Crosman’s 362 100th Anniversary Edition. This is not a stock photo: it’s the actual rifle being tested.
This report covers:
- The scope
- The test
- Five pumps
- Four pumps
- Three pumps
- Six pump strokes
- Discussion
- Benjamin High Compression pellets
- Eley Wasps
- Summary
Today we find out whether a scope makes any difference in the accuracy of the Crosman 362, 100-Year Anniversary Edition multi-pump. Two of you thought it would:
thedavemeister
Michael
… and several did not:
BB Pelletier
Siraniko
RidgeRunner
Bob M
The scope
I mounted a Meopta MeoSport R 3-15X50 second focal plane scope. I did so because it was available and already in 11 mm dovetail mounts that the 362 100-Year Anniversary Edition requires. That did exacerbate the shortness of the bolt handle and If I were to leave the scope on the rifle I would have to get a longer bolt handle.
The test
I started with the most accurate pellet from Part 4, which was the H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme. With the dot sight five made a 0.423-inch group at 10 meters.
All groups shown today are five-shot groups. All targets were shot from 10 meters with the rifle resting directly on a sandbag. I varied the number of pump strokes and will mention them in each target encounter. Let’s go.
Five pumps
After sight-in the first five-shot group on five pumps went into 1.225-inches between centers at 10 meters. That’s nearly three times the size of the best group with the dot sight at the same distance. No, there were no called pulls. Yes, the scope was tight in the rings and yes, the rings were tight on the rifle. The scope needed to be adjusted to the left a bit, so I dialed in 4 clicks of left adjustment after this group was fired.
At 10 meters the 362 on five pumps put five Baracuda Hunter Extremes into a vertical group measuring 1.225-inches.
After adjusting the scope I decided to shoot a second group. This time the pellets were mostly in the black with five in 1.291-inches between centers.
After adjusting the scope the 362 put five Hunter Extremes into a 1.291-inch group at 10 meters.
Four pumps
Now I decided to see whether a different number of pump strokes affected the group size. I’m still shooting the Baracuda Hunter Extreme. This time I pumped 4 times per shot. Five pellets went into 1.261-inches at 10 meters.
On 4 pumps the 362 put five Baracuda Extremes into 1.261-inches at 10 meters.
Three pumps
Next I tried five shots of Hunter Extremes on three pumps per shot. This time five went into 1.529-inches at 10 meters.
On three pumps the 362 put five Hunter Extremes into 1.529-inches at 10 meters.
Six pump strokes
Maybe I needed more pump strokes to get better accuracy. This time I pumped 6 times per shot and Five H&N Baracuda Hunter Extremes went into 1.357-inches at 10 meters.
On 6 pumps per shots the Crosman 362 put five Hunter Extremes into 1.357-inches at 10 meters.
Discussion
Okay, thedavemeister and Michael — there you are. These groups were all much larger when a scope was used than when a dot sight was used. I did my very best today. The lesson? At close distances scopes don’t always improve things.
You can’t say this scope was faulty, either. It’s a Meopta that has a proven track record. I checked all the mounting points before, during and after the test, so it wasn’t that. And, before someone asks, I will tell you all that the grub screw on top of the front barrel band is tight.
This test proves nothing, but it is indicative of the true accuracy of this particular air rifle. From the photo that reader Vana2 posted we know that other 362 100-Year Anniversary Edition rifles are more accurate than this one.
With the scope mounted, the 362 shot larger groups than it did with the dot sight. And “seasoning” the bore by shooting the same pellet many times doesn’t seem to have made any difference today.
Benjamin High Compression pellets
In Part 4 Benjamin domes grouped five in 0.85-inches at 10 meters. Today, on the same five pumps, this 362 put five of the same pellets into 1.01-inches at 10 meters It’s the smallest group of the test.
On five pump strokes the Crosman 362 put five Benjamin domes into 1.01-inches at 10 meters.
