School me on the Benjamin 392

[Wolfman Zack]

I have been considering one of these for small game and plinking.

It appears to be a reasonably powerful airgun that is not overly long like the springers I have owned before, I also like that there is a peep sight available for it.

So those of you who have owned and shot them, what are your thoughts on the platform???

 

[EmbarkChief]

I have its older brother made by Sheridan. Great air gun if you ask me but my related experience is pretty limited. Mine dates back to 1973 and it is still going strong.

 

[Wolfman Zack]

Thanks EmbarkChief, I have heard a lot of stories like that about how long these simpler pnumatic airguns can last.

 

[fpgt72]

I have an old one as well, parts are still out there for them and they are a great gun. They do not require you to master a "special hold" on them and they do shoot very well....One of my mothers old boy friends bought it for me....I guess to win over the kid or something....mine also dates back to the early 1970's.

Only thing I do not care for is its looks. This is just personal, but they are UGLY.

If I was looking for a good 22 multipump I would go for an old Crosman 2200 Magnum (bias I do have two of them)

They are very close to the modern 2100 classic sold today, and most parts are still available from Crosman.

I would say as far as both guns go (if you get a well cared for example of the 2200) they shoot about the same and have about the same power. On mine I have one chrome example and it does send the pellets a little faster over the Chrony....but the Crosman has been rebuilt the Sheridan has not been.

One last thing I do really like the looks of them with a "scout" style scope on them. I might pick up a new one to outfit that way....just for the cool factor of them.

 

[PapaG]

I was given a Benjamin 22 when I was in junior high school. Shot it a lot. Many pigeons, starlings and a few rabbits and squirrels. Had it rebuilt for its 30th birthday and I'm still shooting it 26 years later. One secret is not to go over the 8 pumps maximum and to always leave one or two pumps in it when you put it away. I also have a similar Crosman which is also food but third in my choices and a Blue Streak which is now #1.
New Crosman Nitro Venom is showing promise but is more sensitive to hold.

 

[Schwing]

I have a very old Benjamin. I can't even tell the date of manufacture because it is old enough that it predates them stamping serial numbers on them. My Dad had it when he was a kid (he is 78 now) and it had sat in storage in his basement for decades. He found it one day and sent it home with me to see if I could make use of it.

The thing looked like it had been through the war. The barrel was chipped and dinged, and had been separated from the air chamber (which no longer held air) and the stock looked like it had been used as a scratching post.

With great care, I soldered the barrel back in place and then stripped the nickel finish off of it. I really hated to do that but there just was no salvaging it. I was pretty delighted to find the shiny brass underneath. I refinished the stock, re-blued all of the steel parts and then rebuilt the air chamber.

I was, frankly, amazed that the thing went back together and functions better than any other airgun I have owned. My solder job was good enough that the alignment is still true and it is amazingly accurate. The solder joint is a great scar on an otherwise beautiful looking rifle.

I don't know how hard it would be to find one of these older gems but I sure love this one.

 

[Wolfman Zack]

Those are some great stories guys, thanks for sharing.

I am leaning towards a new production one rather than restoring an oldie.
Seems I can get one brand new for about $150.

With the peep sight I am right near $200.........hard choice since I could get a Ruger 10/22 for that money.
Then again, pellets are cheaper and .22LR has been near impossible to find around here....

 

[Geddinight]

The 392 is a fun shooter. It is pretty effective on small game. I took a raccoon with one at about 10 yds with a heart / lung shot. Stopped it in it's tracks. I have had mine for about 10 or so years.

I use the open sights, but have had a scope on mine before. I would not hesitate to use it one squirrels.

It's size is nice, it's like a carbine. It's pretty light, making all day carry a real pleasure.

Good luck.

I have a few 10/22's too. I can't shoot them in the basement like the 392.

 

[Wolfman Zack]

Good info Geddinight, sounds like it has good power for an air rifle.

The carbine size and lightweight are a big part of it's appeal to me.

 

[fpgt72]

One thing I would say is at the end of the day leave one pump in the gun.

Check out the video review on the PA site. IMHO it is about the best MSP out there...unless you count the FX Ind.

 

[MoPed]

I have a 392 setting in the corner of my bedroom, waiting on a raccoon that is terrorizing my trashcans. I picked it up used last year, used for $40. Thought it was a pretty good deal. It's my second Benjamin .22. My first is a Titan GP Nitro. Love shooting both of them! The 392 is a fast pointing rifle, once you get it pumped up. I need to look into a peep sight for it. At 51, my eyes aren't what they used to be.

 

[Wolfman Zack]

Excellent point on leaving it with one pump in the resovoir after use, I was taught to do the same with an old Crossman bb gun my uncle had, after 20 years it still shoots well, so there is certainly merit there.

$40 is a steal for one MoPed, good for you.
I would have snapped it up in a second too.

