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Education / Training The Crosman 1400 Pumpmaster: an American classic–Part 1

The Crosman 1400 Pumpmaster: an American classic–Part 1

Just a reminder that B.B.’s still on his hunt and may not be available to answer questions til Thursday. A lot depends on internet connectivity at the hunt site. Thanks to the many blog regulars who’ve been pinch-hitting for B.B.

by B.B. Pelletier

11-11-08-01
The 1400 is a small, sleek pneumatic rifle that really packs a punch

If you’re a fan of multi-pump pneumatic rifles, you probably know about the Crosman 1400 Pumpmaster. If not, come along and take a look at this fine American classic air rifle from Crosman’s golden age.

The 1400 was the last in a series of rifles that began with the 120 model in the mid-1950s. The 120 was the outgrowth of the even earlier Town & Country Junior rifles, which were a replacement for the original Town & Country guns developed at the start of that decade. But that’s as far back as it goes, for the pump rifles immediately before that were the 100-series that dated back to 1924 and the start of the Crosman Company’s involvement in airguns. Those models have very little in common with these later guns.

The 120 was a non-descript underlever pump that gained some small fame when W.H.B. Smith reported on an experiment in which a pressure gauge was brazed into a 120 to ascertain how high the pressure would rise when the rifle was pumped. The experiment was inconclusive, though, when it was realized that the addition of the gauge increased the storage capacity so much that the pressure was affected grossly by the extra volume.

Other than that, the 120 was never a very successful or even exciting model for Crosman. It was replaced by the newer model 140, which had an exciting new blow-off valve, which ended the possibility of pressure-locked valves. Until that time, a pneumatic that was over-pumped could not be fired, as their internal pressure held the valve stem closed against the strike of the hammer. Owners either had to wait until the internal pressure leaked off and the gun could be fired (which could take weeks), or they had to partially disassemble the gun and strike the valve stem with great force to manually exhaust some of the excess pressure.

The 140 ended this problem by having a valve that blows open violently when outside pressure is released by the trigger. Instead of having to be knocked open by a hammer, this valve is held shut by the trigger! It sounds easy to envision, but the details required to make it work took a lot of engineering.

One quirk of the blow-off valve design is that the trigger becomes progressively harder to pull as internal pressure builds. No doubt there’s a way to fix this, but it hasn’t come to market, yet, to my knowledge. The Japanese have refined the blow-off trigger to the greatest extent in their Sharp Ace Target rifles. They’re very good, but not quite perfect.

11-11-08-05
The loading trough is simple, but just a bit crowded for longer pellets.

The 140 went through a series of modifications while it was in production, eventually morphing into the 1400 Pumpmaster around 1972. The new rifle began life with a sliding cover over the pellet loading trough in the receiver (you don’t have to cock this rifle–the action of pressurizing does it), but the final version had a more conventional bolt. It seems strange not having to cock a gun to shoot it, but 1400 owners quickly become accustomed to it.

Unfortunately, there IS a fly in the ointment! Because this gun doesn’t require cocking–it’s ALWAYS cocked! If owners keep one pump of air in their guns to keep the valve sealed against airborne contamination (almost every manufacturer recommends doing this), then their rifles will always be ready to fire! The 10 commandments of gun safety take on new meaning when you realized this gun is always ready to shoot.

11-11-08-03
Although it resembles the 160’s adjustable trigger, the 1400 is far simpler.

Accidents are known to occur with this trigger arrangement. I have had my gun fire when putting the first pump of air into it. Another man was lucky that his rifle wasn’t loaded, because he examined his empty barrel from the muzzle end when his rifle had three pumps of air in the reservoir. It fired in his face! So, the sear CAN slip on these rifles, and shooters need to be aware of their special and unusual functioning.

Although the safety considerations above might frighten away prospective owners, they really shouldn’t. Properly handled, the Crosman 1400 is no less safe than any other model; you just have to know what you’re doing when you handle it.

11-11-08-02
Like most Crosman guns of the period, the sights adjust for windage by means of an oval slot and screws.

The sights have always been crude on this family of air rifles. The set on my rifle are a plastic post front and a simple leaf rear with a plastic notched elevator. Windage adjustment is made by sliding the rear leaf sideways, then clamping it down with a screw in an oblong hole. Accuracy, which is quite good, would undoubtedly increase by several orders of magnitude with more sophisticated sights.

