Sheridan Blue Streak
Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2017 6:44 pm
Thought I’d do a post on a long-time favorite air gun, namely the Sheridan Blue Streak. Might provide some useful info if you ever run across one for sale. Think of this as a library reference.
Bought my first Sheridan in the mid 70s and, over the years, I was rarely without one. The Sheridan is a multi pump air rifle, very similar to the Benjamin pumps of that day, but what made it a little special was that it was a 20 cal and, only, a 20 cal. Never commercially made in any other caliber. It was also a quality gun, all metal and walnut, made to last a lifetime and made right here in my home state of Wisconsin, down in Racine, beginning in 1949.
Mint 1985 vintage Sheridan with Williams peep. 1985 was the first year Sheridans were drilled and tapped for a peep sight, though Sheridan did offer that feature, previously, as a factory option. A peep is definitely my favorite sight for Blue Streak.
Back in the day, I used the Sheridan as a fun, low cost to shoot plinker and I also used a Sheridan for a lot of squirrel and rabbit hunting. Those old cylindrical Sheridan pellets weren’t the most accurate, but they had amazing penetration. 6 pumps was enough to shoot a pellet right on through a chest on a squirrel or rabbit out at 20 yards.
So what’s all the fuss? The Blue Streak (and the silver version, the Silver Streak) was just one of those guns that you hate to put away, once you start shooting it. It’s a gun that has character all it’s own. Little wonder, then, that the Sheridans have a cult following to this day. I’m definitely a charter member. For me, a session with one of the Sheridans is a most pleasant trip down memory lane. As for accuracy, never really sat down at a bench and tested one for accuracy in those days, but, as you can see, maybe I should have.
Shot two summers, ago
The Sheridan action is simplicity in itself. Very easy gun to maintain and also a very easy gun to lighten up the trigger. Seal kits are still readily available, should your Blue Streak leak, but even though my oldest Sheridan in the collection is a 1968 model, it still shoots as strong as ever, as do all the others I own. Like I said, these were guns made to last.
1968 vintage Sheridan Blue Streak, excellent condition
In 1976-77, Sheridan was bought out by Benjamin, but this is one of the few examples of a buyout done right for customers. Benjamin continued production of the Sheridan in Racine and even moved the production of their own models, there. Most importantly, quality was maintained.
Sadly, such was not the case when Crosman bought out Benjamin-Sheridan in the early 90s. Closed down the Racine plant and moved production to E. Bloomfield, N.Y. Crosman then did some major mods to both the Sheridan and Benjamin line of pumpers, mostly to make them more affordable. The C9 Blue Streak, Crosman’s version, really is a different gun to us Sheridan fans, though it is still a good shooter. The C9 Sheridan was recently discontinued by Crosman, so the Sheridan is no longer in production. Really an end to an era.
Even those less than mint Sheridans can still shoot. Here’s one of my utility grade Blue Streaks I’ve been shooting this week. It’s a well used and a little rough around the edges 1977 vintage Blue Streak. When I found it in a pawn shop, every single steel part was rusty. Cleaned it up, though, enough to shoot, added a cheap 4x air gun scope and ended up with another great shooting Blue Streak. Maybe some day I'll restore it, but in the meantime, it's see a lot of duty around the yard and in the basement.
1977 Blue Streak, 4x air rifle scope
In the basement, this week.
In case you are tempted to look for a Sheridan Blue Streak, be advised that prices are steadily on the rise. I see a lot of then, now, well north of $200 and even $300. The most I paid for one is $200, but this 1972 version came from the original owner, manual, receipt and all and is absolutely spotless. The other five in our collection were true bargains, by today’s prices. All were bought for under $120 over the years.
1972 Sheridan, mint condition, from original owner
Please feel free to ask if you have any questions on this great American classic air gun. Hope you enjoyed it.
Bought my first Sheridan in the mid 70s and, over the years, I was rarely without one. The Sheridan is a multi pump air rifle, very similar to the Benjamin pumps of that day, but what made it a little special was that it was a 20 cal and, only, a 20 cal. Never commercially made in any other caliber. It was also a quality gun, all metal and walnut, made to last a lifetime and made right here in my home state of Wisconsin, down in Racine, beginning in 1949.
Mint 1985 vintage Sheridan with Williams peep. 1985 was the first year Sheridans were drilled and tapped for a peep sight, though Sheridan did offer that feature, previously, as a factory option. A peep is definitely my favorite sight for Blue Streak.
Back in the day, I used the Sheridan as a fun, low cost to shoot plinker and I also used a Sheridan for a lot of squirrel and rabbit hunting. Those old cylindrical Sheridan pellets weren’t the most accurate, but they had amazing penetration. 6 pumps was enough to shoot a pellet right on through a chest on a squirrel or rabbit out at 20 yards.
So what’s all the fuss? The Blue Streak (and the silver version, the Silver Streak) was just one of those guns that you hate to put away, once you start shooting it. It’s a gun that has character all it’s own. Little wonder, then, that the Sheridans have a cult following to this day. I’m definitely a charter member. For me, a session with one of the Sheridans is a most pleasant trip down memory lane. As for accuracy, never really sat down at a bench and tested one for accuracy in those days, but, as you can see, maybe I should have.
Shot two summers, ago
The Sheridan action is simplicity in itself. Very easy gun to maintain and also a very easy gun to lighten up the trigger. Seal kits are still readily available, should your Blue Streak leak, but even though my oldest Sheridan in the collection is a 1968 model, it still shoots as strong as ever, as do all the others I own. Like I said, these were guns made to last.
1968 vintage Sheridan Blue Streak, excellent condition
In 1976-77, Sheridan was bought out by Benjamin, but this is one of the few examples of a buyout done right for customers. Benjamin continued production of the Sheridan in Racine and even moved the production of their own models, there. Most importantly, quality was maintained.
Sadly, such was not the case when Crosman bought out Benjamin-Sheridan in the early 90s. Closed down the Racine plant and moved production to E. Bloomfield, N.Y. Crosman then did some major mods to both the Sheridan and Benjamin line of pumpers, mostly to make them more affordable. The C9 Blue Streak, Crosman’s version, really is a different gun to us Sheridan fans, though it is still a good shooter. The C9 Sheridan was recently discontinued by Crosman, so the Sheridan is no longer in production. Really an end to an era.
Even those less than mint Sheridans can still shoot. Here’s one of my utility grade Blue Streaks I’ve been shooting this week. It’s a well used and a little rough around the edges 1977 vintage Blue Streak. When I found it in a pawn shop, every single steel part was rusty. Cleaned it up, though, enough to shoot, added a cheap 4x air gun scope and ended up with another great shooting Blue Streak. Maybe some day I'll restore it, but in the meantime, it's see a lot of duty around the yard and in the basement.
1977 Blue Streak, 4x air rifle scope
In the basement, this week.
In case you are tempted to look for a Sheridan Blue Streak, be advised that prices are steadily on the rise. I see a lot of then, now, well north of $200 and even $300. The most I paid for one is $200, but this 1972 version came from the original owner, manual, receipt and all and is absolutely spotless. The other five in our collection were true bargains, by today’s prices. All were bought for under $120 over the years.
1972 Sheridan, mint condition, from original owner
Please feel free to ask if you have any questions on this great American classic air gun. Hope you enjoyed it.