My first airgun
by B.B. Pelletier
I'll tell you about my first airgun, then I want YOU to tell me about YOURS!
A Benjamin 107 pistol
My first airgun was a .177 Benjamin model 107 air pistol. Although the Blue Book of Airguns, Fifth Edition says no Benjamins were ever marked with the 107 model number, I'm pretty sure mine was, because at the age of nine I knew the model number.
Benjamin 107 was a slim air pistol due to the pump rod extending straight out from the front. This one still has lots of fragile black nickel over silver nickel, which covers the brass.
Benjamin made air rifles before the turn of the 20th century but they started making air pistols in 1935. The 107 was made from 1935 to 1941. It had the name "Benjamin Franklin" in quotes stamped into the left side of the compression tube. The quotes indicated the name was a farce - a play on the name Benjamin Air Rifle Company that was stamped on the end cap along with the model number. It tickles me to see gun dealers advertising that they have a Benjamin Franklin for sale!
A front-pumper
The 107 is a multi-pump pneumatic with a long pump rod coming straight out the front of the pump tube under the barrel. There is no mechanical advantage with this system. Any air that gets crammed into the reservoir has to be compressed by muscle power alone. Since about 1909, Benjamin had been using this system with their rifles. It worked okay for them, but a pistol is not as handy to pump as a rifle. You could pump the first and even the second pumps by hand. After that, help was needed. The mushroom-shaped pump rod end was put against something hard - like a tree - and the gun shoved forward to compress the air. You could get five or six pumps into the gun that way. If the tree was slippery, you could also have an accident that would leave your knuckles barked (pun intended).
Benjamin High-Compression pellets
The only .177 pellets I even knew about were in the single Benjamin tin that came with the pistol. Years later, I found other similar tins in sporting goods store and bought them immediately, thinking they might be the last pellets on the planet! This was in the 1950s and information about things like airguns was in short supply.
These are Benjamin .22 diabolo pellets and .22 lead balls, but the tin for the .177 pellets is identical. It looks like old-fashioned patent medicine.
Power was low
Even with as many pumps as I could muster, the pistol wasn't too powerful. I suppose I over-pumped it, thinking it would get faster. All that happened was the onset of valve lock. I've never chronographed one of these pistols, but I'd be surprised if they went much faster than 300 f.p.s. with vintage Benjamin pellets.
Accuracy was limited by the pellets
In the 1950s, my pistol could hit a tin can at 25 feet and that was about it. In the 1990s, I tested another 107 with modern pellets, and it grouped about two inches at 33 feet. That's okay, but it doesn't compare to a Beeman P1.
Benjamin was stubborn and Crosman carried the day!
The Benjamin Air Rifle Company was always quite conservative. They held off switching to the compound underlever pump linkage until 1938, even though Crosman had demonstrated its superiority back in 1924. The first underlever pump they offered was an attempt to convert the front pump to an underlever through a "Rube Goldberg" arrangement of levers and linkage points. It was horrible and worked poorly. Their conservatism eventually cost them their company, which Crosman purchased in 1992.
Benjamin's first underlever pump was a weak attempt to adapt the front pump to an underlever. It did not work well!
Tell me about YOUR first airgun
Using the comment section, please share your first airgun with us. Everyone has a first gun and probably more memories of it than they care to admit. Love it or hate it, it helped make you the person you became.
posted by B.B. Pelletier @ 4:30 AM
145 comments
145 Comments:
I'm not very old(16) so the memories of my first (and only) airgun are fresh. It's a Rutten winstar 200(i think it has something to do with browning) Belgian airrifle that shoots quite well, not very hard or accurate but OK.
Tod
Tod,
Hold on to that rifle! The Winstar 200 was made for Browning and was also sold under their brand name. I believe Pyramyd still has one available.
There were only a few electricly cocked air rifles made. I say 200 and Blue Book of Airguns says less than 400.
Your rifle is a collectable that will appreciate in value with time.
B.B.
My first air rifle was the ubiquitous Crosman 760...(probably the first for MANY). Had a well developed forearm from the many enjoyable hours sinking pop cans at our local dump. My only laments are the loss of places to shoot and the attitudes of many that having an airgun means you're up to some sort of mischief. We had a specific set of rules we had to follow on - when and where- we could shoot. Have carried those common sense rules all my life and never endangered myself or others. By far more dangerous to drive down the street everyday to go to work..............shoot safe, be safe, enjoy shooting for a lifetime.
