Crosman challenger 2000

[fatmike]

I didnt know exactly what I was bidding on and have now acquired a challenger 2000. I thought it was what a 2009 model was but I guess the 2000 is a co2 only gun. Is this gun worth tinkering with or should I try to trade it of for something useful to me?  I over paid since i had it id wrong. I'm in it 240$. I dont do anything with co2 so I'm lost to what can be done. I originally wanted a 2009 to shoot sparrows in the back yard  but I dont think this gun will even be up to that. What should I do with it?

[bear air]

Can it be converted to HPA without throwing too much money at it?

[WildCJ5]

They are dogs. There has been one hanging on the wall at Mac1 for years. Any time it is asked about Tim says don’t waist your time. Not say they can’t be good shooters but from what he says the barrels are a &^^& shoot.  Good luck.

[Ribbonstone]

Took me awhile to hunt up the old pictures.

Have one still running, bought used about 2008 or so.  If you like co2 it’s well named as this is one will challenge your patience.

C02 Challnger is the bottom rifle:

3e148087-63f3-4bf4-ba97-62c915f0bbe2 by Robert Dean, on Flickr

Quick version:

It is the brass barrel/brass tube, soldered together type of construction.  Runs on one 12gr.  Made to run slow, difficult to change that.  Trigger based on the same type used on the 397 MSP….won’t be getting a fine edge trigger.  Does have short scope grooves (don't pre-plan a scope until you see where it mounts)

Not a candidate for any kind of air conversion .... not a good candidate for speeding up on co2....a bulk end cap designed for a Sheridan F would work (has to cover up a rather large vent hole).

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Long data dump for those who may find one and want to get it running.

There isn’t a trigger than can’t be made better.  People have worked out mods to the 397 trigger, but this one is a little different….but at least it points to the direction.  Believe there was/is a minimul trigger pull rule in 4H position shooting.  The issue rifle was in NO DANGER of ever breaking that rule.  (Got this one to a crisp 1 ¼ pounds, at which point I stopped)

The co2 Challenger straight pull bolt is brilliantly simple (and reliable) compared to problem prone system they came up with for the PCP Challenger.

9d6bbf00-ea94-4406-aef0-79ec5eabbc6a by Robert Dean, on Flickr

It’s made to go slow.  Lighter striker, weak spring, tiny transfer port in the valve.  Would just be guessing at the transfer port to the barrel size as there is no easy way to see it/measure it. You do get a lot of shots from one 12gr., but they’re more like sub-5 foot pound shots.

It’s normal for one of these to pop a tiny hole in a 12gr.  Doesn’t really matter, it runs on the co2 in the valve.  I can hear it refilling the valve, takes about 1/8th-1/6ths second..  Can’t load it fast enough for that to be a problem, so I ignore it.

Valve is “old school” Crosman co2….not a 2240 type valve.  Did find that 2240 valve stems will work.  The original had some small differences; do not know if it carried a different part number or not.  Don’t remember the o-rings being some freakish size you can’t find.  The 12gr compression seal (on the front of the valve) might be a problem, it doesn’t look like anything currently made.

DSCF0002-3_zps3af96242 by Robert Dean, on Flickr

DSCF0004-2_zpsdf0be7ae (1) by Robert Dean, on Flickr

Reputation (10 meter paper) had it as an “8 ring” rifle.  Even with a perfect hold, would be a cluster about 8 ring in size.  Enough effort (cleaning, bedding, re crowning, etc.) it’s a “9-ring” rifle.  Won’t thrill a match shooter.

Shot from a bench at 20 yards...it’s OK.

2a10f2ec-331a-49eb-8db2-251ede4cefec_zpsf9da541f by Robert Dean, on Flickr

[Ribbonstone]

Add on for this barrel.  Never got a crack at another Crosman 2000 to know if this was a freak.

