Author Topic: '72 Benjamin 342 refurb (Read 7592 times))

Yng@hrt · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2017, 09:04:35 PM »

Thanks Scott. I just want to be prepared in case I'm out snooping around & happen to bump into something worth while.

FWIW...there's absolutely nothing to honored about at this end...trust me.

WECSOG · « **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2017, 05:38:28 PM »

Don't forget Crosman's 1377, 1322 and 2289. They are a different breed than the Benji and 'Dan pumpers, but still very worth owning and lots of fun ti tinker with. Some of them are vintage, too.

Rob112o · « **Reply #22 on:** February 13, 2017, 08:21:13 PM »

Lot of people like their Dans. I do too, but do prefer the Benji 312 and 342. As they are my favorite 2 of all the pumpers I'm hordeing over here. The 31x and 34x series are quite different from one another. Though technically the 31x are the big brother of the 34x they aren't bigger. The 31x have very slim furniture this could be a turnoff for some. They tend to have what we call the tootsie roll forearm. Whereas the 34x have thicker furniture, not thick and bulky like the current Benji 39x's. They are very comfortable in hand. I personally feel of all model Benji's, Dans, and Crosman the 34x series is the best. I know I'm gonna get disagreements, but I'd take a 342 over a Dan in same condition any day. They are more compact and slightly lighter than the Dans. The Benji's in general do seem to pump a bit easier than the Dans and both much easier than the 39x's. No worry about rear sight causing barrel separation.
Now, there are other nice models to look out for. Mines not for sale, but maybe Scott would be nice enough to sell you his 392P. These P model Benji's are excellent rifles. Stamped Racine WI like the Sheridans, but are Benji's. You will find a model PA that's much like the P, but Crosman stamped. If it's got the push-pull safety behind the breech. That's worth getting they are just like the P model just stamped different. Nice wood, nice trigger assembly, soldered valve, well built.
Like Scott said the 140/1400 is a nice add. They can be found for cheap. Shoot as well as any other pumper. They are much quieter too. Look for a Sears model cause they can have the breech area grooved for a scope. Than you can save a few bucks from having to buy intermounts.

392P top 342 bottom

140 requiring the use of an intermount

Sears model 1400 with grooves. Can notice how much lower scope is.

P model trigger assembly you should look out for

This is my 317 w/ tootsie roll. So if you see tootsie roll in a for sale that's what they are talking about.

312 up top next to a modern 392

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2017, 08:42:10 PM »

Rob...I KNEW you had a 342 you were holding out on me!!! "Truck Gun" my butt!!

And yes, the 392P / 397P models are as close to a 342 / 347 as you can get without being there.... But no, you can't have mine!

Quote

P model trigger assembly you should look out for

As in a GOOD way!! Not something to avoid. That is one sweet trigger when cleaned and lubed.

avator · « **Reply #24 on:** February 13, 2017, 09:35:39 PM »

A picture is worth 1000 words...

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #25 on:** February 13, 2017, 09:37:22 PM »

DANG IT BILL!!!

She is a sweetie

I think you just reclaimed your "Enabler status" back.

avator · « **Reply #26 on:** February 13, 2017, 09:49:33 PM »

Props go to Mr. Decker for bringing that beauty back. I paid less than $100 for it and I had seen others he had done and I knew he was the man for that job. I need to get some updated pics of "Geronimo". He now wears a leather wrap handguard and hawk feather tassel at the muzzle. Gnat nut accurate at 30+ yds.

Rob112o · « **Reply #27 on:** February 14, 2017, 03:41:23 PM »

Quote from: Hoosier Daddy on February 13, 2017, 08:42:10 PM

Rob...I KNEW you had a 342 you were holding out on me!!! "Truck Gun" my butt!!

And yes, the 392P / 397P models are as close to a 342 / 347 as you can get without being there.... But no, you can't have mine!

Quote
P model trigger assembly you should look out for
As in a GOOD way!! Not something to avoid. That is one sweet trigger when cleaned and lubed.

The 342 isn't a truck gun, not by a long shot. The 317 in the above pic is/was the truck gun. Though it does look quite nice in that pic it's got a few dings, scuffs, half cracked forearm that I needed to fix. I believe at the time it was the 347 that was the truck gun. That if you wanted I would sell you that. (It's currently up for sale in my listing with the other Sheridans and C9A). The 342 is a keeper. Filing that front post to a point really gets it more accurate. Also brightens it up without the use of paint/whiteout.

Rob112o · « **Reply #28 on:** February 14, 2017, 03:48:49 PM »

Aaaaaand, the rifle Bill posted. I haven't had the fortune of getting one of them Crosman 101/102/10x. I was close a few times, but one reason or another I bailed on them. I can't comment with experience if they are any good, but I've read enough threads from various members to know they are worth a purchase. Now there are other pumpers not many people have that you should try to get a hold of. 1 being a Sharp Innova and another I've wanted a Challenger Plainsman Rifle.

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #29 on:** February 15, 2017, 07:18:28 AM »

Another I think I forgot to mention was the 392C as in Carbine.
Something like 3" shorter than the current 392PA and it has a Sheridan style Rocker Safety.
Kind of rare I believe so I will keep a watchful eye out for one of those.
Rob, I was just bustin' your chops, I knew you had the 342, I saw posts of it before and figured it was a keeper, When I asked if you had one fore sale you did let my know about the "Truck-Gun" you would be willing to part with. but I was after a .22 size.

