Help pick a pumper.

[Mike71]

Looking at getting a new to me multi pumper.
Older tang safety Benjamin..
New Crosman 362..
Crosman 2289..

Not decided if I want 177 speed or 22 thud.
Posable red dot use but the Crosman can be got with steel breech, and the Benjamin has the rear sight far enough out I can focus on it better than the Crosman's..
Of course the ideas about mods come to mind, can the new Crosman take upgrades  ?

Or basically custom build something I'm not thinking of, I'd say I'd do upto $300.. mostly pest control up to 30 yards, plinking out to 100 yards for fun.

Toss me some thoughts.

[splitbeing]

A few vintage pumpers available from MB in the classifieds.

The 362 can become a lot of things for well under 300.

I like the gallup of the 362. Feels and sounds good while pumping.

[Hack21]

I think it would be difficult to regret owning a nice Sheridan or Benjamin 347/342/397/392 with a Williams peep sight.  With that said, if you wish to add a moderator or an optic, then a Crosman or Seneca Dragonfly are probably better options. 

[Mike71]

Yeah I've corresponded some with Mike Baker about the Benjamin's he has, in good shape and basically rebuilt from my understanding, of course some valve work would be in order but that about it for that one, I definitely was looking at the Crosman 100 year anniversary edition of the 362.. nice gun and good speed, think they guy got 660 fps out of a 15.2gr pellet or abouts.
I know speed isn't everything, but as we all know it sure helps, that's why I have a few break barrel rigs, but wanting smoother shots and better accuracy, I don't miss the pumping for every shot but have many fond memories of my 1986 Benjamin pumper.

[Back_Roads]

 My vote is for the Dragonfly 2

[Matchstickshooter]

 my 2 cents
  a few years ago  I restored a Crosman (Sears)1400 I had found at a flea market.
It was a bear to get it sealed properly.  Had it quite a while, enjoyed shooting it, and then sold it to another member.
   Then I was gifted a Crosman 392PA that is missing the front sight. And it needed resealing.
          -----------   I could not believe how easy it was to reseal!  --------------
   I have a dot sight, scout mounted on it, and it works perfect.
  A woodchuck getter. 
             Easy to work on!

[Mike71]

my 2 cents
  a few years ago  I restored a Crosman (Sears)1400 I had found at a flea market.
It was a bear to get it sealed properly.  Had it quite a while, enjoyed shooting it, and then sold it to another member.
   Then I was gifted a Crosman 392PA that is missing the front sight. And it needed resealing.
          -----------   I could not believe how easy it was to reseal!  --------------
   I have a dot sight, scout mounted on it, and it works perfect.
  A woodchuck getter. 
             Easy to work on!

Now that's good to know.

[Mike71]

My vote is for the Dragonfly 2

I looked at that, like it has a threaded muzzle but don't that it has a rotary mag. I'd like that on a PCP but prefer single shot on a pumper or break barrel. But thank you for the advice.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Of all my pumpers.. 'streaks included... My Benji 342 with the tang safety is my favorite.
Of course that debate has been going on for 50 years personally.

[Back_Roads]

My vote is for the Dragonfly 2

It also comes with a single shot tray, toss the mag

I looked at that, like it has a threaded muzzle but don't that it has a rotary mag. I'd like that on a PCP but prefer single shot on a pumper or break barrel. But thank you for the advice.

  It also comes with a single shot tray, toss the mag

[Mike71]

It also comes with a single shot tray, toss the mag

Ohhh didn't know that, thanks for that heads up.

[bantam5s]

I'd go with a Racine Sheridan Blue streak or an 80's Benjamin 342 and put a William's peep on it.
A better pumper than these does not exist and probably never will.
You may also really like a Crosman 140 or a 1400, they're great solid simple and rugged guns. With a 1400 you could put some kind of optic on it if that matters.
I do not have any problem with there being a small selection of .20 pellets for my blue streak or E pistol, but .22 is the most practical.

