Diana 34 or Flying Dragon XS 26 tuned?

[tcrman]

I am a new member looking for advice on purchasing an accurate medium powered .177, with a good trigger.  I will be using the rifle for targets, pest control, plinking.  I am an experienced rimfire, centerfire shooter,  but new to air rifles.  Any imput would be much appreciated. Looking at the Diana 34 or Flying Dragon XS 26 with the full tune.

[VAFarmer]

man what a hard choice!

I am guessing you can get the 26 tuned from Mike in the same price range that you can get the 34 untuned?

The 34 will most likely hold resale value a bit higher if the 26 wasnt tuned, just because the wood and metal on the 34 tends to be nicer.

But for a shooting gun, that gets good maintenance and not abused, I'd take the MM tuned gun over any other stock gun, all other stuff being close to equal (price, performance, etc.)

Mike gives a great warranty on his guns, and the 26 is known to be a good shooter.

The 34 in stock form is usually fairly accurate, but needs a tune MOST of the time.    They are also l-o-n-g guns, this gun is longer than any 30-06 that you have shot, and likely just as heavy.

So to sum up, all others being equal where it counts.......price point, accuracy, and support matrix on the gun...........Id give the nod to the MM tuned 26.

God bless,

Farmer

[tcrman]

Thanks for the info, looks like I will be talking to MM about ordering an XS 26.   I did not realize the 34 was that large.  Also thanks for the warm welcome.  God Bless You too.  Tcrman

[snakebite4767]

Welcome to the Air Gun world. I am pretty new too when it comes to serious shooting of Air Rifles.  I found out very quickly that shooting a Spring type Air rifle at a target any smaller than a close up can is a lot different than shooting a Powder Burner.  I would suggest that you read about and watch a video explaining the "Artillery Hold". It sure helped me.  I now can hit that same can at 80 yds, and have learned to shoot a decent group. I had a RWS 34 and was surprised at its size too. I then got a Hatsan 125 and was really surprised at the size. Some of these Air Rifles are as much as 4 feet long. If your purchase concerns are totally directed toward shooting, you might give a lot of consideration to MM tuned up XS26.  I've heard nothing but good about them. However, if you think that you might want to later sell the gun and move to another gun, IMO, a well maintained RWS34 has a good and broad market for resale.  If you are able to squeeze out just a little more $$ it might pay to get the RWS34 and have it tuned when you get a few extra $$, or if you are so inclined read all the material available, build you a cheap spring compressor and tune it yourself.  You might find that you enjoy working on the gun yourself, and get that sense of pride when you take it out for that first test after YOU have tuned it up. Either way you go I'm sure that you will enjoy your new addiction... I certainly have enjoyed mine.

Snakebite

[Rex]

I've had an XB-26 with full tune from MM for about a year.  The only thing I can add over what's been said is that the trigger is very good and very light after the break in period.

[Evan]

My RWS 34 in .22 caliber was great out of the box.  They seem to be going for more now than I paid about a year ago.

[RedFeather]

I have two 34's and an RWS320, forerunner of the B26.  While the 34 is longer, I don't consider them very heavy as springers go.  The 320 is shorter but has about the same heft.  No free lunch with springers due to their heavy springs and pistons.  I am a devotee of the Diana line but, were I in your shoes, the MM tuned B26 would be my first gun of choice.  He does fine work and knows the ins and outs of these guns.

One comment before I bow out.  Don't buy things based on how much you can get back if and when you sell them.  That's going about things backwards.  I never consider resale value since I don't buy guns as investments.  Buy with using and enjoying upper most in your mind.  No matter how you cut it, you almost always take the same % loss buying new and selling used, just as in cars.  The only ones that hold value are the ones you pay a premium on and then they just break even.  And forget about recouping the price of a tune.  Even one by Paul Watts.  Some, maybe, but never all.

Best of luck to you!  And buy an assortment of pellets to see which food baby prefers.

[tomykay12]

I'm going to say the German gun will likely have better metal and machining, and also better looking wood. May or may not matter to you. I'm sure MM can straighten out the xs before you get it, and there is no guarantee you would receive a perfect 34. My vote though is for the real thing. The way prices are headed, the Diana could be a good investment; the xs surely will be just as RF said. tk

[RedFeather]

A stock Diana 34 is simply that.  At a minimum it will need lube since recent guns have a very light application.  Most newcomers dont want to get into tearing down straight off.  Mike's tuned B26 will only need pellets and someone to shoot it.  Best bet for starting out. 

One note on Diana rising prices.  If the cost of a new 34 rises appreciably, especially in comparison to HW's pricing, you won't see as great a demand for used guns as might be expected due to owners trying to get more for them. These are not early Beeman R9's.  You hit a price point where shoppers will look elsewhere.

[TooJung2Die]

Looking at the Diana 34 or Flying Dragon XS 26 with the full tune.

I had exactly the same dilemma recently. I was on the fence between a MM tuned XS 26 and untuned RWS 34 T06. Both guns are highly regarded. Then I got a one day special price email from Airgun Depot. I bought the 34 and I'm not looking back. It's a beautiful air rifle and accurate beyond expectations. It will get a home tune eventually but right now there is no compelling need to open it up. I'm glad I got the "real deal".

[oleman]

Go with MM and you won't look back.

[LAalex]

Either way you'll be fine.  I've never had a B26 but they are highly regarded.  My 34 was a nail driver right from the box and a simple lube tune made it even better.  The T06 trigger is the best I've used.  My pick would be the 34 but not by a wide margin.

Scotty

[RedFeather]

Again, there is no "real deal".  I used to think so but it all boils down to the individual gun - will it shoot well or not?  With Mike you get the guarantee.  A good shooting B26 is almost on par with the R9. Almost, you ask?  Yep, almost but also almost half the price.  Again, it's a buyer's market between the two but, with potentially heft Diana price hikes on the horizon, not for long.

[zenonine]

I am a new member looking for advice on purchasing an accurate medium powered .177, with a good trigger.  I will be using the rifle for targets, pest control, plinking.  I am an experienced rimfire, centerfire shooter,  but new to air rifles.  Any imput would be much appreciated. Looking at the Diana 34 or Flying Dragon XS 26 with the full tune.

UPS delivered my first spring rifle, a B 26-2 (thumb- hole stock) about an hour ago. It felt like Christmas. I am impressed. The LOP is almost perfect. The finish of the metal is very good and the stock has one tiny imperfection. The trigger- is as good -maybe better than the $100 match grade one on my Mosin - Nagant carbine. I fired it indoors, into a trap, and to the chagrin of my two cats, and can't wait till the scope, mount,SWAT wheel , and scope level arrive tomorrow. Looks to be a long relationship. I'd recommend it. Thanks to Mike Mellick at Flying Dragon