Eley Wasps
Maybe accuracy would improve if I tried the largest pellet I have — the vintage 5.6mm Eley Wasp? So I did. You can’t get this pellet new anymore, but inquiring minds have to know.
Nope — five Wasps made a 1.633-inch group at 10 meters. It’s the largest group of the test.
The Crosman 362 put five 5.6mm Eley Wasps into a 1.633-inch group at 10 meters.
Summary
I have put this rifle through the wringer in these five posts. It’s beautiful and does come with a peep sight. But this one doesn’t group at 10 meters — at least not with anything I have tried. If you can think of anything legitimate I haven’t done, I will try it. If not, I think we’re done.
Looks like this particular one is a nice looking can roller.
BB
I am surprised that the Meopta did worse than the red dot. I may be wrong but it came to my mind that it’s not the first time a Meopta scope doesn’t make a difference for the better.
Bill,
I doubt the brand of the scope has anything to do with it.
Having a number of Crosman airgun with the same or similar tube and steel receiver set up they are not as stable as one would like for mounting an optic with almost any Mass. Benji-Don has a great modifications at least one of which addresses the unstable tube to steel breach issues. Yes the Crosman stel breach is a vast improvement over the plastic one but the fastening hardware MUST be upgraded/strengthened to mount a large heavy weight optic.
Especially when the scope is often used as a handhold while pumping!
shootski
Shootski
So, if I understand correctly, you think that the heavy scope concept is responsible for the worse than the red dot results and not the scope itself. I suppose it could be, provided of course BB didn’t pay much attention to the details you described.
Bill,
You understood perfectly.
B.B. points out below that he held the grip while pumping instead of by the scope (as some many folks have done on Crosman 39X and probably 362 finding the unmodified attachment design wanting) the wrist of the wooden stock is a known weak point and folks who pump to the maximum often find POI shifts worse still broken rifles as a result.
Benji-Don is getting those great groups because of the modifications he did; one of which is known (for at least three decades) to improve the breach to tube mating security significantly on the Crosman steel breach design.
Hope that helps you and others.
shootski
Tom,
This is one rifle that really came as beauty is skin deep. Unless you find a loose screw attaching the breech to the rifle the only fix for this is a new barrel, I think.
Siraniko
Sometimes I feel useless here. Especially when it comes to accuracy shooting. I simply don’t do much of it.
I have two of these Anniversary Specials and a new 362 but have no information to contribute here now.
My New Years Resolution will be to get a shooting bench, heat lamp and get out and shoot targets. Probably find more pests in doing so.
There are a lot more on my property now that I’m up against 400 acres of charcoal and acorns are everywhere.
I had a nice porch but tore it down for being a fire hazard years ago. It actually worked out to be the best thing I did here with the last wildfire creeping into the same space it occupied.
Bob M,
Improvise. A shooting bench is nice, but a small table and chair work nice also until you get one. I made shooting bags from old jeans legs. Shoot out an open window. I sure wish Mrs. RR would let me do such, most especially in Winter. It can get pretty cold around here. With those multi-pumps you might even be able to set up an indoor range.
RR,
I have enough heavy wood around here from that porch I took apart and just looked at some benches online again. Getting good Ideas. Thinking of a dual-purpose picnic table. My brain goes into overdrive with a problem and everything I come up with can be improved if I keep looking at it. “Analysis Paralysis”
A temp table is looking good for now. Now I’m wondering if I’m too old to shoot accurately. Nah, I’m much younger than BB. Probably around 48 hours. 😉
Speaking of wood It drives me crazy when these home remodeling shows just smash it up and throw it in a dumpster. There is so much that can be done with it and what’s wrong with putting good removed kitchen cabinets in your garage? Guess a lot of people never even buy tools or know how to use them.
Bob M,
I myself am “tool poor” and have a pile of wood Mrs. RR is always fussing about. We did recently remodel the kitchen, but those “sawdust” cabinets we took out were not suitable for even my shabby garage, in which I store all my tools and wood scraps.
