: Remove the 2 forward stock screws and washers.
2: Remove the 1 screw behind the trigger.
3: Remove the receiver from the stock.

4: Break the barrel free but do not cock it! Remove the barrel block pivot bolt to separate it from the receiver forks.

5:Separate the sliding block from away from the receiver.

6: Next you have to unhook the sliding block spring from the trigger block. Unhook it at the front leaving it hooked at the back on the trigger block. You can now remove the e clip as well.

7: Now remove the trigger block retention screw, I used a pair of vice grips.

8: Next comes the removal of the lock pin. When this is removed the spring will be released. This could pose a risk of injury. It is recommended that you use a spring compressor prior to completely punching out the lock pin. I did a really fast spring compressor for this job. Alternately for the disassembly part of the gun you can do this step without a compressor by butting the flat part of the end cap against a bench while pushing the receiver against it with force.
Then punch out the lock pin with a wooden dowel or a screw driver and a mallet. Once the pin is out while still retaining pressure on the receiver, pull out the dowel or screwdriver now in the hole. Slowly back off the pressure as the spring pushes out the end cap. Voila!

Similarly when putting it all back together you can try to do it the same way without a compressor just in reverse order. However putting it back is a little more difficult as you have to line it up right and put the lock pin back in. If you decide to put in a new stronger spring it will prove even more difficult without a compressor. It is your choice how you proceed.
9:Now you can remove the rear spring guide followed by the spring.

10:Remove the trigger block from the receiver.

11:Take the tophat off then pull the piston out using a screwdriver thru the slot of the receiver. My tophat did not fall out on its own. Seems there was some corrosion keeping it stuck in the piston. I sanded her down smooth before reassembly. (the above diagram is taken from a web source)

Congratulations ! You have now disassembled your Crosman Phantom 500 ! To reassemble your air rifle is basically the reverse of what you have done. Take care when you put back your piston. Make sure it is lubed lightly with silicone oil or dielectric grease on the seal and moly grease on the outside of the piston. (Not the seal) Align the long slot of the piston with the long slot of the receiver. You can use a dowel to push the piston all the way into the receiver.

Now that you have successfully taken apart your air rifle you can do a tune. Which may include upgrades such as springs or piston change that’s up to you. Tuning is another guide which you should be able to find online. A basic lube tune involves getting rid of the factory lubes some sanding etc. In my tune I replaced the 500 piston with a Phantom 1000 piston. I kept the original spring. I cleaned all the parts, sanded the spring ends and any rough spots I found on the receiver slots etc. Lubed it lightly with moly grease. My phantom is now a smooth firing powerhouse, and no factory twannnnggg!!

I hope this guide has helped you Phantom owners.
Happy airgunning!

losttourist