Being new to air guns having purchased my first one (Diana 48 in .22) early this summer I wanted something lighter and easy to pack around. After much reading and looking I decided on a HW 95 or a RWS 34. Initially I wanted another .22 and tried to order the 95 but no one had one (bare rifle) without sights. So I decided to buy a .177 and found a deal on a new 34 classic in .177 for $233 to my door. For the money I can deal with the sights.
It wasn't a surprise that my new rifle arrived bone dry and honked like a goose, I had read several accounts where that was the case. No local sporting goods stores had the needed oils so Amazon came to the rescue. After a lube job and reassembly yesterday I ran about 300 pellets through it. I shot it about 60 times then cleaned the barrel. It was pretty wild for those first shots but settled down more the more I shot it. The action screws had to be snugged up three times while I was shooting.
Since I don't have a scope for it yet all my shooting was with open sights. Now for young guys that isn't an issue, but I'm 56 and can't see up close or far away so open sights are a challenge. IMO the sights on these rifles are not designed for shooting small groups. That being said in the end it did shoot some good (IMHO) 25 yard groups. For the most part if I did my job a squirrels head wouldn't be safe at 25 yards. The only pellets I've shot so far are Crosman Premier 7.9 gr. hollow points. I do have RWS, H&N and JSB sampler packs to try once it's broke in and a scope is on it.
The lube job made the rifle easier to cock and smoothed up the shot cycle. I will admit though that after 300 or so shots my shoulder is a little sore lol. I think with a scope it's going to be plenty accurate for starlings and sparrows. I have to say that I much prefer the side lever cocking of my 48 over the break barrel but for the lighter weight I can deal with the break barrel. The TO6 trigger is great, I adjusted it while the rifle was out of the stock.
So far I'm pleased with this rifle for the money, it's pretty light, reasonably accurate and the fit and finish is better than I expected. I'm a tinkerer and this rifle is pretty simple so it'll be a good one for me to work on instead of my 48.
Thanks to all the folks here who have answered my questions and offered advice, it's much appreciated.
Justin
It wasn't a surprise that my new rifle arrived bone dry and honked like a goose, I had read several accounts where that was the case. No local sporting goods stores had the needed oils so Amazon came to the rescue. After a lube job and reassembly yesterday I ran about 300 pellets through it. I shot it about 60 times then cleaned the barrel. It was pretty wild for those first shots but settled down more the more I shot it. The action screws had to be snugged up three times while I was shooting.
Since I don't have a scope for it yet all my shooting was with open sights. Now for young guys that isn't an issue, but I'm 56 and can't see up close or far away so open sights are a challenge. IMO the sights on these rifles are not designed for shooting small groups. That being said in the end it did shoot some good (IMHO) 25 yard groups. For the most part if I did my job a squirrels head wouldn't be safe at 25 yards. The only pellets I've shot so far are Crosman Premier 7.9 gr. hollow points. I do have RWS, H&N and JSB sampler packs to try once it's broke in and a scope is on it.
The lube job made the rifle easier to cock and smoothed up the shot cycle. I will admit though that after 300 or so shots my shoulder is a little sore lol. I think with a scope it's going to be plenty accurate for starlings and sparrows. I have to say that I much prefer the side lever cocking of my 48 over the break barrel but for the lighter weight I can deal with the break barrel. The TO6 trigger is great, I adjusted it while the rifle was out of the stock.
So far I'm pleased with this rifle for the money, it's pretty light, reasonably accurate and the fit and finish is better than I expected. I'm a tinkerer and this rifle is pretty simple so it'll be a good one for me to work on instead of my 48.
Thanks to all the folks here who have answered my questions and offered advice, it's much appreciated.
Justin
