Benjamin 329 (East Bloomfield NY version)

[NewGun]

Hey guys,

As im looking to get my first .22 I took an interest in the Benjamin 392.  It seems to be that the old Racine models are the best and I will probably send it to Mac1 for the Steroid mod.

I found a guy who has a 392 for sale that he said "is about 20 years old" but brand new and never shot in the box.  I was hoping it would be a Racine version but its actually a East Bloomfield NY version. 

Does anyone have any info on this and how it compares to the Racine model ?  Does it have any known manufacturing issues?

thx

[north country gal]

We have a mid 90s East Bloomfield 397. Has a walnut stock and metal trigger guard. No problem shooting under an inch groups at 50 yards when scoped, even down closer to half inch on a good day. Wonderful pumper. Don't pass it up just because it isn't a Racine gun. Seriously, if you don't wan it, less us know.

[NewGun]

We have a mid 90s East Bloomfield 397. Has a walnut stock and metal trigger guard. No problem shooting under an inch groups at 50 yards when scoped, even down closer to half inch on a good day. Wonderful pumper. Don't pass it up just because it isn't a Racine gun. Seriously, if you don't wan it, less us know.

Thank you for the info.  Yea I think ill take it but im still curious to know what the difference is between that and a Racine model.  Time at mac1 said anything post 90s will need a billet making the steroid mod a fair amount more expensive. I dont even know what a billet is lol.

thanks

[longhunter]

Tim means a billet pump lever. The factory lever on the newer guns won't take the stress of a steroid conversion.
check your emails. I just sent you a couple.
if the gun is 20 years old, that makes it some of the earliest made in NY.  That means it's still got mostly racine parts. If the price is reasonable, jump on it.
sorry it took me so long to reply. I've been driving.

[bbv13]

Hey guys,

As im looking to get my first .22 I took an interest in the Benjamin 392.  It seems to be that the old Racine models are the best and I will probably send it to Mac1 for the Steroid mod.

I found a guy who has a 392 for sale that he said "is about 20 years old" but brand new and never shot in the box.  I was hoping it would be a Racine version but its actually a East Bloomfield NY version. 

Does anyone have any info on this and how it compares to the Racine model ?  Does it have any known manufacturing issues?

thx

When Crosman bought Benjamin they moved the manufacturing to Bloomfield NY. The first guns they made in Bloomfield were made with parts from the Racine plant. After that Crosman started making changes. I don't know of any issues with the first Bloomfield guns that look like North Country Gal's and would not hesitate to buy one. I have a 1999 transitional with a walnut stock that's a tack driver despite having the Crosman trigger.

Buy the gun as long as the money is right. Your not likely to run across another one like new in the box anytime soon.

Bryan

[anuthabubba]

"I have a 1999 transitional with a walnut stock that's a tack driver despite having the Crosman trigger. "


Have a nice '98 392, w/cast trigger assy, that shoots well. Got it used and it has a decent trigger job. Only thing that bothers me is that I can't de-cock it.

[bbv13]

"I have a 1999 transitional with a walnut stock that's a tack driver despite having the Crosman trigger. "


Have a nice '98 392, w/cast trigger assy, that shoots well. Got it used and it has a decent trigger job. Only thing that bothers me is that I can't de-cock it.

I've never tried to de-cock any of my Sheridans or Benjamins?

As far as I know the trigger on my 1999 392 is stock. I bought it used for $40 in like new condition and there's no tool marks on it so I don't think anyone has been into it. It's very accurate with every pellet I have shot and even likes Gamo round balls. I think I just got lucky and the prior owner didn't know what he had.

Bryan

[anuthabubba]

Hope to some day come across one of these $40, LN, vintage pumpers I keep reading about. Don't think I ever paid less than $75 (for a beat-up one) and usually more.

[NewGun]

Can you guys recommend a decent scope for this gun and please link me to the part needed to attach a scope.   Don't want to spend too much on a scope but something usable.  thanks.

[longhunter]

Hope to some day come across one of these $40, LN, vintage pumpers I keep reading about. Don't think I ever paid less than $75 (for a beat-up one) and usually more.

I paid 65.00 for mine. It was brand new, minus the box and paperwork.

[north country gal]

For a scope base, I use an Intermount on our 397. Sets a scope up way high on the gun, so you need to use more of a chin weld than a cheek weld, but that height is needed in order to have enough room to load a pellet.

As for a scope, you can use any scope you want since we're not talking spring piston recoil, but I recommend an AG scope for the sake of parallax, since you will likely be shooting up close and also out there a ways. We shoot targets, only, so we like an AG scope with an AO for our guns, but some folks who hunt don't care for an AO on their scope. Centerpoint, Nikko-Sterling, Rex Optics and so on all make AG scopes for around $50.

[bbv13]

Hope to some day come across one of these $40, LN, vintage pumpers I keep reading about. Don't think I ever paid less than $75 (for a beat-up one) and usually more.

They are getting much harder to find. In past years I have been able to pick up five or six nice guns cheap. So far this year I have only found one really good deal. It's a Crosman 1400 that I bought from a antique mall. It had $50 on the sticker and with a 25% discount it was $37.50. It shoots but is going to need a reseal. Other than that I've picked up a few here and there but either paid too much or it turned out to be a worn out parts gun. I think people have figured out that they are valuable. I saw a Crosman 115 CO2 pistol in great shape with a cylinder, box and paper work for $250 on Craig's List today. I may give him a call if the price drops but it will have to drop a lot before I'm interested. Maybe I'll make some good buys this fall?

Bryan

[TerryM]

I got this early 397 (Bloomfield, w/soldered valve) at a gun show for 60 bucks, minus the scope and mount.  Looks to have been used very little.  The check valve seal was shredded, probably from over-pumping.  It's a fine shooter now.  I find that most firearms enthusiasts know little about airguns and have made some very good deals at gun shows.

[NewGun]

I picked up the 392 today.  Its in mint condition, early bloomfield model never shot.. Seals seem fine but any tips for checking them would be appreciated.  Accuracy seems to very very good. 

This may be a n00b questions but the manual doesn't make it clear.. When pumping these guns well at least this one,  do you need the close it fully every pump or just the last one?  Or all pumps got to fully close?

Thanks

[longhunter]

no way to check the seals. when they go, you'll know it.
 close the pump arm, fully, every pump. otherwise, you aren't always getting the full amount of air in the gun, and you're velocities will vary a lot more than usual.
keep that gun oiled. too many have died a premature death, for lack of proper lubrication.
now, go out and enjoy that thing .

[anuthabubba]

The pumping mechanism pivots and top of the piston that slides inside the main tube (the short link attaches to it) should be kept well oiled.

[bbv13]

Nice

You can probably get some Pelgun oil from Walmart but you should order some  secret sauce from Mac1. It's reasonably priced and most folks consider it to be the best lubrication for pumpers available. You should close the pump arm completely on every pump for consistancy. A piece of felt on the inside of the pump arm will help with noise if that's a problem for you.

Post some pictures when you can.

Bryan

[north country gal]

...  I find that most firearms enthusiasts know little about airguns and have made some very good deals at gun shows.

Absolutely. I just picked up another mint condition Sheridan Blue Streak at a local gun show, last week. Makes the second one I've found this year at a gun show. Didn't pay more than $100 for either of them.