11-11-08-04
The old Crosman “ashcan” pellets were marginal. Today’s Crosman Premier (on the right) is considered to be one of the finest long-range pellets made.

I use 14.3-grain Crosman Premier pellets oiled liberally with FP-10 lubricant in my 1400. They seem to be about ideal for the rifle, although they weren’t around when the gun was new. My rifle was one of the last to be made in the early 1980s, when Crosman pellets were still the soft lead “ashcans” that deformed in your fingers. All of Crosman’s “golden age” airguns benefited from the better pellets of the 1990s.

Next time, I’ll share velocities and more.

author avatar
Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier)
Tom Gaylord, also known as B.B. Pelletier, provides expert insights to airgunners all over the world on behalf of Pyramyd AIR. He has earned the title The Godfather of Airguns™ for his contributions to the industry, spending many years with AirForce Airguns and starting magazines dedicated to the sport such as Airgun Illustrated.

55 thoughts on “The Crosman 1400 Pumpmaster: an American classic–Part 1”

  1. B.B.
    I had 2 of the 1400s a long time ago.
    The first had the sliding breech, and the second was a bolt. The first did not shoot well, but the bolt action was great.
    Would like to see Crosman bring them back just like they used to make them.

    twotalon

  2. Good morning B’wanna: you never even told us what exotic animal(s) you were hunting. Talk about building anticipation!
    Mechredd, let me second Al in CT. Put a Williams peep sight on it and enjoy a little corner of pellet gun heaven. Ten shots one ragged hole. Check out the custom stocks @ Woods and Water Outdoors. Mr B

  3. Does anyone know if there is any retailer who will sell a Condor with a 18″ barrel instead of the 24″? I would rather buy the gun with the shorter barrel so that when I add a frame extension, the gun won’t be so long. I would probably buy a 24″ barrel later, but to keep the initial cost a little lower, I want to buy it with the barrel I will use the most. Any suggestions?

  4. Having torn into both a 120 and a 140, I find I like the 120 more. The 120 seems higher quality, just as powerful. The valves are very different!
    I had the 140 go off when taking the safety off, which surprised the heck out of me (always point it downrange!). I don’t like that it’s cocked automatically as you pump for just the reasons you say.

  5. UW Hunter

    If you don’t need the power of the Condor get the Talon with the 18inch barrel. The Talon is over $100 cheaper than the Condor and six inches shorter. The Condor is much louder than the Talon unless you are getting the C02 version.

    jeff

  6. This is completely unrelated, but what do you think of the Diana RWS 34 striker combo? since it comes with the leapers droop compensator it seems to be worth it, but I’m not sure if the scope is any good. I guess I could always get a better scope. Is there a reason to buy the synthetic version as opposed to the wood one or vise versa? I think I would spring(no pun intended) for the synthetic one simply for the lower price, and I would be less worried about scratching the stock.Thanks in advance.

  7. Re: Diana RWS 34 striker

    Wondering about this too. My only experience with a springer is with a Crosman G1. The G1 is just too hold sensitive for me. Is the 34 as twitchy? I really want a 0.22 with 800-900 fps.

    I looked at the Benjamin Discovery, buts I think its its too loud for my city environment.

    It seems that $100 just won’t buy such a gun, so I’m looking in the $200 range now. The Discovery is more money that I really want to spend too.

    Herb

  8. Jony…
    A Talon will shoot the same on air or nitrogen. Either one is faster than CO2, and not temperature sensitive like CO2.

    Air is nearly 80 percent nitrogen in the first place, so they are pretty much interchangeable. CO2 is a different animal.
    twotalon

  9. Herb, I think about the only guns that you’re gonna get that has that kind of velocity in .22 under $200 are the TF89 and the Baikal MP513, both of which might break 800 with something like a Gamo Match pellet – for something on the order of 20 ft-lbs. Something like the Panther or 34 won’t get that kind of velocity without resorting to super-light pellets.

    The TF89 is a nicer gun in many respects than the MP513 – smoother shooting and much better trigger – but the MP513 (in my experience) is easier to shoot well. The MP513 is also lighter, but it is a bear to cock and brutal to shoot.