 

[jdub3]

I have a .20 Cal Benjamin-Sheridan version purchased in the mid-90's that still gets used a fair amount. I actually don't own any other air guns (other than a cheap crosman my dad bought to get rid of pests) so I can't compare it. But no complaints about mine.

Actually one complaint is that the safety on mine is loose and engages on it's own. I've taped it off.

 

[jmorris]

I rebuilt mine this year details, and photos, are in this thread.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=740397

After it was a success I asked my Father if he wanted me to rebuild his, he was given when he was a boy. He said it still worked, just fine!

 

[nettlle]

Thanks for the info jmorris. I have an old Sheridan Blue Streak that won't pump air anymore. Looks like Pyramyd Air has a rebuild kit for it. It is a very good shooting rifle.

 

[jmorris]

No problem, I had given up on the lowly pellet gun for many years for more powerfull firearms, it wasn't until I wanted to start my daughter that I went back to what I learned on. The 50 BMG may be "cool" to some but a good way to make a non shooter out of someone.


Her first shot was her first hit.



Made it in uneventfull for her after the first 5 shots hitting and she wanted to play on the sand again but worth the time of the rebuild for the first one. Maybe iron sights next year.

 

[Pete D.]

392

The 392, along with the older Sheridan "Streak" models, is a classic shooter.
One of the best buys.
Pete

 

[amd6547]

I bought a 1975 Blue Streak off gunbroker about a month ago, and love it. It came holding air. Accuracy is fantastic. I paid $125.
I am using a Ncstar 2.5x30 pistol scope scout mounted.
I have a 177 Gamo Bone Collector and a .22 Crosman custom shop CO2 carbine, and the .20 Sheridan is my favorite. They just don't make them like that anymore, with a real walnut stock and bronze barrel. And the .20 really does give a great balance of velocity and pellet weight.
I am considering getting it the "steroid" treatment from Mac1 Airguns...this gives the same velocity from four pumps as the stock build gets with eight...and allows up to 14 pumps for high velocity.

 

[Wolfman Zack]

Thanks for all the posts guys, I have decided to get one, and found a deal on a used one with a new seal kit.

Going to have it later this month or early December.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

They are great air rifles Dad had one since the early 1960's. It still shoot through 1/2 boards.

 

[ZVP]

en Benjamin went to the current
cartrige va;ve design. the rifle changed completely from the old Benjimans.
Not a bad thing but a monumental departure from the origonals. If you ever get into Benjamins, you'll agree, you need both designs to really enjoy the breed.
The worst thing Crosman did was to incorperate the .20 caliber sheridan with the Cartrige valve design!
They gave up a wonderfull rifle for the sake of accountants advice!
The new Sheridan can't even hold a candle to the origonal design with it's slim , gracefull woodwork, smooth pumping and great trigger. Not to mention the super powerplant that developed so many F/P of energy to propel the unique 5mm projectile!
Pellets developed for spring rifles back in the 1980's proved a boon to old Sheridan shooters. They offered several shapes that improved the preformance of the rifle at all velocities.
I mourn the loss of the origonal Sheridan design and I'm glad I have a "C" Model of my own!
Back to todays 392;
There's nothing wrong with the design of the Cartrige valved guns. They produce very good velocity and consistancy. The triggers are able to be improved to tolerable or even good levels for accurate shooting.
The calibers offered all shoot well but I feel that the big powerplant is best served by the .22 caliber pellet. A broad range of Springer gun pellets is available as well as the newer PCP pellets of heavy weights.
Unlike Springers, you can't hurt a pump pneumatic with heavy pellets! Big FPE levels can be reached for short range hunting.
With the normal 14.3 gr .22 pellet, a 392 is an excellent hunter!
Shot at reduced power, small pests can be eliminated as well as quick and easy target shooting,
Full charges increase range and killing power. Frankilly the rifles are capable of some truely ugly wound channels and thru- shots!
I also own a 392 and have equipped it with a Williams peep sight that vastly improved accuracy and quick target aquisition. With the peep set at 30 yards @ 8 Pumps, hits @ 60 yards can be done. Power out there is pretty impressive as evidenced by water filled soda cans!
every rifle cabinent ought to contain at least one pumper and the 392 is a REAL rifle not some plastic toy, imitating a real rifle!
Yes get a 392!

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I have a fairly recent 397 which, if I'm not mistaken, is the .177 cal. version of the 392. Bought it gently used with a William aperture sight installed.

It seems to be a good gun but I have one major beef. The stock has a monte-carlo shape with a raised area where you rest your cheek. I have a rather large face with prominent cheekbones. Consequently, I have to bear down fairly hard on the top of the stock to see the front sight through the rear-sight aperture. What I need to do is take a wood rasp to that monte-carlo hump and, after it's gone, refinish the stock.

Other than that, it's a good air rifle. However, the Crosman 2100B is my favorite and cost less than half what the 397 cost.

 

[Wolfman Zack]

Waiting on mine to arrive in the mail, it needs a reseal but will include the parts kit.
Should be a fun project this winter.