Author Topic: '72 Benjamin 342 refurb (Read 7576 times))

Hoosier Daddy · « **on:** February 05, 2017, 10:02:52 AM »

After a long search for the favorite airgun of my youth, I finally got my hands another one.
Yesterday I received my next project thanks to jaraxle1zx here on GTA. He had picked it up from a Pawn Shop and it had issues, he went to the Darkside and wanted to pass this one on to someone. The stars and Moon aligned and I now have a new-2-me Benji 342 serial number T130233.
Jason let me know the pump arm was bent when he got it Looks to me like it was folded over and straightened in a vice at some point. Shortly after that it failed to fire. Now it barely pumps up and if it does, it wont hold air overnight. So it needs a thorough going over.
The metal finish is showing hardly any wear and the wood has some very nice grain under the factory finish that is in "fair" condition. So it really is a good candidate. This is EXACTLY what I wanted!! A project with real potential to repair and bring back from the dead.
Plans are to get it shooting again, enjoy it a bit, then address the wood after that.
I will keep this updated as progress goes, but I am not under a deadline to get this one brought back, instead want to take my time and do it right.
If anyone has pump linkage for a 34X please let me know. Meanwhile I will contact Baker, Mac1 and Precision Pellet in search of a good used set.
Any-how... enough of the introduction, here she is this morning. Next time you see her she will be in pieces.

RBQChicken · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2017, 10:07:30 AM »

Wow!, is that nice wood. Beautiful! Fun to have a winter project to work on, eh?

Extreme · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2017, 11:17:33 AM »

I bet when you get her finished up she will be not only a shooter but a looker!!!

Rob112o · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2017, 02:13:26 PM »

Looking good Scott. I love my 342, I like the fatter stock as oppose to the 31x rifles. In response to your PM, no I don't have another 34x pump linkage, only a few bent ones. Probably like the one on yours. Most likely from over pumping at some point.
Edit* I just looked at title again. I posted a 1972 347 last night. Which has checkering on the grip and forearm. Doesn't look like yours does?

avator · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2017, 03:57:10 PM »

I often wondered about the weakness in the pump arm linkage. Had an idea but haven't pursued yet. I was thinking of taking it to Lowes ( or just measure it ). The have a rack of shorts. Round stock, flats, angles and such. Find a flat bar that fits or comes close to fitting in the U channel of the pump arm. Simple shop tools can be used to shape it as a filler. Or even make a whole ne solid one. If nothing else, it can be used until you can find an original replacement if desired.

jaraxle1zx · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2017, 08:41:52 PM »

I did put some tung oil on the faded places.
Thought that was one of the few things I could do without changing the factory finish.

Gun stock is really nice wood and you could make it beautiful, but on other hand a 40+ year old stock with factory finish is pretty cool too.

Be neat to see what path you take.

Not sure why the rabbit magnum pellet took the seal out but before that your gun was a real shooter.

I've since given the 4 tins of rabbit magnum pellets away, never had luck of shooting them through any gun and did want to jinx anymore guns.

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2017, 03:48:49 PM »

Thanks for the info on the tung oil Jason. That will help if / when I do refinish it.
I reached out to Rick at Precision pellet (www.airgunshop.net), he says he has the pump linkage. Getting pricing from him on that and some seal kits.

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2017, 06:02:29 PM »

I just hung up the phone with Rick at Precision Pellet.
What a Super Guy!
20 minutes he spent with me to get it right, comparing the 342 to my 312, then onto the 312's issue, and then the 392P questions I had.
He has re-pop's of the factory 342 linkage, needed replacement pump cup assembly for the 312, and a seal kit That should come with enough parts to fit any of the three. Whichever I need it for... We talked of the conical spring differences and lead vs buna seals on the soldered in valves.. On and On.
WOW! I am impressed!
Order placed and going out tomorrow.

TerryM · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2017, 08:44:37 AM »

On the subject of lead vs rubber valve seals, what is the verdict? Why lead? Can an o-ring work just as well?

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2017, 09:28:21 AM »

Quote from: TerryM on February 11, 2017, 08:44:37 AM

On the subject of lead vs rubber valve seals, what is the verdict? Why lead? Can an o-ring work just as well?

