B26-2 vs. Rws 34?

Well, I am fiening for another .22 caliber airgun, am on a low budget.  I already have the rws 34 panther in .177, but I wouldn't mind another one in .22.     I thought I had my mind made up but then I started second guessing.  A lot of people sware by their B-26-2  airguns.  It is a little cheaper and would be something different, but is it worth it over a 34?  I know their are mixed reviews, but I still would aprieciate hearing them.  How is the B-26-2 airgun in the quality, accuracy, handling department compared to the 34.  I do like that it comes with a thumbhole stock, but many say the but is too high. I would just order the accushot high profile mount, but is it still uncomfortable?  Also, I am not going to tune the gun, so will the BAM perform as well as the 34 without a tune?  One thing I dont like about the BAM, I hear it doesn't like crosman pointed pellets, which is the only local .22 pellet available.  I am really trying to decide, but I cant!  Please help me out guys, I would really aprieciate it.  The cfx .22 would probably have gotten picked already if it were not for that horrible trigger.  I am not going to pay an extra $30 for a replacement trigger.   I know, I know, but I just like my guns to shoot good out the box.  I'm sorry, but I guess I'm just a simple guy or somthing like that.  Well, I would apprieciate your imputs.  Thanks prieciate it!!

[longislandhunter]

Hey Avery,,,,

I own a B26-2 in .177 and .22 calibers,,, beautifully smooth, accurate and hard hitting guns,,,,, I couldn't be happier with them.   The comb is very high but you can solve the problem by buying a $13 raised scope rail from the GAMO Site (shipping is included).  It installs nicely onto the B26-2 and then you can mount your Accushot high mount on top of that,,,,,,, it completely solved the high comb issue for me at a much cheaper cost than spending $60 bucks for the Beeman 5039 high mount which was the only high mount that actually gave me the height I needed.  I used the expensive Beeman mount on my .177 B26-2 and it worked, but the gamo rail and accushot mount on the .22 actually worked better....

I also own a 34 Panther in .22 and that is also a beautifully smooth accurate gun.  

I would have to say that my B26-2 .22  is actually just about as nice as my Panther in firing characteristics and that thumbhole stock is beautiful.  I'd say go with the B26-2,,,,, it'll give you "something different" in your arsenal and I know you won't be disappointed.   You can always get another 34 later on if you want one.......


Jeff

[shadow]

For a out of the box shooter the B26-2 IS A SUPER AIR RIFLE!. My B26-2 amazes me everytime I pull her out for a hunt, good trigger also. :) Ed

[Gene_SC]

I don't own a RWS Panther yet but I would think it is in the race with the B-26..:) A bit more money though. But not much. Maybe everyone can dangle about 50 different air rifles in front of you Avery and really help you along with your decision... hehe   Just kidding..

Best of luck with your final choice.

Gene

My only worry is the status of the $ to Euro, if you wait it may be awhile before we see the current prices again (if ever).  At some point the Chinese will unhook their money from the $ but it may be awhile yet.

Cheers
Mark

[DanoInTx]

I like my B26, I have the sporter version.  I've also shot a 34 and found it to be a little on the heavy side, although it shot real well.  I "tried" shooting a B26-2 thumbhole once and I'd say you'd need a REALLY tiny head or some really high mounts to shoot it.  Personally if I bought one I'd reshape the comb on the stock rather than put my scope on stilts, but what works for me may not work for you...the sporter feels great btw:)

Tough choice, but I think it really depends on how you're built.  I could shoot a 34 all day and not get too tired although it is a bit heavy, but I'd probably rather carry and shoot a B26 for a whole day.  The build quality and bluing etc might be slighty better on the 34, although the 26 is pretty good too.  I think Mike Melick has some B26-2 .22's on his site for cheap right now. http://www.airgunartisans.com/flyingdragon/  he says $145 NIB or $160 with a lube tune, pretty sweet deal if he still has some.

[davee1]

Well...your dilemamade me order a B26 in .22 :-) hehe

Sorry bout that!  Do you really think it is worth it when the B26 is almost as much as a rws 34?  Today I was even thinking maybe a B30-1 in .22 would be nice also?? I am so undecided as usual!

[davee1]

I don't know/hear too much about the B30, so I can't comment on that...but I constantly hear about how everybody loves their B26...so since I've read nothing but good about the B26...my order finger creaked up and hit that button!!!

I will also get a B28 someday...after some other folks review it. Lots of power there...

[DanoInTx]

The B30 is a heavy rifle with a ton of power.  With a ton of power comes heavy cocking.  The triggers are pretty good as they are clones of a proven design.  Did I mention that these are heavy guns, because they are very heavy guns, I think mine weighed about 11.5lbs scoped.  I found mine to be pretty harse when shot, no more harsh than most other super magnum springers, but harsher than I liked.  I would say if you are a large person then this might be the gun for you.  I'm 6' and 220 and I found it miserable to shoot more than a few times, just too danged heavy and too much cocking effort.  Mine was a .22, never chronied it, was fairly accurate, and HEAVY, HEAVY, HEAVY!!!

[Gene_SC]

Well Dano, I am 6'2" and 250 lbs and anything over 9lbs scoped is out for me..:) Just don't care for those big momma air rifles..:) It is more fun to be able to develop the right power for the right weight air rifle. I much rather keep velocities under 900fps for target shooting. For the robust hunter the springer magnums are the fix. Like my FX Cyclone .22 for example. I can shoot 900 plus and it only weighs 7.5 lbs scoped.. That is the fix for me when I go hunting..:)

Gene

[Jaymo]

Well, the B26 is copied from the BeemanR9/HW95. There's not a better breakbarrel to copy than a Weihrauch. The Rekford trigger is amazing. The rifles are amazing. I can shoot my HW80 longer than I can shoot my B30 or my buddy's RWS48.
I have a B30, just came in thursday. Very nice copy of very nice RWS sidelever. Very powerful, accurate, and fatiguing rifle to shoot. As Dano said, it is HEAVY.Which is ok. That tonnage goes well with the long, heavy cocking stroke. It will get/keep you in shape. Don't infer from this that I don't like it. I love mine. I just need to start working out again. And buy a bipod. Definitely put sling  swivels and a bipod on it.
Better yet, mount it on a M2 machine gun tripod. You need a 2 man crew to haul this thing around, anyway.  It has an 18mm diameter barrel. It's a little muzzle heavy.
It's a love/hate relationship. I love shooting it. I hate how tired I am after blasting my way through a tin of pellets. Kinda like tree work. It's a blast working 70 feet up a tree with a chainsaw. But it'll wear your @$$ out like you wouldn't believe.  Then again, it'll knock those tree rats down like nobody's business. But my B50 is a few pounds lighter, easier to cock, and easier to shoot. Then again, the B30 doesn't need a pump or tank, and has fiber-optic sights.  Heck, I don't know. I'm tired. I shot my B30-1, B40, TF99, QB78D, and Crosman 1377 today. I went through several tins of pellets. That's gonna leave a mark...................on my wallet.
Turns out the TF99 likes the EunJins the best. Of course, it likes the most friggin' expensive pellets I can find.  I think I need to go take an Ultram(yes, I have a prescription) and go to bed, so I can do it all over tomorrow.   Isn't this addiction, er, hobby, a kick?

[mikeiniowa]

My first "real" air rifle was a B-22, kind of broke me in good, that first year I went through a garbage bag of pellets, I still take it out and shoot it, had to get a B-21 to go with it and like that also, I've worked on the B-30's and the B-26's ,the lower power of the B-26 makes it a smoother shooter but with a good tune the B-30 can be almost as nice.........