Benjamin 397P Phase 1

[AllanM]

Nice job ratbuster.
I have a similar Sheridan C9A made in March 2011 (serial no 31170456) -- does it have a cartridge type valve?

[ratbuster2240]

That's a keeper AllanM, the new equivalent versions now have plastic stocks.

I believe yours has the cartridge valve, so in the unlikely event it ever needs new seals you won't need any special tools other than a phillips screwdriver.

Nice job ratbuster.I have a similar Sheridan C9A made in March 2011 (serial no 31170456) -- does it have a cartridge type valve?

[TonyL]

Lovely refresh; thank you for sharing. May it give you many years of sterling service and happy memories.

Great assistance from ped.

[ratbuster2240]

Thanks TonyL, it's kept me busy. It's a cheaper hobby than tinkering with cars and takes up less space.

Waiting for a silencer adaptor and barrel scope mount now for some serious garden plinking.

[--ped--]

the streak ones i supply don't really fit the benji short barrels as well as the streaks (post 77)
i may have an eb one i can alter to fit

[ratbuster2240]

You need website Ped, I didn't know you did these as well. I just ordered one from the auction site.

[ratbuster2240]

I was lucky to get a response from here on the wanted section for a mount. I've mounted an old red dot from JS Ramsbottom, it's light and short so it shouldn't put too much pressure on the barrel.



I've also found another project from Kempton Park arms fair. A Benjamin EB20 which is leaking. I'll post some pictures of it stripped, it might be of help to someone wanting to reseal theirs.




It's leaking out the barrel, the piercing pin is wobbly, internal valve seal joining the two halves is squashed as is the original rubber powerlet seal. The two cam plate and cover screw heads were stripped which isn't a problem as you can remove the pellet probe by undoing the lug from inside. Then I drilled the screws out, they needed removing as the bolt probe is a little floppy when closed and the cam can now be adjusted. Finding new screws isn't as easy as I first thought. So far I've spent some time cleaning everything up and polishing the seal mating surfaces. The casting marks are terrible on these guns with a deep groove on the sear, I've smoothed this out and a little grease should help reduce the heavy trigger.

[ratbuster2240]

I've just received a lovely Sheridan Bluestreak. Its shooting well so I don't think I'll need to do much and it has all of it's original finish still on. I've removed the bolt, cleaned and regreased to adjust the cam. While apart I gently cleaned the barrel. Its holding air and dumps all of it with 10 pumps.

I think it's a late 80s model...
2 rivets securing the trigger guard
Drilled and tapped for William's peep
1 Piece bolt handle
Serial 5k+

[ratbuster2240]

I found a .22 multipump to add to the .177 and .20. It's a Benjamin 342 made in around 1980 in St Louis. I had seen a few .177's (347) but held out for a .22. It's in good original condition with most of the black finish still present. The owner said he had it from new, it holds air but not for very long and it doesn't look like the valve has been opened up before, so I'm expecting lots of gunk and hardened seals.



The pump arm was creaking when pumping it up and I thought maybe the rivet has had it. It may have a lot of wear because it doesn't look like the gun has had much lubrication. I cleaned a lot of gunk out around around the rivet and let it soak in WD40, then another clean and several drops of Secret Sauce oil has made the creak go away.

[Waltherfan]

Lovely job nice looking gun enjoy

[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've owned my Air Arms s410 TDR since 2010 and I recently sent it to Air Arms for a service. I took it to the indoor range tonight since getting it back and I zeroed it at 20 yards. They did a great job and they sent a chronograph sheet showing it's averaging 11.1fpe with AA Diabolo Fields.

It has a Simmons Pro Diamond 1.5-5x20, 6-9" bipod and a AA Q-tech silencer. It's probably the last rifle I'd sell. My only complaints is it's stiff to cock, (polishing the hammer and rail helped) and the barrel band can be knocked out of alignment.

[ratbuster2240]

I found the Air Arms chronograph results. I originally bought the TDR off Tench and it had his regulator fitted, it gave 60 full power shots. It's now completely standard but it still shoots just as accurately.



One thing I've finally replaced is the annoying sliding bipod/sling stud with the fixed Harris no.6. It now stays in place when taking the bipod on and off.

[AllanM]

That's a keeper AllanM, the new equivalent versions now have plastic stocks.

That's interesting, I didn't know they had succumbed to plastic stocks -- Balistas have them in stock for 240 Euros, probably even cheaper at Walmart!
I know the C9A series are not as collectable (yet!) as the more graceful C pumpers but they shoot just as well as the older models.

[ratbuster2240]

Thanks I don't think I've visited that site before, it says wood stock models are out of stock but they have the plastic ones.