Benjamin 397 PA information please

[crzoomb]

I was given a Benjamin 397, serial number 596703585.

it has a screwed on trigger guard with the safety on the tang not cross trigger.

its harder than heck to pump, no I’m not a Sally, Tradesman for 25 years....

I am not familiar at all with this air rifle and any information as to why it’s difficult to pump would be appreciated.

i was going to rebuild it and I believe it has a soldered valve ?

After looking at YouTube I can’t find a disassembly video for this model,only for later models with a 1 piece trigger assembly and cross bolt safety.

is it worth even rebuilding?

Thanks in advance

Dave

 

[cea1960]

I have a newer 397 and it's also hard to pump. I don't know much about them, so maybe that means the seals are strong? Definitely worth rebuilding, if it needs it. How does it shoot? Do you have a chrony you can test it with?

 

[crzoomb]

It WAS acting like it had 5-6 pumps in before trying to add 1-2. I took it 100% apart, cleaned every componant, lubed and reassembled.

Took about 1 1/2 hours and she works like it should...

Nice free rifle ! Here is my parts breakdown.

 

[seehome]

I have the same model and found it nearly impossible to pump. It finally dawned on me that the seals might be dry so I oiled the cylinder with the same stuff we use for our nail guns, worked the pump arm a few times and PRESTO: It pumps easy now and shoots Crosman Ultra Magnum with enough authority to bury them about 1/4” deep in yellow pine with 8 pumps. Fun plinker now and I’m glad I didn’t sell it.