I second Ridgerunner but I bought one of these tables from P.A.I.R.: https://www.pyramydair.com/product/mtm-case-gard-predator-shooting-table?a=4007
I use it indoors (basement 10 yd range) and outside. It’s portable, stable, and light. The angled sides help you get closer to the gun and the cutouts allow you to stand a gun up without fear that it will slide and get damaged. That table and the monkey bag and my rubber mulch trap are my most-used airgun accessories.
RG,
Those are pretty nice and I did give serious consideration to one of those, but Mrs. RR will not let me shoot inside and the dog does not care to even see my airguns, so I built a shooting bench from an old McDonalds table and chair frame and some Trex deck boards I had left over and put a fairly decent shooting bench out on my place.
Now that I am retired, I might even be able to use it more often, that is unless Mrs. RR does not keep me busy.
Roamin Greco
Thanks for the table link. Reviews look good. Next P/A order !
BB,
That is a nice-looking plaque on the stock.
She sure is a mighty fine looking stinker.
The only thing I can think of that you haven’t tried is a barrel change. That would be interesting to me. But I can certainly understand why you might not want to change the barrel on this rifle (being an anniversary edition). Thanks for all you do!
Kinda sounds like BB is done with this one.
But if not, maybe recrown the barrel and a few passes of JB bore paste. If that does nothing, then move on. Or try Elmer Fudd’s idea.
If’n it was me, I’d recrown… depending on the outcome, then move on .
Every gun is a tack driver – within it’s effective range… that range may be measured in inches, feet or yards 😉
I have a variety of airguns with different levels of performance – enjoy them all. I’m realistic in my expectations, match the performance to the application and go have fun.
The Crosman’s 362 100th Anniversary Edition is a beautiful airgun that would be nice to have. I think that minute-of-a-tin-can accuracy is fine for backyard plinking.
Cheers!
Hank
Vana2: You make a point about the “effective range.” My .22 Pumper WAS accurate, it is sick presently however and needs a reseal. It has the brass barrel and, when it holds air, it is quite consistent and boringly accurate at 6 pumps in my 10 meter basement range. I discovered that the mid-point in the pumping strokes (between 4 and 8, that is 6 pumps) is best for 10 meters. It has a Williams Peep.
I do wonder what the difference would be for the Anniversary edition based solely on its barrel. I make a presumption that the barrel is brass like the standard Crosman/Benjamin pumpers. Would a steel barrel make a difference? I would think, however, that the machining is the issue not the barrel composition at air gun pressures?
Tom’s point about the lack of utility of a scope at close range makes a good point, I think. With the exception of bench rest and field target afficionados who shoot “very small” as part of their passion, I’ve come to the conclusion, for me, that most scopes are a waste of time and an additional amount of mass on air guns – with the exception of x1 power pistol scopes for us seniors (particularly post cataract surgery) – makes unsupported shooting increasingly difficult. This is especially true since we are never going to be particularly long range shooters given the dynamics of pellet mass, structure and low power.
I, admittedly, have 3×9 40mm scopes on several of my air rifles, but increasingly find that in practical terms a Williams Peep with a Merit Disc screwed into the Williams chassis is as accurate as the UTG Leapers scopes (and end up costing about as much!). Yeah, of course, one can see more clearly the roundel with magnification, but when the Merit disc is properly dialed in and the whole round black ball is centered in the aperture, the target “scores” are nearly if not completely identical.
The nearly identical outcomes, I think, are based on the fact that the act of shooting means controlling the POA and subduing all the vagaries of the hold, particularly the neurological nystagmus more than what one sees, after a certain point. Control of breathing, smoothness of trigger pull, consistent hold on the air arm, and posture are, to me, more important than vision – after a certain point. If the aperture is centered and the black bull concentric in the peep picture, it is as accurate as any scope picture. As pointed out above, at practical air gun ranges, the scope does let one see the target but has some disadvantages related to the burden of its mass. What my scopes tell me at just 10 meters is the “score” of my shooting without having to go to the ballistic closet and examine the roundel up close! Garden/lawn pests are eliminated as effectively from any house window within my property lines with a peep as with a scope – they aren’t that far away!
