Benjamin Air Rifle Co. Racine, WI Model 397P air rifle

[Tuck2222]

 HELP--What is the age of my pump up air rifle with the  serial #  V073177 ?  Where can I get parts ? I have repaired a Benjamin Mdl 312 and have the tool to take the compression chamber apart for the 312.  I only paid $ 15 for the air rifle at a garage sale last month but it will not pump up.---Thanks

[bbv13]

Good lord what a deal. At $15 you stole that rifle. There's several guys in the vendor gate that you can order a kit from.

Bryan

[avator]

Yes, quite the find. Contact Timmy at MAC1 airguns. He should have what you need. He's also here on GTA in the venders gate.

[longhunter]

DANG! And I thought I got a deal, when I paid 65 bucks for my racine 392P!  Way to go. You're gonna love that gun, when you get it shooting.

[anuthabubba]

It is a '91-'93 model with a soldered in valve. Should take the standard tool. The later '95s, made in Bloomfield, have the removable valves. Trigger guard front screw to the stock screw 1 and 3/8" ctc is a soldered in valve. If 2" it is the removable valve. MAC1 has parts.

[Tuck2222]

   Thanks, The air rifle is now taken  all apart, and the parts  and barrel cleaned. I ll try ordering parts for the compression chamber tomorrow.  It also need a new pump cup .The varnish has ben removed from the stock and for arm . The wood has ben sanded with # 400 grit . Still need to do some more work on the wood before applying the finish.

[avator]

Another great one coming back to life... I love it.
Please post some pictures.

[Tuck2222]

I installed the intake valve and other parts that I receiver from MAC 1 AG. yesterday.  The stock is not refinished but I had to try out the pump up air rifle with four pumps per shot. The  five Daisy .177 Cal Wadcutter pellets grouped 0.51 inches shooting at ten meters off a bench rest.  Three Crosman Premier 10.5 grain pellets were overlapping with two other pellets out of the group when shooting at ten meters.. After I have the stock refinished I ll try some other brands and weight pellets with eight pumps. For my 79 year old eyes I need to put a Willams Peep or a scope sight on the rifle .  I m happy with my 397P rifle buy.

[Tuck2222]

I mounted a Williams peep sight on my rifle today.  My groups have gotten smaller with the new peep sight.  My Benjamin has turned into a certain keeper and it looks good too with the refinished stock.  I may try a small aperture which may help me improve the five shot groups.

[longhunter]

instead of a smaller aperture, try putting a piece of rubber tubing on the outside of the Williams aperture. it keeps it from " fading away ", allowing your eye to center it easier.
my 397pa seems to prefer the crosman 10.5's, as in one hole prefer  . mine's shooting them at 780-785 fps, with 8 pumps.
glad you're liking that gun. I forgot how much fun those old pumpers were, until I had an 880 dropped in my lap. then, the search began for the old pumpers of my youth. I finally got my first Sheridan, about a month ago.

[anuthabubba]

my 397pa seems to prefer the crosman 10.5's, as in one hole prefer  . mine's shooting them at 780-785 fps, with 8 pumps.

WHOA! Wonder if mine is that strong. Was shootin' the 10.5s but put it up in favor of the larger calibers. Need to Chrony the thing.

 

[longhunter]

my 397pa seems to prefer the crosman 10.5's, as in one hole prefer  . mine's shooting them at 780-785 fps, with 8 pumps.

WHOA! Wonder if mine is that strong. Was shootin' the 10.5s but put it up in favor of the larger calibers. Need to Chrony the thing.

hard to tell what mine would do with a rebuilt front end. the pump arm pivot is worn pretty oval. I stuffed the valve with a 1/4" nylon spacer, to make up for the extra head space, and, raise the pressure, a little.
I'm squirreling away some coin to order a front end kit from timmy mac. the gun's one hole accurate, so, I figure it's worth it.

[texcl]

DANG! And I thought I got a deal, when I paid 65 bucks for my racine 392P!  Way to go. You're gonna love that gun, when you get it shooting.

I still have the one I bought when I was 12 or so 26 years ago, paid for with lawn mowing money. The seals are shot of course, I pick it up about once a year and say I'm going to rebuild it. would be a great gun for my son.

[anuthabubba]

my 397pa seems to prefer the crosman 10.5's, as in one hole prefer  . mine's shooting them at 780-785 fps, with 8 pumps.

WHOA! Wonder if mine is that strong. Was shootin' the 10.5s but put it up in favor of the larger calibers. Need to Chrony the thing.

Got to Chrony the Racine 397P Nickel and it shoots the 10.5s at 700fps on 8. I'm okay with that.