Welby
06-30-2003, 06:22 AM
Over a month ago, I sent my Benjamin Model 397 in for repairs.(See Anyone Had This Happen?? (http://www.jesseshuntingpage.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=223&t=36312)) Well, I have to admit I may have a changed mind about the gun.
As you may recall, I was quite displeased with the gun before it ever broke and was intending on trading it off. However, I have decided to give it a fair shake first, and so far the results are surprising.
First of all, if anyone needs their Benjamin Sheridan repaired, I recommend Southwest Gun & Knife in Lake Charles, LA. (That's LA as in Louisiana, not Los Angeles, Lower Alabama, Lower Arkansas, etc... honestly, some people don't know!!) The number to call is (337) 474-6038 or (337) 562-2708. They also have an email address, which is southwestgun@aol.com.
They are not very fast, but so far I'm pleased with their work and their price. It took about five weeks for me to get my gun back.
I shot the gun over the weekend, but didn't expect to be impressed. After all, this is the same gun that just a few weeks back was the most inaccurate thing I'd ever picked up. I could honestly hit a target more consistently with a slingshot than I could with this gun.
I happened to not have any pellets with me when I left home on Saturday morning so I ran by a local Walmart and picked out a cannister of new Beeman Hollowpoints. I'd never seen these before, and the idea of shooting hollowpoints in an airgun intrigued me, so I bought 'em.
Later that day, after working on my new house, I decided to take a break and try out the gun and the new pellets. I started by shooting wood chips scattered around the yard. Surprisingly, I hit them all.
Then, I moved on to tree lizards and grasshoppers. I hit them as well. I decided to walk down a logging trail where I blasted selected targets such as more lizards, more insects, leaves, pine cones, dirt clods and whatever else I could find. Suddenly, the gun I had previously despised began hitting its mark on a consistent basis. And, even more special, for a little while I was just a twelve year old boy again out plinking with his pellet gun. It was so much fun.
I am surprised. The gun is shooting rather well. In fact, it is shooting scary well. On the first shot, I cut a grasshopper in two at nearly twenty yards with it, a feat I previously wouldn't have dared to imagine with my rusty shooting skills.
So, what's different? Did the repairs uncover and fix something else that was keeping the gun from being accurate? Is it the new pellets? Is it the fact that I am now limiting all shots to just eight pumps, instead of the previous ten? Is it a combination of all the above?
I am so scared that next time I pick up the gun I will discover either I was dreaming or the accuracy I experienced the other day was a fluke. Goodness I hope not. The gun has so far restored my faith in Benjamin Sheridan.
After more shooting and longer distance shooting, I should be able to tell if this gun has the ability to really shoot like it should or not.
For now, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cross-fingers.gif
As you may recall, I was quite displeased with the gun before it ever broke and was intending on trading it off. However, I have decided to give it a fair shake first, and so far the results are surprising.
First of all, if anyone needs their Benjamin Sheridan repaired, I recommend Southwest Gun & Knife in Lake Charles, LA. (That's LA as in Louisiana, not Los Angeles, Lower Alabama, Lower Arkansas, etc... honestly, some people don't know!!) The number to call is (337) 474-6038 or (337) 562-2708. They also have an email address, which is southwestgun@aol.com.
They are not very fast, but so far I'm pleased with their work and their price. It took about five weeks for me to get my gun back.
I shot the gun over the weekend, but didn't expect to be impressed. After all, this is the same gun that just a few weeks back was the most inaccurate thing I'd ever picked up. I could honestly hit a target more consistently with a slingshot than I could with this gun.
I happened to not have any pellets with me when I left home on Saturday morning so I ran by a local Walmart and picked out a cannister of new Beeman Hollowpoints. I'd never seen these before, and the idea of shooting hollowpoints in an airgun intrigued me, so I bought 'em.
Later that day, after working on my new house, I decided to take a break and try out the gun and the new pellets. I started by shooting wood chips scattered around the yard. Surprisingly, I hit them all.
Then, I moved on to tree lizards and grasshoppers. I hit them as well. I decided to walk down a logging trail where I blasted selected targets such as more lizards, more insects, leaves, pine cones, dirt clods and whatever else I could find. Suddenly, the gun I had previously despised began hitting its mark on a consistent basis. And, even more special, for a little while I was just a twelve year old boy again out plinking with his pellet gun. It was so much fun.
I am surprised. The gun is shooting rather well. In fact, it is shooting scary well. On the first shot, I cut a grasshopper in two at nearly twenty yards with it, a feat I previously wouldn't have dared to imagine with my rusty shooting skills.
So, what's different? Did the repairs uncover and fix something else that was keeping the gun from being accurate? Is it the new pellets? Is it the fact that I am now limiting all shots to just eight pumps, instead of the previous ten? Is it a combination of all the above?
I am so scared that next time I pick up the gun I will discover either I was dreaming or the accuracy I experienced the other day was a fluke. Goodness I hope not. The gun has so far restored my faith in Benjamin Sheridan.
After more shooting and longer distance shooting, I should be able to tell if this gun has the ability to really shoot like it should or not.
For now, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cross-fingers.gif