Power testing of a Mac-1 Sterioded 1998 Benjamin-Sheridan C9A Rifle.

[45flint]

I bought this custom stocked 1998 Custom Stocked Rifle used a couple months ago.  It was Sterioded when I got it but the valve leaked.  Mac-1 sent me a new cartridge valve which are very easy to install.  Here are the results of pumps up to 12.  Mac-1 says I can go 14 but just not going to red line it.  I’m using H&N Field Target Trophy 20 cal. Pellets 11.42 grains.  This gun seems to like this pellet.  Pretty easy to assume at 14 max I would easily clear 20 FPE.  I think the real value of the Sterioding is fewer pumps to get to 600-700 FPS with ease.

Pumps.           FPS
3.                  523
4.                  592
5.                  648
6.                  697
7.                  736
8.                  776
10.                829
12.                876.      19.46 FP

Pumping up to 8 pumps is not bad after that it does start to get tuff but it’s not awful, and I’m not a strong guy. Think this platform is under appreciated, the cartridge makes for ease of upgrade and repair.

[kelvinator]

Those are VERY good numbers, especially for a light pellet.

[Habanero69er]

Steve, That is definitely one of the benefits of a Steroid. More power with fewer pumps. Glad the new valve worked out for you.

[45flint]

Steve, That is definitely one of the benefits of a Steroid. More power with fewer pumps. Glad the new valve worked out for you.

For most small game you should have 12 FP, I can get that with 6 pumps.  Think it takes 8 with a Stock Benjamin 392.  The “rest of the story” was I originally took the old valve and sent it to Mac-1 for repair, but it just so happens he hasn’t changed the address on his web page and he moved a year ago to a new location.  Valve was tracked to his old location but never turned up or returned? So lucky I didn’t send the rifle and that the valves are still made so the whole nightmare only cost me $20 more and a month or more without a rifle! 

[Vintage Streak]

What is the new address or has his web page been fixed.

[45flint]

What is the new address or has his web page been fixed.

Depends where you go on his site.  I saw a “manual order form” and used that address it is still wrong on his site though the main page has the correct address.  Here is the “WRONG ONE”.  Just copied from his site.

Mac1 Manual Order Form
13974 Van Ness Ave. Gardena, Ca. 90249-2900 USA

I’m sure it takes a computer guy to change this but Tim seems to me to march to his own drummer.  Just happy it got resolved. The product he puts out is pretty special.  This setup compared to a standard Benjamin sold now is a real step up. He kind of transforms the gun to what it probably should have been if Crosman wasn’t constrained by the price the average customer is willing to pay. He said originally my upgrade would have been $225. That more than the price of the gun.

[Habanero69er]

Yes his website is correct.

http://www.mac1airgunshop.com/aboutus.asp

Mac1 Airgun Distributors     
562-961-Mac1(6221) SHOP Landline
1886 Freeman Ave. Signal Hill CA 90755

[Vintage Streak]

Thanks, Does he sale the valve by itself to anybody and does it increase the performance by just installing the new valve from mac 1?

[Habanero69er]

Steve is right about the order form. It does list the Gardenia address on that page. I wonder if Tim knows about that. Especially in a case where someone is sending a rifle, I’d think that could be problematic for the business, not to mention the customer.

[45flint]

Thanks, Does he sale the valve by itself to anybody and does it increase the performance by just installing the new valve from mac 1?

Good question, probably best to ask Tim, but my gut is that it would work.  When I took my gun apart i think it had the standard hammer spring but I don’t know that?  These guns are so simple that is the only other part that could be changed in firing the gun?  Of course my pumping arm and rod was totally changed out to Steriod parts.  He also milled my pellet probe but that seems to me real fine tuning, cool but doubt it means that much to performance.

[45flint]

Steve is right about the order form. It does list the Gardenia address on that page. I wonder if Tim knows about that. Especially in a case where someone is sending a rifle, I’d think that could be problematic for the business, not to mention the customer.

I told him he apologized for it but it’s still there. Insisted his address was on the email he sent me, which was true. 

[Habanero69er]

I dropped Tim an email about the old address still on the order form. Told him I didn’t know if he was aware of the erroneous info or not, but I guess he is.

[45flint]

Thought I would test a heavier pellet the Benjamin 14.3 grain.  In loading I feel that the seal seems better with the H&N’s but the foot pounds look very similar?  The H&N seem more accurate with this gun. 


Pumps.           FPS H&N 11.42.                  Benjamin 14.3
3.                  523.                                    471
4.                  592.                                    528
5.                  648.                                    583
6.                  697.      12.32 FP.                 610.     11.84 FP
7.                  736.      13.74.                     660.     13.84
8.                  776.      15.27.                     686.     14.95
10.                829.                                    735
12.                876.      19.46 FP.                 794.      20.02 FP

[ToRmEnToR]

I've been looking for ages for a sweet old Benjamin. That's a nice one.

[Flint]

beautiful gun and great numbers.  I don't have my chrony data handy right now, but 20fpe sound pretty good for .20 cal and 12 pumps.  I think mine do 20 fpe with 14 pumps and 14.3 grain pellets, but I only did that once and just to see.  I normally never pump past 10, which gives plenty of power.  My 392P steroid does 20 fpe with 10 pumps   I've never pumped that one past 10 as there seems to be no need.  that one also has the billet lever with I very highly recommend. 

try the JSB pellets.  they are almost universally regarded as the most accurate pellet in the sheridan rifles, and they are heavier than the ftt.  I also have at least one sheridan that loves the polymags, and they are actually 14g, and not 13g as advertised. 

[45flint]

beautiful gun and great numbers.  I don't have my chrony data handy right now, but 20fpe sound pretty good for .20 cal and 12 pumps.  I think mine do 20 fpe with 14 pumps and 14.3 grain pellets, but I only did that once and just to see.  I normally never pump past 10, which gives plenty of power.  My 392P steroid does 20 fpe with 10 pumps   I've never pumped that one past 10 as there seems to be no need.  that one also has the billet lever with I very highly recommend. 

try the JSB pellets.  they are almost universally regarded as the most accurate pellet in the sheridan rifles, and they are heavier than the ftt.  I also have at least one sheridan that loves the polymags, and they are actually 14g, and not 13g as advertised.

I have the JSBs and for some reason this Gun likes the H&Ns?  Need to go back and see if that was a fluke.  I doubt I will ever go past 3 pumps in my backyard.  Perfect for Target fun and stealth. 

[Relentless Holiday]

Beauty Steve!!