Warm weather and a pellet test for my 1930's Crosman 102

[45flint]

Finally got warm weather and have collected pellets recommended for my recently acquired Crosman 102.  I had earlier posts of a UTube Review.  But in that review I did not have an extensive test of pellets and power.  Here are my result and they seem to show a gun that could take on most rifles made today? Surprises the heck out of me.  I bought it for a vintage gun, I collect more that I shoot. Lol. But this one could be a hunter for sure.  The old manuals say 6 pumps is maximum.  I just went to 7, really don't want to go higher with a vintage gun, but power seems fine at 6.  Also in my backyard the report of 6 was getting a little loud and though legal in my town I'm not going to push my luck.  3 pumps is great for target not much sound at all.  I have to believe this rifle was resealed by someone who knew what they were doing.  I assumed I would have to reseal it when it arrived last month.  Awesome surprise.

Crosman Premier Ultra Magnums.  22  14.3 grains

Pumps.      FPS.        Foot-pounds
2.              378
3.              453
4.              509
5.              556
6.              594.        11.22
7.              631.        12.65

Gamo Wadcutters. 22 15.43 grains

2.              358
3.              429
4.              502
5.              535
6.              585.        11.73
7.              611.        12.79

H&N Excite Wadcutters. 22.  12.96 grains

3.              472
4.              536
5.              579
6.              620.        11.06

[TerryM]

  Good on you, that's great performance for a 102.

[45flint]

I looked at a review of the current Blue Streak and it was not as powerful as this 102?  Have we gained nothing in all those years?

[jimmymc2900]

Great numbers, I hope mine will do that after I get new seals for it. These things are so cool.

[TerryM]

  I think Steve's 102 is an exceptional gun.  I have several old .22 pumpers and only my Crosman 110 comes close to matching those numbers.  The rest shoot slower.  My 101 is very accurate but barely makes 500 fps with six pumps.

[45flint]

This kind of baffles me?  The gun came from New Mexico but the guy didn't seem to know that much about airguns.  Is their someone out there that can soup these up.  I've not had it apart but it looks like the pump cup is new, not brass.  Wonder if inside is all new? It is not that hard to pump?  Not messing with what's not broken but it sure has me curious?

[Hoosier Daddy]

I looked at a review of the current Blue Streak

Whatchew Talkin about.... current?

[45flint]

I looked at a review of the current Blue Streak

Whatchew Talkin about.... current?

Looked at about three UTubes that were chronying real guns shooting 14.3 grain pellets which was equal to the Crosman Premiers I was shooting.  Most were high 500s with 8 pumps.  The review below (looks like a new gun) he was shooting 14.3 grain pellets and maxed out at 637 with 8 pumps.  I never got to eight pumps, did very close to that with 7.  Also it just seems these guns are harder to pump?  But that could easily be deceiving.



Nice review by Tom Gaylord:

https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2016/09/sheridan-blue-streak-part-3/

I'm not putting down the Blue Streak at all, never shot one, but mine is a 85 year old gun?  Well maybe some parts are newer?

[B67]

The biggest cause of power variations in 100 series crosmans seems to be wear and manufacturing variations in the valves. I probably have 20, in all configurations from the first 100's and 102's to the 100 and a 104. I also have a lot of nos valve parts. The tolerance on new stuff seems to vary from .003 to .012... That is huge when you look at the design, and I think accounts for the variations in power.  Throw in wear and velocities are every where. I think this accounts for more than the changes in valve design do. I built a 101 out of parts, that's a smoker, and I used worn parts. That being said you can feel air coming back in your face from the worn valve stem....The valve itself has huge capacity and can easily gain 20% with simple work. I can dump 25 pumps, but if I fixed the leaks, maybe not. I have not used any new parts on this but I may have to try some....

[45flint]

The biggest cause of power variations in 100 series crosmans seems to be wear and manufacturing variations in the valves. I probably have 20, in all configurations from the first 100's and 102's to the 100 and a 104. I also have a lot of nos valve parts. The tolerance on new stuff seems to vary from .003 to .012... That is huge when you look at the design, and I think accounts for the variations in power.  Throw in wear and velocities are every where. I think this accounts for more than the changes in valve design do. I built a 101 out of parts, that's a smoker, and I used worn parts. That being said you can feel air coming back in your face from the worn valve stem....The valve itself has huge capacity and can easily gain 20% with simple work. I can dump 25 pumps, but if I fixed the leaks, maybe not. I have not used any new parts on this but I may have to try some....

What's the best FPS that you got on a 22?

[TerryM]

  Here are groups from three different old pumpers, 50 to 67 years old.  My Sheridan shoots harder now, with the pump cup replaced.  620 fps with six pumps, 670 with eight.

[Petey]

Yep ...when that valve lets the air go = Bang!
The 102 has a very sweet trigger to boot.
Here are the numbers for my 102.
Enjoy that 102!

Crosman Premier Hollow points 14.3gr.
H=629.5
L=622.7
AV=625.5
ES=6.83
SD=2.00
KE= 12.42 Lbs. That would sting some.


Link to a post I did regarding the 102....
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=35849.msg334030#msg334030

Happy shootin!

[45flint]

Yep ...when that valve lets the air go = Bang!
The 102 has a very sweet trigger to boot.
Here are the numbers for my 102.
Enjoy that 102!

Link to a post I did regarding the 102....
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=35849.msg334030#msg334030

Happy shootin!

Very cool post, you didn't say how many pumps were made to produce your numbers?  I have been on another site with my gun and exchanged posts with DT Flecther.  No question that a checkered forearm puts you at the beginning of the run.  He told me checkering was only done in the first few years.  The 102 did start in 1929.  I have checkering on the stock grip and he put me at 1929-1932?  Great to see a 102 around the same time and interesting producing similar power.  Below is a slideshow of my gun.  Flecther thinks mine went back to the factory in the 40s-50s for a overhaul and they replaced the cocking hammer
 and action cover.  Yours sure looks totally original.  I'm on the prowl for the same era cocking hammer.

http://s168.photobucket.com/user/skitchen51/slideshow/Crosman%20102

[Petey]

Nice looking wood on that 102....
As I recall ---- it was  eight .
I'll break out the chrony sometime tomorrow if I get time.. I should have written that stuff down. LOL.. oh well.

Happy shootin to all!
Petey