Benjamin Prowler in 22 caliber

[Limpy45]

I just bought a Prowler today at a lgs.  They had it marked down to $115.00.  I have been sort of looking for another air gun and this would fill the bill I think.  Checked a few reviews on line and it sounded good.  Just wanted to get a couple more opinions.  I am sure it needs some trigger mods as it feels like about a inch of travel before it goes off.  Seems to be fairly accurate so far, as far as a shaky old man can shoot. 

[Airspace]

I purchased a Prowler a couple of yrs ago on clearance at a WM. Stuck it in a closet and forgot about it until last fall. When I got it out I couldn't get it to hit a 3 foot sq paper at 20 yes. I blamed the scope first so it got a different scope same result. Then I checked the rifle, all screws were tight, no wiggle in any of the parts and it locked up tight. So I checked the barrel! I surprised I wasn't shooting myself in the backside it was so bent. I know it was out of the factory that way but with the pandemic I wasn't going to go though trying to get a new barrel so I made a barrel bender and started bending. I worked on the barrel for a couple of weeks but when i finished with it i could group 10 shots under a quarter at 30 yes. So if you got a straight shooter you should have a pretty good rifle.

[Roadworthy]

I believe the Benjamin Prowler is one of the B18 / B19 rifles in the Crosman - Benjamin NP rifle lineup.  The triggers are characteristically HORRIBLE!!  You can gain a shorter pull by replacing the adjustment screw with a longer one.  A better solution and almost as simple would be going to charliedatuna.com and ordering the GRT III trigger.  In addition to being able to easily adjust the length of the trigger pull it will make the pull smoother and easier.  When I had one of those guns my final solution was to replace the entire trigger pack with Crosman's NP2 trigger pack.  That DID require disassembly of the gun.  It also took a little work with the trigger pack to get it EXACTLY where I liked it.  It didn't arrive at the quality of the European triggers but came pretty close.

[Firewalker]

Dallas,

I too have a Prowler (see my posts) and it's been a love/hate story much like others. I can tell you this, the trigger CAN be easily tuned at home with just a small honing stone and a tiny pin spot of Moly paste (shoot me a PM if you want a sample) on the sear and the barrel of a stick pen.

Yupper, just that easy. It does take some work and patience so if you have time and dont mind the trouble, you can improve the trigger a LOT for next to nothing.

As far as the gun itself goes, it's a fickle brat!! It needs an artillery hold, it can be picky about ammo and can make you MAD! But overall, it's well worth the money, good luck!

[Lt. Dan]

My Prowler

[Firewalker]

Lucky-ducky! I cannot hard rest my fore stock or I get split groups.

My Prowler

[Lt. Dan]

Lucky-ducky! I cannot hard rest my fore stock or I get split groups.

My Prowler

I couldn't either until I put the action in the soft- bedded wood stock. 

[Firewalker]

Was that the neoprene method?

Lucky-ducky! I cannot hard rest my fore stock or I get split groups.

My Prowler

I couldn't either until I put the action in the soft- bedded wood stock.

[Lt. Dan]

Was that the neoprene method?

Lucky-ducky! I cannot hard rest my fore stock or I get split groups.

My Prowler

I couldn't either until I put the action in the soft- bedded wood stock.

Yes. It may not work for all rifles but it removes  or decreases hold sensitive in most that I've tried.  YMMV

I've never tried it on very very tight fitting stocks though.

[Firewalker]

Lt, are the Vantage stocks available?  I have not seen one online.

[Lt. Dan]

Lt, are the Vantage stocks available?  I have not seen one online.

I tried to look back and see if I could find the part number but I didn't find it.
Get in touch with Crosman and ask if that have a reclaimed Vantage stock (one off of a returned rifle). 
Their customer service tech may be able to look up the part number for you.
My stock was a gift from 19Sheridan57, I didn't buy it.

I think you may find it cost prohibitive to buy a new Vantage stock. When I got mine from Steve Crosman wanted $60 for the stock plus you'll need the trigger guard as well. You're probably looking at $85 to your door,  that is if they have it. Wouldn't hurt to call them.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Lt, are the Vantage stocks available?  I have not seen one online.

I tried to look back and see if I could find the part number but I didn't find it.
Get in touch with Crosman and ask if that have a reclaimed Vantage stock (one off of a returned rifle). 
Their customer service tech may be able to look up the part number for you.
My stock was a gift from 19Sheridan57, I didn't buy it.

I think you may find it cost prohibitive to buy a new Vantage stock. When I got mine from Steve Crosman wanted $60 for the stock plus you'll need the trigger guard as well. You're probably looking at $85 to your door,  that is if they have it. Wouldn't hurt to call them.

Hi Dan.