  10. another question- what is the best ammo in .22 for the 34? I’ve heard crosman premiums but they’re so damn expensive. What about JSB exacts. I’ve also seen the crosman premier hollowpoints are very cheap, have you had any experience with those?

  11. Wayne,

    You need to post the link to the new S410 you traded for. It is so pretty I almost cried.

    (Not trying to steal your thunder, but I started to rub the monitor it is sooo sweet)

    Volvo

  12. While Im at it,,, Mr Tom.,,,, I finally can live up to my “sign in name” I got myself a Dragon Slayer!! It has been tuned by “Big Bore Bob”!! Im not gonna ask about your hunt your on,, Im shure your gonna fill us in when you get back!! I am dyin to know however,, what Ya shootin?? Knowin you,,, probly an “Unobtainium” DQ gun?? He He!! Tim.

  13. A rws 34 is a nice place to start with a springer, but some still like to get them tuned a bit.

    The benji 392 is nice with the new scope mount and a pump assist kit would be nice, but expensive all togather.

    I use a daisy .22 sg sometimes, but about only around the 600fps with 12 pumps is the max, any more doesn’t help and 10 is the recommended amount. Nice thing is, it is affordable and, easy to pump and no CO2 to buy. You can also pump less for indoor shooting.

    For the power, I use a quest 800 polished and relubed with a GRT-III trigger and with 4x AO scope. I can get Hobbies to one hole at 10 meters. Takes a little work and a few tins to break in, but it can save you money if you are handy at working on springers. It is hold sensative, but once you get on track, it’s really a lot fun.

  14. Thanks for the advice about the 18″ Condor.

    Re: RWS 34

    I have the Panther and would highly recommend it. I bought the Leapers mount when I ordered mine and had to return it because by gun did not have a barrel droop problem and the mount over corrected. I went with a Leapers one piece mount. It buts up to the stop screw on the rail and also has a stop pin. I have fired about 1500 rounds with this configuration with no scope creep. I chose the synthetic stock over the wood because I wanted a recoil pad and the wood on the 34 looks cheap to me. I love my Panther.

  15. I understand that, but if I add a shroud to a 24″ barrel it will then be like having a 30″ barrel. I want a shrouded barrel which is the length of the regular Condor. Am I correct or am I missing something?

  16. B.B,

    I just read how Mr. Smith tried to measure the pressure by welding the pressure Gauge to the system…there is a far easier, more accurate and non-invasive way to get the data. All you need is a precise scale.

    First, get disassemble the gun and get the exact valve volume. Next, re-assemble and weight the gun uncharged. Then pump it up and weight again. The extra weigt is the compressed air, and it’s easy to calculate the pressure from valve volume and weight of the compressed air. All you need is a good precision scale.

    Greetings,

    Mel

  17. Aren’t there different length frame extenders? I thought shorter ones were available for different sized barrels. If there is only one size available, then of course I would prefer to keep the 24″ barrel. What I am trying to piece together is essentially a Condor SS with an 18″ Barrel instead of the 12″ Barrel. I think this would be a good compromise between length, power, and versatility. I live on 3 acres and everyone in my neighborhood also has at least that and all of the lots are pretty wooded, so noise isn’t a huge concern, but it will make the dogs in the area go crazy. I need a gun to control raccoon-size pests from about 50 yards. Sometimes less, never more. I also like to target shoot in my back yard at about 50 yards. What configuration would you recommend?

  18. BB,

    Well, the inmates have taken over the asylum. I’m afraid a mutiny is in full swing and all discussions of the pending purchase of a Talon SS has rapidly taken a back seat to the pride and ownership of the Ultimate Condor as advertized on Pyramyd’s website PY1469-2599. Logan and Ethan have spent many hour online researching every outlet for Air Force air rifles and I’m sure their on at least their second legal pad of notes. Being the most powerful air rifle available and the “cool” futuristic look in Pyramyd’s catolog has not lost it’s apeal to either of them. An additional factor was that Pyramyd’s Talon SS is currently out of stock The Ultimate Condor is in stock and we all enjoy immediate gratification.

