Another "Magnum" Air Rifle

[Jeff Higgins]

You guys may have noticed lately that my shooting has taken a bit of side track into the world of air guns. I've always owned several, but of late, my interest has resurfaced.

My latest acquisition is another "Steroid" pneumatic rifle from Timmy Mac of Mac1 Airguns, the preeminent Sheridan/Benjamin tuner of our day. This one is a brand new Benjamin model 392, a .22 caliber pump-up (pneumatic) air rifle.

Tim takes these pumpers and replaces the valves, hammers, and pump levers. They go from fully able to discharge an eight pump charge for about 12-14 foot pounds of energy to being able to "clear" with 14 pumps, for just about 25 foot pounds of energy. Quite an increase in performance, and longevity, over the factory offerings. So, without further ado, here is my new Steroid 392:



Those of you familiar with Benjamin and Sheridan pneumatics will immediately notice (and question) both the scope mounting position and the bolt "handle". These things are notoriously hard to scope, with most shooters resorting to a forward mounted "Scout" scope, ala Col. Jeff Cooper's concept. Tim can mill dovetails into the receiver on newer guns, thereby allowing a more traditional scope placement, which he has done on this rifle.

In concert with that, he removes the bolt handle and welds on the knurled knob visible in the photo. These things are like old Mausers and Springfields - the bolt handle won't clear the ocular lens of a scope.

This rifle is the new power champ in my air rifle line-up. It tops 800 fps at ten feet from the muzzle with Crossman Premier 14.3 grain pellets, which really do not make full use of this powerplant. Tim tells me to use JSB pellets weighing 24 grains to take advantage of what this rifle has to offer; I'll have to add some to my inventory. By way of contrast, my recently acquired RWS Model 34 launches the same pellets at just about 700 fps.

This rifle really shoots. That said, the trigger sucks and it's not altogether aesthetically pleasing. It is a more advanced design than my 1963 vintage Sheridan Blue Streak, but the fit and finish are not even close. Here is my Sheridan (also "Steroid" modded by Timmy Mac):



And, finally, here is the whole line-up, for comparison's sake. The pumpers are handy little carbines, and a real joy to carry. The springer is notably bigger, heavier, and more difficult to shoot well. A Steroid gun from Mac1 is about the same price, more accurate, more powerful, and easier to shoot well. The only downside is all of that pumping...

[Jeff Higgins]

Oops... forgot the photo of the "arsenal":

[lowyder993s]

Funny how that gun brings back so many memories!!!
Early to mid 70's we'd walk to the end of the street to start hunting at first light. 2-3 miles into the canyons. In San Diego...12 miles from the airport. The same gun couldn't be uncased here now. We'd pick off rabbits, dove(on wires), quail (sluiced) squirrels and jack rabbits. Even a yote we'd caught napping. I can't for the life of me think of letting my kid out w/ an air rifle to hunt...much less w/ an adult present. I REALLY envy you guys who live in the sticks You're giving your youngun's an invaluable lesson. BIG SIGH

[Jeff Higgins]

I found that Sheridan in a ditch, underwater, at a local park in 1972 - when I was 12 years old. My dad said I could keep it if I could make it shoot. My mom couldn't have cared less. I took it apart (no instructions), dried it out, oiled it up, and lo and behold - it held air and shot. Pretty damn well, as a matter of fact. I was the envy of the neighborhood, all of whom were armed with much inferior Daiseys, Crossmans, and the like.

I roamed freely about with that rifle as a kid. No one even looked at me when I was walking down the street with it. Even the police. And this was in suburban Bellevue, Washington - one of the worst enclaves of liberal, hand-wringing ninnies one will ever encounter today. This was my "city gun" back then; when we went to visit my uncles on their farms, it stayed home. That was time for the .22's, .45 Colts, .30-'06's, .45-70's and the like.

I have long since lost track of the nuisance animals that old Sheridan has killed. The new RWS or Benjamin will simply never catch up, at least not in my lifetime. I only hope that whoever winds up with them, generations from now, remains as free to use them as I am.

[lowyder993s]

@12 yrs old my folks wouldn't let me have rim fire or centerfire arms. My dad bowhunted and said if I wanted to continue that's what I was stuck with. I did and after turning 18 started aquiring my collection of shooting irons. But clear as day I can remember rustling my neigbor up to go plink all things feather and fur. When Pelicans talk of losing their parents...I'm always struck that the love of the outdoors is what what my dad instilled me with. ENJOY in good health! Sorry for the 'jack

[fred cook]

My uncle had one when I was about 11-12 years old. At one point, I managed to talk him into letting me borrow it for a few weeks. Those weeks were filled with every spare moment finding me in the back yard zeroing in on every kind of target I could dream up. Just before I had to return it to him, I discovered that I could stand in my Dad's yard and "ring" the elevated water tower across the street about 200 yds away! Those few weeks probably did more for my upper body development than anything else that I did! Great times to remember.

[azasadny]

Very nice!!

