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

[bantam5s]

About two years ago my mom's neighbor had told me I could have his old childhood Benjamin 342 if I was willing to fix it, but I had declined because my '79 blue streak had just failed.
Well they moved out and apparently he left it at my mom's house knowing I could take care of it.
I don't know when I'll be able to pick it up or anything, but after that it might be a while before I can get it going depending on what it needs.
Still I'll be glad to have it and the project it will be for me.

[bantam5s]

It turns out this gun would be a 1981, with a T390777 Serial number.
This means it will use the keyed rivet which I have from the mac1 kit I bought for my blue streak.
So once I get it I should be able to install the keyed rivet assuming nothing has been buggered up, then give it an alcahol flush and some secret sauce and see what happens.

[Agate47]

Very cool! I wish I had folks that would throw something like that at me. Of course I do have to admit that my older brother passed down his Crosman Mark II and his 140, which I shot in my youth after he went into the Army. Both are doing well these days.

Good luck with the project,

Steve

[bantam5s]

Very cool! I wish I had folks that would throw something like that at me. Of course I do have to admit that my older brother passed down his Crosman Mark II and his 140, which I shot in my youth after he went into the Army. Both are doing well these days.

Good luck with the project,

Steve

It doesn't happen often, but I've gotten some things in the past.

When I said it was left at my mom's house I meant I literally, it seems they came by some time early in the morning to collect the last of their stuff and set the thing in a rifle case leaning up against my mom's car.
I'm told there's also some kind of scope in the case with it, It's got nothing to do with the gun I'm sure but it's in there nonetheless there.


I only saw the gun for a minute 2 years ago, and If I remember right the safety was missing and possibly the rear sight but I'll do what I can to get this gun going again.

[RBQChicken]

You'd only need the rivet if the old one was worn, right?

If the rear sight is missing put a peep sight on it.  You know how great they are. If it's not drilled and tapped, JB Weld it on.

I don't have a 342, but I have a 392P and they are much alike.  You'll love it, even though you are a Blue Streak man!

[bantam5s]

You'd only need the rivet if the old one was worn, right?

If the rear sight is missing put a peep sight on it.  You know how great they are. If it's not drilled and tapped, JB Weld it on.

I don't have a 342, but I have a 392P and they are much alike.  You'll love it, even though you are a Blue Streak man!

It's missing, I'll have to figure out how you install a keyed rivet before I can even figure out if it has a chance of even pressurizing.
If it's missing it's rear sight then I may have to get it drilled and tapped for a Williams peep some time down the line.

[Habanero69er]

Congrats David. I've got two Racine 342s. One Steroided, the other stock. They're a short, agile, accurate & non-pellet picky airgun. I think once you get it up & shooting, you're going love it. My stock 342 has a Williams on it & it's great. Enjoy!

[bantam5s]

Congrats David. I've got two Racine 342s. One Steroided, the other stock. They're a short, agile, accurate & non-pellet picky airgun. I think once you get it up & shooting, you're going love it. My stock 342 has a Williams on it & it's great. Enjoy!

Thanks.
I've known for a while that if I was going to own a Benji it would have to be a 34x, and the 342 is awesome as it'll be my first .22 Cal gun.

[bantam5s]

Anyone know how you replace a keyed rivet in one of these Racine guns ?

The one thing I know for sure about this gun is that it's missing the rivet in the pump linkage which should use a keyed rivet.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Congrats on the "orphaned" 342 David!
That was the first airgun I bought with my own money back in the mid '70s and the search for a replacement one today is what brought me to GTA in the beginning.
I must admit, I do not know what a "Keyed Rivet'" is...
 But my latest had bent pump linkage and Rick at Precission Pellet came to the rescue.
He has a tool shop remaking them to factory specs and it was a perfect fit... very cheap too.

Now... back in the '70s the neighbor boy had a 'streak and I had a 342.... you might be a convert soon.

[bantam5s]

Congrats on the "orphaned" 342 David!
That was the first airgun I bought with my own money back in the mid '70s and the search for a replacement one today is what brought me to GTA in the beginning.
I must admit, I do not know what a "Keyed Rivet'" is...
 But my latest had bent pump linkage and Rick at Precission Pellet came to the rescue.
He has a tool shop remaking them to factory specs and it was a perfect fit... very cheap too.

Now... back in the '70s the neighbor boy had a 'streak and I had a 342.... you might be a convert soon.

Thanks, I'm hoping it's not missing too much and I can at least get it to pump after a bit of tlc.
I remember the gun to be missing something else besides the rivet , but not whether its the rear sight safety or camp plate.

I'll know tomorrow when I go to pick it up.

My blue streak will always be my number one, but the 342's do seem like a sweet little rifle and I bet it may become a close second.


This is what a keyed rivet looks like, and according to Mac1airguns is what all Racine rifles used post '77.

[Hoosier Daddy]

And that goes in the pump Linkage?
 See the attached 342 parts diagram... Is it part # 3414?

[bantam5s]

And that goes in the pump Linkage?
 See the attached 342 parts diagram... Is it part # 3414?

Yes, that's exactly where this would go.

( Here's a pic of my '79 streak )

I don't know exactly what makes these keyed rivets stay in.

[Yng@hrt]

The pin (compression pin 3114), like the one in your photo above is for a 31x, first pic.

Your gun takes a cotter type pin (part #14A), like the Streak. 2nd & 3rd pic.

Mike Baker is my go to guy for Benji parts (Rick @ PP is another good contact). Let me know if you want Mike's phone # & I'll pm it to you.

[Big Bore Bart]

(snippity snip)
I don't know exactly what makes these keyed rivets stay in.

  A couple light swats with a small hammer.    After getting it in place, set it flat side down on an anvil or similar and displace the ears a bit. Using a DULL chisel will spread the ears better with less force needed.

[bantam5s]

The pin (compression pin 3114), like the one in your photo above is for a 31x, first pic.

Your gun takes a cotter type pin (part #14A), like the Streak. 2nd & 3rd pic.

Mike Baker is my go to guy for Benji parts (Rick @ PP is another good contact). Let me know if you want Mike's phone # & I'll pm it to you.

Thanks for the info.

[Relentless Holiday]

Nothing wrong with free a 342!  Couldn't happen to a better guy...except ME!


Congrats!

[Hoosier Daddy]

I'll know tomorrow when I go to pick it up.

Is it "tomorrow" yet?
 

[bantam5s]

I'll know tomorrow when I go to pick it up.

Is it "tomorrow" yet?
 

Well now I'm not sure what's going to happen.

What I've been told was that he had mentioned the gun to my grandmother in some way and when it was leaning up against her car in the morning she figured he had put it there for her to take as he was leaving.

My mom decided assumptions weren't a good idea and brought it back to their place when she went to feed their cats.
If they do come back to get the rest of their stuff I will ask him about it, and if not my mom is going to go retrieve it before the management company comes tomorrow and puts everything in a dumpster.
Today is the very last day they have of course.

When he had offered it to me before it was because he could not fix it nor did he like what it would cost to send it in.
things had not changed and I'm sure my grandmother has assumed correctly, so hopefully I can talk to him about it.

[Hoosier Daddy]

"Moms"... gotta love them.... But they can always be counted on for a Buzz kill.