Now as far as MY 342 refurb goes, Yesterday the new pump arm and other parts arrived from Precision Pellet so the disassemble and cleaning began.
Good news is THIS time, after 40+ years, I rembered about the detente ball and spring on the bolt, and the thumb safety... so I was ready for them to pop out. Captured BOTH on disassembly!
I still don't have the special tool , that should be here tomorrow. So I want as far as I could without it.
Once I got down to the soldered valve I could tell the lubed had had turned to a thick black grease rather than oil. I hosed the inside with Brake cleaner, and blew it out with compressed air. I have a 3/4" wooden dowel that fits nicely into the pump tube and I poured in rubbing alcohol and using the dowel was able to work the exhaust valve. At first it seemed a little stuck but after a few turns with the alcohol in one end then the other it freed up and started working every time. Once cleaned I put some Marvel Mystery Oil on a rag with my gun cleaning rod swabbed it down and still got more black, did this and followed with a dry cloth until it came out clean. Then cleaned the pump cup and rod.
Again,it was packed with the lube that had turned to a black grease , but once cleaned up the pump cup looked to be in nice condition. no cracks, little if and wear and flexible. I coated it with the MMO and now she sits until I can work more on it tonight.

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #30 on:** February 16, 2017, 07:07:00 AM »

Did some more cleaning / lubing of the small bits last night then reassembled. The new pump linkage fit very well, all the holes lined right up.
I did give the hammer spring a light stretch, just a bit. I cycled it several time with various pumps and the gun dry fires nice and strong.
The pump handle does not close completely flat. It hangs open just a tad. You can squeeze it closed but it springs back, say 1/8". The geometry of the new link may be a skosh different... after all, that's why the pump rod is adjustable, to compensate for factory tolerances, right?
So tonight I will pull the nose cap and pump back apart and see if adjusting the rod a little shorter is enough.

Yng@hrt · « **Reply #31 on:** February 17, 2017, 08:45:19 AM »

Pix?!

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #32 on:** February 17, 2017, 09:52:22 AM »

I'll take some and post when I get home.
Last night I tried shortening the pump rod a half turn of the threads. When assembled it "seemed" like it pumped easier, maybe just my imagination... but the handle still doesn't close completely flush at the rear next to the stock. I am concerned the linkage inst exactly "Perfect" but more testing is needed before "Tweeking" the bend in it.
It does dump all of 7 pumps and just a "whisp" left at 8.

avator · « **Reply #33 on:** February 17, 2017, 01:18:28 PM »

Pull the spring out of the valve and give it a squeeze in a vise until all coils touch. Hold it there for a moment then put it back in. That should dump it. If you go too far you might just need to cock the bolt before pumping so it will seal the valve pin and take air. Like most of us have said before, rarely do we pump them past 5 or 6 anyhow.

TerryM · « **Reply #34 on:** February 17, 2017, 09:38:14 PM »

If your pump handle is hanging open, I think you need to go the other way: lengthen the piston rod slightly so it touches the valve face just before closing?

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #35 on:** February 17, 2017, 10:13:03 PM »

Not hanging open...Latches hard. Just not "level"

Yng@hrt · « **Reply #36 on:** February 18, 2017, 09:35:23 AM »

Lost track here; Thanks Tracy, Rob & Bill for pointing out those other models, & Rob wow great looking collection!

We'll be having another gun show in a few month's so this is very helpful.

Thanx

TerryM · « **Reply #37 on:** February 18, 2017, 10:19:19 AM »

Quote from: Hoosier Daddy on February 17, 2017, 10:13:03 PM

Not hanging open...Latches hard. Just not "level"

Probably just the way the wood was shaped/drilled from the factory. I have an early 397P, the pump handle doesn't line up with the stock at all... shoots good though. I don't much care for those later, blocky Benjamin stocks. Don't know what they were thinking, ugly as all get-out. And the stepped, "Monte Carlo" butt looks really awkward to me. I like the older stock with the "tootsie roll" pump handle much better. Just my opinion.

I wouldn't go trying to bend that linkage in any way.

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #38 on:** February 18, 2017, 10:34:13 AM »

I think that is the issue Terry, just not lining up. After shortening the pump rod a half turn it still isn't flush with the tube at the back of the pump handle. Might be my imagination but it doesn't "sound" as strong as it did before. I'm going to take it back apart and put the pump rod length back were it was.
Got it out last night and she is definitely a "shooter" though!

Started out low and to the left (top targets) but dialed her right in at 10 yrds (Bottom) on the 3" targets.
The I aimed at a few pop cans at 20 and 25... Shot over the top at s pumps . Seems the pellet was still climbing in it's trajectory at 10 yds... So I moved the sight back down a notch at it is good enough for plinkin' now with CPHP's

TerryM · « **Reply #39 on:** February 18, 2017, 10:44:43 AM »

It's a good shooter, that's what matters most. I have a few guns with cosmetic issues, I don't let it bother me much. Heading to a gun show here in town this morning to see what I can find...

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'72 Benjamin 342 refurb

Author Topic: '72 Benjamin 342 refurb (Read 7592 times))