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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => American/U.S. Air Gun Gates => Crosman-Benjamin Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: dwood5 on October 28, 2012, 12:54:06 PM

Title: Benjamin Franklin Model 317 Repair
Post by: dwood5 on October 28, 2012, 12:54:06 PM
I tried searching for answers and couldn't find anything.

My model 317 doesn't pump and hold air. I bought it new in 1962 and want to bring it back to working condition.

On one forum a poster indicated that Benjamin [the company] states that it is a "do not repair" item. I haven't tried contacting them yet.

Thought I'd probably get better answers form people on this forum.

Any help out there?

DON
Title: Re: Benjamin Franklin Model 317 Repair
Post by: Tuck2222 on October 30, 2012, 01:17:02 AM
I repaired my Benjamin Franklin Model 312 with parts and tool purchased from Bryan & Associates  Anderson,SC   Tell No  (864) 261-6810  You may ask them about repairing  your rifle, if your not handy with tools.
Title: Re: Benjamin Franklin Model 317 Repair
Post by: amb5500c on October 30, 2012, 01:46:14 AM
http://www.smithairgunrepair.com (http://www.smithairgunrepair.com) specializes in these old guns and does fantastic work. Tim Smith is a top notch man to do buisiness with.
Richard
Title: Re: Benjamin Franklin Model 317 Repair
Post by: gene_sc on October 30, 2012, 02:01:44 AM
Tim Smith works close with Bryan and Associates. Both are reputable.
Gene
Title: Re: Benjamin Franklin Model 317 Repair
Post by: David Powell on October 30, 2012, 09:19:38 AM
B and A repaired my 312 several years ago.
Title: Re: Benjamin Franklin Model 317 Repair
Post by: TimmyMac1 on October 31, 2012, 11:54:36 AM
The early Benjamins sufferred from a very poorly designed safety that would regularly drop down in front of the hammer due to gravity and block the hammer from dropping on the valve when you fire it. When this happens a small amount iof damage is done to the lip of the hammer that is caught by the Trigger. Since the hammer is free to spin the abused section can turn around to align with the trigger and that can give a less than proper sear and trigger engagement.
When Crosman purchased Benjamin Sheridan this particular issue was raised and the legal beagals said the only appropriate way to deal with the situation is to call out a recall and credit toward new gear for holders of these early guns. There could be no damage on the hammer whatsoever and there is no reason the guns couldn't continue to operate properly for a very long time as long as the safety is removed and can't cause the hammer damage.
My take is if the guns are .177 or BB they are an automatic candidate for the recall. .22 is a much better choice overall for pump guns and the BB was just not that special unless you had the need to break bottles or windows. They do that well.
Most of these guns are getting rebuilt becausre they have sentimental value. As long as the hammer sear edge is not compromised I see no reason on these guns that they can't go out for another few decades of service with the safety removed. Safeties on Bolt action guns are stupid cause bolt actions could not be safer as long as they are not cocked. When they are cocked they should be fired or uncocked. In this instance safeties are just an annoying obstacle at best and a danger in the worst scenario, so to me I'd take it off to make sure it doesn't ruin the hammer.
The 312's are the sweetest little powerhouses you could shoot and are the inspiration for the Retro Tootsie we will have available shortly. Slim light powerful recoiless Multi-pumps are the true sleepers of the AG offerrings and a joy to carry around in the woods.
It is nice that Crosman gives you the trade-in option and that is what I'd always do with a 317 or a 310 unless it was pristine collectable. Get yourself a 392 and don't look back.
If the gun is going to be rebuilt consider the fact that most of the service centers will not go to the trouble of building that gun as a single port arrangement like it was originally. It is much easier to throw a later valve body in it and avoid the need to get the single port valve in there as it is a much bigger challenge the the later valve buit it is considerab;ly more efficient and internally correct. That is tghe onlky way I doi guns. If they come in muti port and they were orignally single I will switch them backk to the way they were made orignally and that always makes them shoot better. Easy is not an acceptable excuse for me whehjn it comes to doing the juob properly. I charge more than anyone else but my valves also last longer than anyones.
If you want the kind of longievity the gun had originally the current parts available from Crosman will not get you that. My rebuilds do.