Sight Removal Benji 392/397

[3crows]

Hello, new here, first post, not real prolific on forums, mostly just read them.

I know this is not new but for those who were doing searches for this subject as I had been doing, here is what I did. First, having just acquired on closeout two Benjamin 392s for under $60.00, one by serial 2014 and the other 2015 years, I decided to put one away for a rainy day and the other to set up for vermin-ation of the local vermin. So, being 66 years old, I simply cannot use iron sights with any precision.

So, second, I installed the Williams peep sight and that was better but still very difficult for me so then third, I bought the little BSA Edge 2X20 pistol scope and scout mounted it. Okay that works good but that leaves the ugly rear sight in place that is useless to me and more importantly I am to understand the sight clamps on wedges which over time can damage the barrel solder joint! I read all over and people seem to use various combinations of lumber, hammers and screwdrivers to knock, drift or mangle the sight from its' perch. Seems all of those shenanigans more likely to damage my barrel than just leaving it there.

Then fourth, I took my Dremal tool and installed the mini-high speed  cutt-off wheel and simply sliced the tangs on one side that gripped the wedges. About half way through each tang I heard a distinct "tink" and called it good, only needed to do one side. Then I just took my fingers, grabbed it and lifted it off. Not a single mark anywhere on the rifle or barrel as a result and the ugly rear sight is gone never to be reinstalled. Yeah, the tangs were gripping the wedges tightly, allegedly so tight that could break the solder joint, I figured if this was true and I relieved them then they would snap and they did.

Oh, the two 392s, how do they shoot, fine!, I cleaned the paint out of the barrels on both and they are shooting fine and getting better. I have an older Crossman 1400 and an older Benjamin, both needing repair work, but these new rifles shoot as good and seem to have a little more ooomph out of the box. That paint in the end of the barrel was a PITA and had to be removed, I used a mild stripper, ammonia free, to get it out, swabbed the barrel clean with Ballistoil afterwards and patched it clean and went out shooting. I am shooting off my Stinger bench rest and can get quarter or less size  (more like penny) groups at 25 to 30 yards, good enough for starlings and rats.

I was never much of a proponent of the scout scope until I acquired a Marlin 45-70 rifle. It drove the Nikon African scope into my shooting glasses so I decided there was a good reason here for the scout mounting and it works great and is fast on target where dangerous things are a foot. Figured it would be okay on a 392 and it is and also fast on target where vermin are about .

[Habanero69er]

Good to hear you got the rear sight off without any problem James.

I’d suggest you get yourself some Secret Sauce to keep the seals & pivot points lubed up & preserve your MSPs.

http://www.mac1airgunshop.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=M1SS2PO

[DanD]

You got a GREAT deal on those wood 392s. They're going for crazy money on ebay now that they're discontinued.

I lay a piece of wood on the rear sight blade and gently tap it toward the muzzle with the muzzle down. The wedges stay put and I put my hand under the sight to catch it on the last tap. No damage to either the sight or the barrel that way.

I think the 39x and C9A pumpers are hugely underrated. They might not feel as refined and smooth pumping as the older guns, but they make good power, are easy to work on and mod,  and usually shoot just as accurately or moreso than the highly coveted classics.

Enjoy yours!

[3crows]

You got a GREAT deal on those wood 392s. They're going for crazy money on ebay now that they're discontinued.

I lay a piece of wood on the rear sight blade and gently tap it toward the muzzle with the muzzle down. The wedges stay put and I put my hand under the sight to catch it on the last tap. No damage to either the sight or the barrel that way.

I think the 39x and C9A pumpers are hugely underrated. They might not feel as refined and smooth pumping as the older guns, but they make good power, are easy to work on and mod,  and usually shoot just as accurately or moreso than the highly coveted classics.

Enjoy yours!

Both of mine are breaking in nicely. They shoot as accurately as I can aim them. If I put them on my (Caldwell Stinger) rest that pretty much go through the same hole. I have been shooting them at around 15 yards but they shoot pretty good at 25 also.

Yeah, the block of wood, I was afraid beating on the very same thing, no matter how gently, would do exactly what I was rtrying to avoid, brak the solder joint. So I just ground it off.

Yes, they had three there for under 60 dollars each in box with everything, new in the box. I have my old Crossman 140 (circa 1966), these are just as nice except the 392s function. I sent the 140 off for repairs. I just have too many projects. I am looking at s Marauder or similar PCP rifle next to get me into the 30/40 FPE range to really thump some vermin out to about 50 yards. But these 392s seem completely adequate, at least as I recall my 140 was, if not more so, out to about 25 yards.