Considering that I am a springer curmudgeon, and getting older, the lack of mass sitting on top of my rifles is welcomed. Further, for us springer users, particularly for the violent shot cycles of several of my arms (Diana 350 carbine, 340 Luxus or Model 36 and an Hatsan 135), the low mass of the aperture sight means no scopes waltzing down the traditional ramps or moving in the rings. The Williams peeps stay put and the accuracy doesn’t change.
[I’ve had to accept the placement of a x1 power pistol scope on my hand arms because of “old eyes” a.k.a., “presbyopia,” but those don’t weigh that much and the shot cycles aren’t that violent – with the exception of the Browning 800 Magnum!]
I do wish that air arms manufacturers would offer an aperture option with up graded such sights as an alternative to scopes or the standard iron sights. Williams seems to me to be eliminating the Target Knob option (or minimizing it on their website “catalog?” Maybe I got it wrong, but what is presented is a cruder slide-and-pinch-with-a-screw option. Air gunners need adjustability and scales on our sights as our ballistic arcs are more pronounced than firearms. Also, to get an adjustable aperture, one has to go elsewhere (to Merit Disc, for example). Marketing isn’t shooting, apparently….
–
LFranke,
Brass is OK and has been used on many older designs but I think steel is better – especially for the higher power PCPs.
The barrel on my 392 is soldered, haven’t checked but I’m pretty sure it’s brass.
The receiver and barrel on the 362 look the same as on my Maximus so they are steel and probably easy to replace.
Agreed that good form is critical to consistent shooting but I think that there’s a major difference between iron, aperture and optic sights. Maybe not at 10 meters but as the distance increases so does the need for magnification and good glass. I do a lot of my shooting out past 40 yards.
PCPs are my thing but I do enjoy my springers. My R7 (HW30) is great. When snap shooting at 10-15 yards I prefer the iron sights and for more deliberate plinking at longer range a little fixed power scope is best. Right now it’s iron sights on the R7 for the winter indoor shooting season. Think I’ll get a Williams peep for it as I have several other scoped springers for longer range use. I know what you mean about proper aperture sights, have them on my 10 meter airguns.
Cheers!
Hank
Hank: Are we twins? I think we have the same ballistic ideology!
I have many UTG Leapers scoped rifles and one Hawk scope (that I really appreciate on my Diana 430L underlever – which fortunately is a 12 ft/lb piece and the Hawk is rated for that at max). For longer distance (which is, of course, a relative term) I pull out the scopes, make some hold over adjustments and let fly.
Downstairs in the bleak blackness of winter and the target is paper at 10M, the diopter sights perform as well as the scopes with one negative. That is that I can’t see the impact on the target paper in detail without a scope down to “the fines.” If spotting scopes were not so damned expensive, I’d own one – although I have thought of buying a cheapie fixed scope and mounting it on my wall as a stand in…
Since you shoot PCPs, your world, with those air arms, is much greater than mine in range and power. Having better (meaning more powerful and clear) optics is imperative for your use. I appreciate that after being on the verge of springer inaccuracy when clearing out hordes of tree rats when we moved to our home (the bushy-tailed bandits were everywhere). The assault of the bushy tailed battalions finally ended when my back neighbor paid to have an ancient stand of aged pines removed and stumped – it was the squirrel interstate before removal. That removal meant our gutters didn’t plug so often and our soffits were not being molested. It also meant that all the finagling to find a proper firing lane so a miss didn’t take out windows or ding the siding (mine or theirs!) was unnecessary.
One gets the optics, when thinking rationally, that one needs. With even magnum springers, I don’t need more than 20 yards of pinpoint because the power falls off rapidly. With my air pistols, and post cataract with corrective lenses, I do need x1 power pistol scopes that are light in weight but clear in target picture. I’ve come to like the Williams Peeps (and the Merit Disc addition, in particular) on my long guns because they have a long sight radius to work with and that seems amenable to my eye. Adding Merit to Williams, unfortunately gets rapidly into scope cost.
