The Benjamin Trail NP Pistol

BigErn · April 05, 2013, 05:01:42 PM

Here are my initial thoughts on this pistol. After it was unpacked I noticed a few things. All the stock screws were loose, the gun has lots of oil all over it, and the rear sight was not mounted correctly. After I took care of those things I began to play with it a bit.

The gun is HEAVY! Feels a bit off balance I think. Heavy up front. Will be challenging to hold without a rest of some kind. It looks well made and the plastic looks sturdy and not cheap. The gun is a bit louder than I expected but that may change as I use it more. I think my Trail rifle is a bit more quiet for now.

The gun feels like it has some very good power. It has a bit of a kick to it but very smooth. The cocking of this gun is pretty hard. I tried cocking it without the cocking assist and it was very difficult so it will stay on for me, plus it looks cool

Cocking the gun at first was a bit rough but smooth out after about 30 shots. A bit of smoke out the barrel but not much at all.

The trigger is not as sweet as I was hoping but it's not bad at all. The trigger pull is a bit long but predictable. The trigger is adjustable. I played with the adjustment a bit but found it was good the way it came. Overall I'm happy with the trigger as is.

I only had time to shoot about 50 shots yesterday but I noticed some things. I tried a BSA red dot sight on but after a few shots the sight would creep backwards no matter how hard it was tightened so I couldn't really see what it can do. Then I put the stock rear sight on and was shooting well but that also creeped backwards after a few shots. Last night I put the red dot back on with some Loctite. We will see if that holds.

I think this gun will shoot very well once I get the sight on without any movement. I hope today I can get it sighted in and take some target pics. Today we are forecasted heavy rains and crap weather so I might not be able to do much of anything with it. Today I'll also clean the barrel with some GooGone and just admire it I guess

. The gun fits perfectly in a large hard pistol case if anyone wants to know.

Ok now on to the pics

arkmaker † · April 05, 2013, 05:20:52 PM

Nice review! How loud is it compared to a 2240?
Rich

BigErn · April 05, 2013, 05:29:11 PM

Quote from: arkmaker on April 05, 2013, 05:20:52 PM
Nice review! How loud is it compared to a 2240?
Rich

Thanks Rich

I'm terrible at reviews

It's not as loud as a 2240. It was getting quieter after more use. I don't think I'll have time with it today but will report next time about the loudness.

WyoMan · April 05, 2013, 05:33:42 PM

Thanks Big E......great pics and nice review

BDS · April 05, 2013, 05:56:30 PM

Excellent review Ern... and great pics too! Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Yes, a hard hitting spring gun is gonna make sights or scopes move, is there a stop-pin hole near or at the end of the dovetails?

RC1947 · April 05, 2013, 06:18:20 PM

Excellent pics! On springer pistols I shoot where sighting options move back on the dovetails, I pick up a BKL dovetail to weaver mount. They will not move, ever. RC

Fronzdan · April 05, 2013, 07:16:49 PM

Great review BigErn!

I wonder if an adapter with more contact area would grip that dovetail better, as RC mantioned. I doubt there's a stop pin hole. Did you see any effects from the cocking device as others have?

It sure looks nice in those pics! Well done. Looking forward to hearing more.

KevinP · April 05, 2013, 10:53:19 PM

Thanks for the post.... still on the fence with this so to speak ...

Brent · April 05, 2013, 11:22:35 PM

Thanks BigErn

BDS · April 05, 2013, 11:30:00 PM

Quote from: RC1947 on April 05, 2013, 06:18:20 PM
Excellent pics! On springer pistols I shoot where sighting options move back on the dovetails, I pick up a BKL dovetail to weaver mount. They will not move, ever. RC

Ya, BKL are a nice pc of work, a single pc of aluminum mill-slotted to create a calmping rail and 4 or 5 screws to hold e'm in place right? They also center up perfectly on the gun, waaay better than the conventional 2 pc stuff from China.

BerkshireHunter · April 05, 2013, 11:48:40 PM

The review with the pics I was hoping to see. Top notch Ern, thanks!

Crosshairs · April 06, 2013, 12:17:04 AM

Nice job Ern the good looks better in your pictures then in Crosmans pictures.
Mike

Brent · April 06, 2013, 01:02:46 AM

Quote from: Crosshairs on April 06, 2013, 12:17:04 AM
Nice job Ern the good looks better in your pictures then in Crosmans pictures.
Mike

It does actually

Was thinking the same thing

1377x · April 06, 2013, 01:09:29 AM

congrats!
nice looking shooter
great review!

quickster47 † · April 06, 2013, 01:26:56 AM

BigErn, thanks for taking the time to post your review. There seems to be a lot of consensus on this gun and so far it is looking pretty good. Only more time will really tell in the long run as it gets out in to more and more user's hands.

Great set of pictures and overall a great review.

Carl