Monthly Archives: April 2018

Sheridan Supergrade: Part 2

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by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Sheridan Supergrade right
My new Sheridan Supergrade is in fantastic condition, despite the wood check at the butt.

Sheridan Supergrade left
The cheekpiece makes the Supergrade stand out!

Part 1

A history of airguns

This report covers:

  • Chronograph
  • How long can a multi-pump be left fully pressurized?
  • The point
  • Smith and Hatcher were right!
  • Condition of the rifle
  • Last comment

Before we start I would like to introduce you to Jake. He is the best Sheridan resource I know. Here is his website. Much of the information I have is either obtained from or corroborated on that site.

Siraniko, you were right. I’m doing Part 2 today!

Chronograph

Reader GunFun1 wondered how velocity was determined back in 1947 and 1956, when General Hatcher and W.H.B. Smith wrote their reports on the Supergrade. Well, it’s found in that book nobody wants — Smith’s Standard Encyclopedia of Gas, Air and Spring Guns of the World, by W.H.B. Smith. At least the method that Smith used is found there. It was called the Potter chronograph and occupied several rooms at H.P. White Laboratories. At its heart was a quartz crystal oscillator that cycled 100,000 times a second. read more

Sheridan Supergrade: Part 1

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by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Sheridan Supergrade right
My new Sheridan Supergrade is in fantastic condition, despite the wood check at the butt.

Sheridan Supergrade left
The cheekpiece makes the Supergrade stand out!

A history of airguns

This report covers:

  • The back story
  • Early reports
  • How many pumps?
  • So — how many pumps?
  • We’re just getting started!
  • Description
  • Why so much?
  • SO — why 12 pumps?
  • Summary

Awww! Not again! BB — you promised us something very special today. You have reviewed and tested the Sheridan Supergrade so many times on this blog!

Yes, I have. But this report will be different. This report will have a major impact on not just Supergrade owners, but on most multi-pump owners.

The back story

Several weeks ago a new reader posted that he had a Sheridan Supergrade to sell. I have to approve all new readers’ comments, so I approved and posted his, welcomed him to the blog and, because he included his email address in the message, I contacted him. read more

Beeman R9 with Vortek center-latching air piston: Part 4

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by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

This report covers:

  • Important discovery!
  • Analysis
  • Setup
  • JSB Exact
  • Evaluation
  • Test restructure
  • Predator Polymag
  • H&N Field Target Trophy
  • H&N Baracuda
  • Crosman Premier
  • Benjamin Cylindrical
  • Velocity comparison
  • Retest of JSB Exacts
  • Cocking effort
  • Discussion
  • Going forward
  • Testing new designs

Today I will test the Vortek Center-Latching Air Piston in the Beeman R9, with the pressure set at 50 bar, which is 725.19 psi. This is the highest pressure to which I have set the unit, so today’s velocities should be the fastest we will see.

Important discovery!

Before we begin today’s test, a remark made by reader GunFun1 to the last report triggered some unplanned testing that revealed some surprising results. He was concerned by my remark that some spring-piston guns (and that is EXACTLY what this center latching unit is) need a “wake up” shot when they are first fired. I have seen this with perhaps half of the springers I have tested over the years. Here is what he asked me. read more

The Seneca Dragonfly multi-pump pneumatic rifle: Part 1

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by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Seneca Dragonfly
Air Venturi Seneca Dragonfly multi-pump air rifle.

This report covers:

  • Information
  • Irony
  • First impressions
  • Sights
  • Lubrication
  • Shot it immediately
  • Trigger
  • Reader’s comment
  • How hard to pump?
  • Nostalgic
  • Summary

There are always things at the SHOT Show that I am excited about testing, and today’s rifle is one of them. The Seneca Dragonfly is a new entrant into the multi-pump world. That’s a world that doesn’t get many new guns. It’s certainly not like the spring gun world! And yet the multi-pump camp has a host of dedicated followers who love it above all other airgun powerplants. I am excited to get a chance to test something new.

Information

The internet is both a blessing and a curse for every new product. On the positive side it gives broad exposure to each new offering. On the negative side it allows for uncontrolled gossip and innuendo. People can slander something they have never seen or will never see, and many who are gullible will believe them. read more

Umarex Strike Point multi-pump pistol: Part 3

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by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Strike Point
Umarex Strike Point multi-pump pistol.

Part 1
Part 2

This report covers:

  • The test
  • Sig Match Ballistic Alloy
  • The sights
  • RWS Superdome
  • Air Arms Falcons
  • RWS HyperMax
  • Crosman Premier light
  • RWS Hobby
  • Evaluation

Today we test the accuracy of the new Umarex Strike Point multi-pump pistol. This test is the one we have all been waiting to see. The Strike Point is firmly in competition with the  Crosman 1377, and we want to know how it stacks up downrange.

The test

I shot from 10 meters off a sandbag rest. I shot 5 shots per target because this is a multi-pump. If any pellet grouped well, I would shoot another 10 shots with that pellet. I pumped the gun 4 times per shot, because the velocity test indicated that would be okay.

Sig Match Ballistic Alloy

The first pellet I tested was the Sig Match Ballistic Alloy pellet. It wasn’t tested in the velocity test, but this pellet has proved remarkably accurate in many airguns and I thought it deserved a test. Five pellets went into a 2.922-inch group. I’m not showing the dime in this photo because it makes no sense. This is a huge group for 10 meters! Also I noticed that 4 of the five pellet holes showed some tipping of the pellet as it passed through the target. read more

Revitalizing a Benjamin 392: Part 3

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by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Part 1
Part 2

Benjamin 392
Benjamin 392 multi-pump pneumatic.

A history of airguns

This report covers:

  • The test
  • Crosman Premiers
  • JSB Exact Jumbo Heavys
  • H&N Baracuda Match
  • Well?
  • JSB second test
  • Evaluation
  • Summary

Today is accuracy day for the Benjamin 392 that’s been rebuilt. What you are about to see is stunning! This report will blow your minds!

The test

I looked at the results of the Part 2 velocity test and determined that 4 pumps would be a good number for all pellets. Since this is a multi-pump where each shot takes more time, I decided to shoot 5-shot groups, to see whether one pellet is more accurate that the rest. If I found one, I would then shoot 10 shots with that one at a fresh target. That led to an extremely rare occurrence that’s going to surprise most of you. read more

Revitalizing a Benjamin 392: Part 2

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by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Beeman R9

Part 1

Benjamin 392
Benjamin 392 multi-pump pneumatic.

A history of airguns

This report covers:

  • The rebuild
  • The test
  • Test 1
  • Analysis of test 1
  • Test 2
  • Analysis of test 2
  • Test 3
  • H&N Baracuda Match
  • JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy
  • Analysis of test 3
  • Next

Today we look at the Benjamin 392 that has been resealed. The first report was done on the gun as it came from the pawn shop. All I did was oil the pump head with ATF Sealant and then test the gun. It’s been a long time since Part 1, so you may want to read it again. In the last test I said this was the fastest 392 I have ever tested.

The rifle responded well to ATF Sealant. I will run those number with today’s test figures for comparison.

The rebuild

I sent the gun to reader Jeff Cloud for a rebuild. He is the guy who rebuilt my Sheridan Blue Streak a couple years ago. read more