My main problem, however, isn’t optics, it’s storage. Maybe I need to return to cabinet-making this summer and build a new arms locker? But not too much extra room, ’cause I’d just fill it, darn it all anyway! Between my airarm addiction and bicycle addiction, I’m going to have to start going to meetings….
LFranke,
Are we twins? Maybe… young, tall, athletic …delusional? LOL!
Spotting scopes are nice, I have an old Bushnell from years ago. Recently I’ve been using a drone to “run down” to check my targets for me. Maybe you could rig up an old computer and a Webcam to view your target. I’ve been thinking on doing something like that.
I usually walk and stalk squirrels with my Crown but this year they were very spooky (think that the neighbors kids hunted them a lot) so I ended up in sniper-mode shooting at 60-80 yards with the Panthera. Worked well!
Got to thinking about the R7 and peeps. I’m going the stay with the Weihrauch irons on it and put the Williams back on the FWB 124 where it was before I scoped it.
Post cataract with corrective lenses her as well, I seem to be managing OK with the iron sights on the pistols – likely because of hunting and plinking, I tend to focus in the target. Can’t seem to break that habit.
Hear you about the airgun storage problem – I have a bad case of “just one more”.
Cheers!
Hank
LFrank,
The barrel is steel.
Beyond that Benji-Don (down some number of replies) has laid out exactly what I would do to one of these if i wanted it as a shooter.
I have a number of “collector” airguns that i use as shooters and have never hesitated to do required/desired modifications to make them better shooters. I’m really not interested in what they may one day be worth to some collector. Shooters will know that they shoot as well, or better, as any of their type.
Do check out Benji-Dons excellent modification guide.
shootski
To all interested readers who, now that “… we’re done…” with the Crosman 362 100-Year Anniversary Edition, would be motivated to join me in asking B.B. Pelletier to revisit some almost completed reviews, please do leave a short comment to say so. 🙂
———
B.B. Pelletier,
back in December 14, 2020, that day’s article ended with “… I have already stripped my pistol… and… I have ordered a new piston seal…”.
I suspect ‘Part 2’ has yet to be written and so, would you continue reviewing the Walther LP53 for us please?
My interest is that, after a very long pause, I recently shot mine and, erm, was reminded that my results don’t even come close to what Walther’s shooter managed. 🙂
I opened up my LP53 and lubed stuff, struggled to get it back together and am now happily spitting oil. Hopefully that’ll soon stop and I can once more shoot some dry, widely spaced (because, well, me) holes. 🙂
Also, with re-awakened interest, I searched online and, of course, re-read your more’ish thoughts on this pistol…
Anyway, what’s the latest with yours, did you dis- and re-assemble, service and upgrade bits?
(link to the latest (?) review: https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2020/12/walther-lp53-the-james-bond-airgun-part-1/ )
hi3,
OBE.
BB
B.B. Pelletier,
please, what does “OBE.” mean?
I looked online: did you mean ‘overcome by events’?
May we expect more information on your Walther LP53?
Better yet, has ‘Part 2’ of the review moved to the top of your priority list?
Thanks. 🙂
———
pictured the inner gubbins, colloquially known as ‘cross section’ :
hi3,
That’s what OBE means. I have worked on that gun and had to set it aside because is was taking too long. I have to get a new blog up five days a week.
BB
It just seems to me that I could get a really nice silver streak or Crosman 101 for $400.
If you are patient, you could get a 101 for a lot less than 400 and then reseal it yourself when needed.
Don’t want to “give” you more work in 2024,B.B. – but hope you will find time to test this interesting piece to be sold by PA, the Black Bunker Survival Air Rifle BM8.
It is supposed to be a pre-order item at this time.
Basil,
They look small but are apparently organized. If they display at SHOT I will look at what they have. But a bayonet on an air rifle? Isn’t that a bit couch commando?