S J,
I'm sure you are correct about the 760 being many shooter's first airgun. I've talked to several people who indicated it was theirs. I bet we hear from some of them here.
Good advice on shooting behavior, too.
Thanks,
B.B.
Does a Red Ryder BB gun count? It was the first thing my dad bought me when he returned from WW2. I wore out several. I didn't follow the usual pattern. Went from BB guns to shotguns and hi-power rifles, then to a Sheridan silver streak sometime in my early teens. Still think of Sheridans when i hear the term "air guns". Love 'em.
Denny,
Of course a Red Ryder counts! You must have seen the movie, "A Christmas Story!"
A Red Ryder is, "... the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts."
However, it is not a 200-shot gun, nor did a real Red Ryder ever have a compass in the stock. Author Jean Shepherd was confused when he wrote that.
Daisy did make a run of special Christmas Story Red Ryders that do have large compasses in their stocks. They bring about $300 new in the box.
The guns made for left-handed Ralphie (the several "Old Blue" guns) were all for a left-handed boy. They are unique. I know a gentleman who owns one that he will not take $10,000 for. And actor Peter Billingsley still has one of them, too.
B.B.
I still have a Benjamin model 132 pistol which I recently renovated by substituting an "o" ring for the leather piston. It would not shoot at all but now will produce about 220 fps with 10 compressions. My father bought it many years ago. I am now working on an old Daisy springer rifle model 25 which will barely spit out a bb. I don't know when it was purchased but I believe it belonged to my brother who is older than I am. (This is pretty old). One of these days I am going to have to get an airgun bluebook.
airgundoc,
Get the Blue Book!
Have you oiled the 25? Just drop 20 drops down the muzzle with the shot tube removed. I have a 25 that was made in 1913 and it still shoots hard!
B.B.
The first gun I owned was a BBthat you cocked with a breaking slide underneath the barrel, The magazine was unscrewed from the barrel and as I recall it held about 50 bb's. I don"t recall who made it for I was about seven years old at the time. Following this I graduated to a .22 rim fire at age nine and then to a 22 cal Crossman air gun.The Crossman is a 100 Serise and I have no idea how old it is. I do no I spent many happy hours with it and honed my shooting skills on center fire and rim fire with these BB and air guns.
To bad young people do not get the opportunity to enjoy what youngsters did in my time.
Earl Cox
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Earl,
I believe you had a Daisy model 25. Because Denny has one now, I'm going to report on them next week.
Thanks,
B.B.
My first was a Crosman 760! Shot it a lot, pretty accurate too! I even made a bb/pellet trap in Middle school shop class. Used it 'till college, when I bought a S&W 78g.
You've owned a couple classics. Know about the post on the S&W 78G on this blog?
B.B.
B.B.
My winstar is a break barrel spring piston air rifle and not an electricly cocked. Would you please give the link on pyramid air. And I doubt it is a collectable, me and my dad only bought it 3 years ago for about 7000 belgian francs ($175).
Tod
Tod,
I saw it two weeks ago, but it looks like they sold it. I can't find it anywhere.
Sorry,
B.B.
I don't remember the model number, but it was a Daisy lever action. Not a Red Ryder, really looked like a Winchester .30-30. It loaded through a gate on the right side of the receiver just like the Winchester, and had a thumb tab on the fake "magazine tube" you had to push forward to spring load the BBs. This was like the mid to late 60's.
It stayed at my grandparents house where I usually spent my summers. They lived out in the country in the coastal aprt of North Carolina and there wasn't anything much to do. I used to shoot at the crabs in the shallows off my granddad's dock. If you shot them enough times, fast enough you could keep them from getting into too deep water where they were gone for good.
B.B.
Thanks for looking anyway, it is mysterious because i can not find any info about the rifle on the internet nor about the company that makes them.
Tod
You had a Daisy 1894 Spittin Image BB gun. There is a write-up about it at this address:
http://www.airgunwriter.com/lookalike-airguns.html
Shooting crabs is a new one on me!
Thanks,
B.B.
