Sheridan Blue Streak won't cock most of the time

[ddm]

Hello everyone. I joined the forum last week and I want to thank everyone who took the time to welcome me.  I've recently acquired a Sheridan Blue Streak serial number 095xxx. If I'm reading the date tables right, it's a 1974. I don't have a picture to post yet but that date seems to agree with pear shaped bolt end with a center hole and what I think is (was) a rocker safety.  I say was a rocker safety because that's the only part on gun that seems to be missing - just an empty slot on either side of receiver.  Bluing in surprisingly good shape just a little freckling on rear sight.  Finish on wood stock and foregrip is good with no major dings or scrapes.  After lubricating overnight, it pumps up and seems to hold air.  Only problem is that most of the time the bolt will not come back far enough to cock the gun.  I removed stock and tried to cock it with what I'm assuming is the actual safety stud in both positions with no effect.  Out of maybe two dozen cocking attempts it has cocked maybe three times. On those three times it cocked easily but I could not get it to do so two times in a row. Does any one have any ideas as to whether its the safety, the bolt/spring, or something else?

[Habanero69er]

'74 seems to be the correct date for your Blue Streak. You might want to contact Tim at Mac1 Airguns about getting it repaired & even a steroid treatment. And by the way, welcome to GTA.

[bbv13]

I second the idea of finding someone to repair it unless you want take it apart and fix it yourself. It sounds like you are missing the safety and there may be other worn or missing parts. It may have a damaged hammer or trigger. Either way it should be repaired before it's loaded and shot.

Bryan

[ddm]

Thanks for the welcome Habernero. I wanted to get back to this topic before anyone spent much time on it. Never fails take your car to the mechanic and it won't act up for anything. Right after posting thread about my Blue Streak not cocking, I went out to shop and checked on it but not expecting any change. Last night I oiled it again and let it set overnight for the 4th time.  I guess the 4th time was the charm. Today it cocks everytime and it is definitely holding air. Pumped it up, let it set for about 5 mins, then shot it into waste can. No ammo, just air and it still blew a hole in the plastic can liner.  All I can say is Sheridan knew hot to make'em. 15 yrs in an attic with temps in excess of 150 and 90% humidity and all this gun needed was a lot of oil and a little time more time to soak.  Can't say the same for the 6 other guns that were in attic with it.  Does anyone have any ideas as to where I can find a 1974 manual and a rocker safety?  I've looked online and all I can find are manuals and diagrams for newer Blue Streaks. I appreciate the advice to seek professional help and I admit that I'm new to working on airguns.  However, I'm not new to restoring old guns and I have about as much fun working on them as I do shooting them.

[TooJung2Die]

This is about as complete a repair manual as you will find for old Sheridans.  http://ujays.net/repair-manual-ol-v2.pdf  If you like restoring old firearms you won't find fixing Sheridans hard to do.

There are Sheridan/Crosman/Benjamin repair shops in the GTA vendors gate.

Ones I've used for vintage airgun parts are Precision Pellet, JG Airguns, Baker Airguns, Bryan and Associates, and Mac1 Airgun, just off the top of my head. If the shop I called first didn't have the part needed they recommended another that did.

[warwolfmk2]

This should help it's a 79 but should be close to a 74 to work.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/405945/thread/1256100034/Well,+I+searched..

[Habanero69er]

Thanks for the welcome Habernero. I wanted to get back to this topic before anyone spent much time on it. Never fails take your car to the mechanic and it won't act up for anything. Right after posting thread about my Blue Streak not cocking, I went out to shop and checked on it but not expecting any change. Last night I oiled it again and let it set overnight for the 4th time.  I guess the 4th time was the charm. Today it cocks everytime and it is definitely holding air. Pumped it up, let it set for about 5 mins, then shot it into waste can. No ammo, just air and it still blew a hole in the plastic can liner.  All I can say is Sheridan knew hot to make'em. 15 yrs in an attic with temps in excess of 150 and 90% humidity and all this gun needed was a lot of oil and a little time more time to soak.  Can't say the same for the 6 other guns that were in attic with it.  Does anyone have any ideas as to where I can find a 1974 manual and a rocker safety?  I've looked online and all I can find are manuals and diagrams for newer Blue Streaks. I appreciate the advice to seek professional help and I admit that I'm new to working on airguns.  However, I'm not new to restoring old guns and I have about as much fun working on them as I do shooting them.