    So, I have been reduced to loving GrandPa who will cover the cost and take great pleasure in watching us all dive a little deeper into the fun world of air gunning. Truthfully I can’t wait to get my hand on the Condor and start playing too. I really enjoy the fact it’s been a joint research project and we are picking up new things every day. The total cost: 1-T/C Encore Pistol with 2 spare barrels and 1 of 2 M-14’s I had set back for a rainy day. The rifle and the pistol have quietly sat in the back of my gun safe for years. I figure the new Condor will be many hours of fun and entertainment. The following is the boy’s questions I promised to post for them cuz GrandPa has not asked all the important questions yet:

    Hi BB,

    Ethan and I really enjoy your Blog. Some of it we don’t understand but usually GrandPa explains what we don’t understand. Most of these are Ethan questions.

    1. Do we get a free CO2 adapter till Dec. 31st?
    2. The trigger on the Condor is nonadjustable, is it good? Can we put a Charlie Tuna trigger on it?
    3. What pellets should we use? both .22 and .177?
    4. Do you really get paid to shoot air guns?

    Mine

    1. Would the Condor with an 18 inch barrel in .177 with an AirHog bloop tube make more noise than GrandPa’s Whisper?
    2. Is the bloop tube from AirHog made differently than the one the Condor comes with? How so?
    3. Will we get every thing we need to start shooting in the Condor Kit?
    4. Where do we get a chronograph?

    Thank You,

    Logan and Ethan

    *GrandPa has sent a photo of us:
    http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/jj133/etePzA/LoganandEthan2008.jpg

  19. AZPete,

    It’s okay, because the Condor isn’t a bad rifle, either. The accessories are locked in with the Ultimate Condor Combo. The only thing you get that I don’t think you’ll care for is the thumbhole/accessory bar.

    This is the live product listing for that:

    /product/airforce-ultimate-condor?m=1743

    Ethan,

    Yes, you do get the free CO2 adaptor.

    The Condor trigger releases at or below 3 pounds. It’s pretty good. Charlie da Tuna doesn’t make a trigger tune for AirForce guns. And any trigger work will void your lifetime warranty, so I would not do it, if I were you. I used to work on guns that had trigger tunes on them and we (at AirForce) could always tell when someone had been fooling with the trigger.

    Pellets! These are my choices

    .22
    JSB Exact domes 15.8 grains
    JSB Exact 14.3-grain
    Crosman Permier
    Beeman Kodiak (not Double Gold)

    .177
    JSB Exact 10.2 grain
    JSB Exact 8.3 grain
    Beeman Kodiak (not Double Gold)
    Crosman Premier 10.5

    Lubricate the Crosman pellets because they will lead tyhe bore if you don’t I use Whiscombe Honey with is a 50-50 ratio of STP Engine Treatment and Hoppes Gun Oil.

    Airguns have been my entire living since 1994. Good job – eh?

    Logan,

    The Condor with a 24-inch barrel and the AirHog bloop tube will make more noise than Grandpa’s Whisper when the Condor is set to higher power. At low power it will be quieter. The Condor has a 24-inch barrel. The Talon is the rifle that comes with the 18-inch barrel.

    I wouldn’t put an 18-inch barrel on the Condor, because you will give up a lot of efficiency. The 24-inch barrel will shoot both slower and faster tan the 18-inch barrel in either caliber.

    The Condor doesn’t come with a bloop tube. The one from Airhog is pretty special. Read this report:

    /blog/2007/11/surprise-a-quiet-condor/

    The only thing you need besides what comes with the ultimate Condor Combo is pellets.

    Pyramyd AIR sells chronographs. The Alpha model Shooting Chrony is a good one:

    /product/shooting-chrony-alpha-chronograph-red?a=838

    I looked at your pisture. Logan looks a lot like I did at his age. You are both good-looking boys and I hope you appreciate your grandpa very much.

    B.B.

  20. O-rings are just a few of your rifle’s seals. The one you probably need is a special formed seal.

    The 1400 isn’t easy to work on. You can buy all the seals from this place, but they can also do the reseal job for you for not much more:

    B.B.

  21. I was recently given acouple of old air rifles. On is a crossman 140/22cal. The other one is a sheridan “blue streak” 5m/m caliber. Both seem to be in good working condition. Which one would be considered the better of the two and what would thier approximate value be? Thanks for your time and interest,Ron

  22. I have had a 140 C since I was a teen. I need to rebuild the valve assembly but I don’t have any idea of where to find the parts and instructions. Any ideas?

