Benjamin Trail NP XL bad piston seal?

[mikeyb]

Instead of responding directly in the new member section where it may never be seen again, I'm starting a new thread here in the hope that any useful information regarding this repair will be easier for all to find.

New member query: https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=181624.msg156066636#msg156066636

My response to new member Gary regarding a likely bad piston seal in a Benjamin Trail NP XL:

Is this your rifle Gary?

https://www.crosman.com/product/benjamin-trail-xl-magnum-22/
https://support.crosman.com/hc/en-us/articles/203361734-BT1122WNP-Owner-s-Manual-EVP-2010-Present-
https://support.crosman.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/201592440/Trail_XL_EVP.pdf

From your description I think the piston seal has failed. In my experience this results in abnormally low average velocity with a large velocity spread. The damaged piston seal is also allowing some oil/grease into the compression tube which is randomly dieseling causing even more erratic velocity numbers, a harsh loud shot cycle, and some smoke.

Warranty service can be the best option, but there are risks.

If the rifle was VERY ACCURATE (has a GOOD barrel) before the piston seal failure, I personally would order the necessary parts and repair it myself. The risk is that they won't bother to repair the rifle (labor too costly) and will just send out a new rifle instead. I've heard folks call it the "barrel lottery" where you HAD a good one, returned it for repair, and received a new one that wasn't as accurate as the first one.

Since you have already opened up the rifle likely voiding the warranty, I'm going to suggest you order repair parts from Crosman (see links above IF that is your model) and complete the repair yourself.

Please let us know if you can get the XL back to normal.

Good Luck!

[Gary J albouthabenjamins]

I got the gun returned and only came up with 23 fpe well my other XL shoots a easy 28fpe is 23 still good for this rifel ?