All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General > Vintage Air Gun Gate
Basket case 397
Blowpipe Sam:
A coworker of mine recently mentioned that he had an old Benjamin air rifle that wouldn’t hold air. He said he had taken it apart and couldn’t get it back together again. I told him if it was a Benjamin it was probably worth fixing and could he make me some photos of it?
Well today he brought a basket case 397 in to work in a plastic bag. Just a bag of parts missing the stock. He couldn’t get the valve out of course but it looked like all the rest of it was in there.
Now this fellow is a master mechanic who can fix anything and I know if I can put him on the right track that he can do a better job of fixing it than I can. Obviously the valve needs rebuilding and I don’t have the tools for that but I know that you guys know about this stuff.
To start with I thought I’d try to find out what year this thing was made. It’s marked “397PA” and the serial number is 299702214. I don’t know much about Benjis but I think this one is from the mid to late nineties?
Can anyone recommend some good YouTube videos on 397 repair?
DanD:
A '99 PA is a cartridge valve model and super easy to work on. It doesn't require special tools. I hope your friend didn't lose the wood- it was real walnut.
Here's a vid I found but I haven't watched it.
Here's the parts diagram https://support.crosman.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/201590860/B397-EVP___PL2.pdf
Have fun!
Blowpipe Sam:
--- Quote from: DanD on November 23, 2022, 12:51:04 AM ---A '99 PA is a cartridge valve model and super easy to work on. It doesn't require special tools. I hope your friend didn't lose the wood- it was real walnut.
Here's a vid I found but I haven't watched it.
Here's the parts diagram https://support.crosman.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/201590860/B397-EVP___PL2.pdf
Have fun!
--- End quote ---
Thank you!
He didn’t know it wasn’t there until he showed me the bag and I noticed the only thing missing was the stock.
He said he would try to find the stock but even without it the gun is worth repairing and finding a replacement.
I’ve never worked on a Benjamin and I thought you needed a special tool to pull the valve. I think I’ve got every tool Needed. I’m thinking a Mac1 rebuild kit unless someone has a better recommendation?
DanD:
The older guns prior to 1995 need the special tool.
It's least expensive to order direct from Crosman over the phone- you just need the part numbers. If you go that way, you might as well get extras so you have parts on hand for the next gun and it will still be cheaper than one aftermarket seal kit.
Have fun!
Matchstickshooter:
I have a 392PA (cartridge) and was surprised... it is so much easier to work on than the Crosman 1400.
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