1978 Benji 347: Welcome back old friend!

[Venom22]

I took another stab at fixing my dad's Benjamin 347 (#T300935) about a month ago and finally succeeded in the rebuild of the valve! It had 'died' from lack of care, oil, and as well as years of barn dust on my dad's farm. When I inherited all of dad's things this problem gun became my problem and for sentimental reasons (as this was not only his gun but the one I learned to shoot with) as well as take my first HOSP, it needed fixed.  After many trials, frustrations, and failures with the gun living as parts in a box I got it right. I now know what is said about soldered valves is true - they are definitely not for the 'faint of heart'. The majority of problems after an extensive swabbing/cleaning was a slow but insidious leak at the exhaust valve which was audible when i held an ear by the bolt when it was cocked. At only 1 pump! The culprit ended up being a worn exhaust valve with too much side-to-side play. Easy enough fix with a better machined one from MAC1 that has much less play to it as well as a last minute shim job on the valve springs to tighten stuff up further. Had to also stretch the hammer spring to provide more power to pop the valve open. Bit of 30wt ND (no Secret Sauce yet but planning on getting some) on pivot pins and pump head...Success! She pumps up HARD and holds air (even a pump days later). 10-20yds tested and mixed results as gun is a picky "eater" with best results at 10yds @ 3 pumps (w/ slightly under dime-sized groups) with Daisy HPs and a mystery pellet which I believe are the hind end of a box of Daisy Quick Silver pellets I remember seeing my dad had. Don't really care for "barn door"-wide rear sight notch as could be better but am considering a peep sight if possible as well as searching for the ideal pellet for her.  Definitely no complaints here.

[Ted Howe]

Nice old gun, glad you got her up and going.
Try Crosman Premier pellets

[Rob112o]

Nice job. Is yours drilled for a peep? It doesn't look like it on the pic. 2 threaded holes on the right side of receiver/breech. She is nice looking. My 342 is quite picky herself.

[Venom22]

Thanks guys. It was quite a struggle at times to get everything to fit 'just-so' but was made so much easier especially with the amount of tips and other related rebuilds I researched both online and here on GTA. As to a peep sight, my 347 is unfortunately not drilled for one but has a slot on the left side of bolt receiver with a small plate over it that I'm assuming is for a peep - a No. 273 I saw in various pics? So probably no Williams for this one. When it comes to pellet pickiness, this gun is proving difficult to find the "one" for it. So far I have tried all that I have on hand - H&N FTTs, Winnie Domes, several kinds of Daisy pellets, Crosman Destroyers, and of course, CP HPs. So far, no dice except with Daisy HPs to an extent. I'm considering trying some CPUMs as well as possibly some other varieties of H&Ns an JSBs.

I'm open to any other helpful suggestions and any other useful advice. Thanks again.

[Rob112o]

Thanks guys. It was quite a struggle at times to get everything to fit 'just-so' but was made so much easier especially with the amount of tips and other related rebuilds I researched both online and here on GTA. As to a peep sight, my 347 is unfortunately not drilled for one but has a slot on the left side of bolt receiver with a small plate over it that I'm assuming is for a peep - a No. 273 I saw in various pics? So probably no Williams for this one. When it comes to pellet pickiness, this gun is proving difficult to find the "one" for it. So far I have tried all that I have on hand - H&N FTTs, Winnie Domes, several kinds of Daisy pellets, Crosman Destroyers, and of course, CP HPs. So far, no dice except with Daisy HPs to an extent. I'm considering trying some CPUMs as well as possibly some other varieties of H&Ns an JSBs.

I'm open to any other helpful suggestions and any other useful advice. Thanks again.

Yes, that slot is for the 273. My 342 was drilled for a peep by a tuner. My 312 however wasn't and I have the 273 on it. Looks a little odd at first because the way it is suppose to sit, but after getting us to the look it works just fine.
   Now, all the 22 ammo I have the only pellet my 342 shot well where the Excite Hammers. In 177 they come in 500 at I believe 6-7 bucks. Made by H&N so a quality made pellet for cheap. If it doesn't like them I'm sure something else will.