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

[bantam5s]

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.

The small forums definitely are the best.
I'm also a knife enthusiasts and belong to bladeforums, and while the traditional knife section is itself it's own little forum with a family like atmosphere and is a community, the forum overall is big and you'll see groups of " Top dog " types who act like they run the place.
You don't see that here, and I'm confident you'll like this forum even more than you imagine.

[Hoosier Daddy]

310 317 312 347 and 342 show up on eBay often.   

[bantam5s]

310 317 312 347 and 342 show up on eBay often.   

I don't have PayPal to do eBay, but I get the feeling I may actually want one in 177.
See with my blue streak, there's only one caliber and an older one won't be substantially different so I only need the one.
Benjamin however had many different models, so I really hope I haven't just started my journey down a rabbit hole 

[Yng@hrt]

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.

There is no question GTA is a family oriented atmosphere & I think it’s a tribute to the format used. Members can select from several categories of airguns (Gates) which evenly distributes the number of participants. One can only imagine the chaos that would ensue if all models were lumped into one or two Gates.

[Eddie Howard]

David , I have not been huge Into knives but would really like to do some forge work and make my own Damascus meat cleaner. I purchased 2 case mini folding Damascus strait razors when they came out In the late 80's,lost o e and gave the second one away,went back a few months later and they were out. Turned out to be a collector knife. I would think many have more than one hobby.
  I also understand the few that feel like the chiefs In charge. I have no problem saying I don't know or understand.

[bantam5s]

David , I have not been huge Into knives but would really like to do some forge work and make my own Damascus meat cleaner. I purchased 2 case mini folding Damascus strait razors when they came out In the late 80's,lost o e and gave the second one away,went back a few months later and they were out. Turned out to be a collector knife. I would think many have more than one hobby.
  I also understand the few that feel like the chiefs In charge. I have no problem saying I don't know or understand.

This is just a common occurrence with large forums, you get a lot of the more elitist type people.
With small forums such as this we just all share a hobby and that's enough.

[bantam5s]

Well , the 312 from Marty is at the local post office right now and my mom is going to stop by today and deliver the 342 ( fingers crossed the stock isn't cracked or anything ).
I'll definitely post pictures of both guns when I get them.

Im going to give the post office time to put the slip in my Box so I don't have to ask them, the man who works there is really nice but there's a woman who will just tell you to wait till the slip is in your box even if it's not there because it accidentally didn't make the list of slips to put out.

[bantam5s]

Got the 342 and the 312.
The 312 has totally blown me away, I'm running errands right now though so pics are to come.

The 342 is a different story.
In general it's only missing the rear sight and is about what you'd expect from something a neighbor had given a a couple boys who probably werent good at sharing.
But the forearm is cracked, there's a few holes where some kind of sling was, and the keyed rivet while still in the pump arm is broken. Luckily I have one.
Oh and it was cocked when I got it so hopefully that's no real problem.

[bantam5s]

Suprisingly all the 342 needed was a rivet and some secret sauce.
He pumps and shoots real hard.
Is it weird that I'm a bit bummed out about how little it took to make the gun work ? It literally only took 10 minutes to make it work, and I was hoping for at least an afternoon of fun, oh well I guess I'll get lucky with the next old gun I pick up 
All I've gotta do is slightly modify the rear site from my crosman 2100 and find some screws, and eventually stabilize the crack in the forearm.


Btw the serial number dated the 312 to '67 which is good to know.

It's such a slim slender and svelt little gun, it blows me away how with all that it still doesn't feel like a toy or child sized.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Congratulations David... and I seriously mean that.
You now have two very nice examples of vintage pumper to enjoy with Old Blue.

[bantam5s]

Congratulations David... and I seriously mean that.
You now have two very nice examples of vintage pumper to enjoy with Old Blue.

Thank you.
 
Oh and the 342 came in a nice looking old leather- ish Allen case ( pretty sure it's just a really good pleather ), I have no use for a full length rifle case so I'm thinking I may give it to my 16 year old cousin for his Turkish Trap Shotgun.