Author Topic: 1976(?) Benjamin 347. Can I install an aperture rear without drilling/tapping? (Read 1919 times))

Tallbald · « **on:** February 13, 2021, 02:35:27 PM »

Folks I bought this Benjamin at a moving auction for $50 about 6 years ago. A beautiful rifle, it did have a few stock dings and yucky areas. So I got to work raising the dents with steam judicially applied, a very light sanding and I believe 4 coats of rubbed Minwax Antique Oil Finish. Remarkable feathering of the walnut buttstock area. I'm pleased with the results.
What don't I enjoy? The wide rear sight leaf. Very hard for me to use. Upon advise of experienced folks here, I installed a rear aperture easily on my Benji 392 and the help to my old eyes is phenominal...phenomanil.... really wonderful.
Is an aftermarket rear aperture sight available for my old 347 that installs without alteration please?
I apologize for the upside down and sidewise orientation of two of the photos. I don't know why my telephone did that when it transferred the pictures to my laptop...
Thank you. Don

Habanero69er · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2021, 02:42:13 PM »

Bruce, the screws you show are strictly for the cam plate. You need holes on the other side of the breech to install a Williams peep sight.

Tallbald · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2021, 03:47:23 PM »

Well it appears I'm out of luck wishing for an add-on aperture rear. I really don't want to drill and tap. Suppose all I can do is use this beautiful old girl for a plinker. Unless there are some suggestions for another rear sight. Thank you so much. Don.

Back_Roads · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2021, 03:59:56 PM »

Perhaps use some space age high adhesion double sided tape

Airspace · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2021, 04:31:54 PM »

You could use thick superglue or JB Weld to hold it in place.

RBQChicken · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2021, 04:33:20 PM »

I think there used to be an older style peep sight that was held in place by the cam plate that snugs up to the bolt lug. Maybe that was for the older 317 model. Hopefully someone that knows for sure will post.

Tallbald · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2021, 05:36:24 PM »

Thanks to each and every one of you all for taking time to offer your insights. Though not a collector item I suppose, I'd hate to permanently change this old girl. But then again, I did refinish the stock. Just negated my own statement right there! Doh!
If folks here do know of a set to fit my rifle I could search for please let me know. The potential uses for this old girl are so limited for this old man with the factory sight. Such a beautiful gun that I'd still have snatched her up at that sale even if I'd known I could not get an aperture rear sight.
Thanks again. Don

Habanero69er · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2021, 06:01:39 PM »

How about a Mac1, IA mount? It can be mounted over the breech with rifle a scope. Or, out front scout mounted for a pistol scope.

http://www.mac1airgunshop.com/product-p/bjshia.htm

Tallbald · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2021, 06:20:58 PM »

Scoping would be a nice addition but I'd like to also be able to teach my granddaughters iron sights with an aperture. It may be that that's my only option though. Thank you. DOn

TerryM · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2021, 09:34:05 AM »

The Mac1 IA mount won't fit a 317 or 347. The .177 Benjamins made prior to the 397 have smaller diameter barrels than the .22s. Could probably be made to work with some shims of some kind. There are factory made Benjamin scope blocks of machined brass but they are hard to come by.

limbshaker · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2021, 09:39:45 AM »

You really should just drill and tap it. With the new sight in hand, all you have to do is mark the holes and drill, and then tap. It's easy to do, as the brass drills and taps easily. You just have to remove the bolt to do it, and that's not hard either.

You can't really enjoy the accuracy that these guns are capable of with the crude rear sight. Get the peep put on it and be done with it. You'll love it.

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2021, 09:49:34 AM »

WAIT!!! Drop the drill and nobody gets hurt!

No need to drill and tap. There was an optional peep sight on the 342 / 347 that fits under the cam plate in the little slot.
You want the 273 sight.

limbshaker · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2021, 10:13:28 AM »

Quote from: Hoosier Daddy on February 14, 2021, 09:49:34 AM

WAIT!!! Drop the drill and nobody gets hurt!

No need to drill and tap. There was an optional peep sight on the 342 / 347 that fits under the cam plate in the little slot.
You want the 273 sight.

Just run out and pick up a few of those while you are out. I'm sure they aren't hard to find.

Probably a good reason they quit making them, just saying.

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2021, 10:17:29 AM »

HA HA HA!
Probably because they quit making the 34X that's why... right?
I never said they grew on trees... but I found one.
At least the OP now knows what to look for!

Habanero69er · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2021, 10:27:29 AM »

https://www.bakerairguns.com/product/benjamin-273-peep-sight/

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2021, 10:32:16 AM »

DING DING DING!
Baker to the rescue!

By the way Don... That is a mighty fine 347 you snagged up a few years ago.
Congrats!

limbshaker · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2021, 11:27:45 AM »

The Williams sights is far nicer, far more adjustable, and far more solid than the 273.

And they are the same price.

What happens when you bump the sight and it rips the threads out that holds the cam plate on? They aren't very big you know. Then you have an actual ugly problem on your hands with a broken gun that you can't even shoot.

To each his own.

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2021, 11:48:48 AM »

Quote

To each his own.

Agreed.
I prefer to keep vintage guns "vintage" but modern technology is wonderful.

eeler1 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2021, 12:48:14 PM »

I’d send it in to Mac-1 or Baker or whoever to have it drilled and tapped.

Or, Williams makes a dovetail version of the 5D;

https://shop.williamsgunsight.com/ecommerce/index.html?searchValue=5D

so I suppose a Baker dovetail mount;

https://www.bakerairguns.com/product/one-piece-scope-mount-sheridan-c-blue-silver-streak/

with the Williams site might work, although expensive and maybe a bit high to get full elevation adjustment. Probably should check with Baker to make sure it will fit the 347 if you go this route.

And if you don’t like it you can take it off and still have the original unaltered rifle, sell the mount and site.

RBQChicken · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2021, 04:08:33 PM »

Get the peep from BAker and be done with it, and be glad you did.
Oh, and don't use the gun as a baseball bat so you don't knock the sight off and ruin everything.

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1976(?) Benjamin 347. Can I install an aperture rear without drilling/tapping?

Author Topic: 1976(?) Benjamin 347. Can I install an aperture rear without drilling/tapping? (Read 1919 times))