Rick specifically said, if the lower seal is lead, leave it alone and reuse it.
If it is a flat faced Buna o-ring it should be replaced and use the Buna seal in the kit..
If for some reason the lead seal does need to be replaced his kit had enough to provide for both lead seals, one lead one Buna, or any combination,
Stressed replace lead with lead... and Buna with Buna.

Rob112o · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2017, 02:14:20 PM »

I always reuse the lead if it's there. Especially, that forward one as we know it can be a pain to get it off that ledge.

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2017, 08:54:24 AM »

Valve extraction tool's ordered, I got it with a seal kit from PA for only a little more than the tool alone. That "kit" looks like it has some but not all of the parts the seal kit from Precision Pellet is coming with...
So I will have more parts to go in one of the other pumpers if ever needed.

While I had everybody out to compare and swap sights I took a new family photo.

Rob112o · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2017, 02:54:45 PM »

What are you going to put on the Dan, sighting device? Gonna spread the legs on the original rear and re-install?

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2017, 04:10:33 PM »

For the 'Dan I got a Williams 5D-SH Peep that came off the 392PA.
The 392PA now has the scope that came off the 392P.
The 392P also had it's factory rear still so that is what I will be using for it..

Yng@hrt · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2017, 04:21:31 PM »

Quote from: Hoosier Daddy on February 12, 2017, 08:54:24 AM

Valve extraction tool's ordered, I got it with a seal kit from PA for only a little more than the tool alone. That "kit" looks like it has some but not all of the parts the seal kit from Precision Pellet is coming with...
So I will have more parts to go in one of the other pumpers if ever needed.

While I had everybody out to compare and swap sights I took a new family photo.

I can see I have some catchin up to do. Very nice!!!

I have a hard enough time photographing one let alone 5. How high off the ground were you?

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2017, 04:40:35 PM »

Me? I was standing flat footed, but my arms were stretched up holding the camera so figure 7'...

I think I've learned not to try and play "keep up with the Jones's" here on GTA. Some of these guys have ROOMS for their collection.
I just wanted an old 342 Pumper like I had when I was a kid. The rest of these came along while I tried to find it!

If one happens to come up, I might add a Pre-War Benji pumper Model "E", "F", or "G"or two...
and a 132 pistol...
and maybe an H9...

Jeeze that's just the .22's

Yng@hrt · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2017, 04:46:50 PM »

Hey Bill? I think you resemble that remark.

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2017, 05:14:33 PM »

Heh, heh... ya.
Bill might have been one I was thinkin 'bout
Wait until you see a photo of Dez's

Yng@hrt · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2017, 07:42:07 PM »

Scott, hope you don’t mind my temporary highjack but I have a question; I am obviously new to this hobby & have only researched the 880 & the Sheridan, & am only interested in pumpers. From what I’ve gathered the Sheridan is hard to beat. If the Sheridan is 1st on many lists, what would be the second & third choices as far as something comparable or even better than the Sheridan & why?

Thanks

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2017, 08:28:14 PM »

Boy Marty, I sure don't mind and I am honored your asking me. I have only been back into this hobby / sport about a year now.
That said, The Benjamin Pumpers were Sheridan's nearest competition back in the day. I bought the 342, neighbor kid bought a 'Dan. same summer about '75 I think...
In my opinion they are a very close second. The one thing I like better is their .177 / .22 pellets are more readily available.
Story is Sheridan created the .20 caliber specifically for their guns and it WORKS! You just have had to order it around here.

Next on my list would be the Crosman 140 / 1400 those also have a loyal following here, and for good reason.
They had some BEAUTIFUL lines, good shooters and some had really nice wood! They were also sold at Sears and Roebuck and carried that "Sears" name and model 126, and I am sure many a young lad circled them in the Christmas catalog.
https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2008/11/the-crosman-1400-pumpmaster-an-american-classic-part-1/

Lastly, (and I might get lynched for this)... ...before I'd own another 880, some 45 years later, I'd get an old Wood-N-Metal Crosman 760.

There ya have it, guys like Bill and Rob know WAY more than me, but hey, you asked!

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'72 Benjamin 342 refurb

Author Topic: '72 Benjamin 342 refurb (Read 7576 times))