Am I being unrealistic???

[sghunter]

Since I was seriously looking at the RWS34, possibly in a refurb, I'm really enjoying the many comments in favor of that gun.  Flying dragon does have what appears to be an RWS34 clone, so I think my choice is going to be the RWS, or the clone with a tune up, probably both about the same in cost.

[JimL911]

They are mass produced and need some attention to optimize their potential. Price point doesn't guarantee perfection. Some have too much lube some have too little. You can shoot them out of the box and be content. Once you shoot one that has had some work done you will notice the difference. After working on my first gun, I don't even fire a new one until I have opened it up and given it a tune. We all chase accuracy. Eliminating torque and recoil help.
Get a .22 Diana 34 and you will be happy. Tune it now or tune it later and you will be happier.

[sghunter]

They are mass produced and need some attention to optimize their potential. Price point doesn't guarantee perfection. Some have too much lube some have too little. You can shoot them out of the box and be content. Once you shoot one that has had some work done you will notice the difference. After working on my first gun, I don't even fire a new one until I have opened it up and given it a tune. We all chase accuracy. Eliminating torque and recoil help.
Get a .22 Diana 34 and you will be happy. Tune it now or tune it later and you will be happier.

Sorry for what may be a really stupid question, but is the Diana 34 the same as the RWS34?

Anyway, I think the RWS would be right for me.  I going to head over to the German Gate for more info on that.  Thank you all for the advice.

[jusanothajoe]

They are mass produced and need some attention to optimize their potential. Price point doesn't guarantee perfection. Some have too much lube some have too little. You can shoot them out of the box and be content. Once you shoot one that has had some work done you will notice the difference. After working on my first gun, I don't even fire a new one until I have opened it up and given it a tune. We all chase accuracy. Eliminating torque and recoil help.
Get a .22 Diana 34 and you will be happy. Tune it now or tune it later and you will be happier.

Sorry for what may be a really stupid question, but is the Diana 34 the same as the RWS34?

Yes, and I agree get a 34 in .22 shoot it some, then have it tuned, you will enjoy

[iowajosh]

I think there's only one 34.

But here's the deal.  again.    I wouldn't want to be stuck shooting one with too much or no lube.   Or a torn seal.  Or 14 other things that'll make you come on the forum wondering why your new gun won't shoot.  Or asking why the trigger is so bad, etc etc etc. 

Apparently all the people trying to help you are tinkers.  Which is fine but if you don't want to spend your time that way, you need to put value on different things. 

[Onebaddj]

Rws 34 would be a great starter that will be with you for a long time. Dont get cought up in the velocity dream. Most of the advertised velocities are exagerated to sell guns. Get the best quality you can afford. Rws guns shoot well straight from the box and once they get broken in they shoot very well. Most of us crack them open and tune them because we are tinkerers and just cant help it. I cant leave anything alone if there something to make it better. If they made toaster mods mine would be tricked out! The lower end guns will have more room for improvement ya get what you pay for. Mike at flying dragon willget you a good gun at a great price. Biggest thing is clean the barrel make sure the screws are tight and figure out how your gun likes to be held and which pellet it shoots the best. Then shoot the snot out of it and have fun. Planty of time for mods later.

[sghunter]

I have gotten more useful information here in just one day than I got with several weeks worth of my research on other sites.  This is great.

[jusanothajoe]

I have gotten more useful information here in just one day than I got with several weeks worth of my research on other sites.  This is great.

Welcome to the addiction !

[Protos]

+1

Cannot go wrong with a Dianawerk M 34 as a First AirGun.

[RedFeather]

For getting your feet wet, I would go with a Model 25 (the Diana 34 clone) tuned or at least gone through by Mike at Flying Dragons.  That way you need not worry about imperfections and just shoot it.  If you are happy with it, great.  Don't care for springers?  Sell it and get a fair bit back.  Do really like them?  Get a Diana later on.  And, yes, I have Diana's including the 34.  The 25 is one of the best Chinese clones btw.

[sghunter]

For getting your feet wet, I would go with a Model 25 (the Diana 34 clone) tuned or at least gone through by Mike at Flying Dragons.  That way you need not worry about imperfections and just shoot it.  If you are happy with it, great.  Don't care for springers?  Sell it and get a fair bit back.  Do really like them?  Get a Diana later on.  And, yes, I have Diana's including the 34.  The 25 is one of the best Chinese clones btw.

What is the Model 25 that you refer to?  Flying Dragon currently lists an XS25, and another member here refered to a B25, are they all the same?

[Bullit]

If you are gonna look at Flying Dragon Airguns.  Check out the XS46U.   
It's a good deal on a underlever($199.99 with a full tune job), with power. Mike can fix you up.  Here's the link:
http://www.flyingdragonairrifles.org/XISICO_XS46U.html

[robert w]

i just belive a 34 right from the box is the logical choice. i have 2 ,1 in 22 and the other in 177 and neither have had anything done to either but put scopes on them. like all man made things every now and then you will get a lemon. be ware of that even though we all tell you what we would start with. but  if hunting a 34 in 22 would be my choice for a low priced gun with power and long life

[Nomadic Pirate]

for 150 bucks with scope I would seriously consider the Nitro Venom .22, I can shoot this rifle better than I could ever shoot the RWS 34, matter of fact the 34 is gone and the nitro venom is still here
the shooting cycle of the Venom is sooo much nicer than the twangy noisy rws 34

[sghunter]

for 150 bucks with scope I would seriously consider the Nitro Venom .22, I can shoot this rifle better than I could ever shoot the RWS 34, matter of fact the 34 is gone and the nitro venom is still here
the shooting cycle of the Venom is sooo much nicer than the twangy noisy rws 34

Okay, I'm willing to explore other options here, especially since you appear to have a lot of experience with air rifles, and I have, uh, zero experience . . . so, have you heard much about the life expectancy of the gas pistons vs the spring rifles?

[bradyman1]

I have a Crosman Titan in .22 and it is a great rifle. It needs a scope and mounts upgrade but that is about it. I have taken nutters, crows, possums, bunnies etc with mine. Great rifle and only about $150.

[Nomadic Pirate]

both units are cheap to replace, ( I'm just about to order 1 piston for the Venom and 2 for the NPXL, just to keep for an eventual need to exchange them )

[bradyman1]

The nitro piston is said to last longer than the springs. They are just a easy to replace and the Crosman nitro pistons can be bought at a reasonable price.

[1216bandit]

for 150 bucks with scope I would seriously consider the Nitro Venom .22, I can shoot this rifle better than I could ever shoot the RWS 34, matter of fact the 34 is gone and the nitro venom is still here
the shooting cycle of the Venom is sooo much nicer than the twangy noisy rws 34

Now ya really went and did it...poor fella probably feels like someone stuck an egg beater in his ear and put it on heavy batter .  Take each suggestion and put it on a piece of paper...put em all in a hat and pull one out...you cant go wrong!
Better yet, buy one of each and report back!

[sghunter]

The nitro piston is said to last longer than the springs. They are just a easy to replace and the Crosman nitro pistons can be bought at a reasonable price.

Okay, the main thing I don't like is that the Crosman Nitro piston comes with a scope and no open sights.  Is there a similar gas piston rifle that comes with open sights?