D34 or CFR? Time for a good gun!

[Marc]

Time to get a Good gun.  These are the two I am down to.  Help me pick, and please point out any other important things to consider.

D34 - supposed to be easy to work on, good trigger, good quality, parts easy to get, accurate? hold sensitive?

CFR - not hold sensitive, very good accuracy from what I have seen, not sure on the rest

*if I go with the D34 it will get an OS kit to calm it down and smooth out. 

Guns will be for targets and squirrels to 30 yards.

Thanks!

[Gresh24]

Didn't you have a D34? 

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=62227.msg596292#msg596292

[Fwawa20]

Yup looks like you said you did. I so remember you asking these very same questions before a few months back.
My advise to you is to just buy both of these if the coin is available and return the one you don't appreciate as much.

[Marc]

Yes - had a D34.  I should have kept it and put in the OS kit, and shortened the stock 1" to fit me. 

Now at square one - just deciding which way to go, after seeing some really good stuff on the CFR.

No cash to buy both.

[Gresh24]

How many guns have you had since?  It seems like you've asked about many and have owned a fair share. 

What are the problems?  It shouldn't be difficult to find something to shoot targets and squirrels at 30 yards.

Why not try the new Venom?  It should fit the bill just fine. 

[stretch]

Time to get a Good gun.  These are the two I am down to.  Help me pick, and please point out any other important things to consider.

D34 - supposed to be easy to work on, good trigger, good quality, parts easy to get, accurate? hold sensitive?

CFR - not hold sensitive, very good accuracy from what I have seen, not sure on the rest

*if I go with the D34 it will get an OS kit to calm it down and smooth out. 

Guns will be for targets and squirrels to 30 yards.

Thanks!

I'm in a similar situation, except I'm mostly interested in shooting targets at 50 yards.  I was considering the CFX, CFR and XS46U but as of last night I also decided to add the D34 to that list (mostly because of all the good things I've read about that rifle).  I might even consider a D48, except I'm afraid the recoil on that rifle might be too much for a first air rifle.  I would very likely add a gas ram to whichever rifle I end up with.

Even though I'm not a big fan of Chinese guns, the XS46U is on the list partly because it'll be tuned by MikeM (who has a great rep here) but also because I wouldn't be as afraid to modify its wood stock (something I probably would never do to an RWS or Diana).  You see, I have the opposite problem as you, most stocks are too short for me (I would love to get an LOP of at least 15").

I also interested to learn how hold sensitive the D34 is?  Can I shoot it off bags?  Off a bipod?
How does it's accuracy compare to a CFX / CFR?

[Marc]

My son has a Titan, and it's been frustration for two years - it's now a consistant soda can hitter at 20 yards.

Not sure I want to throw any more $$ in the Nitro Venom and end up in the same place.

[chiro972b]

RWS/diana over gamo always. I know some like the underlevers from gamo, but they are nowhere near the quality of a good German gun like a 34.

[TooJung2Die]

I've never owned a Gamo. That said, get the Diana RWS. Diana barrels are very accurate (with the possible exception of some T05s that had Chinese made barrels) with choked muzzles. The D34 I have is not hold sensitive. It is the favorite air rifle in my little arsenal. When I introduce someone to air rifle shooting I always get out the D34. I like everything about it, the size, the weight, the wood and finish. Most of all I like hitting the target every time with almost any pellet. It's the one air rifle I measure all my others against. Get a Diana 34 and you won't be sorry.

[stretch]

Hope I'm not hijacking this thread but I'd like to learn more about the D34.  The D34 (on paper) .177 is claimed to produce 1000 fps, but what's your experience with heavier pellets (around 10 grains)?  What would a reasonable group size be at 50 yards?

[Bullit]

LOL.  Crackin' me up Marc.  I know you had problems with the D34 before.  You "can" invest the extra cash into modifications, and by that time, you'll easily be able to buy a refurbished Diana 48.  Now...They are good quality German rifles.   But much more power and heavier than what you desire.  I'd spend cash to detune a Diana 48, though...before a D34.  The quality of the CFR is right there with the D34.  The new trigger on the one I shoot is okay.  I group well with it. But you know how cheap and easy that is to change   No Issue.

