I should have said more when I posted the appeal for help. I have only tried one scope, BSA Airgun Scope. It is the 3rd one, the first 2 were destroyed by the rifle and replaced free of charge. I purchased the gun and scope combination from Airgun Express in November 2004. I have shot over 4000 pellets through it and believe the gun is accurate but I cannot use open sights very well because ot my vision. The gun has been sent in several times to Airgun Express and to Dynamit-Nobel in New Jersey. No one can get the scope to stay in position. Even Tim gave up and suggestted the peep sight. I also shoot an FWB 300 and use the BSA scope on it with no problems. I am really just looking for suggestions on what to buy to replace the open sights on the front and rear keeping in mind I have the FWB 300 so that I might have compatible equipment. Thanks so much for your interest.
I had the the same thought when I was working a friends 34. He had the gun for several years and put it in the closet, because the gun store he got it from didn't know anything about setting this gun up.
I shot the thing for hours, and it was kicking my butt. You could not hit the broad side of a barn. I found this site, and within an hour or so of proper set up, found here with the help of all the great members, I was shooting great groups out to 40 yards. Even 50 yards was not so bad.
He had purchased this gun new, had the correct 1 piece adjustable mount and a RWS scope. It's just terrible that the store lacked the knowledge to tell him how to shoot it. I have shot rifles all my life, but these are different beasts. Just listen to the group and they will get you going. Also, the pellet you shoot makes a HUGE difference.
And again, a BIG thanks to the group for helping me out. My buddy loves his 34 now, and I plan to get one soon.
diopter on my .22 34 for most of the time I've had it. I never tried a scope on it, but I'm more of an open sight or peep guy. The 34 with the diopter is amazing, and I'm getting a couple of Beeman sport aperture sights in the mail next week(hopefully), and I plan on trying them on a few different rifles. If you keep your eye out at gun shows you're bound to find a deal on a good rear sight. The most I've spent on an Anschutz diopter is $90cnd and I have three of them, and I'll buy as many as I can find for that price. Hopefully the Beeman/Williams sights work out, I'll post if it works well on the 34.
I HIGHLY recommend Jim Maccari's GSI kit and Apex seal for the 34 guns. It really changes the firing behavior. I never chronied my .177 before the kit, but after, its shooting at a respectable and smooth 880 fps with CPLs.
I have a Banner 4-12 in BSquare AA adjustable mount. The mount has a stop pin, so it doesn't move. They can be a pain to set up, but there are excellent instructions available for download from Straight Shooters.
I was told that a Banner would be iffy on a 34, but after the tune, its been doing a "banner" job for over a year.
Hopefully I have better luck than you with my scope. I'm still waiting on my 3-9X40 Swift and AA mount to show up, so I've been using the lacking factory open sights. I just got my 34 a few days ago and she seems to be smoothing out now that I've put at least 300 pellets through her.
I'm a major fan of aperture sights and find them eminently suited for airguns. As the other posters have mentioned, you gun may have some mechanical issues, but regardless you will find it to much nicer handling and quite accurate with a peep aboard.
The ubiquitous Beeman-Williams unit will work. Also take a look at the sturdy and reasonably-priced Mendoza sight available from Airgun Express. Both these sights have an adjustable mounting dovetail and fit many guns.
Diana and Anschutz match sights will also fit the Diana rail. The Anschutz sights in particular are beautifully made, sturdy, and very precise. You often see used ones (Ebay, gun shows, etc.) for little more than a new Williams.
Any match sight will be bulkier than a sporting-type unit, but their super precision and ability to accept adjustable aperture irises and other accessories can be most useful indeed.