Try Bryan & associates. bryanandac.com. But I'd still contact Tim McMurray about having it steroided. You won't be sorry. mac1airgunshop.com

[Amd6547]

Here's your rocker safety, on gunbroker:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=442662500

The original manual is online at Steve's pages...
http://stevespages.com/pdf/sheridan_blue-streak-silver-streak.pdf

[ddm]

Thank you all for your help.  Should be all I need to finish Sheridan.  Will post some pics when I'm finished.  Now if only the guy bidding against me for a lot of Crosman PM760 parts would just give up already. Will post pics of that one too when finished. Thanks again.

[bbv13]

Thank you all for your help.  Should be all I need to finish Sheridan.  Will post some pics when I'm finished.  Now if only the guy bidding against me for a lot of Crosman PM760 parts would just give up already. Will post pics of that one too when finished. Thanks again.

When you take it apart to install the safety take a close look at the bolt, hammer and the trigger. I hope I'm wrong but the rifle cocking sometimes and then not makes me think there may still be some wear and tear issues somewhere.

Bryan

[TooJung2Die]

I hope I'm wrong but the rifle cocking sometimes and then not makes me think there may still be some wear and tear issues somewhere.

You're spot on with your concern. My old Sheridan had a hair trigger when I got it. The trigger sear had worn and rounded off over the years. It barely held the hammer back and sometimes took a couple of tries to cock. A few swipes with a mill file squared up the sear. Now it cocks every time, holds the hammer securely and breaks clean.

[bbv13]

A gun with a bad sear is a accident waiting to happen. The air guns most of us here have really are for adults. I almost have my Benjamin 310 finished and test fired it some today. One of the parts I had to replace was the hammer because it was damaged. Despite the damage it would cock every time but there was no way I would put it back in a gun.  Anyway I put a stick on target on a thin 3/8" phone book to adjust the sights and after the first shot I heard a bb bounce up through a tree. It had blown right through the book and bounced off the stump behind it. This old gun just isn't a toy for young kids and we all need to be careful when messing with old worn out air guns. Here's a picture of the hammer. It had similar damage on the other side and keep in mind it cocked every time.

Bryan

[ddm]

Thanks for the input guys. Gun is cocking everytime now, but it  does seem like it takes just a little too much effort to cock it. There probably is something else going on inside even though gun doesn't appear to have been shot much. I don't have any ammo yet and won't shoot gun until I have completely disassembled it and checked everything out.  When I break it down for inspection, I'll probably go ahead and do a rebuild kit even though it's pumping and  holding air. After all the seals are 40 years old.

On another note, does anyone have any opinions on removing the original oval sticker on stock warning users to read manual before operating?  Normally I would want to take that off right away since I don't think such beautiful wood should have a sticker plastered on it to begin with, but the wood finish is all in great shape. After all this time, I'll probably have to take stock down to bare wood and refinish in order to get rid of all traces of sticker. Not sure if it's worth it. Any opinions?

[Habanero69er]

Thanks for the input guys. Gun is cocking everytime now, but it  does seem like it takes just a little too much effort to cock it. There probably is something else going on inside even though gun doesn't appear to have been shot much. I don't have any ammo yet and won't shoot gun until I have completely disassembled it and checked everything out.  When I break it down for inspection, I'll probably go ahead and do a rebuild kit even though it's pumping and  holding air. After all the seals are 40 years old.

On another note, does anyone have any opinions on removing the original oval sticker on stock warning users to read manual before operating?  Normally I would want to take that off right away since I don't think such beautiful wood should have a sticker plastered on it to begin with, but the wood finish is all in great shape. After all this time, I'll probably have to take stock down to bare wood and refinish in order to get rid of all traces of sticker. Not sure if it's worth it. Any opinions?

I've still got the sticker on my steroided Benji 342 too. I've considered refinishing the stock, but have left it as is. One day I may decide to refinish. You might try using some Goo-B-Gone on the sticker. If it is or isn't discolored, then decide.

[daveb50]

All Streaks take a good strong pull to cock them. If oiling allowed it to cock every time, the hammer and tube is probably pretty well gunked up inside. I would at least take the hammer out and clean it up, along with the aft end of the tube where it rides. If it holds air overnight, you could shoot it for awhile, and then evaluate a complete rebuild. It takes a special tool to open the valve and get the guts out. Mac 1 would get my vote to do a valve rebuild.

As far as removing the sticker, if the finish on the stock and barrel/air tube is in excellent shape, It adds value.  If it's otherwise, it won't make any difference, other than the wood under the sticker will be a different shade as it has not "aged" along with the rest.