Author Topic: Benjamin 3120 Collector or also ran? (Read 1053 times))

CO_Steve · « **on:** February 28, 2022, 06:27:42 PM »

So recently I answered a local online ad for an old Benjamin. No one else seemed interested and there was something odd looking in the single picture that I didn't understand. Turns out it was a 3120 with the tube feed on top of the barrel. Condition seemed so so. Dirty, wouldn't cock, seem to make some pressure when pumped. Stock was dry and scratched. Figured It would be a complete rebuild. Well, it cleaned up amazing. It had been resealed before but was so dirty it leaked. Upon cleaning the outside the finish was easily 95%. No scratches, a little brass showing on the edges. After cleaning it out inside it held air well and shot hard. Some sanding and the stock revealed a beautiful piece of wood. This thing is nice for it's age. Not sure on that, serial P3287. I was trying to find values. I've got a couple of collector pieces but this one doesn't do much for me. Should I keep it or pass it on?

Acapulco · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2022, 06:34:48 PM »

If it doesn't float ur boat...sell it. I picked one up a month or so ago. Keep in mind they are scarce.

Im keeping mine

let see sum pics.

CO_Steve · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2022, 06:44:21 PM »

Working on pix. THe site keeps crashing when I try to upload. I've got a 5G home connection and upload speeds are very slow.

CO_Steve · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2022, 06:51:47 PM »

Acapulco · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2022, 07:00:26 PM »

That's a keeper 👍...nice score.

CO_Steve · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2022, 07:01:48 PM »

Mind if I ask what you gave for your?

Acapulco · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2022, 07:02:17 PM »

Sure...$ 140

CO_Steve · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2022, 07:09:28 PM »

Ok, rare but not super valuable. Off to the safe. Thanks.

Acapulco · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2022, 07:26:00 PM »

Don't place value on the gun based upon my purchased price.

If your gun is clean and complete might bring $500 plus.

CO_Steve · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2022, 07:27:35 PM »

I'd certainly let it go for that

MDriskill · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2022, 06:59:13 AM »

I had one for a few years. They are fun to shoot, reasonably accurate if you use the right ammo, and man those solid balls land with some authority. I also liked the idea of being able to carry a whole day's worth of reloads onboard, lol.

I eventually sold it on, thinking Benjamin's .22 pellet-shooters seem more accurate, reliable, and easier to find ammo for of course, but the 3120 is a cool gun that I do miss from time to time!

45flint · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2022, 09:41:47 AM »

Benjamin repeaters are a collecting segment in itself. But I do think the CO2 repeaters make a little more sense? The 22 repeating CO2 pistol is one of my collection highlights.

Acapulco · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2022, 11:42:59 PM »

Hang on to that pumper...only to go up in value.

But I do think the CO2 repeaters make a little more sense? The 22 repeating CO2 pistol is one of my collection highlights.

Huh??

CO_Steve · « **Reply #13 on:** March 02, 2022, 01:09:01 AM »

Just FYI it dated to 62-63.

MDriskill · « **Reply #14 on:** March 02, 2022, 03:53:21 PM »

I'm not the biggest Benjy expert, but I believe the side-mounted safety tags yours as an older example, built - as the name implies - on the 310-series action.

Later ones (including the one I had) were really 340-series models, but the ball repeater kept the "3120" name.

bantam5s · « **Reply #15 on:** March 02, 2022, 04:26:19 PM »

Quote from: MDriskill on March 02, 2022, 03:53:21 PM

I'm not the biggest Benjy expert, but I believe the side-mounted safety tags yours as an older example, built - as the name implies - on the 310-series action.

Later ones (including the one I had) were really 340-series models, but the ball repeater kept the "3120" name.

That is the same safety that my 1967 312 has.
Early 70's I think is when the 34x series with tang safety was introduced.

dmflyer · « **Reply #16 on:** March 02, 2022, 08:58:17 PM »

I want one and a 10 cavity .22 ball mold

eeler1 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2022, 12:43:23 AM »

One of the kids where I grew up had one, we'd be sneaking up on some critter and he'd tip it a little and the dang thing would rattle like shaking a can of bolts. Not sure I ever saw the advantage of a repeater that you had to pump up every time, but it did have a kinda 'cool' factor even back then.

I've had, at one time or another, most if not all of the Benjamin pump and Co2 repeaters. None were really collector condition. If I had known that each would eventually come to me, I might have held on to them and done a collection thing like Steve mentioned. One benefit would have been when my cousin asks if I want to listen to some of his collection of old 1930's radio programs (for real, he even has them digitized and cataloged now), I could ask him if he wants to shoot some of my old Benji repeaters instead.

MDriskill · « **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2022, 09:59:43 AM »

Ha - very true. Dozens of balls rolling back and forth in that magazine tube were not quiet!

One thing that scared me a bit on the 3120 was that the breech was fed by a simple round hole on top, where the balls dropped down from the tube. Any sort of jam in the bore would be tough to get to.

I never actually had a problem - since the ammo Benjy sold - noted "W. German Product" on the label - was not shotgun fodder, but precision balls made by H&N. If you fed the gun anything else, you'd want to check dimensions against the originals pretty carefully (my cheap micrometer says the ones I have are consistently 0.215" in diameter).

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Benjamin 3120 Collector or also ran?

Author Topic: Benjamin 3120 Collector or also ran? (Read 1053 times))