What is so special in B26

[Gene_SC]

Probably sometime in March I am going to order a new B-26 from Mike. I am still very impressed with the fine build of the B-26. It is an improvment over the older B-20 but not much. My B-20 is an all around great shooter and I have done quite a bit of work on her to get her there. If it was not for CDT and his B-20 that I originally fell in love with I would of never of purchased the B-20. But I do want a new B-26 sporter in .177 so I can tune her up real good like the B-20 I did. Just a great air rifle.

[mikeiniowa]

Don't forget they are quiet also, had the B-28 and the B-26 in .22 out today and couldn't belive the difference in noise levels, the 28 sounds like a rim fire compared to the 26....

[Gene_SC]

And for sure allot lighter than the B-28 I bet..

[mikeiniowa]

Thats something I should do, weigh the 26 and 28 and see what the difference is....

[oneballjaywax]

A little off topic but just curious in comparing the B-26 to the Diana/RWS model 34....which would be your choice for better quality of build,accuracy,etc. The cheapest B-26 I could find is about $140 and the cheapest RWS 34 about $175 for an extra 35 bucks wouldn't a german made air rifle be better choice? Don't get me wrong the B-26 does look like a very nice gun and seems to get glowing reviews on here but wouldn't throwing another $35 on the stack for a german made rifle be better?

[TCups]

If, and only if the $140 price of the B-26 is an after factory tuned B-26 from Mike Melick, then the B-26 is a better deal.  Typically, Mike's tuned B-26's are close to the same price as a factory stock Diana 34.  Compared to an untuned, factory stock BAM-B-26, the Diana 34 is probably the better option.  The B-26 is has a fairly nice wooden stock.  The Diana 34 Panther has an ambi synthetic stock, if that makes any difference.  The Diana 34's can also suffer from barrel droop and require a special scope mount, which can offset a bit of the price, if you are going to scope the rifle.

[mikeiniowa]

Don't forget to add the buzz,twang and vibration the 34 has out of the box, even the 26 doesn't buz and vibrate that bad......

[shawn67]

I'm new to airguns but I recently ordered a B26 off Mike and I looked for along time before buying anything, it just made more sence to me to spend the money on a tuned gun from Mike than to spend the same money on a stock gun that wouldn't be as smooth. To me it was a easy choice, I'd rather have a good shooting chinese gun than pay for a name brand european that doesn't shoot as smooth, then you would have to spend more on the european gun to have it tuned, then it doesn't seem like such a bargin.  just my 2 cents.

[70GTvert]

Loaded question. See, I don't feel the B-26 is all that. I passed and went with the RS-2. Two of them so I can keep one in .22 and the other in .177. Neither needed anything more than a light coating of JM heavy tar to get rid if the minor twang. Both come near to their claimed velocities, .22 I have been getting 765 or round about with Beeman silver bear HP's and the other has been getting around 950 with CPHP's. No need to go and pay someone for a tune that doubles your cost, and each are extremely accurate. Both have nice wood stocks and highly adjustable triggers, (again negating the need for additional costs in a trigger replacement), and both are basically the TF-89 badged for Beeman. I got each for $129 + tax from wally world. IF there is a drawback, it is the weight, but I can only say I like the extra weight as that helps stable the shot cycle allowing more accurate hits. Those light rifles vibrate and bounce more, requiring more finesse to fire accurately.

Oh, and keep in mind that I got both for less than what a B26 with a tune and trigger would cost.

[nmmike]

Iv'e never shot an RS-2,  I'm sure it's a nice rifle, but somebody's leading you astray on the price of a B-26 :emoticon: . You can get a lube tuned B-26 from Flying Dragon in either caliber for $180.00 shipped. If you add a Maccari Merlin spring add $15.00. The B-26 has a copy of the HW trigger, one of the best in the world.
Regards' Mike

[shawn67]

When I made my purchase I also I took into consideration that Mike at flying dragon is a super nice guy that has a reputation for doing quality work at a very reasonable rate and he told me if I wasn't satisfied with the gun that he would gladly refund my money as long as the gun was still in new condition. And I would much rather do business with some one like him than a big company any day of the week.

[nmmike]

Shawn:
We're certainly in agreement on Mike. When I wrote that last entry I had just put down a MM tuned B-26. Right before that I was shooting my MM tuned TF-58. Both outstanding guns from a great dealer . Glad to see we're on the same page .
Mike

[shawn67]

Yeah, I wish there were more guys like Mike around to do business with. Most of them just care about making the sell and not about the customer. This forum has let me talk with some really good people, I'm glad that I found it. And I can't hardly wait to get my B26, Mike said that it should be here end of the week, he's just waiting on the scope and mounts that I ordered. I feel like a kid waiting on Christmas, I haven't been this excited about getting a new gun in a long time. Lol

[nmmike]

Shawn:
I've only had a B-26 for a few days but I bet your gonna' like it! As far as this forum goes, it's a great bunch of people who are very knowledgeable will share any & all information.

To the O.P. : Sorry I kinda' hijacked your thread. The B-21 & B-30 are sidelever rifles. They are fairly long & heavy. They are copied from the RWS fixed barrel rifles(i think). I don't have either of them so someone else would be a better source of information. As far as the B-26, my exposure is very short, but very pleasent.
Mike

[70GTvert]

Sorry, I only commented on my take on the B26. I don't know Mike. I can say what others have said does show he is a person of integrity. But that is another issue, is it not? I can do a lube tune at home for nothing more than my initial investment in the JM lubes. I just wished to point out that the B26 seems to be a cash cow for some and thus is pushed and hyped. I am sure it is a nice rifle, I just work hard and wish to keep what I can. Plus, I am more than a little mechanically inclined, and thus I admit, I can do things others won't attempt. I may screw things up, but I assure you it is only once, and rare at that.