Recent Benjamin Trail NP XL 1100 Purchase

[rwt]

I just picked up a NP XL 1100 and was wondering what suggestions you may have.  I cleaned the barrel before shooting it with goo gone and have around 600 pellets through it so far.  Presently I'm using a CP 4-16X40 AO scope.  The gun seems to like JSB Exact 14.3 gr. pellets as well as H&N Baracuda's.  Accuracy with Crosman Premier Ultra Magnums is respectable for plinking, but not what I'd call great.  I have a JSB Sampler pellet pack and a H&N Sampler pack that I haven't had time to test yet.  I would expect the 18 gr. JSB heavy pellets to perform excellent, but we'll see what testing shows.  BTW, the GRT-III trigger is already installed.


Does it require a spring compressor to disassemble?  I've heard that it doesn't.  I would be inclined to open it up and try my hand at tuning it myself, especially if I don't have to build a spring compressor first.  If I do, any particular piston seal recommended?  Thanks.

[DOKF]

I used an Irwin furniture clamp on my NP XL.

While you are in there, consider buttoning the piston as well as the usual hone, lube and seal.

Also replace the pivot washers and the trigger.

,

[rwt]

I used an Irwin furniture clamp on my NP XL.

While you are in there, consider buttoning the piston as well as the usual hone, lube and seal.

Also replace the pivot washers and the trigger.

,

Thanks for the feedback.  Who carries the pivot washers, and what is "buttoning" the piston?

[Roadworthy]

I have also heard no spring compressor is needed for the XL series, though I've never seen one.

I prefer Air Rifle Headquarters piston seals, though Vortek carries them as well.  Either is better than stock.

Buttoning the piston involves putting a softer material than the piston (I use JB Weld) to keep the piston centered in the compression chamber.  The seal keeps the top of the piston centered.  Since the cocking arm pushes one side of the piston the other side may be forced into the compression chamber's side causing gouging.

I don't know if anybody carries pivot washers any more.  They are easy to make but can be time consuming to size correctly.  Start with a 3/8" bronze thrust bearing or a 5/16" brass washer.  Turn it down until the outside diameter is correct - about 0.68".  I do this by putting a bolt through the washers and tightening the nut.  I then chuck it into an electric drill and apply pressure with a file until the correct diameter is reached.

Take some careful measurements of the barrel thickness, fork width, and depression depth.  Calculate the correct thickness.  The washers may be correct to start with.  If too thick they will pull the barrel off to one side.  If too thin the barrel will wobble.  Your starting point is a couple thousandths thicker than the calculated thickness.  Thin gradually if needed.

[DOKF]

Like Roadworthy said.

[Ontarget58]

I have owned the NP XL in 22 caliber for a few years.  One of the first things I did was replace the clunky trigger with the GRT III.  The rifle has a lot of kick.  The three screws that hold the action in the stock must get the Loctite treatment or they will come lose and accuracy is gone.  I replaced the Phillips screws with hex bolts.  That allows for better tightening.  Scopes are very vulnerable on this gun unless built to withstand the movements of a high power springer.  As long as the gun is shooting fine I would not attempt a tune.  After a few thousand pellets I am getting 20-22 FPE depending on pellet.  (I tried to tune my Tail NP 177 and despite using the best materials and care I just cannot get better than 10 FPE.  Hence my recommendation although I am at a complete loss as to why my tune was not successful.)  I have shot many different pellets in the NP XL and the one with the highest fps (840) and the best accuracy is the CP HP.  JSB 15.89 gr are only 750 fps and JSB 18.13 gr are 715 fps.  To me fps matters because I like a flat trajectory in the field.

[Rocker1]

XL series not hard to work on at all, the cap can be a bear to unscrew, replace the trigger right off you will be surprised at the difference, most everyone I have seen the seal is cut on the piston. Gene made stabilizing bushing for the ram at one time to keep the ram center and the washers. You can fab some washers. the stabilizer looks like a small baffle. These guns are hammers and will wear you out cocking them and they do require a certain skill to shoot them accurately. Don't give up on it and keep the screws tight.  David

[Pellet Fun]

I've read the comments about buttoning by Kim and Thomas and would like to know how to do this. I have watched Rick Eutsler's you tube on cleaning the internals and reassembly, but haven't seen a video on buttoning. I could fabricate a guide or go the JB Weld route. Has anyone covered this in more detail.
Thx.

[rwt]

Does this gun require a spring compressor or not?  What lube(s) is/are required for a nitro piston tune?  Which piston seal would fit?  Already have a GRT-III installed.

[Pellet Fun]

General Discussion To Gateway To Airguns => Crosman-Benjamin Gate => Topic started by: suntz on February 12, 2010, 09:36:01 AM

This topic is discussed herein. One user said yes you need a compressor and interestingly enough another said you can release the end plug a little until the tension is off enough to simply release the plug. Personally I would use a compressor.

Molybdenum blends are available at auto outlets. Anybody suggest which to use?

[Rocker1]

I was one of the first to own a xl series  5 years or so ago and no compressor is required. I seriously doubt it needs any buttons on the piston. Here is the seal  http://www.airrifleheadquarters.com/catalog/item/251485/6616786.htm.  David

[rwt]

Since this topic was moved, I haven't been able to find it without performing a search so I'm posting to see if it appears on the recent list.  Replys seem to have gone dead.

[DOKF]

Send me a PM, and I will walk you through what I did.

[Gr8Gorilla]

The end cap on this gun screws in like a pipe cap. My piston seal was fine. I think they started using the soda can trick at The factory.

My NPXL really likes the H&N copper plated 21.xx grain pellets. It also groups Mr. Hollowpoint 30 grain .217 slugs nicely at ~25 yds. I honestly think this gun has too much oomph for anything lighter than 18 grains.

My NP2 loves Crosman Ultra Magnums, H&N Field 15.43 grain, the new piranhas, etc. It didn't v like real heavy pellets though.

[GatorCountry]

Does this gun require a spring compressor or not?  What lube(s) is/are required for a nitro piston tune?  Which piston seal would fit?  Already have a GRT-III installed.

The Trail NP XL 1100 does not need a spring compressor.  Just ease the end cap off.  It will have some minimal pressure at the start but the ram is not preloaded.

[Gr8Gorilla]

Forget replacing the trigger. Order part number ELS-100, that's the new NP2 Clean break trigger pack,  $15, and remove the whole pack that came on your NP XL and replace with the new one.  It's a drop in swap. For $15 for the best OEM trigger on the market.

[DOKF]

Forget replacing the trigger. Order part number ELS-100, that's the new NP2 Clean break trigger pack,  $15, and remove the whole pack that came on your NP XL and replace with the new one.  It's a drop in swap. For $15 for the best OEM trigger on the market.

Shaun,

Do you happen to have a copy of the NP2 parts diagram?  I used to have a copy, but didn't save it.  Crosman doesn't have it on their website anymore ....