Well, you’re sure to have a knife to butcher any birds or rabbits you bag?
If FM interpreted correctly, the USA version won’t have a bayonet lug, which is fine – FM is a Couch Cowboy, not commando material. As long as he does not shoot his eye out, all is well.
@sawneybean I have a really nice 102 that was just professionally resealed with the help of BB and Cloud9 here on the blog, if you are interested for less than that. I was gifted another one that I will keep and do not need two. robxxxtorgesonxxx@yahoo.com if you know what I mean …. drop the letters x
“If you can think of anything legitimate I haven’t done, I will try it. If not, I think we’re done.”
I don’t own a Crosman 362, 100-Year Anniversary but many owners have posted on other airgun forums about the accuracy in their 100-Year Anniversary Editions.
The owners of those that don’t group well have re-crowned the barrel without any substantial increase in accuracy. Many owners found overspray of paint on the inside of the barrel at the end of the barrel. Surprisingly, removing this overspray resulted in a significant improvement in their guns accuracy.
Kevin,
I remember when barrel overspray was purported to be a problem with Blue Steaks and I cleaned the one I was testing and didn’t see any change. But I will examine the 362 to see whether that might be a problem.
BB
B.B.,
One more thing, in the 362 100-Year Anniversary Edition most people are getting good accuracy with the JSB 13.43gr and JSB 14.35gr on 3-5 pumps. The JSB 15.89gr and JSB 18.1 gr seem to be more accurate with more pumps.
Don’t think this justifies another blog but maybe something to try when you’re bored 😉
B.B.,
Well, I’ve been wrong before. (Just ask my wife and brother-in-law and neighbor and old girlfriends and . . . ;^)
Michael
Michael, ditto; I’ve been wrong before…my wife will testify to that, LOL! 😉
BB, what can I say?…
“Okay, thedavemeister and Michael — there you are.”
…except I was wrong. 🙂
BB,
Sometimes, you get one that just doesn’t live up to expectations. (I am reminded of your experience with Ruger 10/22’s)
I, for one, would rather that you look at some of your other ‘irons in the fire’ as you’ve tested this one pretty extensively.
Bill
Bill,
Well said.
BB
B.B.,
I ask you to try the larger pellets. The bore on my 100yr 362 was so large i thought the pellet would nearly fall out of the last 6 inches of the barrel. When I pushed a pellet through it there was little resistance anywhere and almost no rifling marks on the pellet. FYI, larger pellets did not help in my 100yr 362 either. With your accuracy getting worse with more shots through the gun suggests to me there is more than just the barrel causing your shots to scatter.
I did not buy my 100yr 362 as a collector or to hang on the wall. It has become one of my favorite guns. I have taken it apart so many times I had to upgrade a few things that wore out.
I put a washer under the stock screw so I did not wear a hole the size of the screw head all the way through the stock.
I replaced the small screw under the pellet probe/bolt, holding the steel breech in place. I wore out the allen head on mine and had to drill it out so I could use an easy out to remove it. I replaced it with a slotted machine screw. I the slotted machine screw was a big improvement, it holds the breech very solid.
I also had to replace the barrel set screw in the plastic barrel band/pump pivot, mine kept loosening over time and finally striped out the plastic. The barrel band really should of been metal on the 100yr anniversary 362. I used a larger diameter and longer set screw that is working so far.
Pros:
Metal Trigger
Wood stock and pump handle.
Easy to pump.
More quite when pumping than the synthetic stock version.
Overall fit, finish and materials seem better than stock 362 synthetic version.
Cons:
Plastic barrel band/pump pivot cover.
Open end slot in pump tube at the muzzle. The tube should extend past the pump pivot pin to end in a complete cylinder. That gives the tube more rigidity and torsional strength.
Barrel bore extremely over the .22 caliber pellet size. Too bad Crosman fell back into making bad barrels.
Front sight is no good for target practice.