Tod,
I am familiar with the Winstar.The underlever cocks half on the open stroke and half on the cose stroke. As I recall, the gun buzzes badly when shot.
They were sold by Pyramyd Air, Compasseco and Cherrys.
I think they didn't make it here because of the low power and heavy weight.
B.B.
Mine was the HY-score Target Model .22 pistol. given to me by my dad...and liberated on occasion b4 that. haha
and a 766 Rifel as a older boy.
I found a Benjamin Air Rifle company air pistol.It has the number 250 on the back of the barrel.I am trying to find out where I can find more information on this.
Donnie,
The Blue Book of Airguns, 5th Edition has a lot of information of Benjamin airguns. It's sold by Pyramyd Air, the dealer who hosts this blog. You can visit them at:
www.pyramydair.com
Got to the Accessories page and look under Books, Videos and games.
Your Benjamin 250 is a CO2 gun that uses 8-gram cartridges rather than the much more common 12-gram powerlets. Get them at a luggage store where supplies for portable bars are sold. They operate seltzer bottles.
Your gun was made between 1952 and 1956. It is worth $65 if it holds gas and shoots. If the black nickle is still present and you have the box, the gun could be worth up to $150.
B.B.
Come accross a Benjamin model 30/30 with carton. co2 gas repeater. in good shape. what can someone tell me about it.
The Benjamin 30/30 is a BB gun. It was advertized as being able to shot through both sides of a 5-gallon steel pail, which means it is very powerful.
In excellent condition with the box they bring $100 at airgun shows.
B.B.
My grandpa just bought the same gun that you had as a child. It has "benjamin Franklin" in quotes on the left side. Engraved on the bottom is Benjamin Air Rifle Co. ST. Louis U.S.A 177, but he can not find a model number. He would like to find some reading material as to the history of the air pistol, any advise of where to look.
The model number is on the end cap behind the bolt. The "Benjamin Franklin" was just a play on the company name.
I recommend starting with the Blue Book of Airguns, 5th Edition, which you can buy at
www.pyramydair.com
B.B.
I own a Benjamin Franklin and no, it has no model number on it...I'm trying to find out if it can be restored to original condition. It was my first gun, given to me by my grandfather. I was about 12 years old at the time in the mid 50's. I used it many times and enjoyed every minute with it. I could shoot feathered darts or pellets. At some point it began to not hold air and my son thought it could be fixed...he took it apart and thats the way it has remained since.
kbudge,
Of course your Benjamin can be restored. And by the way, the name "Benjamin Franklin" on the left side of the receiver is a play on the company name - the Benjamin Air Rifle Co. That's why it's in quotes.
Before I can tell you who to send it to, I need to know what model you have. Is it a rifle or a pistol? How is it pumped?
If it shoots darts, it must be a smoothbore gun because darts will ruin a rifled barrel. If it's .a pistol I'm guessing it's a model 130. If it's a rifle, I'd guess it's a model 310.
As long as the important parts are all there, your gun should be repairable.
The model number should be on the end cap behind the cocking bolt.
Please answer these questions and we'll figure who to send your gun to.
B.B.
I have a 22 caliber Benjamin Air Rifle Co. pistol, Model 132. It was given to me by my father as a Christmas present In 1948, maybe 1949. It is an underbarrel lever pump that still holds air pressure and delivers the pellet with quite a punch. Other than the fact that the blueing is very worn, it is in excellent condition. Does it have any value?
I bought a benjamin air rifle model no.700 at a garage sale for $10.00. it's in need of a good cleaning and I don't think it holds air any more. The barrel appears to be brass and pumps in the front like the picture of the pistol at the top of the pyramyd air report. Also the gun seems very small to me. Thats about all I know about it. I also have a Crossman 600 semi automatic co2 pistol, shots .22cal. pellets. In the box. What can you tell about these guns?
Your Benjamin 700 was made from1930 to 1939. It fires 3-4 times from one pumping session, which entails 10-12 pumps. That's compared to about four pumps for a single shot rifle. The front pump has greater swept volumn, so it compresses more air with each stroke than an underlever style.
The Crosman 600 is one of the only true semiautomatic pellet guns ever made. Crosman just came out with their Nightstalker, which is partly based oin the 600 action. There are 10 shots per magazine and you'll get 30-33 shots per powerlet.
