Newbie - Benjamin 392 or RWS 34

[jlieu]

First-time to air guns.  Only played around with my cousin's airsoft a few times, a few years experience with Paintball.  I am a lefty for all that it matters.  Most threads I've read says the Monte Carlo stock on the RWS is tolerable for left-handers. 

I think I may have information overload as I've read for about a week and after running through all the threads on multiple threads, I somehow shifted my intended $50 whatever air gun budget to a $200-250 half decent air gun budget. LOL.  Not sure if this is wife approved yet...but I figured I'd just tell her after the fact.

In any case, I've come down to either the Benjamin 392 or RWS/Diana 34.  Hands-down, a RWS 48 (can't find used one within budget) or Steroid 392 (can't find one...Mac1 no longer sell pre-mades) would be the choice if they were available.

The main purpose will be to hunt vermins (mostly rodents, skunks, and rabbits; repel coyotes if needed...I've only seen them come once in the last year) around our acreage and plinker.  If all goes well, I'd be interested in hunting Turkeys with air guns one day...but I'm sure that'll be a topic for another gun down the road. 

Benjamin 392: Cheapest, reliable.  Mac said they are no longer accurate though which was why he no longer works on them unless you can find one that fires straight.  This kind of deterred me from this option.

RWS 34: Pricer, more value for the bucks.  Only concern would be ease of maintenance and my ability to work on it.  I'm pretty savvy at tinkering with computers, electronics, and automotive engines...so learning won't be a problem.  Just uncertain of how intricate this thing is (input?) for someone learning the air-gun trade. 

Also, I did find a RWS 350 .177 in the same price-range as the RWS 34.  But based on my search, most agree that it's a bit excessive for a beginner and the learning curve would painful (versus going with a 34 and stepping up to a 350) due to recoil and hold sensitivity.  Heavier bullets to balance out the FPS in a .177 would be another issue to juggle with.  It seems, in most hunting/pest control intended purposes, .22 would be preferred as you can always mod for more power down the road. 

In any case, just wanted to say hello and get some feedback on my entry into the air gun hobby.  Thank you all.

[White Eagle]

First of all, welcome to the GTA!   These rifles are both good, but just some things to consider, IMHO.  The 392 does give you variable power, and is not hold sensitive.  They are also pretty easy to work on, as you won't need a spring compressor.  They are a little harder to scope, since the scope sits where you hold the rifle to pump it up.  Peep sights work very well on these rifles.  The 34 is powerful and accurate, and is hold sensitive, as most springers are.  It isn't hard to work on, but you will need a spring compressor.  It is easier to scope than the 392, but can be hard on scopes, so get a good air gun rated scope.  The 392 does not have to have an air gun rated scope, BTW.  The trigger is better on the 34, but the 392 trigger can be tuned.  You are correct on the 350 being more powerful and having a greater learning curve.  That's definitely not a good choice, IMHO, for a first springer.  As to caliber, I like the .22's for hunting, but you certainly can do quite well with the .177 if you have the velocity and the right pellet.  The .177's are flatter shooting, so consider the distance most of your shooting will be from.  Bottom line, which do you like the best, and which best suits your needs?  Hope this helps, and keep us posted!

[LAalex]

If you are talking about one of the new 392's, I would say go with the 34.  But, keep in mind, springers are a species unto themselves and there can be lots of frustration getting to know them.  If you are in it for the long haul,  I'd say the 34 hands down.  If you can get a good deal on an older 392 and send it to Tim for a Steroid tune I'd say go with that.  It's less headaches than a springer--not a scope killer, hold sensitive, wandering POI etc.  Whichever one you get I think you'll enjoy and learn from.  Good luck with whatever you decide and please keep us informed as to what you decide.

Scotty

[amb5500c]

Welcome to the GTA.
Richard

[jlieu]

Thanks for the welcome and input!

Definitely hoping for a 392 given the numbers of inaccurate newer 392s. 

Maybe, I should just be like some GTA-ers and just buy both at the same time...then decide (or keep both). LOL.

[1216bandit]

I would suggest the rws 34.  They are VERY accurate,  really simple/easy to work on,  are a quality piece, and the t-06 trigger is great! I mostly plink and shoot targets at a distance of just a bit over 25 yrds.  Five shot groups are easily covered with a dime.  I am sure you will have fun and enjoy any gun you decide to go with .  A big welcome to the GTA!

[umpreacher]

Welcome to GTA. You will find good advice on this forum

[punkguy0017]

Go with the Hatsan 1000s in .25 hits with authority and it's a really good gun. Bought one a while ago amd I'm loving super accurate and  very well made. You can't go wrong. Plus it's the only .25 that's affordable to guys in a budget at only 98 bucks

[bbv13]

Thanks for the welcome and input!

