Crosman 100

[45flint]

Sorry Bill, that won't work either. Easier for me to get online & order exactly what I want.

Enough talk fellas, how about a friendly game of put your Man where your pearly whites are; my Man for your Dan straight across.

A Sheridan? Don't have one yet? Keep looking for that cheap Supergrade? 

[Yng@hrt]

Just as I suspected gentleman. A classic case, or should I say, a vintage case of back peddling. 

[45flint]

We're off topic!  Any chrony numbers on that 101?  Do you have any 22 pellets?   

[avator]

I don't think it's off topic if the OP offers a trade and you ask a couple qualifying questions on the particular gun the thread began with. If I'm out of line I apologize.

[Yng@hrt]

your opinion of the 101 in comparison to the classic Blue Streak would be fasinating.

I agree we're off topic but you brought it up! In all honesty I don't even know why this comparison came up. Quality of a vintage Sheridan compared to a 101? A cheap Supergrade? Come on Steve, really? In all fairness, I like the 101. It's a great looking rifle & well designed for a pumper that dates back 60 years but not going to convince this guy that its better.

Chrony numbers...no, every time I get some green it takes off looking for another Sheridan & after shooting the 397P, a 392P is on my radar as well, then a few more Sheridan's then maybe a chrony. Who knows maybe somewhere in between.

[avator]

Marty.... Everything else aside.... you got a great deal. Would I trade my SS for it?  Nope. Would I trade a BS in the same condition? Here's the thing, I have several Streaks and I have one 101 restored beautifully. Altho vintage Streaks are gonna cost you more, 101's are going to be harder to find. If two people could come to terms and agree that the conditions were equal.. I believe I would. Would I trade my only BS.. again.. nope. Man, if that thing did turn out to be a 100 I'd be drooling on my keyboard right now. But please... don't put 3in1 oil in them. I have heard of people doing it back in the day but we know a lot more now than they did then. If I misunderstood, again... I apologize.

[Yng@hrt]

Bill please elaborate more on the 3-1. A good friend who sold me the '69 SS & who has the best Sheridan's on the planet recommended I use sewing machine oil. IIRC someone mentioned 3-1 is the same type oil. It's what brought my '65 SS back to life. This & a new cup.

There is another oil recommended to me by a good friend of both of ours. I won't mention it here but if interested pm me & I'll fill you in. Problem is, this oil is harder to find.

[avator]

3 in 1 has penetrating qualities. It's been a great product for years in cleaning, lubricating and protecting metal and metal to metal surfaces. It's more likely not a good thing to put on seals. If not Secret Sauce I would use NT 30 wt. Guys have been using 3 in 1 on PB guns for years. No O-rings and seals in PB guns. I also understand it turns to varnish over time. If that's true I know I don't want it in my valve.

[Yng@hrt]

Thanks for the info on the 3-1 oil. Tarnishing & adverse affects on O-rings & seals would certainly be a concern. Time to switch.

I also agree with your take on the rarity of these rifles. Vintage Dan's are much more available then these & if a good one comes along a person should hang onto it. I definitely like this 101. I think what surprised me the most is how small & narrow it is, crude & yet beautiful, basic & yet efficient. Loading a pellet & no safety was certainly a surprise but kinda cool at the same time, & yes I did pick up a tin of .22 cals from wally world to give it a go.

My plans are to break it down & give it a thorough cleaning & replace parts/seals. If I get intimidated I can always turn to Scott.

Yes I think I'll hang onto this one not only because of what I mentioned up top, but because I also think its a landmark model. It was also in my sights because it scored high in quality, performance & collectability. Not to mention, my son's really like it.

[45flint]

Thanks for the info on the 3-1 oil. Tarnishing & adverse affects on O-rings & seals would certainly be a concern. Time to switch.

I also agree with your take on the rarity of these rifles. Vintage Dan's are much more available then these & if a good one comes along a person should hang onto it. I definitely like this 101. I think what surprised me the most is how small & narrow it is, crude & yet beautiful, basic & yet efficient. Loading a pellet & no safety was certainly a surprise but kinda cool at the same time, & yes I did pick up a tin of .22 cals from wally world to give it a go.

My plans are to break it down & give it a thorough cleaning & replace parts/seals. If I get intimidated I can always turn to Scott.

Yes I think I'll hang onto this one not only because of what I mentioned up top, but because I also think its a landmark model. It was also in my sights because it scored high in quality, performance & collectability. Not to mention, my son's really like it.