This blog has several articles that refer to the 600. Do a search on the current page of the blog or look at the September 30 index of past postings.
B.B.
my first iar rifle was a Crosman 760. I bought it at the local dime store when I was 10 years old with my paper route money. I am now 47 and I still have my crosman!
Needs to be rebuilt. Know where I can get a kit?
dsw
dsw,
I know of no kits, but I have listed 4 repair stations that can help you. Manufacturers are reluctant to sell parts to the public.
Use the archive section on the right side of the current blog to navigate to the July 20th posting.
Good luck,
B.B.
My first airgun was a Daisy Red Ryder.
A year or two later I bought myself a Benjamin 397. Until then i had thought the Daisy was pretty accurate.
Though truth be told i could hit stuff with the Red Ryder that i probably couldnt now...
I guess thats what happens when you spend so much time with a gun you don't even have to use the sights anymore...
Joben,
Yep! The Red Ryder can hit a BB thrown in the air if you know what you're doing.
B.B.
I am looking for some info. on the Benjamin Franklin Model 312 .22 Caliber rifle. can any one help? Just trying to get a line on it.
Thanks
Kenneth in Utah
Kenneth,
What you have is a Benjamin, not a Benjamin Franklin. That's just a play on the company name.
The 312 was made from 1940 to 1969. They range from a low of $45 to a high of $125 in the Blue Book of Airguns, but if you have a black nickle gun with most of the black still on and the original box, it could be worth even more.
B.B.
BB
Thanks for the info. question: Is the serial #'s on Crossman's web page accurate in dating my benjamins? If so, I found out that they are a '63 & '64 yr models.
Thanks again
Kenneth in Utah
Kenneth,
I think Crosman got those serial numbers from Dean Fletcher. He's the guru on Benjamins, so as far as I know they are correct.
B.B.
first airgun was a diasy, don't know the model number, it was lost durring a move as a child, I got it when I was 6 and shot probably a hundred thousand BB's through the thing over the next 5 years, it was one of the lever action guns with a 350 or so bb magazine and no forend.
Next one was a single shot muzzle loading daisy with a peep sight, raised comb and beavertail forend, never have seen a model number on it, but it was acurate as any BB gun I've ever shot! I bought that one when I was 9 at a garage sale for $2, still have it and shoot it ocasionally.
after that I moved on to pump crossmans and such, but those first daisy's wehre really something that I'll remember for the rest of my life, and pass the one on to my own kids.
Your second BB gun sounds like a Daisy 499. If so, you own the world's most accurate BB gun.
B.B.
I saw the 499 on the pyramid air site, and I agree, it's exactly the same right down to the "medalion" on the stock (mine is on the other side) so I imagine that's what it is, I think I'll buy another one next paycheck, I had no idea they where still available!
BB, I got my Model 720 Benjamin BBgun, in the 50s. Its still in good working order, but could use a refinishing and no doubt new seals for the air pumping mechanism. Can you tell me where I might find someone to do the restoration, Please?
Bill,
Your gun was probably one of the last black nickle guns made by Benjamin. They transitioned to paint in the 1960s.
No one I know of can refinish a black nickle gun. But you can get it resealed by several places. Start with Rick Willnecker at airgunshop@aol.com or call 717-382-1481. You might also try Dave Gunter at dgunter@ados.com or call 303-336-1436.
B.B.
BB
My son is out growing his Daisy Timberwolf, great little gun by the way, it just doesn’t have the accuracy or power he desires now. I was wondering if you could suggest a good inexpensive next step.
Ed
Timberwolf,
There's nothing to compare to the IZH 61. It's world-class accurate, adjustable, and lightweight.
It's a pellet rifle rather than a BB gun, so you will need .177-caliber lead pellets.
B.B.
It’s ugly but he thinks it looks cool, pretty good review for such a cheep gun. I think I’ll order one.
Ed
Ed,
I think you will be surprised. Order H&N Finale Match pellets with it. It's that accurate.
B.B.
Where can I get an old Benjamin 30-30 repaired? thanks
J.D.
I think I'd give Rick Willnecker a call on a 30-30. He's in Pennsylvania.
Contact him at airgunshop@aol.com or call 717-382-1481.
B.B.
