Air Gun Home :: View topic

Eatamoose · Member

A few years ago my uncle passed away, and among the things he left to me (he didn't have much) was an old Benjamin model 342 .22 air rifle. Not much is known about the history of this rifle, I looked up the serial number and it was made in 1975. I'm sure he bought it new in that year since he never bought anything that was used. The only thing anyone knows about it was that he used to take it raccoon hunting and also used it to clear the garden of pests. The problem is, at some point he tried to fix something (probably a seal) on it and took it apart. Seems it got left on the back burner from that point since I only have 3/4 of the rifle. The pumping arm is missing, and only one pin remains from that part of the assembly. The barrel, rear stock, and trigger assembly are still there and still seem to be in good working order. I've heard glowing reviews about the older Benjamin rifles, and it was obviously a good shooter if it was used to pick off coons from tree tops. I really hoped that I could somehow fix up that old rifle, but after some research, it seems they don't make parts for it anymore, and the replacement parts would have to be fabricated by a pro (which would also cost a pretty penny).

So I started looking into the new line of Benjamin rifles, mainly, the model 392 which is as close to the old 342 as I can find. Like my uncle, my primary interest is hunting, but the reviews I'm reading about the 392 aren't all good. Seems many people are having quality issues with the new ones. They say some of them don't survive shipping because of the flimsy boxes they were put in, other people say there are issues with stripped out or missing screws, and the list goes on. I also noticed that the new ones have a plastic trigger guard as opposed to the metal one the 342 had, and the new ones don't have walnut stocks anymore.

So are these issues that most people are having, or do you think people may be expecting too much? Is the rifle still a good buy? I'll try to post some pics of what I have left of the 342 if I can figure out how.

Eatamoose · Member

Here's the pictures (I hope). Let me know if the pictures don't post right and I'll try it a different way.

Here's the 342;

Here's where the pump used to be;

And another shot of the action;

They don't make'em like this anymore Crying or Very sad

AirGunEric · Site Admin

I personally can't speak for the Quality of the newer 392's, but I had not heard too many complaints about them (?).

It may be possible to repair the 342- unfortunately Crosman has pulled ALL the older parts manuals from their website (I'm pretty sure those manuals were still online a couple years ago). If anyone has a copy of the 342 parts listing, perhaps we can verify if they are in fact unavailable- but I suspect many of them (mechanically) will be the same as the 392.

Dussalater · Member

I have a benjamin 392 and it is great. I killed my first squirrel with it the other day at about 25 yards. Big ol fox squirrel. Shot it in the gut and it dropped without a twitch. I was using iron sights and recently got a scope adapter for it. Cant wait to see what it will do with a scope. Really, it is an awesome gun. BTW if you do get scope adapters for it. Make sure you twist almost to bend the screw cause it doesnt work if u dont

sniper · Silver Status Member

dussalator,
if you like your as much as i like mine, save for the tune! tim @ mac-1 told me the stock ones are "junk" since crosman took over, that i'll have it in in a couple years for repair. i think the full tune with peep is $145. a 14 pump shot with a crow mag or kodiak is like .22 lr without the supersonic crack. it is LOUD! my wife and i will be taking it to the gun range to see what it can do @ 75-100 yards. 5 easy pumps is 600fps w/14.3 grain. that'll get you a squirrel.

mac-1 air 310 327 3581. ask for tim.

Dussalater · Member

I am saving up for the mac 1 but now that u menioned the loud crack i dont know if i wanna get it. I mean, if i wanna shoot a loud gun i can shoot my 22. I like pellet guns cause they are quiet and useful for the back yard type of stuff

sniper · Silver Status Member

it needs fewer pumps though for the same power. i don't go above 5.