Crossman 760, so disappointing.

[6gun]

As for that 760 and the loose barrel, if it's like the 75 I worked on it's a standard barrel that is set back more and a notch and new transfer milled into it. If it rotates then the transfer probably isn't locking it in and may be worth checking out. The pump lever is a complaint I've seen a ton, but i bet you could retrofit it to be better if you were inclined.

I don't know if the probe is still a no oring deal but that upset me nearly as much as my refinish debacle that I wrote a safety psa for people on. Even in 75 it looks like it was essentially a "spare parts" mutt build from crosman. The valve is a peculiar design too, at least it was. I'd expect yours is a 13xx or 22xx style aluminum valve and the same pump piston as they've always been. I'm happy to chime in if you tear I to it and help where I can with my experience on a bunch of old guns i get for free and fix up.

Those Benjamin's, sheridans and later benjamin-Sheridan models, are pretty good options if they can pump them. It's the worst gun to suppress but it can be done. I hope your kids really enjoy the hobby.

 

[trapdoor2]

I think I got my 760 in '67. IIRC, it had a BB reservoir and a 10-shot reserve. You pulled back on a little switch, pointed the rifle down and gave it a shake...10 more shots!

I was so proud when I could do 12 pumps (took me all summer to build the strength). I made a bike holster so I could ride further afield.

I was allowed to shoot anything but songbirds. Took Skunks, Bunnies and about a bazillion Sparrows and Starlings. I was the neighborhood sure-shot.

 

[DeanB]

Find a Sheridan or Benjamin 347, no comparison to a Crosman 760

 

[.20calguy]

Wow that 65 Sheridan looks brand new… well done!

Thanks I bought that 65, recently from a pawn shop in North Carolina. I bought mine new in 1972 and it is a well used one, but not as freindly with the little ones.

 

[Arzrover]

My first air rifle was a 760 in 1974... it was such a POS that it started my airgun love, looking for something that would actually shoot where pointed. It would shoot bb's almost well enough as we didn't have very high expectations but with the Cros pellets of that era, couldn't hit a pop can bottom at 5 yards reliably ... Cost $21 at Fed Mart, if I recall correctly ...
I bought my son a 788 when he was about 8, so 1981, and it was a little better than my 760 had been for me, but still a POS.
Really loved the Benji's that those led me to...
Bob

 

[Treefrog]

Jalan,

If you live close enough, I have one that you're welcome to come and get. I had set it aside for a neighbor's kid, but he's turned out to be quite the turd. (I caught him chucking rocks at one of my pooches, among other things.) It could probably use refreshing, but will serve the purpose. It's a '71 with the heavy plastic stock and forearm and a patina that reflects its age. This pic is from before I cleaned it up. It set me back a whopping ten bucks at the flea market.

Cheers,

J~

 

[Golden Slumbers]

My first air rifle was a '760 (25 or so years ago). All plastic without the pellet mag slot. After years of abuse (by dumb pre-teen kids) and thousands of rounds, she still holds her own against newer entry-level pumpers, even though the barrel is covered in rust and the sights are gone lol. I handled a new one recently, and I agree, even though it's still plastic, it just not as solid as my older plastic '760.
Personally, if I were to suggest a new beginner gun, I'd say the Daisy 880 is pretty solid.

 

[Airgun-Revisions]

 

[Jalan]

Although this thread cooled off, I was just chatting with my brother and had forgotten something. In addition to that 760 , we had a Daisy 880 Pumpmaster. That one I thought was a far better pumper than the Crossman. The pump arm was longer and just more solid.
I'm still looking and trying to decide on what to get my daughter (8) after this 760 mess (it completely crapped out at 2 mo old, breach/bolt/?? isn't sealing).
My only hesitation is she can't fully pump it yet. I'm kicking around the thought of a CO2.
Anyway, just wanted to give some credit to that Daisy. It did crap out after 20 years or so; surely from my teenage self thinking if 10 pumps is good 14 is better.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

Definitely look for an older one. Fixer upper if you have the time. Top one I bought “1968” for $49. Bottom one “fixer upper” costed me a whopping $15. If you decide to redo one, take your daughter along for the ride.

 

[EPG]

That's exactly the one I had in 1979. 761XL. I had a scope on it, and at the time it was "da bomb." I had the coolest "BB gun." It was stolen in a home burglary.

Since then, I've tried to find a good one to buy.... with NO luck. I'd pay good money for one (in good and working condition). My other "first gun" was an H&R Topper 12-ga single-shot shotgun. Got that in 1980, and lost it in a house fire. It was also discontinued, but I found one a couple of years ago online and was able to recreate that sense of nostalgia.

It's true... "They don't make them like they used to."

