Benjamin 342 ok for varmints?

• Aug 10, 2019

• #1

hdfinder47

Ed

Rating - 100%

41   0   0

Jun 24, 2009

2,859

63

Pineville/Alexandria

I'm in the market for a varmint control air rifle and an old fella near me has a mint - maybe unfired - Benjamin 342 in 22 caliber for $125. Is that ballpark reasonable?
Thanks,
Ed

 

• Aug 10, 2019

• #2

T

tallguy606

Well-Known Member

Rating - 100%

6   0   0

Dec 30, 2010

183

18

Houma LA

That would be a fair price for a 342 in nice shape that pumps up, hold air at least for a while, and shoots hard (buries pellet in pine board). Vintage Benjamins have lead seals, and are hard to work on, need special tools, or pay about $75 for a reseal job. A .22 pellet at 650 fps should be good for squirrels and rabbits, and maybe bigger stuff with a good headshot.

 

• Aug 11, 2019

• #3

hdfinder47

Ed

Rating - 100%

41   0   0

Jun 24, 2009

2,859

63

Pineville/Alexandria

tallguy606 said:

That would be a fair price for a 342 in nice shape that pumps up, hold air at least for a while, and shoots hard (buries pellet in pine board). Vintage Benjamins have lead seals, and are hard to work on, need special tools, or pay about $75 for a reseal job. A .22 pellet at 650 fps should be good for squirrels and rabbits, and maybe bigger stuff with a good headshot.

Click to expand...

Thanks for input - I don't think he ever shot it so I'm guessing lead seals should be ok. I'll ask to shoot it first.

 

• Aug 11, 2019

• #4

dsonyay

Well-Known Member

Rating - 100%

9   0   0

Dec 15, 2007

455

16

Broussard, LA

Those are pretty accurate shooters.. there's a guy online who rebuilds them and beefs them up to last. Does trigger work and puts on better sights as well.

 

• Aug 11, 2019

• #5

dsonyay

Well-Known Member

Rating - 100%

9   0   0

Dec 15, 2007

455

16

Broussard, LA

And yeah.. its good for rats, squirrel, house sparrows, starlings, etc.. and headshots on rabbits. Ive taken many with a similar air rifle

 

• Aug 14, 2019

• #6

hdfinder47

Ed

Rating - 100%

41   0   0

Jun 24, 2009

2,859

63

Pineville/Alexandria

dsonyay said:

And yeah.. its good for rats, squirrel, house sparrows, starlings, etc.. and headshots on rabbits. Ive taken many with a similar air rifle

Click to expand...

Thanks, David.

 

• Aug 16, 2019

• #7

dsonyay

Well-Known Member

Rating - 100%

9   0   0

Dec 15, 2007

455

16

Broussard, LA

I wanted to add.. if you do buy it.. keep it stored with 1 pump. The guy that works on them recommends they be stored kept this way when not in use. Keeps the seals from going bad.

 

• Aug 16, 2019

• #8

hdfinder47

Ed

Rating - 100%

41   0   0

Jun 24, 2009

2,859

63

Pineville/Alexandria

dsonyay said:

I wanted to add.. if you do buy it.. keep it stored with 1 pump. The guy that works on them recommends they be stored kept this way when not in use. Keeps the seals from going bad.

Click to expand...

Sounds like good advise - thanks.

 

• Aug 16, 2019

• #9

cyclone1970

Oldie

Premium Member

Rating - 0%

0   0   0

May 10, 2014

411

43

Covington LA

Sorry for double post

 

Last edited: Aug 16, 2019

• Aug 16, 2019

• #10

cyclone1970

Oldie

Premium Member

Rating - 0%

0   0   0

May 10, 2014

411

43

Covington LA

dsonyay said:

Those are pretty accurate shooters.. there's a guy online who rebuilds them and beefs them up to last. Does trigger work and puts on better sights as well.

Click to expand...

Are you referring to Air Gun Repair Service in Gonzales? If not, whose work are you familiar with?

 

• Aug 17, 2019

• #11

dsonyay

Well-Known Member

Rating - 100%

9   0   0

Dec 15, 2007

455

16

Broussard, LA

Here's a link.. you can send him a rifle and he'll rebuild it and replace all the weak parts with his own parts

http://www.mac1airgunshop.com/mobile/

 

• Aug 17, 2019

• #12

dsonyay

Well-Known Member

Rating - 100%

9   0   0

Dec 15, 2007

455

16

Broussard, LA

cyclone1970 said:

Are you referring to Air Gun Repair Service in Gonzales? If not, whose work are you familiar with?

Click to expand...

An here's a pretty good article on his rifles
https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2009/05/a-steroid-streak/

 

• Aug 17, 2019

• #13

cyclone1970

Oldie

Premium Member

Rating - 0%

0   0   0

May 10, 2014

411

43

Covington LA

Thanks a bunch for all the info. I have an old Sheridan that I bought used as a kid and have a grandson who will need it soon enough.