I have found myself preferring .22 over .177, but the 10.5gr CPHP's do make up for the lack of authority while still shooting very flat.

[Mike71]

Back in 85-86 my Benjamin pump 177 was from Racine, WI.. I wore the black off the barrel from holding it against my chest pumping, ended up stripped it and polished it right before I traded it off like a dummy. Now being in a wheelchair I'd have to find a new method of holding it to pump, not tried one in a very long time, that's why I went to break barrel and CO2.

[HPP-Mechanic]

Lately, I seem to be accumulating pumpers.  Right now, 2 Sheridan Blue Streaks, Crosman 140 & 1400, Benjamin Franklin 312 & 310, and 2 Seneca Dragonfly MK2.  For close-range plinking, the Crosmans are my favorite. But over 5 pumps, they get difficult to pump & the trigger gets stiff.  The Streaks are laser beams & are easier to pump to 8. They are .20cal and a bit bigger than the others.
 I haven't shot the Franklins much yet, so I cant comment on those.
 If you like to shoot at 30,40-50+ yards with a scope, then the Dragonfly is the only way to go, since the others dont have dove tails to mount a scope.
I have 1000's of shots thru the Dragonfly, and can say that it easily out-shoots the other pumpers. It pumps very easily 3 up to 20pumps. Its quiet when a moderator is used too. The biggest gripes are noisy/loud pumping action and feel not as well built compared to the others. They are only a little over $200 new for a .22.

[Hoppalong Doc]

      I purchased a .22 cal Dragonfly when they first came out to shoot with my grandson. It's been so enjoyable to shoot that I more recently purchased another for myself. The "clacking" sound is real when pumping. The accuracy of this rifle is amazing. It will shot 1 inch groups all afternoon  with just 3 pumps using JSB 15.86 22 cal pellets. It's  a fun gun for plinking out at the range at 50 yds. Orv.

[Mzq284]

Mike,
Glad you're hanging out here. I'll give you my input, take from it what works for you.
Sheridan: excellent guns,  but I hate the limited ammo thing.
Benji: I found a 1969 342, a longtime dream. It didn't shoot well at all with CPHPs.  I'm not dropping $10/250 to plink. Bye bye. Shame, as it was mint, a sweet carbine.
140/1400. Outstanding rifles, if this is your choice go for the 1400s or, my choice, the 140s with the cast aluminum trigger guard, they're easy to rebuild and good shooters.
362. As much as I love the 140s, the 362 beats them for performance.  They're modular, they take the parts for the 13xx series and are easy to work on. Some have had issues with them not shooting well,  but I have two and a 140 with 362 barrel, no problems here. A friend has a couple, he's happy with them.
CONS: plastic stocks,  and you have to buy the steel breech separate. BUT, I shot mine with the plastic breech and the PEEP SIGHT. It shot excellent,  as did my 3622, another one you might consider. If peeps work for you,  you're in great shape.
No matter what you choose, I hope you'll keep us in the loop, especially with pictures.
Merry Christmas to you and your (other) family. 

[avator]

Rocker safety Blue Streak.. enjoy.
As for wheel chair pumping.. lay it across your lap and pump downwards.

[JPSAXNC]

The Crosman 140 and 1400 are fun guns. But there's a problem with there steel compression tubes, pumpers get condensation in the tube and it collects right at the o-ring that seals the valve. The condensation corrodes the metal right at the seal until they leak and won't hold air. I have a couple that are now unfixable.

[Blowpipe Sam]

The OP said He wasn't sure about caliber so it's hard to beat the Winchester 1977XS for a 177 pumper.  After a few mods and some tweaking the Crosman 2100 is nearly as good but the winnie does it straight out of the box.

[Back_Roads]

The OP said He wasn't sure about caliber so it's hard to beat the Winchester 1977XS for a 177 pumper.  After a few mods and some tweaking the Crosman 2100 is nearly as good but the winnie does it straight out of the box.

Good suggestion, I find them finicky to load.