And just this week, I got my first "grown-up" air rifle... the first since I lost my 761XL. It only took me 45 years!

For my kids (now grown), who I started shooting at age 8 (son) and age 10 (daughter)... we started with .22LR rifles.

Wow, that was my 1st rifle too - H&R Topper 12 gauge single shot shotgun. Totally forgot it was H&R - just remembered Topper.

Kicked like a mule into my 12 year old shoulder as I recall.

 

[beerthief]

Scroll to the bottom of this page . Yes it is a used gun but it was used in a high quality system and rebuilt b4 sale . You will enjoy shooting it . and so will she . ( $139. delivered to your door .) or you can deal 2 so you can shoot together .

Sporter Air Rifles - Civilian Marksmanship Program

Sporter air rifles are characterized by their light weight, low cost and basic target features. We offer several varieties for purchase.

thecmp.org

 

[Sawney Bean]

A 760 was the second airgun I ever had, (the first was a Daisy that was destroyed when our house was burglarized), but I don’t have any nostalgia for it. I saved up for a 766 and that outclassed the 760.

I’m actually extremely disappointed with the state of multipump rifles. There’s no good reason why manufacturers can’t make a first rate example of one. They just won’t do it.

Crosman could put one together almost entirely out of off the shelf parts. Take their anniversary edition of the 362, put a breech and barrel assembly from a Marauder on top, flat top the pump mechanism and extend the air chamber so as to make it a repeater and put a better looking tip on the fore end and it would be the best multipump ever. They could do the same thing with the standard 362 and while it might not look as nice, functionally it would be just as good for a reasonable price.

 

[Racer88]

Kicked like a mule into my 12 year old shoulder as I recall.

And still does! Ask me how I know! I got a "Limbsaver" butt pad for it. And then I also found a 20-ga barrel for it.

I'd post a photo of it, but it seems firearms are frowned upon here.

 

[EPG]

And still does! Ask me how I know! I got a "Limbsaver" butt pad for it. And then I also found a 20-ga barrel for it.

I'd post a photo of it, but it seems firearms are frowned upon here.

Lol, after a few years hunting, maybe when I was 16, my Dad let me switch to one of his Ithaca Featherlight 12 gauge pump shotguns. After using the Ithaca, I was thinking the old man was abusing me with the Topper…. but I kept my mouth shut so I could keep using the Ithaca pump.

 

[crosman2016]

Hello All,
I recently decided it was a good time to introduce my 8 yr old daughter to shooting. Great time to teach safety, more safety, and some shooting basics.
When I was about her age (granted it was 40+ years ago), I got the Crossman 760 Pumpmaster. I loved it. My Gpap taught me everything. I had it for 10+ years when it finally gave out. I couldn't think of a better way to introduce my daughter than to get that same rifle.
Disappointment is a major understatement. The thing is $40 so it is what it is, but compared to the one I had really isn't even a comparison.
Beyond just the general flimsy feel there are problems that really are awful. Thought I'd list just a few:
The barrel itself can turn/twist +/- 60°, putting the sights near sideways.
The pump handle being completely light plastic feels like it'll break any second.
The bolt/ breach are a little misaligned meaning you need to shove it into place.
Like I said, I didn't expect much but I'd like to at least think it'll last during this early beginner time. The old ones had a metal handle and linkage to pump. That's my biggest issue here. It takes more force now as the handle is short, less leverage. Guaranteed it'll break.

Oh well, things get cheap and corners cut over time. Stay profitable, compete, etc I get it. Mostly it's just me. Memories of this thing are some of my best as a kid at my GPa's house. I want to share that with my daughter but this isn't going to do it.
I'm wondering if I should just grab the Red Ryder and go from there .
Thanks for listening, mostly I just had to vent. That said, I'm definitely open to suggestions of what might be a solid choice for her.
All the best.....

Makes you wish they would up the price about fifteen to twenty bucks, and make them the way they used to.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

Makes you wish they would up the price about fifteen to twenty bucks, and make them the way they used to.

$15 or $20 won’t do it. The 760 cost $19.95 in 1968. And made in America. Not China.

 

[Sawney Bean]

$15 or $20 won’t do it. The 760 cost $19.95 in 1968. And made in America. Not China. View attachment 570612

$188 is actually a reasonable price for a well built entry level gun. That's about what my CO2 Barra 1866 cost and its just a plinker too. You can't get wood and metal or even good polymer for a cheap plastic price.

I'd like to see the Taiwanese start producing replicas of the old multipumps. I've been really impressed with the quality of their CO2 replicas, given their price point. Imagine if a company like ASG would reproduce the Crosman 766 or the 600. I'm sure the price would be $150 or more, but I'd pay that for a well built one.