[vash]

Jeff, at your suggestion, i have called that guy.

he never seemed to have any inventory when i got him on the phone. his website blows, IIRC.

how was the ordering process? i seriously want a .22 cal.

[vash]

my neighbor is trying to sell me husband's (RIP) RWS for $500. it is rusty..big rust dot at the pivot, and the stock looks about as finished as my shovel handle. i didnt feel right low-balling the widow. i'll let others do it first and swoop in and get it cheap..i hope.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by vash

Jeff, at your suggestion, i have called that guy.

he never seemed to have any inventory when i got him on the phone. his website blows, IIRC.

how was the ordering process? i seriously want a .22 cal.

Yes, his website truly sucks. I get the impression he has not really joined the computer age just yet. His products, however, are outstanding. Like a lot of one-man shows occupying a tiny little corner of a very niche market, he seems to have a hard time keeping up. There is simply a bigger demand for his stuff than he can meet at times.

I had been watching his web site for a couple of months, checking availability, but someone always beat me to the ones he had. I just got lucky in snagging this one when I did.

It might be better to buy one locally, or on line from Pyramid Air or another similar dealer, then send it to him. Even better would be to find a vintage Racine, Wisconsin built Sheridan and send it to him. Quality on the new Crossman made guns has gotten kind of sketchy, at least according to Tim. He says about 2/3 of them have bad barrels so they aren't even worth the effort to modify.

Crossman has really neglected the old style pumpers. The brass guns, built on the barrel soldered over the pump tube planform, are kind of an old-world anachronism that are just too expensive to produce for the perceived value assigned them by consumers. Their margins are very slim on these things. They are actually phasing them out, with this being the last year for the "Sheridan" 5mm's. They will likely drop the Benjamins as well in the next year or two, according to the airgun BBS's and blogs.

Vintage Sheridans are still relatively cheap on the used market. I just scored a mid-70's vintage "rocker safety" (the next evolution after my '63 push button safety model shown above) Blue Streak for $120. This one is in great shape, shoots very well indeed, and will likely remain "bone stock" at least for awhile. Maybe you should look for something similar. These are fantastic air rifles even before Tim soups them up - already plenty of power for typical air rifle "game" (rats, crows, starlings, rabbits, even possums), and it will likely be one of the most accurate rifles you own.

[vash]

thanks..i love that advice.

[vash]

jeff, i sent you a PM

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by fred cook

My uncle had one when I was about 11-12 years old. At one point, I managed to talk him into letting me borrow it for a few weeks. Those weeks were filled with every spare moment finding me in the back yard zeroing in on every kind of target I could dream up. Just before I had to return it to him, I discovered that I could stand in my Dad's yard and "ring" the elevated water tower across the street about 200 yds away! Those few weeks probably did more for my upper body development than anything else that I did! Great times to remember.

I wax nostalgic over many things (maybe why I still drive an old 911). Picking up my old Sheridan can be almost overwhelming at times. The memories still come flooding back. Kind of weird to think about, but that old air rifle has been with me since I was twelve years old. It's hard to remember not having it.

Originally Posted by vash

thanks..i love that advice.

Happy to help, vash. I hope you find one and discover the wonderful world of back yard plinking and "big game" hunting.

[M.D. Holloway]

I've been looking at a few, Gammo has one .177 cal that puts out 1200 fps. any experience? I guess if I get one I want it to be the most powerful/accurate. Suggestions?

Oh ya, I watched that video on the Lewis & Clark expo and the air rifle they had. Is there a modern equiv?

[Jim Bremner]

I got my first Air gun when I could savethe cash for it and got my Mom to drive me to the gun shop. I grew up in a tract home with 5,000 foot lots. The good news ids that all of the fences in the tract had been made out of cinderblock and I could shoot safely. When my four sons got old enough they each got a air gun to lern to shoot with. Right now their guns are rusting away in my attic.

What sucks is my property is 4 times larger than the one I grew up on...but there's chainlink fences and I don't have a safe place to play.

I do have a mac preppped pistol, They opened up a port, did a trigger job on it and gave it a trigger shoe. I've offed a couple rats with it and a handfull more with my gammo air rifle.

What I really want to do is get a PCP rifle Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

I've been looking at a few, Gammo has one .177 cal that puts out 1200 fps. any experience? I guess if I get one I want it to be the most powerful/accurate. Suggestions?

In the world of "high powered" air rifles, velocity sells. At least to those who don't do a bit of research. As it turns out, advertised velocity numbers are, across the board, pretty much "cooked" by the manufacturers. They cook the numbers by using exceedingly light for caliber (sometimes even plastic) pellets. The advertising numbers in no way reflect "real world" performance with any reasonable pellet. As a matter of fact, continued use of the pellets used to generate advertising numbers may very well damage the rifle.

Spring-piston guns require a certain amount of inertia and then barrel friction to act as a sort of "damper" against the violent acceleration and slamming to a stop of the piston when the spring drives it. Too little inertia to overcome when the pellet gets started, and too little friction as it travels down the bore, will essentially leave the piston traveling in an underdamped state. This damages pistons, cylinders, and seals. It can also break springs.