Do you know the "back story" on your Vantage rifle stock ? 

That stock originally came on a Vantage rifle that I bought several years ago.
I had bought a refurbished Vantage from Air Gun Depot when Crosman first came out with the Vantage.
RBQChicken ( Randy) had refinished a Titan thumbhole rifle stock, but then he did not like the way it came out.
It was really nice but it was too light of a color for what he wanted.
He then sent the Titan stock to me to put on my Vantage, which I did.
I sent the Vantage stock to 19Sheridans57 (Steve) for a project he was contemplating.
19Sheridans57 (Steve) then sent the Vantage stock to you and it now resides on your rifle.
That rifle stock  is about 15 years old has done a lot of traveling during the time it was manufactured up until now.
The Vantage stock is the same as the Optima stock and they are directly interchangeable.
The Titan stock will fit on a Vantage but there is no clearance for the rear open sight.
The Titan stock has has to be reworked and a clearance area relieved in the area of the rear sight, if open sights are desired.


Best Wishes - Tom

[Firewalker]

I posted a WTB and already have a hit, I'll see if we can work out an acceptable price.

I sure would like to get that gun shooting well.

[Lt. Dan]

Lt, are the Vantage stocks available?  I have not seen one online.

I tried to look back and see if I could find the part number but I didn't find it.
Get in touch with Crosman and ask if that have a reclaimed Vantage stock (one off of a returned rifle). 
Their customer service tech may be able to look up the part number for you.
My stock was a gift from 19Sheridan57, I didn't buy it.

I think you may find it cost prohibitive to buy a new Vantage stock. When I got mine from Steve Crosman wanted $60 for the stock plus you'll need the trigger guard as well. You're probably looking at $85 to your door,  that is if they have it. Wouldn't hurt to call them.

Hi Dan.

Do you know the "back story" on your Vantage rifle stock ? 

That stock originally came on a Vantage rifle that I bought several years ago.
I had bought a refurbished Vantage from Air Gun Depot when Crosman first came out with the Vantage.
RBQChicken ( Randy) had refinished a Titan thumbhole rifle stock, but then he did not like the way it came out.
It was really nice but it was too light of a color for what he wanted.
He then sent the Titan stock to me to put on my Vantage, which I did.
I sent the Vantage stock to 19Sheridans57 (Steve) for a project he was contemplating.
19Sheridans57 (Steve) then sent the Vantage stock to you and it now resides on your rifle.
That rifle stock  is about 15 years old has done a lot of traveling during the time it was manufactured up until now.
The Vantage stock is the same as the Optima stock and they are directly interchangeable.
The Titan stock will fit on a Vantage but there is no clearance for the rear open sight.
The Titan stock has has to be reworked and a clearance area relieved in the area of the rear sight, if open sights are desired.


Best Wishes - Tom

You're exactly right Tom. It's good to know how old that stock is. Thank you as well for generously giving the stock to Steve and thanks you Steve for paying it forward to me. That's one rifle that will remain in my stable.

[Lt. Dan]

I posted a WTB and already have a hit, I'll see if we can work out an acceptable price.

I sure would like to get that gun shooting well.

If that doesn't work out for you Tom says the Vantage stock is the same as the Optima stock and they are directly interchangeable so they will fit the Prowler.

[Limpy45]

Thanks for all the comments guys!  I have done a couple mods on the trigger and really like the way it shoots now.  I removed the 'lawyer' spring and put a small spacer around the pin so the trigger pull is shorter.  Have not done the longer screw thingy yet.  I did that to my older Stoeger and now it is a very light quick release of the trigger, almost to light..  The Prowler, shooting across my shop, about 15 feet, will make very nice holes less than dime size for 5 shots if I do my part.  Still breaking it in.  Have to shoot at least half a tin of 250 pellets to 'loosen' it up I believe.  Waiting for nicer weather to take it to outdoor rifle range.  We do have a heated shooting house to shoot out of, but with our frigid cold and wind would still not be much fun!  I don't mind cold, but minus temps are not my cup of tea anymore!!!  Must be getting old???  Will be 76 in May I hope!  I am hoping to find a cow pasture close by full of Ground squirrels this summer!!  Air rifle shooting those pests would be a blast!  I have done in many with my archery gear years ago.  Shoot until  my shoulder was tired! 

[Firewalker]

LT, how on earth did I miss your post?  I have a stock on it's way but will have to see what kind of clearance I have for the neoprene "soft mount" before diving in.

I posted a WTB and already have a hit, I'll see if we can work out an acceptable price.

I sure would like to get that gun shooting well.

If that doesn't work out for you Tom says the Vantage stock is the same as the Optima stock and they are directly interchangeable so they will fit the Prowler.