Anyone know where i could buy a rebuild kit for my 1972 Benjamin .22. The pump no longer holds air.
Joe O,
There are no rebuild kits for older Benjamin guns. You have to make the parts yourself.
A repair center is your best bet. Rick Willnecker, listed in the comments above is a good one.
B.B.
Was wondering what a Benjamin model 107 in working order is worth?
ray
rboett3930@aol.com
ray,
The one pictured at the beginning of this article is worth $150 to 175 because of all the black nickel. If it were showing lots of brass, it would be an $80 gun. That's in working order.
B.B.
My first BB gun was and is a Benjamin 710 modle that my father gave me in 1959 at age 10. It was given to him by his father(my Grandfather)and I would like to restore it to give to my son. Who would you recommend to do a full restoration on this gun?
I was wondering what theBenjamin 1777 air gun might be worth? I have one I am interested in selling.
Thank You Linda Erdahl
Linda,
I need two things to help you - the model of the gun you have and its condition.
The model number is on the circular disk at the back of the gun above the grip. It's a large three-digit number in the center of the disk.
For condition, please look at the gun in this posting. It has about 70 percent of its black nickle over the silver nickle. If any brass is showing, tell me how much.
Finally does your gun work? Can it be pumped and will it hold air for the shot?
Tell me that and I will tell you something about your gun.
B.B.
Was wondering if you could tell me what a benjamin air pellet rifle? 132 is worth my grandfather gave it my son and we know nothing about it, please help. Thanks
if you want to see the gun look on ebay at item #7237854355 thanks. Stephanie
Stephanie,
I looked on Ebay, but they had apparently already pulled your gun.
A Benjamin 132 is a common air pistol that sells for $50-80 in working condition. I was at an airgun show yesterday and could have bought a dozen of them in that price range.
They were made from 1946 to 1985 and the older ones with the "Tootsie Roll" wooden pump handle and black nickel over silver nickel finish are the most valuable. The guns with plastic grips and paint instead of plating are the least valuable.
B.B.
Thanks for the info, yes they took it off. I had a high reserve, just put it on to see the value. Ours has the wooden grips, as you mentioned. It does work as far as I know, but we have never had any pellets to try. Thanks alot!
If I ever did want to sell it, do you know where I could?
Stephanie,
Try gunbroker.com and auctionarms.com
B.B.
thanks again!
I can't remember the make/model of my first airgun. It had a plastic ring that held (I think) 5 .177 pellets, and you rotated the ring after each shot. It had a wood forearm and stock, and cocked like a Red Rider. The muzzle velocity was low - it struggled to penetrate a tin can from farther than about 15-20 feet. That was c1975. Like many of our childhood relics, the gun just seems to have vanished - I have no recollection of what happened to it.
Tony Turley
Tony,
You had a Daisy 400-series pellet rifle. It's not a common airgun. Essentially, it's a BB gun that has a red plastic pellet magazine grafted into the left side of the barrel.
They were weak, inaccurate and problematic, so they didn't last long. There were seven models and they were in production from 1972 to 1976.
B.B.
Hello, I just aquired a Benjamin Model 132 from a friend for $20.00. He said It didn't work and had all the finish or paint off down to brass. He had made very nice polished wood hand grips to match the wood pump handle. All that was wrong with it was a trigger jamed with the locking pin. I oiled it up and put three pumps in it and a 22 pellet and from experience I could tell it fired with around 300 ft/sec velocity. It seems solid and looks good except for the original finnish being off. anyone have an Idea what year it was made.
Thanks Art
While foraging through my late father-in-laws' basement my son found a Benjamin air rifle. Markings: Left side: "Benjamin Franklin" Made in USA T 30322. Right Side: cal 177 model 347. Rear end of tube: Benjamin Air Rifle Co. St. Louis, U.S.A. Questions: How do I use it(Does an owners manual exist)? If not, what does it fire?; How many times may it be pumped before firing?; How do I oil it?; How do I determine if it is in "firing" condition? Sorry about all the questions. Your help is greatly appreciated. pgdiesman@fuse.net
Benjamin 347,
Your rifle was made between 1969 and 1992. It is a .177 caliber multi-pump pneumatic air rifle that fires one lead pellet at a time.