Good description of a 101, it's the slim, small, carbine feel I really like.  My other rifle is a Beeman R1 which is just a heavy beast in comparison.  I asked the experts how many were made and no one knows, but over 25 years it had to be a lot.  They were never safe queens so condition is everything for a collector.
They also tend to be modified a lot.  The old ones would go in for service and Crosman always updated all the parts.  Very common to have a 30s gun with a post war cocking knob.  The valving improved over the years so this is mostly a good thing. 

[avator]

I've never handled a Super Grade but I would think it has a similar feel. I wonder which came first?.. lol .. no I don't. An interesting thing about some older Crosman leather seal guns.. The long stock screw... if it's flush with the steel butt plate there should be a spare seal in there, if not flush (recessed), it's been lost, deteriorated, or used. Not sure if the 101 is included. I can't remember looking at a breakdown and I've never had to seal mine. A shot tray would be nice but, once you get used to loading it.... it gets better.
BTW... No way am I comparing a 101 to a Super Grade... just throwing that out there.

[longhunter]

If the gun pumps and shoots, leave it alone. Just wipe it down, and keep it oiled.

[avator]

If the gun pumps and shoots, leave it alone. Just wipe it down, and keep it oiled.

+1

[45flint]

I've never handled a Super Grade but I would think it has a similar feel. I wonder which came first?.. lol .. no I don't. An interesting thing about some older Crosman leather seal guns.. The long stock screw... if it's flush with the steel butt plate there should be a spare seal in there, if not flush (recessed), it's been lost, deteriorated, or used. Not sure if the 101 is included. I can't remember looking at a breakdown and I've never had to seal mine. A shot tray would be nice but, once you get used to loading it.... it gets better.
BTW... No way am I comparing a 101 to a Super Grade... just throwing that out there.

The older guns had cork gaskets between the stock to metal joint.  The later ones eliminated that gasket and the wood is directly against the metal.  My 1930s has a gasket, my 1949 did not.

Never held a supergrade either but people say they are surprised how small it is, but it looks much thicker than a 101.

[avator]

Some had a spare leather seal on the screw... I'll have to look it up.

[45flint]

Yes I think I'll hang onto this one not only because of what I mentioned up top, but because I also think its a landmark model. It was also in my sights because it scored high in quality, performance & collectability. Not to mention, my son's really like it.

I think these do make good size guns for kids, also a little easier to pump?  There is no safety, DT Flecther told me if you want it on safe, just pull back the bolt, if it fires the air escapes harmlessly.  Good thought if you pump up and go hunting.

[Yng@hrt]

Thanks for your comments gentleman.

Well some good & bad. The good; for the longest time it would take 3 pumps before she started holding air, now she starts charging from the first pump. She also shoots straight & holds elevation out to 25 yds. One question I do have is that the base of the peep is 1/4" from the bridge. Is this about the right height for these distances? This will give me a clue as to whether or not she's where she should be without a chrony.

Now for the bad; I was going to ask if the normal position of the bolt was midway down in the closed position. As it turns out, the bolt stop is binding (photo's) & my guess is folks must have slammed the bolt back hard one to many times & cracked the metal. Looking at it close I don't think its that big a deal to repair. Nothing a little needle filing, JB welding, sanding & painting can't cure if & when I decide to redo the entire gun. What do you think? Even so, still su%cks. The embarrassing part is I made this purchase without outside influence with Mr. Beam.

[Flint]

I have no experience with the Crosman 101.  HOWEVER, I do have many benjamin and sheridan rifles that wear the same williams peep sight, and each one has a different vertical adjustment (even just comparing sheridan to sheridan and benjamin to benjamin), so I don't think you can base anything on the height of your peep sight.   

[45flint]

I would say it's mostly good news.  You have a 1949, one of the best 101s they built, same as mine except I have the Sears version with the crinkle paint and diablo cocking knob.  The three characteristics only on the 1949 are the the Town and Country sight, the curved bolt, and the small metal bracket stop holding the bolt from going too far back.  Only on the 1949.  Your bracket is slightly bent and should be against the receiver.  See my picks.  My sight is about 1/4 up.   Not sure you really have a problem with the bolt action given it has a lot of extra room to lock up?  Just smooth out? Could put a little sheet metal to build out it you need to:  See my picks for example:  last pic is mine locked up.

[Yng@hrt]

That's excellent news. For some reason I thought the bolt was binding & not fully engaged. I also thought the bolt looked a little strange up in the air like it is in the closed position. Thanks for the comparisons/similarities between the two.

I finally had a chance to try it out. I'll post pix in just a sec.