Scoping a Benji 392, minus the horror risk of barrel separation from the base?

[Tallbald]

Loving my newly rekindled love for airgunning, I find my older (now) eyes pining for a way to use a lower powered scope on my late model wood stocked Benji 392PA. Back ing the 90's I bought a nice but used Sheridan pumper, and over time, even without a scope I came to see it had dreaded barrel separation. That pain and poor decision still haunt me today. In those pre-internet days I didn't know that was repairable and traded the Dan to my Brit Webley Stingray. My now 25 years older eyes really could benefit from a scope above and beyond the Williams aperture my 392 wears.
 I did a search here via Google and found a dead link to a MAc1 scope mount that the poster said would not cause barrel separation. It's a 2017 posting I seem to remember but as a dead link, I couldn't see just what the mount was.
 Anyone here know of a scope base for my Benji 392 that doesn't risk separation of breech or barrel from tube please? I'm sort of even thinking of stimulating the economy and buying a second 392 ( the plastic stocked S version ) set up for a scope, while keeping my slim and trim wooden 392 with its' aperture set.
 Oh. I already have a Leupold 1.5-4 scope previously used on an AR-15 I'm hoping would do well on a 392 at close range. But there's that bugaboo issue of paralax issues. Thoughts on my already-paid-for $200 leupold in a 392 roll sure appreciated too my friends.
Thank you all for your time.
Don

[rsterne]

I went old school on mine and tapped the receiver and mounted a short piece of Picatinny rail....



I was only using a Red Dot, but with an offset 1-piece mount you may be able to accommodate a longer scope....

Bob

[SteveP-52]

Maybe this one at Baker Airguns but it's currently pre-order. Mounts to allow for a solid mounting base but stops possible barrel seperation:

https://www.bakerairguns.com/product/one-piece-scope-mount-benjamin-397-392-air-rifles/

[mrbulk]

Here is Mac-1’s version:

http://www.mac1airgunshop.com/mobile/product.aspx?ProductCode=bjshia&404;http://www.mac1airgunshop.com:80/product-p/bjshia.htm=

and another style off Amazon:

[mrbulk]

Although I have not tried either, the Amazon version mounts to the breech instead of the barrel.

[35 shooter]

The Baker is a good solid mount over the reciever, but the 2 screws that hold it on “ will” put holes through the paint on the reciever.
No biggy... just saying.

The air Venturi mount can cause bbl. seperation over time, but i used one on a 392 for several years with no problem.

To me; the Mac 1 is the most versatile and does’nt bite into the bbl. welds.
You can slide it back to the reciever for normal scope mounting, or slide it forward for a scout or pistol scope.

[eeler1]

Mac1 or Baker.  Baker is more robust, yes, will mark the receiver and only goes in one location.  Mac1 is more flexible in terms of location, ideal for a scout or pistol scope, so may allow easier pumping.  Neither will separate barrel from tube.  Cost about the same.  Choose!

[msurf]

Hi Don,
  First, I can empathize with the older eyes quandry...it is really difficult to see those open sights nowadays!  I did add a Williams peep to my 397 S, turned and installed a brass aperture to brighten things up. 
Anyway, regarding the scope mounts, I believe the mounts themselves are not the issue causing barrel separation. In the pictures, I have four different kinds of mounts on various soldered barrel pumpers,
Pic 1; the Mac One on the 54 Sheridan Silver Streak,
Pic 2; the Breech mount on the 2002 Benji 397,
Pic 3; just to show, I have the half of a stock Sheridan Streak intermount and the Benjamin Sheridan B272 4-Piece 3/8" Dovetail Inter-mount, partially mounted on the Benjamin 397 S.
Pic 4; Sheridan intermount on a '71 Blue Streak
Pic 5; Pressure fit stock Rear sight on 397 S.  They are stuck on thee really tight.


None of these cause any pressure on the solder joint (To be fair, I did not check the B 272 mount as it is not the proper diameter for the .177 barrel).  They are machined so the pressure is on the barrel.  You can take half of one and move it around...seems to me there is minimal if no pressure on the joint. IMHO,  the causation of barrel separation with a scope mount would be an impact to the side of the scope and mount, and cracking or weakening the soldered joint, not a pinching....either with the breech mount of the barrel mount.   Additionally, it is critical you measure your barrel diameter and get the correct mount, as there are several models.
Now on the other hand, the stock rear open sight definitely does pinch between the barrel and the air tube, especially in the later clip on models (as shown), and this has been suspect to the infamous barrel separation.
Regarding the scope, I really love the Hawke 32x7 shown on the Silver Streak....not too bad price wise at $109 for some quality optics, and small and light.
Perhaps you can pic up an older 392 wood stock version on Ebay for about the same price of the new plastic stock one?  Just a thought

[msurf]

That is a 397 P in nickel...dont know why I put S.  Along with the eyes goes the brain!

[Tallbald]

Say. Thank you all so much for the input , links and photos. This is wonderful.
  I'm supposing that the solder joint between the barrel and tube is soft solder, i.e. lead not silver soldering(?). I have only dropped a gun in my entire life maybe three times if memory serves me correctly. But I'm older and not as strong as I used to be and I expect a drop could more easily happen to me these days....
 I'm going to look closely at what's been taught to me here and see what's available and affordable.
 Any thoughts on the Leupold 1.5-4X scope I have? A $200 scope bought new and mounted for a time on an AR15, I don't know how it would do on a short range gun like my 392PA. Never had a fixed-ammo rifle scope on an air gun.
Don2

[TerryM]

  I have used all these mentioned mounts except the Baker receiver mount.

  The Mac1 is a great product.  Solid, sturdy but pricey.

  The Air Venturi only fits the newer guns with a tubular receiver.  I don't care for it, puts the scope way high.

  The original Sheridan mounts and the newer B272 mounts work equally well.  They do grip the barrel/tube joint, not the barrel itself.  Not a problem, as long as you don't get crazy tightening them down.  That solder joint is a lot stronger than some folks seem to think.   I have a '67 Streak with a Leupold 4x28 on a Sheridan Intermount.  It works extremely well.  Your Leupold should work fine if you can get it positioned for the proper eye relief.