HB22 Purchase Update

[brucebotti]

I thought I would start a new thread now that I decided on and purchased the Benjamin  HB22 over the Crosman 1377.  My previous post went over my issues and with the help of you guys, I lubed it with ATF and got it to shoot okay.  My only issue now is consistency.  Sometimes it pumps with almost zero resistance, and 5-6 pumps will barely push the pellet out of the barrel.  Other times, 5-6 pumps will pack quite a wallop.  In reading reviews. the HB22 was always considered consistent from shot to shot.  What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Bruce

[airgunandy]

Glad you were able to get it to shoot atleast part of the time!

I'm still thinking the two outer o-rings on the valve are bad and need replaced. They could have been damaged during assembly if there are burrs inside the pump tube. If the front o-ring is bad it will allow most of the air from pump to bypass the valve, the ATF helps the ring to swell and seal better, but it isn't able to seal all the time.
If you are mechanically inclined at all you should be able to do the repair yourself. You can order exact parts from Crosman or take the valve and bad o-rings to a good hardware store and find replacements locally. Crosman parts can only be ordered over the phone and you need their part numbers for the parts. Bryan and Assoc, ABAirguns, Mac-1 and other airgun specialists can probably sell you the parts too.

Crosman Customer Service:
1-800-724-7486
Crosman part numbers:
Front O-ring - 397-040
Rear O-ring - 397-036

[brucebotti]

Airgunandy,
Thanks for the info.  I'll probably go for the re-seal kit (below) that Toolmaker recommended from Pyramidair.   I have a question.  How is the Retaining Cap (H17-004 in your drawing) attached?  Is it threaded, press fit, etc?  Also, is there a "how to" anywhere on how to reseal it?  It looks easy enough, but I just want to be sure.  Thanks again for helping out an old newbie!
Bruce



http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Benjamin_Sheridan_Repair_Kit_Fits_Some_Post_1995_Multi_Pumps_w_Cartridge_Valve/911

[airgunandy]

Bruce,

The rear cap is held in place by the rear grip frame screw (the screw who's head rubs the web of your hand between the thunmb and fore finger). The front grip frame screw (inside the trigger guard) holds in the valve.
On my 392 (Benji rifle), once the rear cap  is removed the hammer spring and hammer come out. The screw that holds the valve is removed and then a quick stroke of the pump arm pops the valve almost out of the tube where it is easy to get out. As long as the bolt is closed and the handle is in the locked position everything comes out nicely. I haven't had an HB apart, but from the diagram it looks like it would come apart the same way. I think Toolmaker will be able to tell you for sure.

Here's a link to the complete Benjamin parts manual:
http://www.crosman.com/pdf/manuals/BHB17A-EVP%20&%20PL.pdf

[Toolmaker]

Yep, remove the rear grip frame screw, open the bolt and remove the rear plug and hammer spring, close the bolt and remove the hammer (might have to pull the trigger to get the sear out of the way).  Next, remove the front grip frame screw and separate the grip frame from the tube. Watch out for the TINY spring and ball that make the safety work they will fall out and are easy to lose. At this point, with the bolt closed, you should be able pump the handle and "blow" the valve out the rear of the tube. If you are going to replace the pump cup on the piston you will have to drive out the roll pins at the muzzle end of the tube and remove the front plug and pump linkage. I recommend using some fine sandpaper on the inside of the tube around all of the holes and slots to remove any burrs before re-assembly, all it takes is a nick in one O-ring and it's no good. After sanding, clean the inside of the tube good. I lube new O-rings with non-detergent 30wt oil before installing.  Clear as mud? Let us know how it goes, we'll be glad to help!

[brucebotti]

Airgunandy / Toolmaker,
I had a lot of time today to pour some pellets through the HB22.  Maybe that's all that was needed, to show it who the boss is!  Or, the ATF finally worked its magic.  Anyways, it pumps up consitently all the time now.  Plus, it is an effort to get it to eight pumps (just as it should be).  It fires straight and true.  I guess (hope) that I won't be resealing it for awhile.   I'm a 60 year old kid all over again!  I'll bookmark this thread for when I do have to reseal it.  Thanks again for all your help.
Bruce

[daveshoot]

That is really good news, and I am envious. I think you got a heck of a deal, if you don't count the anguish. It is always nice to see how these things turn out.

[Gene_SC]

I have a question guys?.. Can you tell me the performance difference between the Benjamin HB22 and the Crosman 1377? I notice the Benjamin HB22 is almost three times the price. Thanks

[Toolmaker]

The HB22 is better built / higher quality IMHO, but, it's also harder to pump and there isn't much you can [easily] do to "hot rod" the HB22. I liked my 1377 better, but it was heavily modded. I'm still working on my HB. Hopefully I'll end up liking it just as much in the end. I think part of the reason I liked the 1377 better is because I prefer .177.

[airgunandy]

Awesome!!
Glad you got her running again!

[Perry50]

Gene, I don't have a 1377 to compare but I have a HB22 and it shoots CP 14.3 grain pellets 440 FPS for over 6 FPE at the muzzle. I don't think it's hard to pump because I'm used to pumping my steroid 392

[lillysdad621]

Gene, the hb22 is a good short range ratter (10 yards max) as it shoots realistically in the 410 fps range and pass that the pellet drop is quite large. also the wood makes it more expensive as you would know that a 1377 plus rb grips will be in the 120 +dollar range. They are different animals; one from an ainnocent age where this pistol could be taken in your tackle box to your prefered fishing hole, and if the fish did not bite, maybe a bird will show its beak long enough to get a .22 in the body. The 1377 is here thanks to the hb series, and they are designed to be thinkered with, to be disposable, just like everything else on this day and age. I got all three and the hb is so much nicer to shoot and hold out of the box. But a modified 1377 in .22 with a flat top piston conversion and wood grips will show that progress is not that bad... I walk my dog in the woods by my house and i can tell youn that the .22 hb is always with me...
I am glad that the atf trick worked for you Brucebotti... enjoy it for what it is, a throwback to a better time now long gone...

[brucebotti]

Thanks again to all of you for your help!
Bruce

[Gene_SC]

Thanks guys for answering my question. I own a 1377 but have not had a chance yet to mod or work on it.