Oh man! That looks like my 2nd and 3rd Benjamin from the mid to late 70's. I don't think they changed the design again till Crosman bought them out. I had one in .177 which was the 347 I believe and then I went back to a .22. The 347 was a garage sell find new in the box around 1975-1977. My mom drug us out early every Saturday to go garage selling and she spent 40 bucks to get it for me. She knew how much I wanted it as my Tootsie Roll Benjamin was getting in bad shape. I didn't take very good care of that first Benjamin at that age and was ready for a new one. These always bring back great memories. The 1000's of pellets, and even BB's which i shouldn't have shot in the .177 brass barrel. I couldn't always get pellets when I wanted back then, but tubes of BB's i could get at the convivence store about a mile away. Sure took a lot of squirrel and rabbits with these back then.
@@chrisennis6771 Thanks! I really like this 342 model. I’ve also got a newer 392 and a 397S but I prefer this 342. I didn’t do a good job demonstrating it. I’ve found it to be very accurate. I just thought it’d be fun to film a casual video about it. 😀
41 yrs old! Hah! Mine 43 & still shoots better than I do. Not a Benji, but, a Sheridan & pellets in 5mm near a rare item here. Really scares bushytails since my hitting bullseye at 25 yrs, also, rare.
No such thing as a too long video, maybe to edit, but love to see the pump ups . My Blue Streak needs using , but old shoulder muscle rip shouts much louder in Winter, so out with thye Euro Trash at the moment. I love the simplicity of those sights. My 140 in the 60s was the same, or so I remember. That was good shooting. keith
@@keithbarker-e4q Thanks! I like to try and keep videos on the short side, especially when using two cameras. It’s much easier to film everything in one take when using two cameras or the editing just gets too unwieldy.
Great video. I was reminded of the Benjamin.22 pump I got from my Dad when I turned 10. Used it so much the brass wore to a nice gold patina from gripping it and pumping. Birds, rabbits, Lordy, it took a lot a critters during my youth. I still have it stored lovingly away but it needs new seals and I don’t have a clue on how to repair it. If anyone has a suggestion I would love to hear it. I’m 73 now - it would be nice to shoot it again some day.
@@Timothy-ns4qn Thanks! Nibs at Walnut & Steel on RUclips has done some videos on resealing these guns if I recall correctly. I know there of some videos on RUclips for how to do it. It’s super cool that you still have it. My Crosman 760 has all the visible wear from me carrying it around in 5th-8th grade. I love the worn in look!
@@flashgordon99999 I remember reading a Tom Gaylord article that said the equipment they used to make these guns was older than the majority of the people operating it. I’m wondering if these guns just got too expensive to manufacture and they dropped the guns this year?
@ I can see how they made changes from the 342 to the 392 to reduce cost. I was okay with that until Crosman sold out, closed their New York factory and moved production to China. Now I won’t buy any of their new guns.
@@flashgordon99999 I think we are now screwed when it comes to airguns. Unless you spend a small fortune for a high end PCP, we don’t have any other choices to my knowledge.
RUclips acting up again. Those chickens sure do fly. I enjoy relaxing and sh0Ot1ng in the back yard with a pumper. I like the self-containment and power control. Its fun knocking down weeds and bug pesting from the comfort of a chair. 😂 Lol
The whole world opened up to a person back in the 70s/80s who had a .22 Benji or .20 Dan. I believe that is why I have barely touched a .177 since then! And if I did it was with a 347... The 342 was the first of my Sheridan/Benji collection that I did a reseal due to bad check valve. With the right tools and parts it was a breeze. Definitely a gun I would pick if SHTF scenario. My first love though and still is the Sheridan. But they made a great couple.
Looks really familiar to my brother's childhood Benjamin Sheridan I rebuilt it for him a couple years ago for Christmas after breaking it over pumping it as a younger kid
@@brynybach7741 I’ve read about the Sharp Innova. I’ve occasionally looked for one to add to my collection but no luck. They sounded like very nice guns.
Have two of those . Mine is original , the second one is from a former friend who used it to kill feral cats . It had issues as he never lubed the pump hinges , I was lucky enough to find replacement parts for it . Refinished to stock and forearm . Looks much better now .
