My new to me Benjamin Franklin 347

[Raden1942]

I recently picked up this Benjamin Franklin 347 from bigragu for 165 bucks. I feel like it was a good deal. Check out how good the finish still is on metal. I ran the serial number on a website and believe it's from the mid 70s. The stock has a bunch of scratches as expected but the seals have been replaced recently and the pump locks up solid as it would have been brand new. I do have 2 questions for owners of these guns. First is what lube do you recommend to keep the seals in good condition and how often does it get a drop. Second is can this receiver accept the Wilson peep sight? I noticed two screws on the side that look like it would work but not really sure about it. Anyway I always wanted one of these guns and now I have it. Looking forward to getting it over a chrono and doing some testing for groups. It is a workout tho! 

 

[AirNGasman]

Great score, Raden! 

In the eighties I tested a Steroided Benjamin 342 of similar vintage (my favorite Bejamin pump vintage) for American Airgunner magazine. Of course it produced great power, but great power is useless without accuracy. The Steroid 342 produced consistent 3/4" c-t-c average groups at 25 yards with peep sights. I was most impressed, have kept my eyes open for a nice 342 ever since, but not found the right one to this day. 

If your's was a .22 (and you didn't already own it), it would be the right one. Congratulations! 

 

[MDriskill]

VERY nice! My first "real" airgun was an early 347 with "tootsie roll" pump handle. I've had it since 1968, and it still shoots great.

Others will know more than me, but an occasional couple drops of "Pellgunoil" or similar on the felt washer behind the rubber pump cup is about all they need internally, and do keep the riveted joints in the pump linkage lightly oiled.

The holes in the receiver are for the Williams "5D-SH" sight, which was made specifically for Sheridan and Benjamin air rifles.

https://www.amazon.com/Williams-5D-SH-Benjamin-Receiver-Sight/dp/B0002IKE6K

 

[beerthief]

nice score ! I too want one .

 

[Raden1942]

Nice! My dad has the tootsie roll 342 but the barrel has separated and I'm looking in to how to solder it correctly. It's all in separate parts in a box right now. Thanks for the link to the peep sight. 

 

[SteveP-52]

The right way would be to talk to Tim at Mac1 and have him do the resoldiering work for you. You'd get it done the right way and from reading what others have said, he's very reasonable on pricing to do it.

 

[GoldenStateAIRGUNer]

As mentioned, just use the occasional drop of PellgunOil on the felt. Don't forget to leave a pump in the rifle when not in use.

 

[Raden1942]

I just might do that. I pride myself on being able to fix my own guns but that was my dads first serious squirrel airgun he got when he was probably too small to pump it all the way up. Might be a good idea to just do it right the first time and pay the extra shipping and labor. 

 

[biohazardman]

Congrats on getting hold of a classic. Fun guns that last a lifetime they are.

Gave mine to my daughter over 30 years ago. It was still in good shape last I saw it ten years back.

 

[muddydogz]

I love the older Benji's. I've got a tootsie 342 in great shape holds and shoots well. The only issue I have is if I pump it 6-7 pumps it doesn't dump all the air. Haven't took a look though, it may just need a little heavier hammer spring?

 

[AirNGasman]

Yes muddy, a stronger HS will do it.

Matter of fact on my 1322 I installed a HS adjuster and adjusted the spring tension just enough to dump a 10 pump charge, but no more. That's because the more HS tension, the heavier becomes trigger let-off. 

 

[muddydogz]

I wonder? Will it still cock if I add a little shim in the hammer? It doesn't see much action so I may not mess with.

To the op, that looks like some nice lumber on the 347.

 

[AirNGasman]

"Will it still cock if I add a little shim in the hammer?" Probably. But possibly not if you add more than a little shim. Only one way to find out.

 

[Treefrog]

Wow! Great gun at a good price. Congrats!

I'd pull the scope mount off, though. They can cause barrel separation.

Looking forward to hearing how well it shoots.

Be safe,

J~

 

[Raden1942]

I plan on taking the scope mount off and just using open sights. Possibly the peep sight but I am not sure if it has the elevation adjustments I want. I may just keep factory sights on it. I am pretty good with notch and post anyway. I do prefer peeps when they have accurate repeatable elevation adjustments. 

 

[JohnnyRingo]

Help, in here for different thread input. ie. Getting air chamber out of my 1972 347. I never left my gun outside and always in my closet. However, using the special tool to unscrew the air chamber, the first nut seems fused. Anyone with old Benji repair knowledge have some tips? I put a little wd40 overnight but still no budge by hand. I dont have a shop vice handy but just need some tips from any that have fought with this issue before. thx