Airgun Depot's Airsenal News

For decades there has been a company that has manufactured a very fine air rifle. With classic lines, simple operation and design, the product I am speaking of has stood the test of time. It is, of course, the classic pump rifle from Benjamin-Sheridan.

At one time in the history of America, there were several American companies making pump rifles. There was Crosman, Daisy, Apache, Benjamin, Sheridan, and a few others as well. Over the years, some have disappeared, while others have combined. That is what happened with the Benjamin and Sheridan companies. After years of marketing and selling a similar product, they combined into the Benjamin Sheridan company, and not too long ago were subsequently bought by the Crosman corporation.

These fine air rifles are still manufactured, and are available in three different calibers. The Benjamin-named rifles are offered in the .177 and .22 caliber models, while the Sheridan-named rifles are in the classic .20 caliber, which is historically the favored caliber of that maker.

Now there are several advantages to owning this type of rifle. The powerplant of the pump-up rifle allows the shooter to vary the velocity of the projectile within a certain range, which aids in the enjoyment of shooting. If you are just plinking and target shooting, there is no need to shoot the gun at the highest power setting, and you can enjoy your shooting session for a longer period of time without tiring. If you are hunting or shooting for distance, you have the option of adding more power to your shot by simply adding more air to the dump reservoir by pumping a few more times.

Another advantage to this type of rifle is the extremely low recoil, almost non-existent compared to the spring-piston powerplant. This type of rifle is highly favored for young and new shooters since it allows those who are just starting out to enjoy a sense of accomplishment in their ability to hit their target. The lack of recoil in these fine air rifles goes a long way to bringing a smile to the face of those who are beginning their journey into the shooting sports.

Many shooters enjoy shooting this type of gun in the classic tradition with open sights. However, if you are a scope user, there are mounts available for this model. Due to the low recoil of this air rifle, you won't have to worry about ruining a scope on this air gun. It is extremely scope friendly!

The velocity of the pellets in the .22 caliber models will break well into the 600 fps area, and the .177 caliber approaches the 800 fps depending on the weight of the pellet you are using. The .20 caliber also reaches well into the upper 600's with certain pellets. All the above velocities are suitable for small game hunting, and I regularly take squirrels and rabbits with a similar style gun that was manufactured in 1939! This is a tried and true design that will last for a long time, provide loads of enjoyment to you, and provide a treasured heirloom to pass down to the next generation of shooters.  

So if you haven't enjoyed shooting one of these fine American-made air rifles, be sure to look around Airgun Depot's selection. This is a gun with a proud heritage that you will be proud to own.