WTB: RWS 34 .22

[tjk]

Tom,...trust me Brother,..get a 'new' 34 Diana,...shoot about 2000 rounds through it and then get it ""TUUUUUNED"". Send it to Gene,...or any other reputable AG-Smith, like Mike, Paul,...etc., etc., and spend the cash. I know what it's like to be strapped for it, but I'm tellin ya man,...It's one of the best investments you'll ever make on a springer. Wal-mart sells a decent Center-Point scope for about $69, and a UTG (droop compensating) rail for around $20s at PyramydAir. Add a top notched tune with superior after-market parts,...and your great-grand children will still be shooting this rifle. The 34 is worth its weight in gold for the long haul. German "anal-retentive" tolerances and craftmanship, durable, accurate, and most of all,..reliability,...when other brands fall off from day to day. By far the most accurate and consistant shooters of all my springers. Here's proof!!!!tjk

[tjk]

Oooops,...forgot, the 34's  are a nice low level noise shooter once properly tuned,...just a 'pop'!!!! tjk

[swift93]

I got the new gun from Meann Machine and hope it's not too loud for my neighbors. The 34 is new in the sense that it hasn't been out of the box for about 18 years and old in the sense it hasn't been out of the box in all those years. Is there anything to be looked after before I damage something?

[tjk]

If it was imported "dry" lubricant wise as they are today,...I'd have a tuner check it out. And if it hasn't been shot for 18 years,...who knows, it may have a healthy firing cycle,...and then again, over that length of time the seal/spring/lubes might have gone stale,...hard and or brittle. I'd still send it to a tuner and have it professionally "checked out" with the proper tools and equiptment. No sense in taking a risk and damaging a fine rifle such as it is. Just my two cents, tjk

[doc1310]

I bought my RWS 34 pro because of the German craftmanship and what members here have said about that Craftmanship, and I really like my 34, even tho it's heavy....so I'm wondering....if like TJK says....."German "anal-retentive" tolerances and craftmanship, durable, accurate, and most of all,..reliability,...when other brands fall off from day to day." Then why does it need to be tuned? You spend good money on a gun from a dealer with a good rep.....it's suppose to be well made.....the maker is known far and wide in the market. I'm all for buying extras for my rifles, I like that. I just think these guns should be already tuned from the plant. As consumers should we put up with buying products that we have to make better because they can get away with not turning out a fully tuned rifle? Maybe we should think about that. Nawwwwwwwwww! who am I kidding! having a fully tuned and lubed gun from the makers would put a few people out of work...we wouldn't want that. But still...they should do better.

[waynejitsu]

I totally agree Doc.
For the price they sell for and like you said, from Germany, you would expect more..., at least, I did and why all my 34's are gone.
After stepping up to Beeman and BSA, it was then I realized, even though it was from Germany, it was still an "entry level gun".
I know..., I know, they can't all be top of the line. But when paying hard earned money for something, the last thing you want to "have to do" is to send it off for "tuning" when it is a new, expensive  (to some) air gun.
When you shoot a BSA next to the 34, you can really tell how much more it is refined, like a world of difference..., I could not believe it.
Like most newbies at the time (20yrs ago), I looked for FPS as a sign of "quality" the "THE" number to focus on. How wrong I was.
The 34 was advertised as 1000fps and was actually hitting about 800fps. It was then I realized I was "duped" by marketing. Actually, it was the 2nd 34 I realized it. The 1st 34 I thought it was just a lemon.
The 2nd 34 never hit 800fps, close, but never did.
I then bought a BSA SS and it was like getting out of a VW and into a Caddy, much more refined.
After that, I bought a TX200, advertised as 930fps. After getting it and checking it out, it was doing 930+fps. It is nice to get what you pay for.
Not knocking the 34 or Gamo..., gotta start somewhere, but please do not limit yourself. Try out some others whenever you get a chance. I think you will be pleasantly surprised:)

For tuning that is not going to cost an arm & leg, try Rick at Precision Pellet.
He is who I purchased my TX200 from, about 15 - 20 years ago. I do not remember exactly, but it has been a while.
His prices are good and service great!!!
I like when a "tuner" will spend time on the phone, find out exactly what you want and go from there.

Good luck and have fun:)

[swift93]

I appreciate all the comments. I know that there are better guns out there, but it seemed that the RWS would be a good compromise for my needs. Many are enthusiasts with a big budget to have multiple guns, but unfortunately, I'm not in that group. I have some concerns for the noise and disturbing my neighbors, but having a Sheridan for the last 45 years this will be exciting for me to have a new gun. The gun doesn't have to be the best, it just has to entertain me and kill crows once in a while.

Since cost is a big concern any work done will have to be by me. I would like to disassemble it for inspection and lubrication. It would make sense to remove any burrs, etc. and replace the seal, but would it be best to install a JM spring as long as it's apart? Will this remove the twang I've read about? Thanks.

[waynejitsu]

"I would like to disassemble it for inspection and lubrication. It would make sense to remove any burrs, etc. and replace the seal, but would it be best to install a JM spring as long as it's apart? Will this remove the twang I've read about? Thanks."


Yes, while it is apart, it would be a good idea to clean, lube, get new springs, etc, etc.
IMPORTANT!!! You will need to either build, borrow or buy a spring compressor. The springs can be under incredible pressure and have been known to injure or damage if left "out" all of a sudden. You will also need one in order to get the spring back in the gun.
For parts and lubes, try this link-
http://www.airguns.citymax.com/page/page/251327.htm

[Meann-Machine]

Tom,
  Personally I recommend once you have it in your hands you do not do anything to it until you have shoot at least a tin (500) rounds through it.  THEN, if you really believe it is necessary,take it apart or have it tuned.  But , remember a quality air rifle is like a new car.  The tolerances are tight an d the instrument needs to be broken in.  I have a Beeman R-10 I bought over 21 years ago.  It has had a few pellets through it but it has never been tuned.  Yet it consistently the one my guests choose to shoot when given the opportunity.

Craig

[Meann-Machine]

Check received yesterday.  Rifle shipped , insured Fed Ex today.  Should be there by Wednesday or Thursday.  You are going to like the 34 and you got one heck of a deal.

[swift93]

Thanks Craig, I'm looking forward to getting a chance to see what a new gun is like. It took about 45 years to wear the Silver Streak out and I look forward to a long friendship with this one. Any chance of a tracking number by PM?

[swift93]

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