"New" air-rifle

[douglas george]

I picked up at a Wichita Kansas gun-show, a "like new" RWS 48/52 177 air rifle made in 8/95 for $280.  The owner wanted $300 but he let me have it for $280.  He said he has not shot it since 1996, and it has been in his gun safe since then.  It is like new with no nicks on the stock, no rust anywhere, and 100% blue.  It has a deep "RWS" stamp on the reciever, behind the barrel, and a RWS 48/52 Diana stamping infront of the scope base rail.  I lubed it, used RWS chamber lube, and shot it at 25 yards last night.  This rifle shot real well with Josef Schulz Bohumin 10.2 gr heavy pellets.  I was getting around one inch groups off hand with iron sights.  I also shot my RWS 48 and both rifles shot about the same.  I was getting slightly better groups with the JSB pellets, than my Beeman Kodiaks.  A local air-gun dealer was at the show, and I bought several tins of JSB pellets from him.  I had wanted a Discovery 22 PCP gun he had for $400 with the air pump, but got the RWS 48/42 because it was so new and nice!  It has the best trigger of any of my air-rifles.

I would like too scope it, and Sportsman's Warehouse has a RWS 34 Panther combo (22 cal), with a RWS 300 scope, and the lockdown mount for $219.  I am planning to buy it tonight, and use the scope, and mount on the RWS 48/52.  I would keep the Panther as an iron sight gun, and it has fiber optic sights that I like.  Does anyone have any info on the Panther in 22?  It seems to be a lower vel. air rifle than my RWS 460 in 22.  Maybe it would be a good bushy tail air rifle, for short range use, and shooting them out of trees.  The RWS 460 will shoot clean through a bushy tail, and I am a little worried where the pellet will end up (back yard shooting).  The RWS 34 Panther seems to be a very nice and well made air rifle, and the black syn. stock is very nice.  I bet the Panther shoots well in this stock.  I want a scope and mount for the "new" RWS 48/52, and they would be around $100, so if I buy this combo...I get the RWS 34 Panther air rifle for $119!

I would like to know if anyone has any thoughts on the 22 Panther, or the RWS 48/52.  The 48/52 is the same rifle as my 48, only the markings are different.  My 48 was made in 1999.  The Panther also is the newer model, with the front sight hood.  I think it is made in 8/08, it comes with the new style RWS color box.
Douglas George

[Sc0]

From looking at it the Panther is just a dressed up model 34 with a synthetic stock that has been out FOREVER...  Add a tune and it should be decent, I have been tossing the idea around to pick one up or a Beeman R9 to have as a lighter simple walk around rifle.  I also believe that my RWS 48 is marked 48/52, purchased maybe in '95 and added a JM GSI heavy tune kit to it to settle it down.  I shoot heavier pellets in it RWS Meisterkugeln heavies being the lightest that I will stick in the barrel, I am sure that it will still KILL a scope though and as a matter of fact it cracked a TAU diopter rear sight!  You seem to have  a healthy family of springers now...

[Magnum]

Sounds like you got a great deal on the 48/52, well done:) I have an RWS 34 and I love it,  its the one I use if im going to be walking alot. I am using with open sight at the moment it is both hard hitting and accuate. The RWS lockdown mount is a good one , I do not have a BSA scope so not sure on that . Tony:)

[PelletPaul]

Good catch Doug at a great price.  Let us know how she shoots.         Paul

[RedFeather]

Have you bought your Panter combo yet?  I'm not so sure that RWS 300 scope is robust enough for a 48.  From what I've heard they are best on mid-powered springers.  If the 48 is about like the 34, then you might be ok.  I have an RWS 350 scope and an older 300 series that came with a very lightly used 54 (scope eater deluxe) which I took off and will put on something less punishing.  Anyway, you might want to do some searches on the RWS 300 before mounting it.

[Graham]

If you went to get a Disco and came away with that, I think you done real well, and also done the right thing. I'll bet I know which one will last longest.

[douglas george]

Dear Guys:
Thanks for the info, and response.  I did not get the Panther combo...it was sold!  Oh well.  I have a RWS 30mm 4-12X50 air-gun scope on one of my CZ 452 22's.  I will order from Glen at UMAREX a 30mm Lockdown scope mount, and put the 4-12X50 30mm scope on the 48/52.  "RedFeather": The 48/52 has some jump...I think she eats at the "Scope Buffet", so you are right...the Panther scope might not hold up!  My RWS 54 distroyed a 3-9X40 RWS scope, using Millet mounts, it even broke one of the mounts!  I think the 54's "recoil less" action is very hard on a heavy scope..."she fed well on that scope"!

I have shot the 48/52 with JSB heavys and Beeman Kodiaks at 25 yards.  She shoots very well, and the JSB's seem to do best.  I was also shooting my RWS 48 as a comparison.  Both air-rifles seem to be the same.  The 48/52 is very smooth, and it has a fantastic two stage trigger.  I really like this fine air-rifle.  I looked at Gamo air rifles at the show and they are...well not in the same league as RWS.  I am taking a break from shooting this 48/52 at 10 yards as I write thisd post, I just shot a one hold group off hand with Supermag pellets.  I won't waste the JSB heavy pellets at 10 yards.  I think on Thyursday eve. I will shoot my RWS 54, 48, and 48/52 all the 25 yard indoor range.
Douglas George