Modifications:
Replaced the barrel with a .22 caliber Benjamin Maximus barrel
Used a Crosman 2300s Barrel Weight and post sight on the Maximus barrel.
Replaced the breech screw under the pellet probe/bolt with a slotted machine screw.
Added a second felt pad on the pump tube opposite the one on the pump arm.
Replaced the trigger coil spring with weaker ballpoint pen spring to reduce the first stage trigger pull force.
Added a trigger stop using a trimmed to length copper rivet inside the ballpoint pen trigger coil spring.
Bent the sear spring to reduce the pressure on the second stage trigger pull force.
Added a sear engagement adjustment screw in front of the trigger guard that can be adjusted without removing the stock.
Accessories:
3-12 Bug Buster Scope.
Below is a picture of my gun.
Here is a target with mine at 25 yards using JSB 15.83 dome pellets. Both bulls are 10 shot groups the top group is 5 pumps and the bottom group is 7 pumps.
Sweet! Especially the 7-pump group! 🙂
Benji-Don,
Nice!
shootski
Benji-Don, thanks a lot for all the valuable info. I have an original 362 and a 100 year anniversary edition in the box awaiting breaking. The original will be for experimenting and modding, the 100 year edition will be gently used and maintained for my collection. I will be sure to refer back to your “mini-blog.” I’m saving ballpoint pens, now.
Roamin,
These triggers take a while to break in. During that period they need to be adjusted. To adjust them with the screw in the back of the trigger frame the stock must be removed. That requires removing the safety cross pin each time and replacing it to test the trigger for an adjustment while the stock is removed and then removing it to replace the stock and the replacing it once the stock is back on. The safety is a bit fiddlie to remove and replace. I already had to adjust it after the gun sat for a couple days. The sear would not catch the hammer when the bolt was pulled back to cock the gun.
Also when shooting from a bench I set the trigger lighter than if I am pesting or plinking.
Good luck on your mods and testing.
Don
PS sorry my reply was for your question below.
Thanks for the explanation. I’m hoping it all clicks when I start fiddling with mine. One thing that I am not happy with is the trigger.
Like your rifle setup. Did you order the Maximus barrel from Crosman or do a swap?
Someone earlier ask about trigger tunes for this group of Crosman/Benjamin guns. There are many versions out there on airgun blogs and youtube. Here is a picture of the method I used for this gun. Most of them modify the two springs in the trigger assembly and add two screws though the back of the trigger frame to adjust the trigger for sear engagement and trigger stop.
I wanted to be able to adjust the sear engagement without removing the stock. I installed an adjustment screw through the trigger frame in front of the trigger guard.
I did not want to drill through the back of the trigger frame for a trigger stop adjustment screw. I trimmed a copper rivet to fit inside the ball point pen spring to act as a trigger stop. In hind sight an adjustment screw would of been better.
Here is a picture of my trigger assembly with the cover off. The inset shows the trimmed ballpoint pen spring with the trimmed rivet that sets the first stage trigger pull force and stops the trigger after the sear is released.
Don
Benji-Don,
Excellent modification guides!
Great shooters and shooting!
Well worth a BZ flag hoist.
BRAVO ZULU
shootski
You’ve done some real nice work on your 362! Impressed!
Maybe you should send the details to Crosman so they could fix it the way it should have been in the first place!
Cheers!
Hank
Benji-Don,
that’s some gun smithing!
Impressive achievements too.
Thanks for the interesting series of comments. 🙂
Perhaps a dumb question, but why do you want to be able to externally adjust the sear engagement? In my mind, first stage and second stage travel and weight are helpful things to adjust, but sear engagement is something you set and forget because you either have enough or else you have a dangerous situation. Perhaps that is overly simplistic, but I’m eager to learn.
Hey BB!
Do you think that Crosman would consider doing a production run of their original model 101 to celebrate their 101 anniversary?
Do you know anyone at Crosman you could suggest this to?
The 101 is still popular and I’d definitely put my name in for one to replace mine which is worn beyond repair.
