Crosman-Benjamin 397pa

[eegarciajr]

For the past year I tried to buy a 392 from a local sporting goods store.  I have purchased
3 different 392s and thought they were junk, one I had to return because it just stopped
holding air after owning it for 2 days.  After returning the 3rd to the store I kind of gave up
on buying a "new" Benji 392.

So flash forward to today.  I walked into a pawn shop and their next to a Browning shot gun
I see a Benji and she looks a bit rough.  It is a Crosman-Benji and is stamped Bloomfield, NY
but the stock looks like the older Benjis.  I feel the trigger and the bolt and they are NOTHING
like the JUNK I tried the year before.  They just feel different in a very good way.  I then put
a few pumps in and that also feels like a totally different gun.  So I get the guy to knock $10 off
the asking price and take her home and WOW, she shoots great.  Terrific little gun.  I really
wanted a .22 but for the much much much better quality of the older 397, I think I got lucky
to find this 397.  

Can anyone give me some info about this gun.  The Serial # is N99704441




 

[MichaelM]

Dunno anything about them but thats a nice looking gun!! the breach and everything metal on that? it sure looks sollid

[eegarciajr]

No plastic on this baby, not even the saftey switch looks plastic.

[airgunandy]

First three characters of a Crosman serial number is the date code. N99 would be November of 1999. Nice walnut!
Actually mechanically it is the same as a new rifle. Same trigger and bolt, just 10 years more broken in. A bit of TLC and a new gun would feel just as good. Unfortunately the new ones don't have that nice of stocks. Current model valve seals and such will fit your gun if and when you need them.

Anyway, looks like you got a good one!

[Toolmaker]

 Good lookin' shooter! I like the style of the older guns.

[eegarciajr]

Mechanically maybe....but, the quality control today must be horrible.  This gun is
head and shoulders above any factory 39x made today.  This thing feels SOLID, the
ones today feel like they will fall apart in your hands, not to mention that NOTHING
seems to line up properly on todays 397 or 392.

Remeber I bought and returned 3 different 392s last year.  Something is wrong with the
39x made today, something is very wrong.  IMHO shooting one from 1999 is proof of that.

[airgunandy]

Sorry you had so much trouble with the new models. I have a 2008 model 392 that is rock solid. I must have gotten lucky.

I know what you mean about the old stuff being better though. I also have a 1965 Sheridan Blue Streak that is head and shoulders above the Benji.

[Toolmaker]

 I've got a '09 model 397 and it is also rock solid and a fantastic shooter. It is one of my favorites.

[eegarciajr]

That is awesome that you guys got great shooting 397s, it was just not my experience.
I guess Andy got lucky and I sure as heck didn't.  That whole experience left a really
bad taste in my mouth for the newer Benjis. 

I shot my quite a bit this morning and was having a blast.  Last night I put a Williams
peep sight on my 397.  This AM I shot 3 crows.  I then started shooting at spinners
and cans.  That is when I really started having some fun.  I found with 1 pump I was
still dead on at 12 yards.  The soda cans never stood a chance!

Thanks for the replies guys, I am glad you got some fine shooting 39x from todays guns.

[airgunandy]

Glad you're having a blast with your Benji!