Benjamin 397P Phase 1

[ratbuster2240]

Thanks Gents I knew you'd appreciate an American classic. The weight and dimensions makes it very handy and it's a hard hitter in the larger calibre.

[--ped--]

that looks in good condition James

[ratbuster2240]

that looks in good condition James

It's not bad Ped, it could do with adjusting the piston, a pump seal and a new hammer spring. If you know where they can be obtained? I might have to order from the US.

Better lighting in this photo.

[ratbuster2240]

1. (Top) Benjamin 342 1980
2. Sheridan C-Series 1989
3. Benjamin G392 1991
4. Benjamin 397P 1991
5. Benjamin 312 1966
6. Benjamin EB20 1999

[--ped--]

it's better to have a weak hammer spring in them and i use the same spring as i use in the streaks to keep power down
on the piston seal is it the flat top one or the sheridan style one

[ratbuster2240]

It retains air after 3 shots and it has the older style pump head with felt pads and the seal is flat with a hole in the middle.

it's better to have a weak hammer spring in them and i use the same spring as i use in the streaks to keep power down
on the piston seal is it the flat top one or the sheridan style one

[ratbuster2240]

I think then 312/317s look like a baby Ithaca pump action shotgun.
Have you ever eaten a tootsie roll bar? It's the sickliest thing I've ever eaten.

Great find ratbuster!
Like Louis I love the tootsie roll -- my 312 is my favourite "pumper", nice short carbine length, easy to pump, great open sights and a hard hitter.

Wow! What a beauty. Great find.
Such an elegant rifle. I like the look of the tootsie roll.
If I'm not mistaken, they are quite powerful for their size and weight?

[--ped--]

i'll see if i have ane sheridan springs adj kits left and see if it will adapt to a 312
i only have the later rubber piston cups
afaik an o ring flat top piston head will work fine with the earlier guns

[ratbuster2240]

Thanks Ped, the bolt is really light to pull back, I think the 60 year old hammer spring is just really worn out.

[ratbuster2240]

Happy new year! Other than a bit of garden plinking I haven't had much time to play recently but last month I managed to find a 347 to keep the 342 company and a 237 pistol.





It holds air so I just stripped the front and rear down for maintenance. I cleaned the pump tube out, replaced the pump cup seal, lubricated and replaced the two roll pins with solid ones. The hammer, spring and tube got a quick polish and I replaced the hammer spring with a slightly stronger one.



This one was made around late 1980s and hasn't been used much at all. I just lubricated the pivot points as they were bone dry. It's quite accurate but the basic iron sights let it down so I may try a pistol scope. It's producing 4.2 ft-lbs. on max 8 pumps, I think they normally do about 4.5ft lbs in the smaller calibre. I'll put a new pump cup seal on and I should see a small power increase.

[ratbuster2240]

I was very impressed with my brother, he spotted a Benjamin 312 on a film called Mud and sent me a screen shot. The guy was shooting water snakes with it.

[ratbuster2240]

I picked up this tired looking early Benjamin 342 from the late 60's. It didn't pump, cock or hold air but a good clean and lube had it working again. I've ordered a new sight and glued a crack in the stock. It shoots well and it looks and feels like the earlier 312, the main differences are the tang safety and a stamped metal rear sight.

I like the patina where the black has worn and showing the nickel plating underneath, but not yet made it down to the brass, which has the appearance of gun metal.

[ratbuster2240]

I've finally got the Innova together, it has been a tricky project and Ped lent a hand with the breech. The trigger still sticks sometimes and I think I'll have to try a longer trigger spring to set the sear. It now feels like a grown up rifle and very sturdy.




I've also been playing with my trusty old Crosman 1322 and fitted a new barrel band, pump tube and pivot pin. I tried a Williams WGRS peep sight but it was shooting too high so I fitted the Beeman with low magnification 2.5 x 16.

[ratbuster2240]

I've got Mossberg magazine tube sling stud, (10/32) and I'm going to try drilling and tapping the 1377 pivot plug. It would be nice to have a solid mounting point for a sling.
I'll also add an 8/32 set screw in the barrel band. I think Gmac should do these as standard, it really helps keeps the tube and barrel secure for better accuracy.

[jirushi]

Really nice to follow this thread, ratbuster2240.
You have a great variety of pumpers and CO2 guns (and pcp's too, but they haven't featured in this thread yet ha-ha).
I think you would like the Sharp Ace.
Tried to send you a pm by the way, but your inbox seems to be full.
Cheers! Louis