Benjamin 397P Phase 1

[--ped--]

just looked at the pic James and it looks to be a 34x series(trigger- safety and rear sight mount) and not a 31x series but the piston appears to be a 31x series
has it got a serial number

[ratbuster2240]

nope he hasn't Mellowed with posting to UK, it came with the steroid kit which I had to have posted to my friend to send on to me.

Unless I have got it wrong this one is an early 342, apart from the safety design change it feels just like my 312.



[QUO=--ped--;8124432]nice one James i see you got some secret sauce as well
Tim must've mellowed on posting it[/QUOTE]

just looked at the pic James and it looks to be a 34x series(trigger- safety and rear sight mount) and not a 31x series but the piston appears to be a 31x series
has it got a serial number

[--ped--]

it nust be one of the early ones then as my tootsie roll 347 has the sheridan pump cup as has my other 347 and the two others i've resealed in the past -they were later checkered stock ones and after benjamin bought sheridan

[ratbuster2240]

It's half the fun opening them up to see what's inside. The 312 I have is 1966 and this 342 is not alot older I think 1969. These two are charming but my 1978 347 and 1980 342 are adult sized and feel more robust. They have the Sheridan piston.

[MartynB]

I'm pleased you think so MarytnB, they're not everyone's cup of tea but I find them easy to work on and they're reliable.

I agree but I used Innova's and an Ace to hunt with way back. Ace in particular was very accurate

[ratbuster2240]

People seem to be very fond of the little Innova. I think at the time it offered a lot for the price.

I agree but I used Innova's and an Ace to hunt with way back. Ace in particular was very accurate

[MartynB]

People seem to be very fond of the little Innova. I think at the time it offered a lot for the price.

Yes, as soon as they came into the country, 1978 or 79 I bought one, cracking rifle, powerful, accurate and light, only downside is plastic breach block

[ratbuster2240]

That's nice to hear you had one of the first. Mine now has an alloy breach and pivot plug but I'd like to find a Galway or whisper adaptor.

[AllanM]

The alloy breach looks very, very nice -- a great improvement on the plastic one.

[ratbuster2240]

I think it looks similar to the original plastic one and it feels solid. But it still needs a tweak, I still have to shim the trigger sear.

[MartynB]

That's nice to hear you had one of the first. Mine now has an alloy breach and pivot plug but I'd like to find a Galway or whisper adaptor

Now that looks very nice

[ratbuster2240]

The early 342 had a lot of play in the lever arm rivet and the pump handle would drop down after each shot. I adjusted the piston length to try and help but it made little difference. If you have an old multi pump and the rivet and pump lever spring are worn it's worth replacing. You can lose quite a bit of performance if there's a lot of slop.



Centre punch the rivet, drill it out and punch through.



The parts should look like this


But the old parts were worn and snapped. The rivets on these earlier guns are the same as the 312 and are not as large as the later 342, c-series and 392.



The pump handle shuts tight again and with lubrication before use they shouldn't wear out. I now need to back the piston off which shows just how much worn parts increase head space.

[ratbuster2240]

Here's the Benjamin 392P that's going to be steroided. Of course the goal is not power but longevity from the parts and possibly get a back up shot as close to the first shots fps.


Mac1 steroid parts


Solid billet lever
Adjustable piston
Steel front plug
Stronger hammer spring
Synthetic inlet seal
Benjamin Discovery valve stem
Hardened Lever link pin
Sling studs
Williams peep
Pump handle buffer
Urethane pellet probe seal
New handguard
Roll pin
Solid pivot pin
Mac1 secret sauce.

[ratbuster2240]

Having little rest from multi pumps so I'm taking this 392G to the indoor range tonight. These co2 guns can easily produce 11ft-lbs unlike the Rabbit Stopper and Ratcatcher that require a bit more work. I've mounted a 4x20 scope via the Mac1 airguns mount.

[jirushi]

Hi ratbuster, it's always a pleasure to read this thread. Such a good idea to use it as a sort of blog, with all your projects and updates.

Have you managed to finish the 392P, or is it "work in progress"? It will be interesting to know the result with the steroid parts.

Enjoy the 392G. It's good not to have to pump sometimes!