How could a gun this cheap be this good?

[Wheelchair Bob]

Harley,
I have a Umarex Octane in .22 and it is a beast.  I haven't done any penetration tests yet but I am positive it is a hard hitter already.  I started off much the same as yourself.  I cleaned the bore really good before I started shooting but shot almost a full tin of Crosman Premier Hollow points through it before I added the scope.  Other than a slight trigger issue when it first arrived it has been a great addition for a lite price.  It doesn't seem to be picky about what it pushes down range and is scary accurate with the bundled scope.  Mine too arrived with too little Loctite on the threads, but after repairing the trigger issue I used a dab to insure that they would remain well tightened.  If they had a little better QC at the factory this would have been a perfect experience, but the trigger would not release the piston, so I am sure that the rifle was not inspected before it left the factory.  Once I filed off the burrs and cleaned up all the edges it shoots like a dream now.  The Ruger  is essentially a little brother to the Octane and is also a great rifle with loads of potential for little cash.  Enjoy the rifle and shoot safe.

Wheelchair Bob

[pappa]

GunnerAl,
In your reference to comparing the D34s to Hawks, as you see below, I have one of each in .177 and .22. they have all been fully tuned and the Hawks have Mike Melick modded triggers. The Blackhawks are now basically Air Hawks since I have put Air Hawk stocks on them.  I have referenced this before with a fairly detailed posting but, all of my Hawks will outperform the D34s in every way. They are smoother to shoot and absolutely more accurate and consistent than the D34s every time. Maybe it has something to do with the addition of Air Hawk Elite barrel breaks on all of them which has proven to be serious in stabilizing their accuracy and repeatability. I have a feeling that these breaks would make the D34s better shooters but the barrels are a bit too large in diameter to add them and I don't have the resources or ingenuity to enlarge the Breaks to fit them. I know that there are breaks out there that would fit the D34s but I have yet to find one as good or heavy as the ones I'm using.