  23. Anonymous with the Crosman 140 C,

    Most parts for these older airguns are unavailable from Crosman.
    Please try these two individuals. If they don’t sell the parts you need they will probably be able to fix your gun:

    Rick Willnecker in PA. Contact him at

    kevin

  24. Same basic situation as Anonymous. I just want to make sure that the 140 you all are referencing to is in fact the same as the 1400 that started this disscussion. I received one of the sliding breech models in the '70's and can't imagine how many shots went through that thing.

  25. Hey B.B.!
    Thanks for your response. I am really looking forward to getting that old 1400 up again. My grandson will be three in August and I am looking forward to getting him going. I also still have my old Model No. 799.19200 Daisey (Sears) BB gun that still works great to get him started on.
    Jeff

  26. Thanks for this write up BB! My father bought me one for christmas in '81 or '82 and recently replaced the cylinder and got it working… now my 10 year old gets to enjoy this classic with me.

  27. My father bought a 1400 with the sliding breech in the early 70's. This year for christmas he give it to my son thats 17 and from 85 feet we pick off the little green army men.(with a 3×9) what a great gun it is.

  28. I own a Crosman 1400 since 1973. It recently lost all pressure. I have the diagram, disassembled all pump assy, replace seals but still cannot get the cartridge (in 140-071) to keep its pressure. The piston does work but the pressure is lost right away after each stroke.
    Wonder if the small piston (140-070) at end of cartridge has a sealing problem on the ID.

  29. B.B,

    My friend has a 1400 and needs a new scope mount. Will the ones from the Benjy style work? Do you have a link or a part number from Pyramyd?

    Thanks and all the best,

    -Dan Nolen

  30. Can anyone guide me as to where i can buy a replacement part, the plastic butt of the gun, part #1400-025, and possibly the screws 400-026, mine is cracked but otherwise my rifle is in great shape, and still shoots well

  31. I fell in love with this rifle as a child of the 70’s. Everyone and his brother had a Crosman 760 and it was a fair gun, but the Crosman 1400 was absolutely in another category by itself. No one I know had a Benjamin or Sheridan air gun, but at least three of my older brother’s friends had these Crosman 1400’s.

    I asked for this gun every Christmas from the time I was 12 but dad said no! It was hard enough for me to talk him into buying me a 760, he thought I should be shooting a 375 fps BB gun, like the M1 Carbine I had that wouldn’t penetrate a beer can until they started making them out of aluminum… the 1400 was out of the question. Finally when I was 16 I was able to buy one myself and it was a joy. True accuracy that could never be achieved from the smoothbore 760 and absolute killing power on blackbirds and even the huge fox squirrels that ran amuck in the neighborhood. Unfortunately I kept it in the garage and it was stolen a few years later right after they stopped making them. GRRR… I went right out and bought a freaking plastic Model 2200 that was bright chrome and looked like a toy. I hated the way it looked but that scope rail was my introduction to optics and opened another level of accuracy to my air gunning world.

    Wow I can go back and remember distinct portions of my life by which air rifle I owned. Ha.. Diana Model 350 Magnum is my current obsession. I’m probably the only one that will ever read this but it sure feels nice to relive the past. Wish I was 12 and had that M1 Carbine again actually, I used to dig through the trash trying to find aluminum cans instead of steel, and it was a big step up from the Spittin’ Image 1894 I had. Plus it was sooo cool. ha

  32. I just bought a late model 1400 from a gentleman who replaced the valve & pump innards and the only issue is a bit of rust on the outer barrel!
    I can hardly wait for it to arrive.
    He assured me that it is holding air &shooting harder than the day it was manufacturered…
    It will look nice next to my Benjamin model 317(1940-56)

    • P.s: here is my 1400, I have cleaned it and still need to remove rust on the outer barrel.
      Based on the serial# I found out that it was made in June 1976.
      7 pumps with Crosman 14.3 Destroyer pellets chronographed at 625 fps, 8 pumps was 655 fps. The fellow I bought it from did a good job restoring the pump & valve to working order.
      Thanks for writing the best airgun blog!

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