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Gateway To Product Reviews => Air Gun Reviews => : Tormondsen August 05, 2008, 12:56:17 PM

: Beeman R9 or RWS 350 or RWS 48
: Tormondsen August 05, 2008, 12:56:17 PM
Hey all,

I am new to the forum, so my apologies if this has been covered in the past. I have doing a lot of research on the various models of springers. I think I have it narrowed down to 3 choices, the R9, RWS 350, or the RWS 48. It's seems the more research I do, the more confusing things become though! At first I was pretty dead set on the 350, but the T05 trigger does not compare to the 'R' trigger on the Beeman, and it worries me that Maccari is no longer producing springs for it. The R9 is more expensive, and appears (from the various forums I have read) to have a lot of problems from the factory. I will use the gun for hunting crows, and target practice.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
: RE: Beeman R9 or RWS 350 or RWS 48
: daved August 05, 2008, 01:27:06 PM
Hey, Ron, welcome to the forum!  Based on personal experience, the first one I'd toss from your 3 is the RWS 350.  It's what is called a long stroke or magnum springer, and they can be a real bear to shoot well and consistently, especially for someone new to springers.  The 48/52 (same guns, just nicer wood on the 52) are also considered magnums, but are also quite a bit heavier, which helps tame them down some.  It's also a fixed barrel, which may net you a bit better accuracy.  But being relatively heavy, they may not be much fun to pack around all day.  Supposed to be good off the bench, though.

Which brings us to the R9.  Both the RWS guns have the TO5 trigger, which IMO, isn't that great.  You can either adjust it to be short and heavy, or long and light, there's only one adjusting screw.  Plus, the trigger is plastic, not a big deal, but even Gamo uses metal triggers :-).  The Rekord used in the Beemans is nothing short of awesome, until I got my Air Arms S400, I was pretty sure it was the best trigger ever used on an air rifle.  The R9 is close to legendary, but like just about everything these days, QC has slipped a bit.  Still, they are one of those rifles that almost no one regrets buying.  I've heard they can be hold sensitive, but most springers are.  If this is your first air rifle, I'd definitely put the R9 at the top of the list, with the 350 not on it, and the 48/52 a not too close second.  Just to be clear, of your list, I've only owned a 350, the others I'm basing on info from people I trust.  One question, have you considered buying a used rifle?  The vast majority of air gun guys take very good care of their guns, and sometimes buying used can be a real bargain.  Hope that helps, and keep us posted on your choice.  Later.

Dave
: RE: Beeman R9 or RWS 350 or RWS 48
: Tormondsen August 05, 2008, 02:10:36 PM
Dave,

Thank you for the intuitive response. I was leaning toward the R9 actually. I have been looking into some used, and some refurbs.
: RE: Beeman R9 or RWS 350 or RWS 48
: longislandhunter August 05, 2008, 02:58:57 PM
Hi Ron and welcome......

I own 2 Goldfinger R-9's and a .22 RWS 350

I don't own a 48 or 52 but have shot them.  

I agree with Dave,,,,, I would go with the R-9.  The triggers are awesome, the guns are a pleasure to carry in the field and both of my R-9's are amazingly accurate and very easy to shoot.  The 48's and the 52's are nice also, but they are a bit heavy and their triggers are not as nice as the R-9 (at least in my opinion).  

My 350 is a sweet shooter that is an awesome hunter and incredibly accurate for me, but it is also a long gun that can be a bit heavy after a few hours in the field.  

Anyway, my opinion would be get the R-9,,, great gun for hunting, great gun for targets, I think it's just a great gun.  

Jeff

: RE: Beeman R9 or RWS 350 or RWS 48
: TCups August 05, 2008, 03:30:10 PM
Ron:

Crows are tough old birds and require something with more than average power.  You have narrowed in on 3 sufficiently powerful springers for the job.  Read all the specs you want, but there is a characteristic of the R9GF that is not easily possible for me to quantify, but something that seems (IMHO) to definitely separate it from the others.  It's the way the gun just naturally points.  When you bring the gun up to your shoulder, it comes on target like a natural extension of your eyes and arms.  This, together with its excellent trigger means I can "snap" shoot with the R9 better than almost any of my other full sized springers.  It's just a fun rifle to shoot and a natural hunter/killer for small game.
: RE: Beeman R9 or RWS 350 or RWS 48
: riarcher August 06, 2008, 03:11:47 AM
TCup-
Sounds like you're saying it simply fits you? LOL

Brings up anouther point. As much as I like the 48, it was short. VERY short. had less than a 13" trigger pull length.
Not very comfortable at all until I got PO'ed and added 1 3/8ths to the stock length.
Is heavy. But I like heavy. Mostly shoot from blinds, stands, and bench.

Gary
: RE: Beeman R9 or RWS 350 or RWS 48
: leftcoast1 August 07, 2008, 05:24:40 AM


Hey Ron,



I may have read your post wrong but, are you saying that the R9 has a lot of problems from the factory or the 350. The R9 rarely has problems out of the box and is probably the easiest to shoot right out of the box. I will say this in regards to springers is they all could benefit from a tune. The R9 in .177 would be the best choice for crows and general plinking. The .177 has the largest range of pellet choices in various weights and manufactures. You could spend the money on a scoped package but you can get a better price on a non gold package and buy a mount an scope of your choosing for less money. You could get an R9 a BSA 3-12x44 air rifle scope and a Beeman 5030 medium mount for under 500.00. Good luck and keep us posted on what you buy with pics. We gotta have pics.

: RE: Beeman R9 or RWS 350 or RWS 48
: Tormondsen August 14, 2008, 10:21:49 AM
Well folks, the decision has been made. I purchased a slightly used TX200HC. Just arrived today, and it looks beautiful. I put about a dozen shots through it so far, and I can say, it IS awesome! Fit and finish on this gun is extremely impressive.

Thank you all that responded to my post with great information.

Cheers ~
: RE: Beeman R9 or RWS 350 or RWS 48
: longislandhunter August 14, 2008, 01:06:44 PM
Congrats on your new shooter   :)

Lookin forward to some pics.....

Jeff
: Re: Beeman R9 or RWS 350 or RWS 48
: Progun August 14, 2008, 01:49:18 PM
Hello Ron and Welcome to the GTA. Congratulations on your new rifle aquisition.I've just to begun to sally up to the longer barrel version of the TX 200 myself  and will agree  with you that it is Awesome.You could hardly have done better.There will be no need for you to 2nd guess your choice.