Crosman 100

[45flint]

Steve, on your first & last pic, is your bolt in the full closed position? If so, then that's exactly where mine is.

Yes, that's fully closed.  Like I said not sure you have an issue?  You look at the curved bolt and think it should be curling down, but it's curved so it goes straight out.  See pics.  A 1949 for $60 is a remarkable buy. 

[Yng@hrt]

Thanks again Steve & yes I'm very, very pleased with this purchase.

Well the only pellets wally had were CPHP 14.3. Below is a comparison between the 101 & the '65 SS. I am actually quite pleased with the 101 performance for her first outing, given any number of issues that could be at play; not holding consistent charges between shots, CPHP's, Peep site vs scope, old eyes vs. young eyes, & the list goes on. My honest opinion is it is extremely difficult for me to see dime size targets at these distances without a cheater & its not the gun its me.

Anyway had to start somewhere. I'm sure its just a matter of time before she starts performing like the '65.

[45flint]

Thanks again Steve & yes I'm very, very pleased with this purchase.

Well the only pellets wally had were CPHP 14.3. Below is a comparison between the 101 & the '65 SS. I am actually quite pleased with the 101 performance for her first outing, given any number of issues that could be at play; no4 t holding consistent charges between shots, CPHP's, Peep site vs scope, old eyes vs. young eyes, & the list goes on. My honest opinion is it is extremely difficult for me to see dime size targets at these distances without a cheater & its not the gun its me.

Anyway had to start somewhere. I'm sure its just a matter of time before she starts performing like the '65.

Excellent, the peeps took me a couple of outings to get used to.  25 yards and a dime size target, bet you do have a hard time just seeing it with the peep. Lol. My latest game is shooting yellow dandilion flowers on the lawn. 

[avator]

Just for Ha Has.. go to the dollar store and get some +100 and +125 readers.. couple bucks each... give them a shot. You target becomes just a bit blurry but you see the sight real good. Takes a bit of getting used to.

[Rob112o]

Looking nice Marty. So about that trade for a Blue Streak?

[Yng@hrt]

Looking nice Marty. So about that trade for a Blue Streak?

No kidding, it would be tough but you never know.

[Yng@hrt]

Just for Ha Has.. go to the dollar store and get some +100 and +125 readers.. couple bucks each... give them a shot. You target becomes just a bit blurry but you see the sight real good. Takes a bit of getting used to.

I have several pair scattered throughout the house. I'll give it a go next time out. Just tried it out. You might have something there.

[45flint]

This rifle kind of illustrates some of the fun of aspects of collecting.  First many sellers are not students of the history of vintage rifles and really don't know what they are selling. We as collectors learn the best by collecting, it's the best teacher.  Also with Crosman there is nothing set in stone at different time periods. They tended to assemble guns from the parts they had on hand. This rifle is definitely a "1949" but it must be a very early one, my book says they were back to  bronze barrels by 49?

I have rifles scoped cause of my old eyes, but I am leaving the 49 with its peep sight.  They are old eye friendly, much more than a open sight.  I can be very accurate with it, maybe not scope accurate but with practice it's really pretty close, and it's fun to have a rifle that is so light and maneuverable, and vintage.

[45flint]

My typical posting mess up

[Yng@hrt]

Well stated Steve, collecting vintage guns is the best teacher.

I never thought I’d have so much fun with a hobby. My first pellet rifle was in December of ’16. Before then I thought a pellet gun was just another variation of BB. I remember as a kid, my impression of seeing my first pellet was; there’s no way this weird looking thing can be more accurate than a BB, let alone a 22. I had no idea. Riffled barrel?
 
This is one rifle that will never see a scope. There’s something about that crude looking peep that adds to its beauty. I must say though, it’s harder for me to use than the Williams on my '69. That is a very small hole but I have no plans to drill it out. Just a little peeved that someone took a grinder to it. Seems to be the case with many of these, guess so that the bolt stop can clear when the peep is mounted low. Then I added in my own screw up, over tightened the slide screw…dang. Well, guess I’ll be looking for one of those also.

[45flint]

Well stated Steve, collecting vintage guns is the best teacher.

I never thought I’d have so much fun with a hobby. My first pellet rifle was in December of ’16. Before then I thought a pellet gun was just another variation of BB. I remember as a kid, my impression of seeing my first pellet was; there’s no way this weird looking thing can be more accurate than a BB, let alone a 22. I had no idea. Riffled barrel?
 
