Tell me about the Benjamin 392

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I would like to hear information (facts and opinions).  I am new to air guns. 
This would be a urban squirrel rifle and plinker.
Thanks!

[amb5500c]

If Benjamin pumpers and squirrel hunting are your thing, you will be more than happy with a 392. It has the horse power for the task.
Richard

[milkman]

I have an older Benjamin version and I like it a lot, just get tired pumping the thing. The gun shoots good, is good quality, light and easy to handle. Mine is accurate and I've killed lots of rabbits with it. The only down side is the pumping especially since I have bad shoulders. I looked at some of he 392s online and for the same money, I'd get a good break barrel .22. There are several B/Bs for less than $200, look at some of the sponsors on this site. Air Guns are addictive, good thing they're cheap to shoot.  

[RedFeather]

Two recommendations.  This is for the later 392, the one with the cast trigger guard and cross-bolt safety button.  1)  If you can still find them, the Big Ed's SuperSear.  Drop in for a better trigger pull.  2) Williams peep sight.  Screws right on and increases accuracy 1000000%.  Well, maybe only 100000%.  Very nice guns. 

Oh, and tip #3.  Get some brake cleaner or paint thinner and carefully, like with a Qtip, clean the paint from the last half inch or so of the muzzle.  For some reason, they tend to get over-spray on the new guns.

If you get the chance, by all means pick up a rocker-safety Blue Streak.  There's currently a 1972 in great shape for a great price here on the classifieds if Bassman hasn't snagged it.  It's in .20 and the fodder is a bit harder to come by but, if it's like my 1972 Streak, the trigger is sweet and it hits like the flat of an axe.  No shameless plug.  Just also a great little (as in feather light) gun.

[amb5500c]

There are several B/Bs for less than $200, look at some of the sponsors on this site.

Just a note FYI, our site has NO sponsors. The links are only provided by our administration to give members some ideas of good reputable places to purchase from. They are in no way paid advertisements for the companies.
Richard

[BenjiHunter]

I have two 392's. One stock 392 and one steroid 392.
Both are great guns and in my opinion very accurate with all sort of ammo.
Pumping? Not so bad if you have a peep sight or a inter mount with a Leapers bugbuster scope.
Even a pistol scope works but it looks strange.

[airgunandy]

There are mods that can be done to these rifles to make them easier to pump and to sweeten the trigger.
The forward mounted pistol scope (scout rifle) may look funny to some, but I find it the best way for ME to scope a Benji.





I'd rather pump one of these than manhandle a big heavy springer. My shoulders get to me quicker shooting my Gamo than they do with the 392 or my Blue Streak. YMMV.

[slothart]

If you have the patience to watch the classifieds on a couple of the forums, I second redfeather's Blue Streak recommendation.  I have a current model 392 and a 80s rocker safety blue streak.  The older blue streak out shoots my 2010 392.

I still enjoy my 392 (with williams peep sight), but my blue streak cost less (bought it off another forum's classified) and performs better.

[crowpopper]

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,15231.0.html

here is mine   also i was out tonight and at 62 yards I was ripping up a Pop can pretty bad
I was shooting JSB 18 grainers and it was nothing to rip the can up

[Calmark]

Hi Jayhawkhuntclub,

I don't own a Benjamin 392, but have a newer Benjamin 397 in .177 cal.  While its a nice gun, looking back, I really wish I would have gotten a larger caliber for it, now that I've shot some of my .22 cal. springers.  The larger pellets are easier to load and seem to hit a lot harder, which is usually a good thing.    

Just a few days ago I bought a "Brass Streak" in .20 cal. from my local craigslist.  Its the older rocker style saftey and was built probably in the 80s.  I will say, comparing the two, the older one has a nicer form to it, and the trigger is definitely better than the newer one on the 397, even after some work I did to it.  I would reccomend to you not to rule out a Blue Streak or Silver Streak in .20 cal.  They are nice guns, especially if you can get an older one.  Good luck with your choice in the end, you can't really go wrong with any of these classic pumpers!  

[cole5169]

Oh, and tip #3.  Get some brake cleaner or paint thinner and carefully, like with a Qtip, clean the paint from the last half inch or so of the muzzle.

Yup.  That helps a bunch on the newer girls.
Great guns; I prefer my 1971 Blue Streak, but I have a couple modern 392s, and they are terrific.

-joel

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I am enjoying the responses.  Thanks for the edjucation: keep it coming!

So tell me, how many pump can you safely do with a 392?

[.22 Varmint]

Factory recommends 8 pumps for max power. Unless you have the "Steroid Tune", I would not go above 8 pumps.

Andrew   

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

What are the current factory triggers like?  I've heard conflicting reports. What adjustments can be made to them?  Thanks!

[RedFeather]

Let me pass this on, once more.  An easier way to pump a Sheridan (or any pumper):

Turn the gun upside down.  Place barrel on your thigh.  (Helps if you have something to rest your foot on and make your thigh parallel to the ground.)  Holding the stock in one hand, use the other to work the pump.

Not as easy with a "scout" scope setup but I find you get much more leverage.  A pad on the thigh helps, too.  You can shoot longer without fatigue.

[crowpopper]

great advice Red   this is how i like to pump mine while target shooting  easy to do while sitting down less fatigue on you while shooting

[airgunandy]

I pump with one hand between the rear sight and the receiver, the other on the forearm. Hold it muzzle up and work it like hedge clippers. Nothing to it.