Mystery was how a pellet shaped like this:

Image57 by Robert Dean, on Flickr

Was coming out of a factory crown that looked like this:

Image13_zps5879b8b9 by Robert Dean, on Flickr


Recrowning showed a bore like this:

Image100-1_zpsa7607d53 by Robert Dean, on Flickr

[WildCJ5]

^^^ I was waiting for “but wait there’s more!”   No wonder the Daisy rifles just beat these Crosman up.

[Ribbonstone]

About 18 months back, was getting ready to send it to a new home.  Gassed it up and shot it to be sure it was working right, then went rooting in the attic/sheds for a good box and packing materials.  Were some problems (early C-19 panic) in shipping...so it laid around the house for a time.

Wife found it, was handling it, and wanted to try it…..then claimed it.  Have to admit, the length/weight did suit her.

Now my job is to keep it running.

Agree with MAC1, hang it on the wall….unless you like a challenge, leave them alone.

Which doesn’t help Mike.  From the sound of it, he’s likely to sell it, trade it, take it down for parts, or beat it to death.

[fatmike]

Wow! I knew I made a mistake after some research but now I know I'm stuck with a conversation piece and not a gun.

[Blutroop]

Is that polygonal rifling?

[WildCJ5]

Wow! I knew I made a mistake after some research but now I know I'm stuck with a conversation piece and not a gun.

Well, they do look cool.

If it makes you feel better I bought a used scope from a buddy a few months ago for $200. He got it used on a trade and I don’t think even looked it up. Just before typing this I finally got around to checking it out. New they were $135 five years ago. Haha

At least your expectations are set. If you gas it up and it holds pressure  and shoots dimes at twenty yards it might be the perfect rifle for when the little family members come over and want to plink.

[fatmike]

Tes that's what I'm thinking. It's for future grandkids. If it can let them try 10m shooting I guess it's a win. I have 3 marauders in dis repair so I think I might purchase a regulator and put together a low fill pressure marauder  to shoot sparrows with.. just not worthy they're. 25 but that's for another post.

[WildCJ5]

I did a .177 marauder with a huma set up for 12 ftlb. Polished everything I could. It was really good. Well over 100 shots, eat to cock and no noise. You will love it.

[Ribbonstone]

Jeremy:

Until some one confirms it...am going to call it a freak. 

You’d think someone would have mentioned it if it were intentional….2000 the bore-wars were if full swing…..and it’s more like a gradual/slightly tapered progression from breech to muzzle.

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We seldom take it out in the real world….mostly it gets shot inside.  Sometimes, when it’s just raining, a covered drive way and patio will work for 11-12  yards of dry (add a few yards as I don’t mind if the targets get wet).

Whenever grapes go bad, her choice to toss them or shoot them….make nice eco-friendly splatter targets at 10-15 yards.  She doesn't have to know that I come out later and see what showed up to eat the splatter.

Does get shot outdoors at 20 and 25 yards on occasion, just keeping my hand in the 3 position type shooting.

From prone to standing is where the adjustable stock comes in handy (Daisy choices were more bench accurate rifles, but not as  ergonomically adjustable). 
 
Even in 2000, were a lot of little 4H clubs and high school JRTC units looking for a cheap set of rifles.  The SSP Daisys were the cheap alternative, and likely sold the best (the upper priced ones with the LW barrels).  NO 12gr co2 to buy, no bulk fill co2 tanks, no high pressure air to generate.
 
But the SSP sucked at prone.  End up rolling on your side to stroke that SSP under lever each shot, then rolling back to find your spot all over again.

Useless side trip:

Think it was middle of 2007, here on the (old) yellow classified that MSG Ward (if I got your rank wrong...it’s been a long time) released something like 15-18  old RWS 75’s from his program in Kentucky to help his up-grade to new PCP’s.  Bought a rightly and a (harder to find) lefty.



As you seem to own it...no profit in selling it….seems the logical choice would be to clean it, seal it as needed, and learn what it likes.  If mine is any example, would still be useful to train a young shooter come 2033.