The gun is oiled by flipping it on its back (stock on top, barrel on the bottom) and opening the pump lever as far as it will go. Then drop some Crosman Pellgunoil on the pump head that is just starting to emerge at the base of the pump slot. If you can't find Pellgunoil, non-detergent motor oil will work. Don't use 3-in-1, WD-40 or anything else. Use five drops and work the pump handle in between each drop. That spreads the oil to the entire pump head.
Pump the gun five times, then withdraw the bolt until it clicks. Don't load a pellet for the first shot. Just return the bolt to its closed (forward) position and attempt to fire the gun in a direction where it would be okay for a pellet to go. The soft ground is always the best place for this.
If the gun holds air, it will pop loudly when you shoot it. If the sound is quiet and sounds springy, the rifle needs to be resealed.
Use only pure lead pellets in this gun. Never clean the barrel - it is made of brass and can be damaged. If a pellet is stuck in the barrel use a gun cleaning rod (.177 caliber) to push it out of the breech, working from the muzzle.
If the gun needs to be fixed, contact this man:
George Pena
George is at heligun1@msn.com or 512-863-2951.
You can pump this gun a maximum of 10 times per shot. You can also pump it a minimum of three times.
Always store the gun with a pump in it.
B.B.
I have the same "Benjamin Franklin" .177 cal. pistol as yours at the top of this posting, and mine has a large "177" in the center of the disk at the rear of gun, surrounded by "Benjamin Air Rifle Co. St. Louis USA". This is consistant with Crossman's dating scale that calls this a "Model 177" made in 1935.
Robert Beeman says in the Blue Book of Airguns that no Benjamin (they are NOT Benjamin Franklin! That's just a play on the company name. That's why it's in quotes.) air pistol was ever marked as model 107. Well, the one in this posting is, and I owned another one as a child..
The 177 number is the more common marking for the same pistol.
I'm not aware of a Crosman dating scale (have to look into that) but the Blue Book puts the dates at 1935-1941.
B.B.
You can see the dating scale at this site:
http://www.crosman.com/site/date_manufactured_benjamin
Scroll down quite a ways to the Benjamin Pistol models. I realize that "BF" was a pun, and that's why I put it into quotes while letting you know that I had exactly the same model as shown above but with the 177 Model number. I'm confused though, because the scale shows both models, and I'm wondering what would be the difference in them?
I'm glad you sent me that link. It seems they have it well hidden - at least from me!
I think the 177 and 107 model are the same gun. I think it started out as the 107 and was changed to the 177 soon afterward.
The 100 was the smoothbore BB gun, the 107 was the .177 pellet gun and the 102 was the .22 pellet gun.
But why were the 177 and the 122 designations used? The only thing that I can think of is that somebody realized they already had a model 100 pneumatic rifle, which is the one model they did not redsignate in the pistol line!
Beeman says it never happened, but I've owned two, so I can't accept that.
I just don't know.
B.B.
hay B.B. Pelletier i love your .177 Benjamin model 107 air pistol. plz plz plz tell me whair i can find an old 1 that looks like that i love it im only 13 but have had a number of air guns plz tell me whair i mite find 1 like it it remindes of a luger
my faverit gun of all time is the M3A1 Grease Gun...thank u so much if u would like to email me my e mail is tyer7777777@yahoo.com and agin think you...
Hi B B,
Enjoyed reading your story. My first pellet gun is a Benjamin 312, .22 Cal. that was mfg. in 1965 according to the serial number. I bought it when I was 11 years old for $18. It still shoots today as it did in 1965. Also enjoyed the pictures of the pellet cans of old.
You would not know where I could purchase some of these old .22 cal. pellets made by Benjamin would you?
My email is teedee1333@aol.com.
Thanks for any reply
teedee,
Pellet tins like these go for $5 to $10 at the airgun shows. If you don't attend those, watch the American Airguns classified ads, or look on the gun auction sites.
www.gunbroker.com
www.auctioinarms.com
http://www.airguns.net/classifieds/classifieds.html
B.B.
I have a 312 Ithat was purchased by my dad sometime around 1957. It has been through a fire no longer holds air and most of the brass is showing. I would love to pass this gun on to my grand kids. Any suggestions?
rcashman,
Your gun can be brought back to operaqtion by George Pena.
George is at heligun1@msn.com or 512-863-2951.