@@jameswalker3973 I was thinking about that too. My concept is a pumper with a small reservoir that provides 3-4 sequential shots. Very similar capacity to a high powered rifle. You could normally just shoot once or twice, keeping the reservoir topped off and to minimize your pumping effort. But could run it down and then have an extended pumping session. I recall Seneca has a similar type of gun with the Aspen but it was an unreliable piece of garbage. It also looked huge and unwieldy. It seems like it could be done in a smaller, lighter package?
I thought so to until I broke down and bout one about 99 bucks...well is now my favorite pump gun it's real accurate and hits way harder than my 880 ...hlf decent scope too.i would say it's definitely worth the price ..plus the thunbhole grip is nice too...something to ponder.
@@chriswedgworth Dang, what a bummer. That would’ve been such a nice gun to have around right now as they’ve come out with a much bigger selection of .20 cal pellets than we had in the 80’s.
Oh man! That looks like my 2nd and 3rd Benjamin from the mid to late 70's. I don't think they changed the design again till Crosman bought them out. I had one in .177 which was the 347 I believe and then I went back to a .22. The 347 was a garage sell find new in the box around 1975-1977. My mom drug us out early every Saturday to go garage selling and she spent 40 bucks to get it for me. She knew how much I wanted it as my Tootsie Roll Benjamin was getting in bad shape. I didn't take very good care of that first Benjamin at that age and was ready for a new one. These always bring back great memories. The 1000's of pellets, and even BB's which i shouldn't have shot in the .177 brass barrel. I couldn't always get pellets when I wanted back then, but tubes of BB's i could get at the convivence store about a mile away. Sure took a lot of squirrel and rabbits with these back then.
@@charlesoutdoors2424 Right on! I’m glad the video brought back some memories. 😀👍
Best guun ever made in my opinion. Great video
@@chrisennis6771 Thanks! I really like this 342 model. I’ve also got a newer 392 and a 397S but I prefer this 342. I didn’t do a good job demonstrating it. I’ve found it to be very accurate. I just thought it’d be fun to film a casual video about it. 😀
41 yrs old! Hah! Mine 43 & still shoots better than I do. Not a Benji, but, a Sheridan & pellets in 5mm near a rare item here. Really scares bushytails since my hitting bullseye at 25 yrs, also, rare.
@@andypanda4927 I’ve never owned a Sheridan but people hold them in very high regard. 👍
The 342 is a superb air rifle. I bought mine in 1981, a St.Louis Benjamin. A great close range small game and all around fun air rifle. Great stuff.
@@thelvadam8916 It so cool that you still have it! 👍
That's a piece of history as much as it is a fine air rifle. Great shooting. 👌
@@KarlosEPM Thanks! I really like this model of the Benjamin pumpers.
A very sensible way to make a good air rifle that's easy to shoot! And it looks cool!
No such thing as a too long video, maybe to edit, but love to see the pump ups . My Blue Streak needs using , but old shoulder muscle rip shouts much louder in Winter, so out with thye Euro Trash at the moment. I love the simplicity of those sights. My 140 in the 60s was the same, or so I remember. That was good shooting. keith
@@keithbarker-e4q Thanks! I like to try and keep videos on the short side, especially when using two cameras. It’s much easier to film everything in one take when using two cameras or the editing just gets too unwieldy.
Every pumper I've had has been given away. The Grandkids, Nephews 😊 they all love them.
@@jimashby43 I wish pumpers would come back in favor.
Great video. I was reminded of the Benjamin.22 pump I got from my Dad when I turned 10. Used it so much the brass wore to a nice gold patina from gripping it and pumping. Birds, rabbits, Lordy, it took a lot a critters during my youth. I still have it stored lovingly away but it needs new seals and I don’t have a clue on how to repair it. If anyone has a suggestion I would love to hear it. I’m 73 now - it would be nice to shoot it again some day.
@@Timothy-ns4qn Thanks! Nibs at Walnut & Steel on RUclips has done some videos on resealing these guns if I recall correctly. I know there of some videos on RUclips for how to do it.
It’s super cool that you still have it. My Crosman 760 has all the visible wear from me carrying it around in 5th-8th grade. I love the worn in look!
@ thanks for the tip! Chalk up a new Subscriber 😃
@@Timothy-ns4qn Right on, thanks! 😄👍
That rifle is very reminiscent of my Sheridan Blue Streak (bought new in 1976 and still shoots amazing). They just don't build them like this anymore.