Definitely hoping for a 392 given the numbers of inaccurate newer 392s. 

Maybe, I should just be like some GTA-ers and just buy both at the same time...then decide (or keep both). LOL.

Hi, welcome to the GTA.

Try looking on line for a person in or close your local area that repairs Benjamin/Sheridan rifles and pistols. The odds are pretty good that they will have a couple of older 392's, 342's or 5mm Sheridans that need a good new home.

Bryan

[D14Jeff]

get one of these in .22 or .25 ...

http://flyingdragonairrifles.org/XISICO_XS28M.html



and get MM to make it smooth for you .

[RedFeather]

That 28 is a 350 copy and will be as hard to learn to shoot.  Also, in .177 you should be using heavy pellets.  The 392 will be easier for a beginner to use.  The optional peep is not too expensive and keeps the gun within a reasonable effective range.  You will want a SuperSear from Airguns of Arizona (AoA) to get the trigger down to a reasonable pull.  34's are good, too.  To keep the price down, try an Xsico 25 copy from Mike.  You really are coming at air gunning from two different directions.  Best pumper might actually be a rocker safety Sheridan Blue Streak in .20.  Accurate and nice trigger.  A lot of the 392's suffer from paint over spray getting into the muzzle.  Easily cured with a Qtip and some painter remover.

[White Eagle]

That 28 is a 350 copy and will be as hard to learn to shoot.  Also, in .177 you should be using heavy pellets.  The 392 will be easier for a beginner to use.  The optional peep is not too expensive and keeps the gun within a reasonable effective range.  You will want a SuperSear from Airguns of Arizona (AoA) to get the trigger down to a reasonable pull.  34's are good, too.  To keep the price down, try an Xsico 25 copy from Mike.  You really are coming at air gunning from two different directions.  Best pumper might actually be a rocker safety Sheridan Blue Streak in .20.  Accurate and nice trigger.  A lot of the 392's suffer from paint over spray getting into the muzzle.  Easily cured with a Qtip and some painter remover.

+1 on everything you stated Redfeather.

[jlieu]

Thanks for the tips and help everyone.  Very positive and embracing community here. 

Man, I wish I would have seen Redfeather's suggestion of MM's rifles before making a purchase on a RWS 34P Pro Compact.  O well, live and learn.  Valid point on the two different directions...both (springer and pumpers) has their own advantages and I couldn't really decide...LOL.  But low maintenance was the biggest seller compared to some of the other options like PCP and CO2. 

I have been enjoying the 34P, getting fairly decent accuracy on it from 10-15 yards out of the box.  Nice groups with the occasional outliers.  I expect this should get even better as the rifle gets broken in.  Recoil is tolerable and does not really bother me.  But HOLY COW, how are you guys able to fire it for long periods of time?  I must be feebly weak or everyone else must have biceps like the Hulk to continually cock this thing.  Despite my determination to practice more, my arm is just about dead today...and I probably only put out about 50-75 pellets so far. 

Got our 10 year old daughter a Daisy 880S the other day.  It was effortless to pump (even up to 10x) and had no recoil.  It almost felt a bit toy (very fake feeling), so I'm glad I got something like the RWS 34 in terms of build and behavior.  As such, something with more "oomph" with a bit better handling would be my ideal choice.  On paper, it seems the RWS 48 would have fit that bill best (easier to cock and equal/slightly more power) followed by a Beeman R9/MM-tuned B-26 (I imagine more beginner friendly with its tamer characteristics and possibly easier to cock?). 

I am definitely glad you guys swayed me away from the RWS 350 Magnum/B-28 (wish I had known there was a service like Mike Melick's previously!) though, LOL.  I may have just kicked it into a corner and quit air guns because both of my arms would be completely useless. 

In any case, thank you again for all your help and tips.  Great courteous folks here, I looking forward to frequent this place more often. 

P.S. Ah..for whatever it is worth, I did manage to determine that I received the newer T06 trigger (based on the 34P T06 engraving on the top of the barrel) which I would assume gave me the German 8-land barrel versus the 12-land barrel. 

[1216bandit]

Congrats on the rws purchase!  I would bet that at some point you will add another gun or 2 or 3,  some you will hang on too and others will be let go, but the rws will likely be in the group you wont part with.  Have fun!

[liv2ryd]

Welcome!


   Yes you will find the RWS very accurate. You arm will get used to cocking the spring, promise. Try resting the but against your thigh and pulling down on the barrel, and grab at the end of the barrel vs. Middle the leverage makes a difference...


Joel

[JimL911]

Welcome.
You will get used to cocking it. Most of us are not shooting bone stock guns. Better lubes (or some in the case of Diana's) and after market springs make them much easier to cock.