Like many things in life, we get what we pay for. Airguns are no different. Gamo produces good, serviceable arms, but not quite what they would call "adult quality". As far as springers like those produced by Gamo, I would definitely steer you towards the German made guns. RWS and Weihrauch (sold under their own brand or under the Beeman brand) produce outstanding airguns that will provide you a lifetime of pleasure, and that you can then hand down to your son. The Gamo is a disposable toy by comparison.

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

Oh ya, I watched that video on the Lewis & Clark expo and the air rifle they had. Is there a modern equiv?

Yup, there are any number of modern, big bore air rifles. They come in .357, .44, .45, .50 caliber and larger. Companies like Daystate and Eau Jin make what are known as "pre-charged" pneumatic rifles in these larger calibers. Even Benjamin offers a .357 caliber rifle. In states where it is legal, guys hunt deer, hogs, and other smaller big game with them. They have about the effective range of a bow when used in this manner. These rifles are expensive by any standard, with "cheaper" ones in the $1,200 range, all the way up to $4,000-$5,000. Plus, on top of the cost of the rifle, there is a bit of support equipment required. These things are "pre-charged" from a SCUBA tank, so you need all of that kind of gear to make one run. One fill of their own reservoir only get a dozen shots or so. Smaller pre-charged guns (in the traditional .177, .20, .22, and .25 calibers) can typically go 30-40 shots before a refill is needed.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

I got my first Air gun when I could savethe cash for it and got my Mom to drive me to the gun shop. I grew up in a tract home with 5,000 foot lots. The good news ids that all of the fences in the tract had been made out of cinderblock and I could shoot safely. When my four sons got old enough they each got a air gun to lern to shoot with. Right now their guns are rusting away in my attic.

What sucks is my property is 4 times larger than the one I grew up on...but there's chainlink fences and I don't have a safe place to play.

I do have a mac preppped pistol, They opened up a port, did a trigger job on it and gave it a trigger shoe. I've offed a couple rats with it and a handfull more with my gammo air rifle.

What I really want to do is get a PCP rifle Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle

Yeah, the PCP's are cool, and certainly all the rage these days. They would make a great "backyard" gun, or a "gun club" gun. Beyond that use at a more or less "fixed position" arm, however, it seems to me that lugging the support equipment around would be a bit of a PIA.

I like self-contained air guns. For rifles, I like the pumpers because they also break down, for stuffing into a backpack and stuff like that. Even when they are not broken down, they are lighter and handier to carry, typically being almost a foot shorter and a couple of pounds lighter than an equivalent springer. The springers are great, too, just as far as ease of use and their superior fit and finish (at least in the quality German and English made guns).

The Marauder gets rave reviews - people love that rifle. Folks wonder how on earth Benjamin pulled it off - it's fully 1/3 the price of competitive rifles. It's opened up the world of PCP's to a lot more people. That said, though, you'll spend that again on the support gear. Yeah, they sell a pump for it, but most folks use it once and wind up coughing up for the SCUBA tank and other gear.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by aaaaeahk

The new RWS or Benjamin will simply never catch up, at least not in my lifetime.

Catch up with what? You kinda lost me...

[vash]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

I've been looking at a few, Gammo has one .177 cal that puts out 1200 fps. any experience? I guess if I get one I want it to be the most powerful/accurate. Suggestions?

Oh ya, I watched that video on the Lewis & Clark expo and the air rifle they had. Is there a modern equiv?

"dont do it!" these are the same words i uttered to my brother last year on our turkey hunt. he didnt listen and we ran to a store between hunts and he plopped down some hard earned cash for a gamo, varmint. it was comical. we set up a bench and target. that thing was like lightning!! never hit the same place twice. we drove all the way back and got his money back. the store guy muttered, "i will never get this thing sold."

hhahah..so "dont do it".

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by vash

"dont do it!" these are the same words i uttered to my brother last year on our turkey hunt. he didnt listen and we ran to a store between hunts and he plopped down some hard earned cash for a gamo, varmint. it was comical. we set up a bench and target. that thing was like lightning!! never hit the same place twice. we drove all the way back and got his money back. the store guy muttered, "i will never get this thing sold."

hhahah..so "dont do it".

I know Gamos aren't all that great, but I thought they shot better than that. Oh well, another "get what you pay for" lesson.

A good springer will shoot surprisingly well. They are definitely "hold sensitive", though, with some worse than others. It seems like even the best will throw a flyer if you're not paying attention, though.

Here is a typical example of that from just this afternoon. I was shooting off a card table with a couch pillow as my rest. I just received a couple of tins of H&N Field Target Trophy pellets to try out in the RWS 34 and the Benjamin 392 (the RWS loved them, the Benjamin likes Crossman Premiers better). Ten shots at 30 yards, across the back yard. Note the two high flyers - typical springer behavior, especially off a rest.