Benjamin 397P Phase 1

[MartynB]

I still have the original Beeman box, just not the scope

Will have a look around as sure I should have a bag with spacers but if found earmarked for Colin G

[jirushi]

Personally I think 4x20 scopes look best on an Innova.
However, I find it much much nicer to shoot with a 4x40 scope.
The Nikko Stirling 4x20 has milky glass.
The (period) Tasco 4x40 has very nice glass. Such a difference. I can finally see things lol.
So for me it's the 4x40 now. Japanese made, AG4x40WA.

[MartynB]

Personally I think 4x20 scopes look best on an Innova.
However, I find it much much nicer to shoot with a 4x40 scope.
The Nikko Stirling 4x20 has milky glass.
The (period) Tasco 4x40 has very nice glass. Such a difference. I can finally see things lol.
So for me it's the 4x40 now. Japanese made, AG4x40WA

I have what looks like a new unused Tasco 4x32AG, used one of one of my ealier Innova's

[ratbuster2240]

The 4x20's do look sleek. I still can't believe how short the SS1 is even when compared to a Simmons 1.5-5x20.

I have what looks like a new unused Tasco 4x32AG, used one of one of my ealier Innova's

[MartynB]

Previous threads pics show some lovely examples, interesting mount

[ratbuster2240]

I'm pleased you like them MartynB. The Mac1 mount is well made and only makes contact with the barrel and not the cylinder. I put a piece of electrical tape underneath to protect the finish and help it clamp tightly.

Previous threads pics show some lovely examples, interesting mount

[MartynB]

I'm pleased you like them MartynB. The Mac1 mount is well made and only makes contact with the barrel and not the cylinder. I put a piece of electrical tape underneath to protect the finish and help it clamp tightly.

I was going to ask how the mount clamped, looks to be really nice engineering, was it expensive ? From America ?

[ratbuster2240]

Thank you MartynB, I did contact ColinG to see if he has a spare pin.
Even if I could borrow one I could attempt making one.

I still have the original Beeman box, just not the scope

Will have a look around as sure I should have a bag with spacers but if found earmarked for Colin G

[MartynB]

Thank you MartynB, I did contact ColinG to see if he has a spare pin.
Even if I could borrow one I could attempt making one.

I'm sure I've got them somwhere, I do have a Gamekeeper as well which am sure is same model as one of Beeman SS, really cracking little scopes, incredibly clear

[ratbuster2240]

Another lovely scope I think also made by Hakko? You don't see them come up for sale as much probably because even after several decades they are still crystal clear.

The SS1 doesn't have an adjustable objective like the Optima, but it still seems to focus down to 5 yards.

I'm sure I've got them somwhere, I do have a Gamekeeper as well which am sure is same model as one of Beeman SS, really cracking little scopes, incredibly clear

[ratbuster2240]

It seems for an 11mm rail I would require these sized pins. Confirmation would be helpful.

[MartynB]

Another lovely scope I think also made by Hakko? You don't see them come up for sale as much probably because even after several decades they are still crystal clear.

The SS1 doesn't have an adjustable objective like the Optima, but it still seems to focus down to 5 yards.

I think the SS I had was zoom and AG but really clear, saying that, they weren't cheap !

[ratbuster2240]

I have fitted a pair of spacer pins to the SS1 which solves the canting issues on 11mm rails.
I then tried it on the 342 with the Mac1 scope mount and it works great. I can still pump it up with my hand in the correct place and without holding onto the scope, it's tight but there's just enough room.

[ratbuster2240]

I had a great day at Kempton Park Arms Fair on Sunday and I picked up a Benjamin 392G made in 1991. Cosmetically it's in great condition but it hadn't been used for a long time. It had a stuck powerlet and the seals were in bad shape.

I'm a big fan of these Racine made guns and one in .22 should make good power when it's up and running.


The Benjamin doesn't look like it's been opened up before but it was common for the powerlet to get stuck and the inlet seal to be damaged. I think this one may have had this happen early on in it's life and just left with it stuck.


The Daisy powerlet was well and truly stuck and the seal disintegrated.