Benjamin 392 quality these days.

[JimG]

Are the 392's really that bad these days? From some of what I've read, one would think that the 397/392's are absolute trash. Or is a case of just a few lemons that were really bad and overall the 392 is still a good buy?  I'm really on the fence, want to buy one but don't want to waste my money and time if MOST of them are of poor quality.

[Grampy ray]

I think it is hit or miss . In the last two years I got a 392 that required the over spray remove the barrel and pump tube,other than that it shoots really well.on the other hand I got 397 that leaked after a few hundred shots .it  had a loose fitting oring on the valve that need to be modified.
 I think most are not out of the box ready but if you can tinker they are way better than the budget Springer's out there.

[agorena123]

I’ve heard the same but the one I got from a forum member is a good one. Said it was about two years old. Some minor mods before it got to me but nothing major. Only twelve yards but on a good string I’ll punch a dime sized hole with Williams Peep.

[BenjiHunter]

Tim at MAC1 Airguns doesn't work on the new ones any more.
He's says the quality is too bad.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I like mine... a lot.
 I think the old adage "If you please a customer they will tell 2 people, if you displease a customer they will tell 20" goes a long way.
There is a known issue with overspray on the muzzle crown, but a Q-tip in acetone solves that. Mine is a 2015 and I think that is about the time quality started going back up. There was a time before that they were reported as lacking a bit.
 Also it depends on what they were being compared to, the preceding 342 and the first variant 392P were some FINE pump rifles.

[BenjiHunter]

I got two in 2012 and they are both great shooters. I turned one into a Steroid and the other one is stock.

[tennx]

I bought a 2014 off yellow ....came with a B&E scope mount....after I got rid of overs spray shoots great...I scoped it ..since my C9A and 397P are peepers...

[Psipumper]

I recently purchased a 392 dated Feb. 2017.  About 1 inch group at 25 yards with scope. 630 fps @ 8 pumps. Gun fit and finish looks good. Roughed up a little in shipping as the stock was dented by bolt  over traveling jamming into it.  This gun was the better looking of the two at the store. The other one they had looked two toned in color difference between stock and forearm.  The  392PA comes with a clunky trigger but  can be fixed to be as good or better than a 342 or Racine 392.  Oil it  before you shoot it then frequently during use and it should be good.

[desmobob]

I bought a 392 this year.  It did have the overspray of paint in the muzzle, which was easy to remove.  The front sight has a very tiny but annoying lean to the left.  I installed a "supersear" to help the trigger pull and put a Williams peep on the rifle.  It shoots very well.  It's my only pumper and I'm very happy with it.

Tight groups,
Bob

[Horatio]

I got a 2014(?) 392.

I like it. I’d like to see how good it can be if a tuner works it over.

[Rob112o]

I have a 2014 392PA and I love it. It was the first pumper I bought getting into this hobby. I bought brand new one through Amazon and after these 3 years I still have it. As a lot of you know I tinker and mod a lot of my rifles. I also buy broken ones and sell them. Also, fix and mod for other guys who don't know how. So I've been through a lot of rifles and pistols. Yet after many that have come and gone I still have my newish 392. Maybe it's because it's the rifle that got me into it so I don't wanna let it go? I even experiment with different ideas with it. If something goes wrong I know parts can be bought for cheap through Crosman and I can start fresh. The QC isn't up to par with standards from back in the day. They are still a fun rifle to have. Here is my 392: https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=112378.msg1103512#msg1103512
  Since then I have figured out a few different things and it's performing even better now! On 8 pumps with JSB Monsters 25.39gr I'm getting 571 FPS and that would be 18.39FPE. Try getting that without spending $100+ on a steroid on only 8 pumps. Still, the vintage Sheridans are nice. If you are interested I have a 2004 C9A ,which is a .20 cal, if you are skeptical on getting a new 392?

[Hoosier Daddy]

If you are interested I have a 2004 C9A ,which is a .20 cal, if you are skeptical on getting a new 392?

I did NOT just read that... 

[Rob112o]

Haha, thought I'd put it out there. Sold my last extra Silver Streak the other day. So got nothing else to offer. I do have quite a few Benji's, but I'm still playing with them.

[Jadocs]

I’m jonesing for a 392. What do you guys mean about the overspray and how do you check for it and remove it?

[Rob112o]

Simple, just look into the muzzle. Shine a light on it and you will clearly see it, it'll be about 1/4-3/8 of overspray. (Cause it should shine brass, but it won't) lay the rifle flat and something like a towel under the stock at the far end of muzzle. This will give the rifle a slight downward angle. I use acetone and q-tips and scrub away. It takes a bit of time and repeated scrubbing with the q-tip. You can use a nylon brush to help break up the paint. Now, the whole reason for that towel under the stock. So the solvent doesn't make its way down the barrel and into your valve.

[Jadocs]

Great explanation thank you.