@@flashgordon99999 I remember reading a Tom Gaylord article that said the equipment they used to make these guns was older than the majority of the people operating it. I’m wondering if these guns just got too expensive to manufacture and they dropped the guns this year?
@airgunsofalaska partially, but I think after Crosman took them over it was cost over quality unfortunately.
@ I can see how they made changes from the 342 to the 392 to reduce cost. I was okay with that until Crosman sold out, closed their New York factory and moved production to China. Now I won’t buy any of their new guns.
@airgunsofalaska you and me both buddy. Getting harder and harder to find products built in USA or Canada. Sad times.
@@flashgordon99999 I think we are now screwed when it comes to airguns. Unless you spend a small fortune for a high end PCP, we don’t have any other choices to my knowledge.
RUclips acting up again.
Those chickens sure do fly.
I enjoy relaxing and sh0Ot1ng in the back yard with a pumper. I like the self-containment and power control. Its fun knocking down weeds and bug pesting from the comfort of a chair. 😂 Lol
@@jackpotparty58 I really like pneumatics and the lack of any felt recoil. 😀
The whole world opened up to a person back in the 70s/80s who had a .22 Benji or .20 Dan. I believe that is why I have barely touched a .177 since then! And if I did it was with a 347... The 342 was the first of my Sheridan/Benji collection that I did a reseal due to bad check valve. With the right tools and parts it was a breeze. Definitely a gun I would pick if SHTF scenario. My first love though and still is the Sheridan. But they made a great couple.
I love your reference to the Beeman catalogs of old. Thank you.
@@carlmaple9315 Thanks! I’m looking for an online version of the ‘85 catalog(s) but so far haven’t been able to locate one.
Looks really familiar to my brother's childhood Benjamin Sheridan I rebuilt it for him a couple years ago for Christmas after breaking it over pumping it as a younger kid
@@gumbystown oh no! I believe the Benjamins were limited to 8 pumps max.
A nice rifle to have in any collection and a good way of keeping warm in your weather as well. I used to have a Japanese equivalent called Sharp.
@@brynybach7741 I’ve read about the Sharp Innova. I’ve occasionally looked for one to add to my collection but no luck. They sounded like very nice guns.
Have two of those . Mine is original , the second one is from a former friend who used it to kill feral cats . It had issues as he never lubed the pump hinges , I was lucky enough to find replacement parts for it . Refinished to stock and forearm . Looks much better now .
@@joedokes8641 very nice!👍
Nice airgun brother
@@joshmiller1092 Thanks! It’s my favorite Benjamin out of the three I own.
So much fun!
397s still available at Field Supply for $150ish, last call to own a Benji guys!
Sounded like she had some power to her
Just wondering if you have chrony’d it 👍🏻
@@ADAM-qr7bi I’m not sure if I have? Maybe? I’d have to go back and look at my previous videos with this gun.
The 342 looks great. How about doing some C02 guns at -20?
@@rayhartley7290 Thanks! I don’t have many CO2 guns as they don’t work well in my climate and temps.
Just imagine, a pumper with a regulator for consistent pressure in reservoir. PCP level accuracy.
@@jameswalker3973 I was thinking about that too. My concept is a pumper with a small reservoir that provides 3-4 sequential shots. Very similar capacity to a high powered rifle. You could normally just shoot once or twice, keeping the reservoir topped off and to minimize your pumping effort. But could run it down and then have an extended pumping session. I recall Seneca has a similar type of gun with the Aspen but it was an unreliable piece of garbage. It also looked huge and unwieldy. It seems like it could be done in a smaller, lighter package?
Can't remember if you have the 1977...well if you do give that one a try its comparable to the 1000 in accuracy.
I don’t have a 1977. I think they are pretty expensive for what they are so I’ve never bought one.
I thought so to until I broke down and bout one about 99 bucks...well is now my favorite pump gun it's real accurate and hits way harder than my 880 ...hlf decent scope too.i would say it's definitely worth the price ..plus the thunbhole grip is nice too...something to ponder.
I had a 20 cal back in the late 80s it was stolen out of my pickup
@@chriswedgworth Dang, what a bummer. That would’ve been such a nice gun to have around right now as they’ve come out with a much bigger selection of .20 cal pellets than we had in the 80’s.