[wilsonj1018]

simple solution, buy neither. step up and buy a good gun that fits you and feel right to you. something you can expect good accuracy at 50yd with if you want. something you can pass down to your kid one day. if you want a break barrel, buy an r-9, if you want an underlever buy a hw97/77 or buy a tx200. also the used market will help stretch your funds. but before anyone can make any real suggestions what is your budget for your "good" gun?
Josh

[JimL911]

Hope I'm not hijacking this thread but I'd like to learn more about the D34.  The D34 (on paper) .177 is claimed to produce 1000 fps, but what's your experience with heavier pellets (around 10 grains)?  What would a reasonable group size be at 50 yards?

With a JM kit in my 95 I get about 780 fps with JSB heavies. The 34 should run about the same.
My .177, 34 with an OS kit can stay inside a dime all day at 30 yards. If you can shoot and no wind you should easily be able to get 1" or less at 50 yards.

Marc
My 34 with an OS kit in it is not hold sensitive at all. It is a joy to shoot. You'll love it.
Not bashing Diana (I own 3 34's) but the 95/R9 is better quality. JM currently has a UK power kit for them which should be as good or better than the OS kit in a 34. He is also working on a kit that sounds like it will mimic the performance of the FWB 124 for power and cocking. Might be something to think about.

[stretch]

With a JM kit in my 95 I get about 780 fps with JSB heavies. The 34 should run about the same.
My .177, 34 with an OS kit can stay inside a dime all day at 30 yards. If you can shoot and no wind you should easily be able to get 1" or less at 50 yards.

"OS kit"?  I'm guessing that's a spring upgrade?  Where can I learn more about this?  How would a "stock" D34 perform?  I did some quick chair gun calcs and 780 fps with JSB heavies seems pretty respectable.

[Bullit]

stretch,  when you get into that; you are looking at bore and stroke calcs.  The CFR & D34 are in the same class, as far as chamber volume...  the 95 is about 10% smaller.
The "OS" designator in all of his kits,  stands for "Old School".  Commonly they are in the 12-13fpe range with 7.9g pellets.    It isn't as strong as a heavier spring of course, within the same bore/stroke chamber.  Your specific D34 with the OS kit may/may not perform the same as someone elses' rifle.  With these lighter springs (ie 0.120-0.125"), using a heavy pellet will result in premature spring failue.
It's a proven.  That's a heavy load and dwell time.  That spring wants to cut loose now

[Booger]

simple solution, buy neither. step up and buy a good gun that fits you and feel right to you. something you can expect good accuracy at 50yd with if you want. something you can pass down to your kid one day. if you want a break barrel, buy an r-9, if you want an underlever buy a hw97/77 or buy a tx200. also the used market will help stretch your funds. but before anyone can make any real suggestions what is your budget for your "good" gun?
Josh

I think he should step up to the plate and get an R11/HW98. The accuracy is as good or better (yes I said better) than a TX200 or HW97K. You will not look back if you do. Years from now the price will be forgotten if you buy quality.

[JimL911]

With these lighter springs (ie 0.120-0.125"), using a heavy pellet will result in premature spring failue.
It's a proven.  That's a heavy load and dwell time.  That spring wants to cut loose now

You definitely won't want to use heavies with an OS kit.

[Bullit]

LMBO.  It's easy for other folks to spend "your" money for you...with a keyboard. It's easy to create anything yo want to.   
BOY....Guys, If he's screwing up so bad...Open up the wallets and pony up some Bucks for this guy... Guys!  
I wouldn't hold my breath.... LMBO

[Booger]

LMBO.  It's easy for other folks to spend "your" money for you...with a keyboard. 
If he's screwing up so bad...Open up the wallets and pony up some Bucks for this guy... Guys!  
I wouldn't hold my breath.... LMBO

I own all three guns I mentioned. I paid my dues because I want something that is good and can pass down. I do look at my rifles with pride and hit what I aim at, and if I miss it is because of me and not the rifle.

[Marc]

The 34 or CRF are both the top of my budget right now, so more is not an option.  I need to stay within my means.