Another one bites the dust.....

Thanks for the input so far. Let me clarify a few things from my original post. The scope destroyer is a RWS 34 .22 made in 2-04 I bought used from a friend a year ago. It had 750 shots fired on it with a Beeman (tasco) 3-12X. It broke 600-800 shots a month later. I got a 3-9x UTG to last about 3500 shots before the CH snapped in the center. A warranty replacement had the same failure in 2500 shots. A donated used 4x UTG also met the same fate in 1000 or so shots. Finally the original main spring broke in three pieces and was replaced by me with an RWS OEM spring. It broke two weeks ago with only 1500 shots fired! RWS would not warrant a replacement spring. I ordered and installed a Vortek spring last week. The approximate shot count on this gun is 10 K.

All this down time made me want to get another 34 rifle for a back up gun. I got one of those RWS 34 .22 package guns from Cabelas with RWS 4x for .$229.00 I ordered the Nikon 3-9x EFR at the same time. Both arrived within a day of each other. The plan was to mount the RWS 4x on the older gun, and the Nikon on the 12-17 mfg. RWS Cabelas rifle. So....it was on the new rifle that the Nikon failed. So far the RWS 4x on the older gun is doing well. But for how long? As you can see I chopped off that stock extension on the new rifle to match the old gun. More than a few times I got my fingers jammed by the barrel when closing it. I was too used to no wood in this area. Besides, why cover up this nicely finished metal breech block. I like that reverse cut look and having access to the pivot screw. Oh yeah, I am no fan of the fiber optic sights . The high comb on this rifle makes acquiring the sights awkward for me. The stock is better suited for a scope sight. 

Guys, I just can't get a break. While waiting for a replacement Nikon 3-9x EFR to arrive I decided to mess around with the older 34 with the brand new Vortek spring this morning. Wow, it is much smoother than the factory new RWS spring I recently replaced that promptly broke. I was shooting offhand at my 25 yard swingers with Crosman Premier domed. These pellets shoot very well for the price in my gun. I was hitting accurately for about 30 shots.....until the scope crapped out. Grand total of shots fired with this scope was less than 200. Half on the new spring that broke. I will be calling Umerex Monday to see if this promotional 4x scope is under warranty. I bet it is not, but it did come with the new 34? Meantime I just ordered in two UTG 4x's on Amazon for $47.00 ea. I guess I will have a spare on hand for when the next one breaks.....what a PIA. 

The pair of UTG 4x scopes arrived at 4pm today. I mounted one on the older RWS 34 and got a quick 25 yard zero. I used Crosman 14.3 domed for nickle size rested groups at that distance. I managed to fire about 100 pellets off hand at my swingers at 25 and 40 yards before the sun went down. So far so good. The package had a red background notice that read "WIRE RETICLE".....something the 3-9x packages lacked. The two UTG 3-9's and the used UTG 4x all had the same broken wire reticle at the center failures. Still waiting for the replacement Nikon EFR to put on the newer 34.

To address a couple of previous comments, I do not know what else I can do to "improve" the internals. I mean the mechanism is pretty simple and straight forward. The release of those compressed springs creates nasty vibration to every component surrounding them. Most of my shooting is done offhand which probably helps absorb much of that vibration. Obviously, the more delicate internal components of scopes fail from it.

My guns are handled with care so no issues of bumping or rough handling. I may try out one of those ZR mounts but seeing some negative comments about it's accuracy and longevity is holding me back. The video shows the shock it is subjected to. The RWS 34 is not the most powerful springer there is. That Nikon should not have had a loosened up reticle from firing so few shots. With their internal components standard assembly procedures in place, I bet the replacement will fail the same way in due time.

Some manufacturer needs to step up and produce a reasonably priced "true shock proof" airgun scope. One that will last for many thousands of shots from strong spring guns. If there is such a scope, show it to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBLiIeoxGTg

I went out this morning for some offhand shooting while it was very calm. I have a 5" x 7" x 1/8" aluminum plate at 80 yds. I was hitting pretty regular using the 4th dot down from center. The scope held zero from yesterday just fine. This 3" x 4" x 3/8" mild steel plate was at 35 yards. Has about three dozen hits from Crosman Premier 14.3 gr. domed. The other targets are 4"x 4" and 5"x 5" J-box steel covers doubled up at 40 and 60 yds. The targets are in the middle of a P-dog town across the street from me. I don't mess with them.....unless they start eating my lawn. I have no idea why the words and pictures got scattered around.??

I have been giving that new UTG 4x a good workout the past couple of days. I just finished up a tin of 500 Crosman .22's with it. So far so good with no changes in zero. Had dead calm conditions yesterday and was shooting off hand at the 80 yard plate and hitting often. Still using fourth dot below center to hit that plate. Went eleven hits in a row, my best yet.

Their warranty reads much like the Leupold one, even transferable. I might have to invest in a Vortex now as the UTG 4x reticle broke just now after 50 some shots. The left side horizontal leg separated at the center and dropped downward. This is what happened on the previous three UTG's. Continued firing will separate them all. Funny, zero still holds OK. So to sum it up...this 4x UTG failed after only 550 or so shots from a "mild" springer, the RWS 34 .22 with a nearly new smooth firing Vortek spring and new seal. What reasonably priced Vortex scope would you recommend for SPRING powered airguns? How many scopes returned to Vortex before they do not honor that warranty? Both of these UTG 4x's will be returned to retailer for refund. Done with UTG on this gun.

I emailed Vortex this afternoon for their product recommendation on my RWS 34 .22 This is what I just got back from them.



I have an RWS model 34 .22 spring piston airgun. This is not a magnum springer but I have had numerous failures, mostly broken wire reticles on other airgun rated scopes. Four XXX brand and most recently a XXXXX 3-9x EFR #####. 

Do you sell a proven model that will hold up to the two way sharp recoil vibration these types of airguns generate. Does your industry leading warranty cover repairs or replacements when installed on spring airguns? I am frustrated with sending back numerous airgun rated scopes this year.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/crossfire-II-4-12x40-ao-with-dead-hold-bdc-moa-reticle/reticle
Thank you for your support and please be sure to let me know if there is anything else we can help with.



What have I got to lose? I have one on the way. Is anyone here using one on a spring gun? Do you like it?

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/697365/vortex-optics-crossfire-ii-rifle-scope-4-12x-40mm-adjustable-objective-matte

Well, for the time being I am without scopes on my two 34's. No problem using the better open sights on the older 34 for now. Two replacement scopes are half way home. I have an old 10" saw blade set up at 100 yards. It gives a nice ring when hit and moves. I have the rear sight cranked to max to reach 300 feet. Today was very calm and I was hitting it standing off hand often. I camo spray painted it to keep the curious neighborhood kids from checking out the round shiny sharp object.

...........still waiting, still banging the blade. Calm again today. Love the open sights, who needs a scope? I DO!! UPS says the Vortex 4-12x in my hands tomorrow!