Crosman 1377 versus Benjamin HB22

[brucebotti]

Hi All,
I'm a newbie here, so I thought I would consult the experts.  I'm looking for a relatively quiet pistol to rid myself of backyard pests....crows, starlings, grackals.  I have narrowed the search to two pump pistols.  I can get the Crosman 1377 for about $59 on the internet, and the Benjamin HB22 in a bargain bin at a local store for $84.  Which one would you go for?
Thanks,
Bruce

[onemountain]

Well, that's certainly a good price on the HB22. And I think the HB22 has wood on it instead of 1377 and may be better constructed than the 1377, but honestly I'm going on hearsay here. As for which is quieter, the .177 or the .22, I haven't the faintest clue. I also wonder if a springer pistol might actually be quieter than the pneumatic ones. Again, I don't know.

I must admit I do wonder about the ability of either one to take down a crow with a body shot; they are surprisingly tough birds. A quick search didn't yield an answer I found satisfactory, so I started a thread  in the Hunting Gate on the topic. Gotta make sure you're getting the right tool for the job.

Welcome to the GTA, Bruce. Hopefully some people will chime in soon and give you some more worthwhile answers than mine

[RedFeather]

1377. Lots of mods for these, and about zero for the HB. The HB is supposed to have a heavier cocking effort, as well.

[adrian]

no pump guns are quiet without some mods but if you want a poweful pistol you should get the 1377 just because there are endless mods.if you want to spend a little more cash you could get the browning 800 spring pistol lots of power and not as loud as a stock 1377

[Perry50]

My HB22 isn't that loud and in isn't too difficult to cock either. As for mods, I don't think it really needs them to dispatch of backyard pests. It shoots 14.3 grain pellets at over 6 FPE and I have killed many a bird and rat with it. A red dot is handy as well.

[airgunandy]

In stock form I doubt if either could take a crow

The HB is a solid pistol. Built the same way for decades. The barrel and pump tube are soldered together so you can't easily swap out barrels like with a 1377. HB valves can be worked on though. Not sure how much power can be had from one. No aftermarket power parts available, so any mods would be home-brew.
The 1377 is almost a Tinkertoy in comparison in that you can take it completely apart and mix-n-match other parts to create a different pistol. All it takes is time and money.

You've got to ask yourself a question....Do I feel like modding?  

I have yet to find a pumper that was hard to cock. Just pull back the bolt and it's done. I have however run across some that are hard to PUMP! And yes the HB has a reputation of being hard to pump. I know the Benjamin rifle valves can be moddified to make them easier to pump, but not sure about the pistol.

[daveshoot]

That is a good price for the HB22. It is a more finished gun out of the box and it's a .22 made of wood.

At the usual HB price of $140 or so, I would take the 1377 for the 50 bucks and start modding, but for $84 I might jump on that Benjie.

[brucebotti]

Thanks for all the info.  I ended up picking up the HB22.  When I went back to Cabelas to look at it, the guy behind the counter was a guy that I grew up with.  He said that he could do better on the price and gave it to me for $72.  That sealed the deal.  The only downside is that it was in the Bargain Cave, so it can't be returned.  We checked it over and it looks fine.  It really is so much better made than the Crosman.  Plus, I won't really be looking to modify it (famous last words).   The only problem now is that I can't find any Pellet Gun Oil.  I went to Cabela's, Dicks Sporing Goods, Sports Authority, WalMart, KMart, and a local Sporting goods store.  No one had it.  I guess I'll have to get it from the internet.  In the meantime, is there anything else that I can use as a temporary sustitute?  Thanks again for all your help.
Bruce

[airgunandy]

Try 30 weight non-detergent motor oil.

[Perry50]

Bruce, $72 for the HB22 is a great deal and I think you will be happy with it.

I agree with airgunandy, 30 wt. non-detergent motor oil works fine. Just use a drop on the pivot points and cup every hundred shots and it will good. Don't over oil it.

[brucebotti]

Nooooooooo!  I pumped it up 5 strokes and plinked a soda can at about 10 yards.  I then decided to try and site it in.  I went to pump it and got nothing.  There is absolutely no compression and no resistance at all either.  $72 per shot.....Aargh!  Cabelas told me that the only defect was a tweaked site.  The box it came in says no returns, but we'll see tomorrow when I go back.  Anyidea why it would only fire once?
Thanks,
Bruce

PS  I should have listened to the majority and gone with the 1377!

[daveshoot]

Did you try the oil yet? Dried out seal would be the most common cause. You can also use ATF (auto transmission fluid) which is a pretty exact sub for Pellgunoil.

I don't have an HB so don't know other common causes. I might give ya $73 for it if you get it shooting! ;-) Seriously, that is probably all it needs, and not much of it.

Does it feel like the pump linkage is engaging the internals?

[RedFeather]

Sorry about the caps but wanted to get your attention. There are some guns I've seen where the seller thought it was bad because it wouldn't pump when all he had to do was cock it first. Is the HB like this?

And I meant PUMPING effort, not cocking. Dang tooth ache!

[brucebotti]

I didn't try oiling it yet.  It just seems strange that it would pump up once, and then nothing.  I'm not sure either exactly where to oil it.

When I pump it, I can see a linkage hooked to a piston, so I guess it is engaging the internals.

Thanks,
Bruce

[brucebotti]

I tried it all different ways:
-cocked
-not cocked
-with a pellet in the chamber
-without a pellet in the chamber

still get nothing

Thanks,
Bruce