B.B.
My first BB gun was a Daisy, Red Ryder I got for Christmas in 1949. I could shoot it only when the family went target shooting or plinking. Living in Los Angeles did not provide a lot of opportunities, thus this BB gun probably had less than 500 BBs go through it.
My next was an all-steel, Daisy pistol called, I think, a Targeteer that shot an undersize lead or steel BB. I bought it in around 1951 or 52. Mine was the cheap version and did not come in any fancy packaging or with any traps, and it was less expensive than the all chrome oir nickle model. While it was not very accurate, and was nearly powerless, I was allowed to shoot it anytime I wanted in the front or back yard. It was fun. When I turned about 16 I gave both the Daisy Rifle and Pistol to a next door, younger friend as I was into target shooting and plinking with a variety of Winchester Pump guns--my favorite, a Model 62-A (I think) gallery model that only shot 22 shorts. I bought it used, in excellent condition, around 1954. I still have it. Very accurate. I also have had a number of old Winchester Pumps from 1890 models to the standard 62. Some were 22 WRF, 22 Long (only) and a few for 22 shorts, longs, and long rifle. Unfortunately, there are very few places to shoot firearms where I live in Santa Barbara County.
Now retired (2005) I am thinking of buying a Daisy Avanti 747 as it is supposed to be accurate, quiet, and reasonably priced. I plan to use it out in my back yard in a wind protected area. I do have a Daisy Power Line 1200 CO2 pistol that my dad bought, to scare away cats, in the mid 1980s. It is not the most accurate pistol and the CO2 starts out quite powerful and then runs down with each shot. This 1200 has probably had less than 200 BBs down the barrel. So, I don't really care for CO2 guns, and a decent .177 or .22 target air rifle makes too much noise. I really like the Beeman P1 but I just am not ready to pony-up the dollars at this point, and I understand it is not particularly quiet.
I enjoy reading your posts B.B., very interesting and informative. Thank you.
Milrose
Milrose13@verizon.net
Milrose,
Funny you chose the 747 for its quiet report. Tom Gaylord just wrote an article on the Pyramyd Air website about shooting at home and the 747 is the first gun he recommends!
B.B.
Actually B.B. I originally learned about the 747 from your review. I also dug out my dad's old Daisy PowerLIne 1200 and decided to see if it still would work. I bought some CO2 tubes and copper plated bbs. I last fired it around 1990 and figured it might not even hold the CO2. What a surprise! At 10 yard I shot a few 1" groups--I think it might do better but I am not so sure about my grip and hold. At 25+ yards it was still dead on for plinking soda cans and 1-quart milk cartons. The first 25 or so shots came out of the barrel with gusto--no way to measure fps but the aiming point was right on, no noticeable bb drop. While the trigger and grips leave a lot to be desired I have quite a bit more respect for this air pistol as a plinker. Like all CO2 guns, the speed of the last 8 or 10 shots was not impressive and it is not particularly quiet.
Milrose
Milrose,
I wouldn't have thought a 1200 would have shot that well. Well done!
B.B.
hi my first airgum was a push air gun called a gat gun then i purchased a crossman 766 and have had it for 30 years and had some fun with it in that time i now shoot full bore and b/p pistol all started from these
regards
craig uk.
I have aquired a Benjamin 107 target pistol it has the under barrel pump on it. The one I got is in the orignal box and has a tin of .22 cal pellets with it. The problem is there are no instructions with it. I have tried to fire it but it feels like its not getting any pressure when it is pumped up. The fire lever pulls back and when the trigger is pulled it fires but with no air going through barrel. Can anybody give me information as to where I could get information and what I can do to get this pistol to fire?
mrk,
Your pistol probably needs to be resealed.
But try this first.
Remove the pump rod and pump cup and smear Vaseline Petroleum Jelly on the leather pump cup (a leather washer on the end of the pump rod). This trick is one Benjamin put in the owner's manuals.
Then reassemble the gun and cock it before pumping. Sometimes that will help.
This guy can reseal it for you
John Groenewold, PO Box 830, Mundelein, IL 60060-0830, (847) 566-2365
Dean Fletcher has a book on Benjamin that has the manual for your pistol in it. Just Google him and the word Benjamin.
B.B.
