Sheridan Steroid Pumpers - Sheridan Benjamin Crosman

[Bear-of-Grayling]

I am wanting to know about steroid pumpers.
What exactly is a steroid? Is anyone still doing this? What does it involve? How much does it cost? What are the benefits? What are the negative trade offs? How do you know for certain a gun is steroid when advertised as being one? What is an indicator? Is it worth the expense? Should any off-the-shelf gun be a good candidate for a steroid? How can I know if my used gun is a steroid? Any other questions are welcome.
All and any knowledge of these questions will be appreciated.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

Just learned the difference between a stock pump rod and a steroid one. This is a 392PA. Top is stock. Bottom is steroid.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

I picked up this gun used. Didn’t know it was a steroid. Didn’t know what a steroid was. First indicator that it was a steroid is the knurled round cocking knob. I guess that Tim at Mac1 installs this optional knob as part of his process.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

Also, I have heard that Tim is not doing this anymore. I did talk with him about a 8-9 months ago and he said he was still doing it. Anyone heard anything lately? Are there any others doing the steroid process?

 

[Struckat]

All I can tell you is that is the most beautiful pumper I have ever seen!

 

[Star7]

I had a sixties Sheridan steroided as it needed resealing and so on. That was mostly optimizing pump stroke volume with the adjustable piston rod and improving the exhaust valve and ports (and trigger). I was so pleased with the improvement in power/stroke that I sent him a new 392. On those he improves the hinge at the front and makes a billet pump arm as well as shifts the forend rearward to give more leverage. This was expensive, and I unfortunately did not write the $ down. Hang the price, I wish he would do this for my 397 but my efforts in contacting him have not been successful.

 

[Hobbyman2007]

I’ve not seen the rear cocker like that before. I’ve got a steroid 392 that shoots great. I have the same problem as most with this platform. The front sight is too low for using a Williams peep on it. If there were a fix I sure would like to know about it.

 

[rokonman]

Does that one also have the scope mount grooves milled in to the receiver? That was a nice steroid option. That was the point of the cocking knob. It is designed to work under a scope.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

Does that one also have the scope mount grooves milled in to the receiver? That was a nice steroid option. That was the point of the cocking knob. It is designed to work under a scope.

Yes it does. I thought the grooves were done at the factory when it was manufactured.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

I’ve not seen the rear cocker like that before. I’ve got a steroid 392 that shoots great. I have the same problem as most with this platform. The front sight is too low for using a Williams peep on it. If there were a fix I sure would like to know about it.

I have the Williams peep sight on all three calibers. Not a problem at all with the front sight being to low. Is yours made specifically for the Sheridan? This Sheridan/Williams peep sight has been made for over 50 years. I wonder if your insert is correct. It should be hollowed out like this one.

 

[Hobbyman2007]

I have the Williams peep sight on all three calibers. Not a problem at all with the front sight being to low. Is yours made specifically for the Sheridan? This Sheridan/Williams peep sight has been made for over 50 years. I wonder if your insert is correct. It should be hollowed out like this one. View attachment 547967

I’ll have a better look but I’m pretty sure that’s what I’ve got. I have it as low as I can get it and at 20 yards I still shoot high.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

I’ll have a better look but I’m pretty sure that’s what I’ve got. I have it as low as I can get it and at 20 yards I still shoot high.

Make certain you have this model and also the smallest outside diameter Iris. Try adjusting the elevation with the Iris out.

 

[Hobbyman2007]

It’s definitely the same model. As far as the iris goes, it’s the smallest I have at the moment. I do have quite a collection of Williams parts but this I don’t have ….. go figure. I’ll come up with something.

Meanwhile back at the topic at hand , got to love a steroid treated 392 or variant. I keep mine under the seat in my truck during small game hunting season with a good supply of 30grain NOE BBT HP cast bullets.

 

[vintageairguncollector@gm]

Please tell what steroid means thicker pump rod?

 

[Star7]

The older sheridans had a fairly robust pumping mechanism so most of a steroid job is increasing pump stroke, eliminating dead volume, and improving gas flow. 3 pumps now give power equivalent to 5 or 6 pumps. In later models and the 392 and 397 the mechanism itself is beefed up so you can considerably over pump them. Given the improved efficiency, the steroid really produces more power. Since pumping force is increasing, he can also move the forend rearward, cutting the stock to match and this gives useful leaverage.

The steroid is more powerful and more durable.

BOG has a stupendously beautiful example of the steroid. Notice the billet pumping lever and the forend moved rearward. This is the apex steroid for sure.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

Talking here on AGN is a good thing. A couple days ago a member here reminded me of something that I have totally overlooked and forgotten. Funny how this happens. He mentioned the scope grooves on my custom steroid. Asked if it had them. Wow. I totally forgot this. So yesterday I dug around in my extra scope department and came up with this 4x32 Simmons Shotgun scope. The parallax is set to 50 yards for a shotgun scope if memory serves. Which clearly it doesn’t. Anyway, this Simmons can be manually adjusted through the front objective lens with a tool I made. Moves freely back and forth. Also has extra eye relief. The scope fit the 392 perfectly. Easy to cock, pump and load. It’s a very light weight scope also. Shot it in this morning at 40 yards using CPHP‘s. Five pumps and it’s sending them around 625 fps with very good accuracy. Thank you rokonman.

 

[beerthief]

The older sheridans had a fairly robust pumping mechanism so most of a steroid job is increasing pump stroke, eliminating dead volume, and improving gas flow. 3 pumps now give power equivalent to 5 or 6 pumps. In later models and the 392 and 397 the mechanism itself is beefed up so you can considerably over pump them. Given the improved efficiency, the steroid really produces more power. Since pumping force is increasing, he can also move the forend rearward, cutting the stock to match and this gives useful leaverage.

The steroid is more powerful and more durable.

BOG has a stupendously beautiful example of the steroid. Notice the billet pumping lever and the forend moved rearward. This is the apex steroid for sure.

"BOG has a stupendously beautiful example of the steroid." I could not agree more !
defiantly jaw dropping .

 

[.20calguy]

My Steroid, a 1972 Model C.
I need to shoot it over the chrony. It's ben a while.

Tim had real trouble with this one getting it back for warranty work twice, and it still malfunctions.
I'm not sure what the fix will be, but the valve won't close for pumping. It is actually acting like it's not cocked. Then it will all of a sudden, it catches air.
I think a stronger valve spring may do it?
Lightly dopping the gun on it's butt stock will set the valve.

 

[holo07]

I picked up this gun used. Didn’t know it was a steroid. Didn’t know what a steroid was. First indicator that it was a steroid is the knurled round cocking knob. I guess that Tim at Mac1 installs this optional knob as part of his process.View attachment 547926View attachment 547927

What a beautiful rifle

 

[jlharden]

I have a 25 year old Mac1 Steroid Benjamin and it sure doesn't look that one!