Need Info and Opinions on Air Rifles

[casper_zip]

:grin:

Hello to All:

I am interested into getting into air rifles for some informal shooting, plinking, pest contol, etc. I have already done quite a bit of research and I still need more info. I have found these I really like and the best prices I have found so far. If any of you have info on best places to shop and best prices, please let me know that too.


Crosman Air Rifles

1. RM-277 @ 825 FPS @ $120.90  
2. RM-577 @ 1000 FPS @ $169.95
3. RM-577X @ 1000 FPS @ $189.95

Benjamin RM-777 @ 1100 FPS @ $218.40

RWS Air Rifle

RWS-34 @1100 FPS @ $209.97


I know the Beeman R-9 Goldfinger is fine, altho costly.

Well, anyway, if anyone can, and would, chime in and help me. I know a gun is a very personal thing, and what one loves, someone else may hate it, or not like it. I need to keep my budget in the range of these listed, but, if I have to, I could go a little higher. Mind you, I am a beginner in this. I do have a Co2 Benjamin EB-17 in 177 and really like it.

Thanks so much for reading this, and any info is/will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Casper_Zip

[Lawdog]

casper_zip,

Of all the rifles you named I would choose the RWS 34.  Reason, great warrantee.  Parts are readily available and so is service.  I also believe that it is the best air rifle of the ones you named and most likely the most accurate.  If you get one and want to scope it make sure you get a scope that is made for springer air rifles.  You will be money ahead if you do.  Lawdog

[casper_zip]

:grin:

Hello and thanks.!!! Wow, Lawdog, I am grateful. Matter of fact, I was hoping you would be one of the people answering this. I have seen on many posts on here that you are very knowlegable. Do you have a favorite place to shop ?? I do a lot of mine on guns, reloading stuff, etc. on the net or Natchez or Midsouth. I also do business with Midway, too. I have really been shopping around, trying to find the best prices. I have found there is quite a bit of difference sometimes in the same models. I am  really looking hard at the RWS-34 now. I had already learned from this forum that it takes a special scope to stay with air rifles, but again, thanks on that too. I am really excited, and if you can provide any more info, please do so. Thanks a million !!!!!!! :grin:  :grin:  :grin:  :grin:

Casper_Zip

[D Pete]

I agree with Lawdog the RWS34 is a fine choice I have one as well as a Beeman R9 also a good rifle. You will be $$ ahead to get a quality gun to start with, they are made to last a long time with proper care.Like anything if you take care of it , it will take care of you......DP

[Lawdog]

casper_zip,

I shop around but at the moment the best prices on rifles seem to come from Natchez.  They ship very quickly and have given me good service.  Midsouth is good also but I have had a few times were they back ordered items that when I ordered they told me they had them in stock.  Yes both places have minimums, Natchez is $30.00 and Midsouth is $40.00(if I remember right), but I have never had a problem ordering enough to meet their minimum.  Lawdog

[urika20]

I agree with the above. Get the RWS 34. I've owned a RWS 36 twelve years now with no problems with the rifle. And if you have enough room in a garage or basement you can shoot it indoors when the weather is ugly outside.

urika20

[casper_zip]

:grin:

Thanks so much to you all. Now that I'm looking for cheapest and best place to buy this RWS-34 Rifle, what would be a good sturdy scope to use on it ?? Will I have to try a bunch of different pellets for it to find the best shooters like we all have to do with our 22 Rimfire guns ?? Just wanting to be as knowledgable as I can on this subject. I have paid my share of hard earned lessons in life.  :grin:  :grin:  :grin:

Thanks again, and I really appreciate all of you who are helping me out.

Casper_Zip

P.S. I just got a new catalog, a big one, from D & R Sports out of Pennsylvania, and they have the best price I've found yet on this rifle. :wink:

[D Pete]

Upon my 34 sits a Bushnell Sportsman 3-9x32 AO in Beeman rings, the rings have double bolts and more holding power for the double recoil. You need an airgun scope w/ heavy duty rings. Another nice addition is a Beeman muzzel brake not so much for noise as a good handle for cocking otherwise you wear the bluing off the end of the barrel... Have fun DP

[casper_zip]

Hello to all:

 :grin:  :grin:  :grin:

Well, tonite, I ordered my RWS-34 from Midsouth. They had the best prices that I've found. I have noticed this gun is called "Diana" also.

Today, at the local Wal-Mart, I found a Daisey Powerline 3x9-32 Scope with rings for $28.53. I bought it, hopefully it'll do until I can do better. I think it will be o.k. tho. It seems to be built sturdy, and just holding it up with my hands, looks like it should be o.k.