Hank
Hank,
Thanks. I think the 362 with a good barrel, metal barrel band and better steel breech connection would go a long way to replace the 101. A solid pump pivot pin and closed pump arm slot on the end of the pump tube would make it much more durable in my opinion.
Don
Don,
You know both rifles and are really into MPPs so I’ll agree with you.
I’m being more nostalgic than practical. Can’t help but wonder if the modern MPPs are as durable as the 101. I’ve no idea how many thousands of pellets I put through my 101. I used it heavily for several years, one summer I kept all the pellet tins and, neatly stacked, filled a 2 cubic foot box to the top. …Lots of pellets!
Anyway, I have a 392 that sees regular use and that will do me as far as MPPs rifles go.
Had a 1322 at one time, may get another one to replace it. I believe that the 13xx receivers are plastic now, that would be a deal breaker. There’s a Crosman dealer a couple of miles from here that sells mod parts, I’ll check with him.
Cheers!
Hank
Hank, I don’t think the 362 with the upgrades I suggested would be as durable as the 101. That is why I said it would go a long way in replacing the 101, not that it would replace it. The parts on those old classic MPPs are just more robust.
Sorry your 101 is beyond repair. I understand your nostalgia, I have the same feelings for my old Benjamin 312 that is a basket case.
Don
Hank,
That’s never gonna happen.
BB
Yeah, I know 😉
B.B.,
Get ready for it!
The (DT&E type) shootski wants to know where and how you (OT&E type) held the rifle while you pumped.
The system Project Manger is FURIOUS!
Thank you,
shootski
I think you know B.B. did not hold the scope while pumping, Your question was probably aimed at clairification.
I do hold the scope on my Dragonfly multi-pump rifles with no apparent problems.
Benji-Don,
Of course.
Remember as a fellow geezer I get to bust his chops often!
In all seriousness those of us who are knowledgeable about both the old style brazed barrels as well as the newer steel breaches know NOT TO hold by a scope or other optic given the weak point of both systems. The brazed one because it is nearly unrepairable after the brazing cracks and the steel breach because it will nearly always change the POI every time you pump.
UNLESS owners do the upgraded breach to tube fasteners as you recommended.
I will add that a Heli Coil or other metal insert system on the barrel band might be a temporary fix untill someone in the aftermarket fabricates a steel one or an entire upgrade to the pump linkage to tube area.
RESOLUTION
i need to be kinder to Tom this year!
Nah! He wouldn’t know what to do!
shootski
Shootski,
If I remember and don’t git scared of loosening the set screw on the barrel band I will do a test to see if the set screw even makes any difference in accuracy.
Benji-Don,
No need to ‘speriment on my part.
Especially since you have yours shooting so nicely.
shootski
shootski,
I sure was hoping the “be nicer to people” was going your be your New Years Resolution.
Guess not.
The world needs more kindness, not more smart alecks.
-Y
Yogi,
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/32046/where-did-phrase-smart-alec-come
Perhaps you should read the above.
Doesn’t apply to me best i can tell; nor to my wife!
I’m abrasive at times no doubt but i’m much less so these days since what i do day to day will no longer be likely to get me and others wounded, horribly injured, or killed.
Wishing you a safe and Happy New Year.
shootski
Yogi,
You might look in the mirror on that one. Just sayin’. 🙂
BB
shootski,
I held at the pistol grip, of course.
BB
B.B.,
OF course you did!
The System Project Manager is warning you not to break the Wooden stock at the wrist! She said that they were only intended to be presentation wall hangers for the VIPs…LOL!
shootski
B.B.
” If not, I think we’re done.” I sure hope so!
Another HUNK OF JUNK!
I sure hope your next blog with be a gun that can shoot straight.
Reminds me of Jimmy Breslin’s book, “The Gang that Could not Shot Straight.”
Just a waste of 5 blogs, IMHO.
-Yogi
Yogi, one can always learn something useful in this blog, even if it is only what airguns the average peasant – FM being one of those – should stay away from to avoid dissapointment.