Guys,
I recently picked up a really nice Benji 297PA. The serial number indicates it was made in June of 2000 so it has some years on it, but it looks like new. I did a trigger mod, added a scope, and it was shooting great. A few days ago the pumping changed. I felt no resistance when pumping and the velocity was really low. I wiggled the pump handle a little and it pumped and shot normal again. Then it stopped again. I ordered a new piston for the pump and it is in the mail. I tried driving out the roll pins holding the muzzle cap and top of the forearm assembly, but the pins didn't budge. What is the best technique for removing these pins? Help, please!
Roger Barker
Middlefield, Ohio
Roger, have you opened the pump lever to take back pressure off the muzzle cap roll pins? If not, and if you have a Workmate handy, mount the rifle in it horizontally with the pump handle dangling over the end of the table. (Cushion the rifle with a towel or something to prevent marring when you tighten the Workmate clamps.) Put a foot on the Workmate's step to stabilize everything and have at the pins with a 3/16" roll pin punch and your hammer. You should be able to drive the pins out without much trouble.
Almost forgot! Remove the buttstock before trying to clamp the tube. Make sure the Workmate's jaws grip the tube at its widest point. The tube should extend beyond the jaws no further than is necessary to let the pump handle dangle and still give you enough room to hold your punch on the pins and swing your hammer. Although the tube should be clamped firmly, you don't need to turn the cranks with all your might. With the pump handle hanging vertically, the pump crosshead will be about as close to the pins as it can go and will help keep the tube from deforming when you hammer them.
Don - thank you big time. I'll give it a try today.
Also it would be a good time to buy a set of good roll pin punches. It makes things go a bit easier.
Bob in WV
Guys,
Thank you all for the help. I got the pins out, the new piston in, and the gun is working fine. I have one of the mini lathes from HF and turned down the front of my punch to have a 0.102" guide about 3/4" long that just fit in the center of the roll pins. It helped me keep the punch centered.
Thanks again,
Roger Barker
Middlefield, Ohio
