I would look for a "low mileage" 60s or early 70s vintage Sheridan. They can be had for around 150 bucks or less if you are patient. I got both of mine for about half that much, one at an antique shop and one at a gun show. My '67 has original seals except for the pump cup which I replaced. I put all new seals in my '64, it's not hard to do. Both rifles are hard hitting and very accurate. I have a recent production 392, it doesn't hold a candle to an old Sheridan.
The only thing I did’nt like was the front sight was soldered on leaning to the left very noticeably. I’ve read that’s pretty common on the model p and pa.The older guns had better q c in that regard.I was able to overcome that by putting a peep sight on and just centering the tip of the front site in the peep and eventually put a scope on.I’ve since traded a longbow for a brand new in box 2005 pa 397 and love it.Both rifles are nail drivers with their preferred pellets, but both were very pellet picky.Not saying buy a new one, just telling you what I like about the new ones inspite of some of the horror stories I read about them before buying one.Crosman needs to tighten up on soldering those front sights on straight though on the newer guns. No excuse for it... zero!Oh, if you do get a pa model,be prepared to get the paint overspray out of the muzzle with acetone or fingernail polish remover and q- tips before shooting.
Quote from: TerryM on September 29, 2019, 08:04:23 AM I would look for a "low mileage" 60s or early 70s vintage Sheridan. They can be had for around 150 bucks or less if you are patient. I got both of mine for about half that much, one at an antique shop and one at a gun show. My '67 has original seals except for the pump cup which I replaced. I put all new seals in my '64, it's not hard to do. Both rifles are hard hitting and very accurate. I have a recent production 392, it doesn't hold a candle to an old Sheridan.I picked up an early '80's Blue Streak for $40.00(deal of the century) in Mint condition that was already tapped for the Williams Peep sight. Gun wouldn't pump up so I took it to Mac-1 and Tim did his 12 pump on it. At 12 pumps it pushes a 14.3 grain pellet at 739 fps. I have 4 Benjamin pumpers, and I love them all, but I must say I do believe the Sheridan is the "Cadillac" of the bunch! JMHO! dave
Swamp HunterKeep your eyes pealed in the GTA Classifieds ...sometime the show up in there.I bought a 1979 Silver Streak a few years ago from Yng@hrt ( Marty).He has a big collection and parted with oneIt had been freshly rebuilt with Mac-1 Parts by Rob112o.Best Wishes My Friend. - Tom
Tom, I have you Silver Streak's twin. I picked up a very nice '79 SS for $90.00 several years ago.
Side by side there is a noticable difference is quality? As I said , I have never saw one , or had my hands on it in person but looking at pics, looks like the older ones are in a different class. The newer ones are 392/397 correct? So I should look for one with the Sheridan name only?
I have had a variety, Sherdan C's and Benjimans old and new.My prize is a '85 model C that I got from Avator here on GTA, it is latterly like new... BUT in my youth, I was a Benjiman guy, I had a 342 and the neighbor kid had a Sheridan C. They were SO close in power and accuracy. But my .22 pellets were easily available.I now have had 312, 342, 392P and a 392PA, Model C's and Model C9. I really don't think you could go wrong with either one. If you are mechanically inclined, either can be resealed pretty easy.
Quote from: SwampHunter on September 29, 2019, 10:07:14 AMSide by side there is a noticable difference is quality? As I said , I have never saw one , or had my hands on it in person but looking at pics, looks like the older ones are in a different class. The newer ones are 392/397 correct? So I should look for one with the Sheridan name only?I'd say the early Benjamins (starting with 392P/397P and working backwards through the 342/347 models at least) are as high quality as the Sheridans. Even the early 392PA/397PA guns that still had the "P" style triggers and walnut stocks are very high quality. You wouldn't go wrong with any of them.
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