I was looking aroud my father in laws shop the other day and found a Benjamin air rifel co St louis USA 177
is there a value placed on this pistol ?
To place a value on the pistol I need to know the model number. It's on the back cap of the pistol.
B.B.
177 is on the back cap. it seams to be in good condition , havent shoot it yet, but hade to oil the plunger to build air pressure, it look like the one on the Friday, November 11, 2005 posting
Okay. The model 177 was made 1935-1941 and not resumed after the war. It looks like the gun shown at the TOP of this post. The gun shown at the top of this posting is nearly in excellent condition. Only a little of the black nickel has rubbed off. It would be worth $150 in working condition.
Now there was a different model 177 that looks like the pistol at the BOTTOM of this post. That one is in excellent condition and is worth $175 in firing condition.
A gun worn down to brass is worth $75-$85 in firing condition.
B.B.
I have a Benjamine Model 177 not 107 looks just like the one in your picture. But where yours is black mine is chrome. It needs new o-rings, because it barely pumps up any more. Its good to know about its history.
alwildmn@hotmail.com
What you call chrome is really nickel plate. It's under the black that you see in the picture.
The repair stations are listed in the comments above.
The Blue Book of airguns says there were never any guns marked as 107s, but I owned two of them, and you can see that number on your gun. It was made from 1935-1941.
B.B.
My first air rifle was a crossman model 1400 in .22 caliber. This was in 1968 and I lived in rural Camarillo,California and at that time the area was unspoiled and heaven on earth for a kid like me.I lived for hunting with my air rifle and I loved to shoot more than anything ealse.Over our fence was thousands of acres of walnut trees,oranges and avacado orchards.I really loved to plink the green walnuts because they would explode with a hit from the ponderous .22 pellet.My friend Greg Barnes had a Sheridan in 5mm. I was in awe of the Sheridan and its bullet shaped pellets and it was superior to my Crossman. I was very impressed with its power and how easly the pellet would go through both sides of a coffee can!!
marksman 1010 repeater-a classic. i loved that thing and still have it today. i was a bit disappointed though when i first tried to shoot a pellet with it and the pellet topped off at 75 fps!
hey My grandpa has a 766 American classic .177 caliber pellet/bb crosman Air Gun 881205973. It doesnt hold air anymore so I was trying to find some new o rings for it but I am having a had time finding anything, if you could help that would be great, Brett
I am looking for info on a Benjamin 720 air rifle. I think it is .177 cal. What year and possible value. The barrel showes all brass.
The 720 was made 1947-1964. It's a BB caliber. That means it is a smoothbore and this one, being a 25-shot repeater, isn't supposed to be loaded with pellets.
With all the finish gone it's probably worth $80-100, if it is working.
B.B.
BB.
First air gun huh? Mine was a Red Ryder given to me last Christmas as a gag gift. I had mentioned to a friend that I had never had a BB gun. As the oldest child it was always “you’ll shoot your eye out.” So in my mid 50’s I finally get one! He even took an old wooden bread box with the flip down front and made me a BB Range! He hung sheepskin inside to stop the BBs.
Did I shoot it? You better believe it. When I asked if they made BB Pistols, (yes. There are people who in this day and age are not aware of that fact) he brought over his Crosman 3576 pellet gun. WOW! The next day I and my wife purchased a Crosman 3576 and a Daisy 617X. That was in January of 2007. We now have those along with a PPKS; a CP Sport; a Desert Eagle and my latest one a Gamo Compact Competition.
I stumbled across your blog a couple of weeks ago and enjoy it a great deal. I am working my way up from the beginning and you have answered many of my new to air guns questions.
FYI. I am right handed and right eye dominant. However with my bifocals I not able to focus on the front sight so what currently works for me is to take my glasses off and wear shooting glasses and sight with my left eye which is the one that will focus on the front sight. I have set up a 25ft. range in my basement and find a small pair of binoculars work for my long range vision when I need/want to see where I shot.
Thanks to your blog I am working on shooting with one hand and both eyes open.
Rabbitt,
You sound like an old friend I haven't met yet.
B.B.
Perhaps one of these days if you ever get to Omaha Ne.
Just read the Nov. 28, 2005 blog on How to shoot one handed. Gonna have to try that one. :-)
Thanks.
Rabbitt