Crosman 101, 102 vs Sheridan Blue Streak

[45flint]

Just bought my first pumper with the 102 several months ago.  Before my main rifle was a old Beeman R1 springer I bought years ago.  I have now appreciated the positives of a multipump: light weight, compact, variable power for indoors shooting, and no recoil.  The often pointed out drawback is the exhausting pumping.  I have found that not to be a the huge issue I thought it would be in my 102.  In reviews of the Blue Streak it just seems like it's more difficult to pump with identical power ratings?  An example:



I am sure on this site someone owns both guns and can give me the low down.  I think the video also shows the advantages of a scout scope mounting on a pumper, you don't interfere with the loading port.  And you retain the area around the receiver for the second hand hold for more efficient pumping?  It could very well be that in the video, his having to hold the stock makes it look more difficult than it is?

[bantam5s]

I don't own a 102, but I can tell you that pumping a Sheridan blue streak isn't very hard and they're such good guns that you should just go ahead and start looking for one already.

[Flint]

yeah, its way harder to pump the way that guy is doing in the video.  The best way to pump these guns, not only for ease of pumping but also for the integrity of the gun, is to hold it with one hand just forward of the receiver and then pump with the other hand.  I've been told by the man who has seen more of these guns that almost certainly anyone else on the planet (Tim McMurray) that pumping while holding the pistol grip puts a lot of strain on the gun in many places.  he said you want to keep all of the forces in a straight line with the pump arm at all times. 

 

[avator]

I have both, several Sheridans and a 101. I can assure you, the 101 is much easier to pump to full charge. As far as power? Even with the .20 cal I feel the Sheridan way out powers the 101. But, I rarely pump past 5 - 6. No need in my application.

[45flint]

I have both, several Sheridans and a 101. I can assure you, the 101 is much easier to pump to full charge. As far as power? Even with the .20 cal I feel the Sheridan way out powers the 101. But, I rarely pump past 5 - 6. No need in my application.

I think the 101s, 102s, power is pretty variable given their age but they seem to have at the very least equal power potential.  See this 101 at Baker Airguns hitting 698?

https://www.bakerairguns.com/product/crosman-101-air-rifle/

[longhunter]

If you have a loose bore, the 101's can get up there. Problem is, accuracy suffers. Average is 650 - 670. My 101 has a very tight bore, and is doing 645, on 10 pumps. One tiny hole, at 14 yard zero.

[bantam5s]

An important thing to note is that Sheridan's only take 8 pumps to Max out while the crosmans take 10, So if you're just plinking you'll probably get more fore your 4 pumps with a Sheridan ( very easy up to about 5 ) than you would with the crosman.

[45flint]

An important thing to note is that Sheridan's only take 8 pumps to Max out while the crosmans take 10, So if you're just plinking you'll probably get more fore your 4 pumps with a Sheridan ( very easy up to about 5 ) than you would with the crosman.

Not really true, The old 101, 102 were to get 6 pumps in the old days.  I tracked my 102 with the above Sheridan video was was getting very similar speeds with same # of pumps with indentical grain pellet.  The above comment about pellet fit is the wildcard.

[longhunter]

Another consideration is that the crosmans have a much smaller swept volume than the sheridan. All othe things being equal, it's amazing how much power the crosmans can generate.

[45flint]

Another consideration is that the crosmans have a much smaller swept volume than the sheridan. All othe things being equal, it's amazing how much power the crosmans can generate.

Don't  know what that means?

[Ghosth]

I do not have the crossman, but I have had a Sheridan Blue Streak since 1973. It has seen thousands of pellets in that time.

In all those pellets, all those things shot. I think I can safely say that I have pumped it up to the full 8 pumps no more than 15 times. Probably 10 but I did not want to understate.

The vast majority of my shooting was done at 3 pumps. I went to 4 only for increased range, or bigger + harder to kill target.

Birds on a high power line at 25 yards every afternoon summer time while dad got his nap. Mostly grackles and sparrows. A few rabbits, all head shots, all dead and down with 3 or 4 pumps and a single well placed shot.

Nowdays I often shoot in my basement with only 2 pumps. And at 20 feet if I can do my part it will put them into one ragged hole you can cover with a dime with 4 cents change.

Power is nice, speed is seductive, accuracy is the winner. Add power and speed and you tend to lose accuracy.

[longhunter]

Another consideration is that the crosmans have a much smaller swept volume than the sheridan. All othe things being equal, it's amazing how much power the crosmans can generate.

Don't  know what that means?

Bigger air tube. More air per stroke in the Sheridan.

[45flint]

Another consideration is that the crosmans have a much smaller swept volume than the sheridan. All othe things being equal, it's amazing how much power the crosmans can generate.

Don't  know what that means?

Bigger air tube. More air per stroke in the Sheridan.

That makes sense.  Got to be easier if your moving less air.  Wonder if the large cocking hammer gives the Crosman a mechanical advantage in dumping the air?

[45flint]

I do not have the crossman, but I have had a Sheridan Blue Streak since 1973. It has seen thousands of pellets in that time.

In all those pellets, all those things shot. I think I can safely say that I have pumped it up to the full 8 pumps no more than 15 times. Probably 10 but I did not want to understate.

The vast majority of my shooting was done at 3 pumps. I went to 4 only for increased range, or bigger + harder to kill target.

Birds on a high power line at 25 yards every afternoon summer time while dad got his nap. Mostly grackles and sparrows. A few rabbits, all head shots, all dead and down with 3 or 4 pumps and a single well placed shot.

Nowdays I often shoot in my basement with only 2 pumps. And at 20 feet if I can do my part it will put them into one ragged hole you can cover with a dime with 4 cents change.

Power is nice, speed is seductive, accuracy is the winner. Add power and speed and you tend to lose accuracy.

This is so true, the first few pumps build the majority of the power.  Many of the spring guys never try a pumper cause they don't realize this. (That was me till two months ago).  And the spring guys think they have to have over 1000 FPS, when 2/3s of that is more than enough and produces a better more shootable rifle.

[avator]

There ya go... stir up the spring guys... they can be evil you know. While you're at it, why don't PO the Darkside.. lol

[Rob112o]

Hahahaha, darn springer. So closed minded they are. I need to get me a Crosman 10x rifle. I can't make a comparison with a 10x, but have had a few 140/1400 and they also are easier to pump. Same thing the recommended is up to 10 pumps.

[45flint]

Well I am one of those guys, I was sitting with a Beeman R1 for 15 years.  Quality built gun but I look at it now, to get that power they made it big and heavy, a lot of piston to jump.  Summer is coming ang I will have both guns in the back yard. Be interesting which I enjoy shooting the most? 

[avator]

I bought a Browning Leverage action in .22 from another member and an XS46U stock for it from MM. Time I got it scoped it weighs a ton. Wouldn't want to shoot that beast offhand let alone packing it in the woods. It is a HAMMER tho. Sorry, pumper thread.

[bantam5s]

I often shoot my blue streak on 2 pumps indoors as well, while with any of my other pumpers I can't really use less than 3.
I'm not saying Sheridan's are better than crosman 101 and 102's as I have no experience with them, they're just so good that there's little to think about before buying one.
I like pumpers better than the whole Springer concept, but I'm glad I own one or I'd always be wondering what that single cocking motion gets you.

[DRose]

I have a Crosman 102 and Sheridan C9. Both are pleasant to shoot and both are accurate. Nod to the C9. Peep sights are the best way to use these rifles IMHO. Pumping is much easier. At distances they were intended to use, they work fine.