Well, anyway, I'm excited now, so should have that baby about the middle of next week. I noticed Wally World here also had a Gamo Delta for $64.66, and a Beeman Silver Bear for $57.87. I just wonder if any of you have had any experience with any of these, and would they be worth it for a "working-gun" to carry on the 4 wheeler ??   :grin:  :grin:  :grin:

Thanks for helping me, and thank you all for the inputs. Sure is nice to lean on someone who has been there, done that, and it really helps out, when you are in the learning process. Thanks again.

Casper_Zip

[dave]

RWS doesn't make airguns. RWS is a trade mark owned by Dynamit-Noble. DNRWS is the sole US importer  and distributor of the Dynamit-Noble line of hunting products and Diana airguns.
If you're going to scope it, the best bet is a one piece mount such as the Beeman 5040. The 34 has quite a kick, and you'll need all the grip you can get to keep it from walking off the back. If you are going to use 2-piece mounts, you'll need a scope-stop of some kind.
Get the best scope you can afford. Natchez has good deals on decent scopes. Get one with an adjustable objective, as a standard firearm scope won't work without some adjustments. A cheap scope won't last long on a any springer. The Bushnell ScopeChief is a very good choice if they have still them. The Bushnell Elite is excellent also.
You will need to experiment a bit with pellets. I've found that Crosman Premiers work well in all of my Dianas.
Be careful with those muzzle brakes. Some models won't go on without grinding off the front sight dovetails, and installation is permanent. Once you go that route theres no more using the open sights that came with the gun.
The only problem that I've seen with these guns is the new models seem to have weak springs. After a couple thousand shots power drops off. This can be solved easily by  replacing the factory spring with one from Jim Macarri. With a decent spring and guide the gun will last longer and shoot much better.

[Lawdog]

casper_zip,

I like Beeman rifles but as you may know Beeman doesn't make air rifles they are just an importer.  They have other companies make their rifles and stamp the Beeman mane and model on them.  I have no idea who makes the Silver Bear as I have never seen one.  My daughter bought a Gamo 880(they changed it to the 890 for some reason) and at the time it was the top of the Gamo line.  In my opinion they are not worth what Gamo charges for them.  The Delta model is near the bottom of the Gamo line, I would waste my money on one.  A kids rifle as far as I'm concerned.  Lawdog

[casper_zip]

I am so glad I have found this forum. There is no end to info that is valuable. So, I guess it's about standard practice for a "Big" name company to let anyone use their name.

Lawdog, the little Beeman Silver Bear is a very good looking little rifle. Thats the only one I've ever seen, in our local Wal-Mart. It had a price of $57.87 on it. I have come close several times to buying it. May do so, anyway, get the wife shooting one.

I also have done lots of research, and I see some of the Chinese made rifles look very good, and have very "hipe" advertising for them. One, in particular that caught my eye was the Tech-Force 20, and they stated it is a direct clone of the Beeman R-9 Air Rifle. I find that eyebrow raising, because I know the Beeman R-9 is a top gun. I'd love to have one, but right now, can't afford the Beeman R-9, and don't they call it the "Goldfinger" ?  This Tech Force 20 is a very, very good looking rifle in the photos I've seen here on the web sites.

Just wondering if any of you have had any experience with these Chinese Rifles ?? They claim also the nation's top spring maker, Jim McCarri, makes the springs these rifles use. I would also like to find his email address or web page, also.

Thanks again, this has really been educational for me. I have been a handgunner and reloader for more years than I care to say, and now, I'm like a kid again with these air guns. Hope ya'll don't mind all my questions, and my seeking you guys wisdom on this. I have learned a lot of lessons from the "School of Hard Knocks" so hope ya'll don't mind my questions. Anyway, I sincerely thank all of you.

Casper_Zip :grin:  :grin:  :grin:

[Lawdog]

Casper_Zip,

Did you ever have an old B-B gun when you were a kid?  Remember the feeling it gave you well get ready that feeling is coming back.  Main reason is the amount of shooting you can do.  Nothing to go thru a tin of pellets(500 count for .177) in weeks time.  While my wife was recuperating from her car accident she would spend her days sitting on the porch with a rest on the picnic table and her Beeman Super 12 keeping the vermin out of her garden.  She was going thru pellets at a rate of between 500 to 700 pellets a week.  When she wasn't shooting at some critter she was picking off oak balls, putting holes in cans and knocking rocks around on the road.  Before the Dr. cleared her to go back to work she had accounted for 13 Jack Rabbits, 5 gophers, 1 mole, 9 ground squirrels and so many birds that she quit keeping count.  We're getting lots of strawberry's from the garden now.  One last point, keep us informed on how well that Daisy Powerline scope holds up will you?  Good luck and good shooting with that RWS M34, I believe you made a great choice.  Lawdog

[D Pete]

www.jamesmaccari.com