Rws 34 seems weak

[Cessnaman]

About a year ago I bought a RWS 34 in 22 from Pyramid Air. It was my first springer and I quickly got frustrated with it because the pellets would drop so much a scope seemed stupid and useless. I would sight it in at 15 yards and then it would be shooting way to low at 30 yards. I eventually bought a HW95 in 177 and loved it. I just assumed it was normal for a Diana in 22 at the time. Now that I have more experience I think something is wrong with the gun. It seems too easy to cock and too twangy. All the other springer guns i’ve shot have been great. Should I order a stronger spring for it? I don’t think the gun has been shot more than 100 times. People say that the Diana 34 in 22 is a great gun. Either I’m missing something or I got a lemon. I would appreciate any advice in getting this gun to start shooting harder.

[Roadworthy]

A new spring could well be in order.  I've read that some Diana springs break early in their lives, though I've never experienced it myself.  Frequently the piston seal is too tight in a new gun as well, slowing it down.  It is not impossible you have breech seal issues as well, though not common in a new gun.  Air Rifle Headquarters offers two or three different springs for the Diana 34.  To reduce twang I polish spring ends and lightly lubricate my springs.  If you want to go whole hog you can purchase a kit which will include a fitted spring guide which works wonders for eliminating twang.  You will generally get less drop from a .177 as the velocity is higher so the pellet spends less time in the air and gravity affects it for a shorter period of time.

[beejwest]

Hard to ascertain what's wrong unless you have a chrono. 

[Nate the airgunner]

Definitely sounds like a spring issue to me. It should take a little more effort to cock the 34 than the hw95. If it’s easier, a new spring is definitely in order. Make it a kit or at least get a breech and piston seal to change while you are at it. If you really want a smooth shooting gun, many of our reputable tuners on GTA can have the 34 just as much of a dream to shoot at that hw95 of yours. Even with it being .22 there shouldn’t be a drastic difference in poi from 15-30 yards. At the most would be a half inch difference.

[Cessnaman]

Thank you. I’m going to try and find a chronograph before I tear into it. I’ve never torn one down before. I’ll take it out and see how much it is dropping now that the scope is off.

[Denby95]

Look at buying the mini clamp on chinese chronograph one for 20-30 bucks that reads in meters per second. Available on aliexpress (best price slowest shipping) or Ebay (with US stock for faster delivery and about costs 6-8 dollars more).

[Cessnaman]

It seems to be shooting much better with the scope off. I think the barrel has excessive droop for the RWS mount I was using. I installed flat washers to protect the stock and used some blue loc-tite on all the stock screws. I'll check the velocities but I am really liking the gun now.

[HectorMedina]

It seems to be shooting much better with the scope off. I think the barrel has excessive droop for the RWS mount I was using. I installed flat washers to protect the stock and used some blue loc-tite on all the stock screws. I'll check the velocities but I am really liking the gun now.

You didn't comment on how hard it is to cock in relation to the 95.

If it is harder to cock than the 95, then you mounted a flat base when most airguns (even PCP's) need a droop mount.
If it is substantially softer to cock than the 95 you COULD have gotten a rifle that has an "F in Pentagon" spring (5.5 ft-lbs energy limit for the German market).

Keep us posted!





HM