Silver/blue Streak?

[JonnyReb]

  Just wondering what you fellas think about the benji pumpers? After drooling over Airgunandy's beautiful old streak, i got to looking at their specs, again, and realize this may be the perfect woods gun in terms of weight and reliability but is it accurate and anywhere near as powerful as crosman states? They are listing the .22 @685fps, the .20@700 and the .177 @800. I'd be curious to know what you guys have found in terms of real world numbers. Also, are the numbers pretty consistent or does it vary alot from shot to shot? I'd also be curious to know how accurate are these guns in comparison to a springer? Easier to shoot? Are they really as accurate as i keep reading? Has anyone mounted a sling on theirs? Last thing, which caliber, considering i only hunt birds(from english sparrow to crow) and punch paper, and considering the velocities involved, would you go with, .20 or .177?

  Sorry for jumbling all those questions together, appreciate any comments.. Jeff
















  

[airgunandy]

Don't let the velocity numbers fool ya JohnyReb. Actually Crosman rates the Sheridan at 675, 10fps slower than there number for the 392.
Normal velocity for a 392 seems to be around 650 to 660 with 14.3 pellets. With a bit of tuning my 2008 model 392 does about 710 with 14.5 RWS Superdomes (8 pumps) with very little fluctuation in velocity between shots. It will put 5 Superdomes under a dime at 20 to 25 yards. Zero vibration, no hold sensitivity, and very little recoil, it is a whole lot easier to shoot than a springer. It's almost like shooting a .22 rimfire with CB shorts.
My 45 year old (newly resealed but totally stock) Sheridan Blue Streak does 640 with 14.3 grain pellets. That's still 13fpe, and deadly accurate.
Folks had been using Benjies and Dans to take birds, bunnies and squirrels for years before high power springers were thought of.

If you want to get a brand new gun just go for the 397 if for nothing other than pellet selection as the Benjamins and Sheridans are all the same gun with different barrels now. If you run across a nice old Racine, Wisconsin built rocker safety Sheridan, BUY IT! They are worth the hassle of getting .20 cal pellets! Nicer wood, nicer trigger, and nicer built.
As for Blue or Silver, that is all a matter of what you like as both colors shoot the same.

[JonnyReb]

  Thanks Andy, i was thinking about the 397, and i think your mentioning 5 superdomes in a dime at 25 yards goes right along with everything else i've heard about their accuracy. I guess you never know till you try it so... guess i'll search out someone with free shipping and a decent price. Thanks,  Jeff

[airgunandy]

If/when you get one, check inside the muzzle for paint overspray. Mine shot like a shot gun at 10 yards before I cleaned out the paint
I had to try different pellets also to find ones that work to.

[jps42]

how did you tune yours? I have wanted tune mine and refinish the stock but not for shure how to do either.

[airgunandy]

The current model Benjamin/Sheridan rifles are pretty easy to work on as far as valve work goes. I shortened the check valve by about an 1/8 of an inch, Shortened the valve spring by 3 coils and added a washer and second small spring to work the check valve. That much will get you closer to what the adds say the gun will shoot. I then turned down the stem of the exhaust valve to improve airflow. My son did it on a lathe, but I've seen guys do it with a drill press.
When screwing the two halves of the valve back together, I tightened it hand tight, then backed off a half turn. This makes the valve a tiny bit longer to take up some of the extra space between the pump cup and the valve. When I put mine away with some air in the valve it's still there the next time I use the gun a few days later.
I shimmed the hammer spring with a small washer about a 1/16" thick.

[jps42]

thanks do you know where to find a parts diagrahm or dissasembly guide. if i could fet it to shoot 710. it would make a pefect fall tree squirell gun when there is still lots of brush.

[airgunandy]

Here's a link to a parts diagram from Crosman...
http://www.crosman.com/pdf/manuals/B397-EVP%20&%20PL4%20%20MFD%2010-07.pdf

Here's a link to a site with info on some mods...
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/message/1248052895/How+about+a+few+easy+DIY+Benji+mod%27s

Here's some info on slicking up the trigger....
http://www.airgunsmith.com/392/triggertune.htm

[jps42]

Thanks thats lots of help.