It looks like I'm going to own a Benji 342.

[cobalt327]

What a gorgeous rifle! Can this same gun be had in .177? 'Cause if it can, I know what my next "big" purchase will be...

[Yng@hrt]

Thanks Mark. This Benji comes in 310 (smooth bore), 317 (.177), & the one up top; 312.

These Benji's surface once in a great while on eBay but was lucky enough to find it here from one of the members. I was searching for one that had lost most of it's bluing & had a nick or two on the furniture knowing I was going to do a full resto. So I think your best bet would be posting the 317 here.

Andrew's beauty of a sample is what inspired this one. IIRC Andrew used Tri-flow to clean up parts & some of it accidentally ended up on the brass. Every part of the brass tarnished except where the TF made contact.

The second pic in the series of four is the brass after it was buffed & polished. The photo above is after it was treated with TF. Not sure on the procedure...just wiped it down w/tf & let it sit for an hr, wiped it down again using a clean microfiber towel.   

[cobalt327]

317, got it- thanks.

That's an interesting formulation to keep brass tarnish at bay, I'll pick some up when I'm in town. I actually didn't realize the 312 here is polished brass, looked like nickel on my laptop but that doesn't detract from the looks one bit IMHO. I think the proportion of it is just right. The kind of gun that's as much a joy to look at as it is to shoot. I'm not in a position to put out a WTB just now, but hopefully I'll be able to before I can't pump up a Benjamin! haha

[bantam5s]

317, got it- thanks.

That's an interesting formulation to keep brass tarnish at bay, I'll pick some up when I'm in town. I actually didn't realize the 312 here is polished brass, looked like nickel on my laptop but that doesn't detract from the looks one bit IMHO. I think the proportion of it is just right. The kind of gun that's as much a joy to look at as it is to shoot. I'm not in a position to put out a WTB just now, but hopefully I'll be able to before I can't pump up a Benjamin! haha

I don't know their size, but they do look like a svelt little rifle.
I guess I'll be a bit taken back when I first hold it.

[Yng@hrt]

David, yours is the first 31x I had ever seen. Before that were my 39x's. I think you'll be just as surprised as I was at how small this rifle is.

[cobalt327]

Judging by Marty's collection photo, the LOP looks very close if not the same as the longer guns like the 392/397. At least I hope it is.

[Hoosier Daddy]

David... I will send you a "sample pack" of .22 pellets my 312 prefers if you want.

[bantam5s]

David... I will send you a "sample pack" of .22 pellets my 312 prefers if you want.

That would be awesome.

[bantam5s]

David, yours is the first 31x I had ever seen. Before that were my 39x's. I think you'll be just as surprised as I was at how small this rifle is.

I like small, so the surprise will be pleasant.

[Eddie Howard]

I have been reading this thread every day,first In hopes of seeing the Benjamin that was first talked about and now the one graciously donated In the event that the first one fell through and Its looking like this hobby Is somewhat like another hobby of mine, flying model airplanes. The people that step up In the most oppertune times and pulls the entire group together In a single sefless gesture that not only brightens this mans day but so many more that are as happy as I am to see It unfold. I have seen this In Radio controll over the years and It gives me great hope that people are still very good and kind. I will be following this thread daily.

[Hoosier Daddy]

David... I will send you a "sample pack" of .22 pellets my 312 prefers if you want.

That would be awesome.

PM me you addy and I will load up an old JSB sampler tin and relable it so you know what each is. Not a bunch of each but an assortment.
 FYI... I bet the JSB 15g win.

[cobalt327]

I have been reading this thread every day,first In hopes of seeing the Benjamin that was first talked about and now the one graciously donated In the event that the first one fell through and Its looking like this hobby Is somewhat like another hobby of mine, flying model airplanes. The people that step up In the most oppertune times and pulls the entire group together In a single sefless gesture that not only brightens this mans day but so many more that are as happy as I am to see It unfold. I have seen this In Radio controll over the years and It gives me great hope that people are still very good and kind. I will be following this thread daily.

Hi Eddie

This IS a good group of folks no doubt, and it's refreshing to hear there are like minded people involved in other things like RC. Hope you enjoy it here for a long time to come, too.

[bantam5s]

David... I will send you a "sample pack" of .22 pellets my 312 prefers if you want.

That would be awesome.

PM me you addy and I will load up an old JSB sampler tin and relable it so you know what each is. Not a bunch of each but an assortment.
 FYI... I bet the JSB 15g win.

Will do

[Yng@hrt]

Eddie, I lost count of the number of times anticipation ended in disappointment. Sometimes things are blocked for unknown reasons but we soon learn why. I don’t know why this happened anymore than David but I'm glad it did. 

Things like this happen here all the time. Look at Scott... jumped right in on the pellets. Great place to hang out.

[bantam5s]

It really is a great place in general, probably because it's a relatively small forum.
Lots of larger forums will inevitably end up frequented by undesirables.
Heated aggressive arguments are few and far between around here,  and we don't often see any troll like people.
Most just come here to learn about airguns or because they already love them, maybe they're frustrated with their big box store springer or they want to revive a childhood companion.
Whatever the reason they come here for they will be welcomed.

I can't remember because it's been about 3 years or something, but I believe I found this place when my blue streak stopped shooting.
What I do remember for sure is how welcomed I instantly felt, this Is just a great place.

[bantam5s]

Well shoot now I kind of feel bad, I wish this had happened a couple days sooner but apparently the 342 is coming my way after all.
Not that I won't be very happy to own that gorgeous 312, but it was sent to me after a let down that turned itself around
It was gone never to be seen again as far as I knew.

All I really know is that the neighbors wife brought it over to my mom about an hour ago and it is now locked in my moms car trunk.

She dropped it on the sidewalk when bringing it over, but it is in a soft rifle case so hopefully it didn't receive any additional damage.

I don't know what I'll be able to do with it, but from what I remember and what I've been told about it's present condition I believe it will be a long time before it's anything more than something to tinker on.
That is if it's actually something I can save, I'll know for sure whenever I get it of course if something else doesn't happen.

[avator]

You have no reason to feel bad. Heck, I'd feel blessed. Hopefully the drop on the sidewalk didn't do too much damage.

[Yng@hrt]

Took the words right out of my mouth Bill. 

[bantam5s]

Thanks guys.


I regreted turning down that 342 the day after I did it, and was most excited to have it simply for the joy of working on it.
I'm anxious to see what kind of challenges it proves to be when / if I get it, it's not in my possession yet after all and things could potentially happen so I've got my fingers crossed.

[Eddie Howard]

David, I found this site for similar reasons. This old Sheridan I have I picked It up Is west Texas on vacation and really didn't have much of an Idea what It was. I did have the Benjamin. 177 and hadn't messed with It much,just really liked the look of that Sheradin and grabbed It for 45.00. Picked up the Benjamin  .22 a few weeks ago and was hoping to find some parts for the other 2 and ran across this site. Good luck on the 342,hope It's a fixable rifle.
 
 Marty, I feel like over time I will like this site quiet a bit. Like I said In radio control airplanes and helicopters the community Is small because 1 It's pretty expensive and 2 takes some time to learn just to fly. With them being small groups all around It make for a more family oriented atmosphere and most are willing to help where they can. I will say the newest radio control multirotors or(drones) the most of the people don't get the family atmosphere because they never have to really learn to fly with the GPS and self flying so they are causing the CRA to come down on all rc that fly.
That being said I'm still liking what I'm seeing here. I'm hoping to make some shows and events In the coming future to meet airgunners and experience the different types that are on the market.