GTA
Airguns by Make and Model => Vintage Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: Lymon on February 04, 2012, 05:56:02 PM
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I have a Benjamin 312 that's been sitting in the closet for months, needing a valve/ reseal kit. I have the kit (with removal tool), purchased from Pyramyd, but have not been able to remove the valve components. The square end of the tool is not as square as I imagined that it would be, and the edges seem a bit rounded in spots. When I try to remove the brass nut (?) I can't seem to get enough traction and the tool winds up slipping. I don't know if this is a result of my being afraid to use more pressure for fear of stripping the hole in the brass, or if in fact the tool is rounded in the wrong spots. Are the better tools available than the one provided with the kit? Any pointers?
Pyramyd offered to install the kit for $25 plus shipping both ways, probably fair, but more than I want to spent. Can't find anyone locally to do it.
I read in an earlier thread where someone posted that a 310 could be turned in for a new 397 or 392. Also heard that they only give you $75 off the MSRP of a new rifle. Anyone know for sure which is correct?
Sell the thing for parts? How much would one list a parts gun for?
Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.
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Dont sell that gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just put it up until you can get it fixed, or keep trying to fix it. Save up if you have to, and send it to a pro. Many many options. If you "must" sell it, sell it to one of us.
Richard
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I would guess that your tool is not going far enough into the 'nut'. I've resealed several of these old Benjis with a tool from Bryan and Associates, and there's really no way that a properly seated tool is going to slip if it is fully insert, unless the 'nut' has been damaged. I've never seen the PA tool, so I don't know if it's the right tool for the job or not. You might try tapping the tool in with a rubber mallet to seat it more fully, but if it is slipping you are going to eventually damage the soft brass.
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I strongly echo the advice already received from others! IMO you have the very best of the classic Benjamins----especially if you're more oriented toward hunting than killing paper.
Bite the bullet and send it to someone like AB Airguns or Precision Pellet and get it done right. A good 312 is scarily accurate. Mine shoots 5 CPHPs into a .30 cal. hole at 45' with 5 pumps and even Crow Magnums shoot little worse.
You have one of the classic 'keepers'----keep it! Tom
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OK, biting the bullet and keeping it are right near the top of my list, after all I really did buy it because of the way it looked. I really like that old school look.
Let me toss out a couple of my other concerns. For it's age, it is in pretty good condition, except for three things. The safety is missing. I know that it wasn't a very good safety and a lot of people removed them because of the hassle of dealing with them. The tootsie roll forearm has a lengthwise crack down the bottom, not all the way to the end. It could probably be glued, but I've never glued at semi-tubular piece of wood before, so, dunno. And last, the stock has two screw holes, probably from a bubba scope mount.
The screw holes bother me the least, they are not very large and could easily be wood puttied. The missing safety disturbs me the most, not because I would trust it, but just because it is not there (personal hangup, I guess). Has anyone ever seen a safety for one of these offered for sale? I have Googled and searched various web sites with no hits on one for sale. To me, if it's missing that stupid safety, it just isn't complete (does that even make sense to anyone else?).
So, given the issues that I have described, would the folks who support keeping it, still say keep it? Would it's condition change your mind?
Teetering on the edge, awaiting your replies. :)
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I would contact Rick at Precision Pellet, he manufactures many hard to get parts for the older Benji's and Crosmans
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lol if you sell it id buy it in a heartbeat, great guns id hold on and invest there are quite a few guys who fix them , mac 1 is one , they are great shooters i have 3 of them myself
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Bryan and asc makes the tool from solid steel block and its 10 bucks.shoot some lube in the back of chamber where the tool goes and let sit overnight.And yes they can take alot of pressure in some to break loose.Its up against a lead seal.some kits dont use the lead but the lead seal is best as it wont adhere to the brass nut like a rubber type seal will and seals better anyway.i get all my part for my Benji's From Bryan and asc.He will have instruction sheet in with you re order also with pics.You have any questions just pm me and ill see if i can help.I have pics of one i did recently of the valve and asm if you would like to see what they look like out of the gun.Good luck and dont give up!
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You're receiving excellent advice!
The pump arm can be re-glued. A few 1/8" dowels all the way thru would do a lot to reinforce it and can look quite decorative as well if properly executed.
Call Ron at Bryan & Assoc. to order your tool & parts and ask him to find a safety for you from his extensive parts inventory or a parts gun.
Well done repairs aren't unsightly---think of them as badges of honor. Tom
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Please don't think I'm hi-jacking the thread, but I just picked up a Benji 312....and the pump arm does not stay in place when there is air in the chamber. Is that an adjustment on the pump rod?
Thanks...and my apologies.
Mark
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Any of the repair guys noted here can sell you the safety lever. Probably new wood for the forearm too, if you want to go that route. I'd bet that there are lots of stocks laying around, I have one, but it may be worse than yours.
Mark, the pump arm not staying put could be several things, one of which could be the adjustment of the stroke, you might be able to fix by trial and error adjustment. If it just kind of hangs there, it is more likely the link spring, which is quite difficult to replace, so if thats it, I'd send it to a pro.
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Any of the repair guys noted here can sell you the safety lever. Probably new wood for the forearm too, if you want to go that route. I'd bet that there are lots of stocks laying around, I have one, but it may be worse than yours.
Mark, the pump arm not staying put could be several things, one of which could be the adjustment of the stroke, you might be able to fix by trial and error adjustment. If it just kind of hangs there, it is more likely the link spring, which is quite difficult to replace, so if thats it, I'd send it to a pro.
Thanks Eeler! I will try the pump rod adjustment...and if no worky, will seek further help.
I just saw a 312 stock on the yellow. Not sure if it is still there or not.