Pump Pneumatic for a Kid

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SavingNolanRyan

SavingNolanRyan

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Sadly my Crosman 761XL is long gone, the one I had as a kid in the late 70's. Had a rat thing going on in the backyard, so I opted for a Diana 34 break barrel. Before I got that, I borrowed my friends old Crosman 66. The Diana was a little hard for my kid to cock, so I was thinking of a pump pneumatic. I am considering a Crosman 2100B, but started looking at the Benjamin 397/392.

Can anyone tell me how difficult the pump action is on those Benjamin? Can an 11 year old do it easily or will dad have to do it for him everytime? I am sure my kid can do it, but I want him to be able to control the rifle and avoid pinched fingers, etc.

Mike
 
I have worked with 1000+ kids at summer camp in the last ten years. The one thing I've found is that shooting airguns is FAR more enjoyable when the boys/girls don't have to pump up the guns for each shot.

CO2 is the way to go, my friend. Trust me on this. Your 11-yr-old will thank you. CO2 guns cost more to feed but are still cheaper than a .22 LR.

And no pinched fingers.
 
The Benjamin is harder to pump, and the bolt is much harder to operate than the Crosman pump-ups. I don't know if they would be too hard for an 11 yr old--depends on the 11 yr old, I guess.
 
He gets a gold badge every year at camp for shooting. I think they use single cocking Daisy models. He pumped the model 66 Crossman pretty easily as I remember, but we only had it for a few days shooting the rats. I was hoping the Diana 34 would be a happy medium...one cock and load, but tougher than I thought it would be. Last March he looked like he was one slip away from getting his lips caught in the break hinge...LOL. I remember pumping my Crosman at that age easily. I want a fun gun that he can do on his own and avoid filling tanks, etc. The Benjamin looks like it would last a long while and seems to shoot well. My buddy's model 66 must be around 40 years old and works perfectly. So I suppose the cheap model 2100B might be the easy choice. I just love the look of that Benjamin.
 
Benjis are harder to pump, but you dont have ro do 8 every time.

I used to 1/2 pump my guns when i was a kid, simply because i didnt need more than that, and i got twice as many shots for the effort.
Im lazier now tho, and prefer to use a my qb78, a co2 powered bolt action repeater
 
SavingNolanRyan said:
Sadly my Crosman 761XL is long gone, the one I had as a kid in the late 70's. Had a rat thing going on in the backyard, so I opted for a Diana 34 break barrel. Before I got that, I borrowed my friends old Crosman 66. The Diana was a little hard for my kid to cock, so I was thinking of a pump pneumatic. I am considering a Crosman 2100B, but started looking at the Benjamin 397/392.

Can anyone tell me how difficult the pump action is on those Benjamin? Can an 11 year old do it easily or will dad have to do it for him everytime? I am sure my kid can do it, but I want him to be able to control the rifle and avoid pinched fingers, etc.

Mike
Click to expand...
 
By the Benjamin and he'll grow into it! And never grow out of it. It'll last a lifetime with minimal maintenance. I have some over 40yrs old and going strong. 4 or 5 pumps is plenty in those. I prefer the .22, easier to handle the pellets and great on small game at those velocities.
 
LoonWulf said:
Benjis are harder to pump, but you dont have ro do 8 every time.

I used to 1/2 pump my guns when i was a kid, simply because i didnt need more than that, and i got twice as many shots for the effort.
Im lazier now tho, and prefer to use a my qb78, a co2 powered bolt action repeater
Click to expand...
Five (5) pumps on a Benjamin (formerly Sheridan) are plenty for through-and-through shots on aluminum cans. Don't shoot innocent birds, however. It's wanton cruelty.
 
Head to the CMP website and look at their rebuilt Daisy (853?). Single Stroke Pneumatic. We have several kids shooting them in our winter indoor league. Great sights, more accurate then most shooters. Around $120 to your door and you don't have to meet the buyers 'requirements' for air guns that you do for surplus guns from them.
When you get it check their website for the trigger upgrade directions. PM me and I'll look up the parts you need.
 
ford8nr said:
Head to the CMP website and look at their rebuilt Daisy (853?). Single Stroke Pneumatic. We have several kids shooting them in our winter indoor league. Great sights, more accurate then most shooters. Around $120 to your door and you don't have to meet the buyers 'requirements' for air guns that you do for surplus guns from them.
When you get it check their website for the trigger upgrade directions. PM me and I'll look up the parts you need.
Click to expand...
...Thanks for this info. I went to the site and ordered one. My son is very excited, (and so am I). This looks to be a perfect choice. Refurb, target class pneumatic. Not expensive...one pump and accurate. This was a great suggestion. Thanks for pointing it out.

Mike
 
You and your son will love it. I shot one in our club league up to Master Class. Had to up grade cause you can only push them so far ... still have and love it though. Ended up upgrading to a Walther LGR. Whole different class of rifle. Different price point too.
 
Trigger mod parts...
If you call Daisy customer service/parts 1-800-643-3458 and ask for part # 888-3 trigger housing. It's from the 888 series rifle with the adjustable trigger and will fit the 853's.
You can also order the pre-modified trigger group 888-5.
Parts are CHEAP $6.00 for both and shipping is something like $10.
 
Rifle arrived today and unfortunately the stock is broken in half at the grip. It is a beautiful Monte Carlo stock, too. Need to contact CMP....

Mike
 
Ouch. They send real rifles out in real gun cases. What kind of box was the Daisy in?

I had a Sheridan with second type safety, long before the Crossman/Benjamin/Sheridan amalgamation. It was a bit of work to pump for high velocity. But that 5mm bullet would zing.

When I was in grammar school, the legend was that if you pumped a Benjamin Pump 22 times, it would be as powerful as a .22 Short. I doubt it was physically possible but I am sure some of the guys tried.
Sheridan instructions pointed out that you could blow the seals trying to increase power by the "Armstrong Method."
 
The box was a nice sized thick box with egg crate style foam sandwiching the rifle inside. The box looked fine when delivered. I am sure it got bounced (thrown) on one end and clean snap. I could probably glue it as the break is so clean. Just hate to start off with it damaged like that. So bummed out. I left a VM for them and sent an email to someone I initially made contact with about the purchase. Will let you know how it goes. Will see if I can figure out how to post a pic of the break.

Mike
 
Daisy.JPG
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Last edited:
Get him a Benjamin he will have it for life. If possible get him a older .20 blue streak or Silver streak
 
They sent out a replacement stock that arrived a few days ago. I glued the old one and it came out great. I'll get a picture and post it. Been working on a wood project in the garage. I shot it a few times, but need to sight it in. Shaping up to be a great rifle. Will post a pic or two along with some targets after I get it dialed in.

Thanks,
Mike
 
Ryan, be sure to lube up the felt cylinder wiper good. Mine really settled in velocity wise after I had good lube. If you don't have an owners manual they are available on line.
 
IMG_0172.jpg
There is my repair job! A little glue, clamped and steel wool. Ran a coat of boiled linseed oil over it. The right side you can see a small seam, but want to show the good side. Put a Bushnell Banner scope on it. It is raining out today, so just put up some wood with a Sharpie dot. Got it zeroed for 10m. Will read about the trigger suggestion from ford8nr. BTW the replacement stock is heavier and sturdier than the broken/fixed one pictured. The wood just isn't as nice looking. If it clears up I will put up a target and and test it out. I need to print out some of those 10M targets...I just have some of those ShootNSee ones from Birchwood Casey.

Mike
 
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