This is one rifle that will never see a scope. There’s something about that crude looking peep that adds to its beauty. I must say though, it’s harder for me to use than the Williams on my '69. That is a very small hole but I have no plans to drill it out. Just a little peeved that someone took a grinder to it. Seems to be the case with many of these, guess so that the bolt stop can clear when the peep is mounted low. Then I added in my own screw up, over tightened the slide screw…dang. Well, guess I’ll be looking for one of those also.

It is a very small hole, I can see why a hunter would drill it out a bit.  At dusk it's a real challenge!  I have found that adjusting how close my head is to the peep makes a huge difference.  On a bright day keeping my head back can give you a accuracy edge.  I have a Beeman variable iris peep lense I bought for a Williams years ago.  Never used it, went to a scope on the R1.  It might fit, but like you I find a beauty in this rifle kept stock. 

[Robert Skelton]

Since were talking Crosman 100's here are a few photos of mine. I did refinish the stock, repaint, and make a new rear sight. I have the original sight  but thought that if would good in brass with the brass barrel.

[45flint]

Love the brass!!  Mine has some scratches on the barrel and I can see the pretty bronze.  Thought it would look awesome polished, with a black body.  You certainly prove that's right.  Makes you wonder why they covered all the good looking brass?  I assume they were competing with regular 22 rifles at the time and they were all blued?

[Yng@hrt]

I agree with Steve...Well done!

[Yng@hrt]

The Crosman was still dumping air on the first couple of pumps so I tried out the alcohol flush. Cycled her with 3 series of flushes, 8 pumps each. Man what a work out but it was worth it. Below are pix with the gunk that came out of here. She's pumping strong & holding air from the first pump on. I will try her out sometime today & see how she does. I will also see if she holds air over night.

[longhunter]

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.

If you want to put the gun on " safe ", UNCOCK IT. Opening the bolt on most of the variants of the 100, 101, 102 is not a good idea. They have the bolt retained by the handle protruding through the bolt far enough that it can't slide past the hammer/cocking knob. If the hammer accidently fell, it would drive the bolt closed ahead of it. Most likely damaging the bolt, in the process.

[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.

If you want to put the gun on " safe ", UNCOCK IT. Opening the bolt on most of the variants of the 100, 101, 102 is not a good idea. They have the bolt retained by the handle protruding through the bolt far enough that it can't slide past the hammer/cocking knob. If the hammer accidently fell, it would drive the bolt closed ahead of it. Most likely damaging the bolt, in the process.

I see this as problematic as well.  I tried it and one rap on the cocking knob discharged the gun.  On my 102 and 1949 101 I don't see the bolt issue?

[longhunter]

Crosman changed the bolt handle several times, during the course of production. The '49 is the only year to have the crescent moon shaped bolt retainer.
As far as rapping the hammer to set the gun off, it takes a pretty good smack to get it to go off. I'd sooner have the gun uncocked, than the bolt open. It also lessens the wear on the hammer spring.
In the end, the only safety that counts, is between your ears.

[Yng@hrt]

I have never been thrilled about any firearm without a safety. Boggles the mind why anyone would design one in such a way especially if the intent was for children or youngsters. I for one would never have purchased such a gun new with this intent. In addition to that, I would never introduce a youngster to this sport with something like this. I think it would leave the wrong impression with regards to hunter safety.

On the plus side, my feelings haven’t changed about this model. I intend to use it from time to time for hunting but it will only be while hunting alone. I agree with Scott in that the only safety in this case is between the ears.

[45flint]

I have never been thrilled about any firearm without a safety. Boggles the mind why anyone would design one in such a way especially if the intent was for children or youngsters. I for one would never have purchased such a gun new with this intent. In addition to that, I would never introduce a youngster to this sport with something like this. I think it would leave the wrong impression with regards to hunter safety.

On the plus side, my feelings haven’t changed about this model. I intend to use it from time to time for hunting but it will only be while hunting alone. I agree with Scott in that the only safety in this case is between the ears.

I have to agree, this is not the gun to start a youngster out on.  But these guns were sold as adult rifles at a time when safeties on air guns were not common, maybe non existent? In fact, I have only one prewar pistol with a safety and that is the 1930's Haenel 28 Repeater, the single shot did not have a safety?  I guess the thought was if a gun could carry multiple shots it better have a safety?

On any 102 and on your 1949 pulling the bolt I think is petty easy fix. In a hunting scenario, that's what I will do without question, in fact I have done it target shooting when necessary.