I have a GAMO CFX that is fully tuned in .177 with a Tasco Golden Antler 3-9X32 AO scope.
2nd is a Crosman 2250B w/a 4 power BSA scope...also professionally tuned.
3rd is a RWS 350 Mag in .177 w/same scope as the CFX. Gun is also prof. tuned.
4th is a Beeman R9 Goldfinger in .20 - just got it last Friday. Here's a link that shows it from the stock refinishing job I did this weekend: http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/message/1191770853/Quick+stock+refinish+w-pics
The Goldfinger isn't as powerful as the 350, but MAN does it shoot nice though! The Beeman "REKORD" trigger blows away anything on an RWS.
Seriously though - I 've heard many people say the Beeman R9 Goldfinger is fine shooting gun. But new it's like a $500+ gun, no? I bet the trigger assembly costs >$120 alone..
Who tuned your 350? What did you have done on it? I want to get mine tuned soon to get rid of some of the vibration and hopefully make it a smoother shooting gun. Was thinking of at least a thorough lube tune. I know there a couple of others that got new custom machined spring guides for theirs, but not so sure how good that is without a Maccari or an aftermarket spring. JM doesn't make springs for our 350's anymore. I 've read that the few springs he made for 350's, produced slightly lower than OEM velocities. On the other hand people that got a complete lube tune and not much else, reported higher velocities by 20-30fps through their chrony and that's on .22cal 350's.
Oh yeah, I kinda forgot this is the Diana forum. I guess just got a bit carried away since I just got my R9. I still love my 350 though...nothing shoots like that thing! Rich from Mich did my trigger tune...I actually bought the gun from him. There is a link for him over on the Gamo forum (or just ask me for it). He does a superb job. I would start with a lube and trigger tune if I were you. He can improve the trigger quite a bit. What these 350's really need is just to be smoothed out...they have plenty of power already. When the gun is smooth and the trigger is tuned, you really increase your accuracy. Think of taking out a rabbit at 45 yards. Instead of just hitting the rabbit, you hit it EXACTLY where you choose to! I love my 350...and it's the quietest AND most powerful pellet gun I own...talk about a nice combo!
Wow, you think the 350 is "quiet"? You are the 1st person to say that! Is it quiet now after you tuned it? There are cerntainly louder airguns out there, I 'm not arguing that but I would never classify the 350 as "quiet".
Did Rich debur your gun's internals too? What is involved with the "trigger tune"? I just adjusted the factory screws to where I like it, but it could definitely be a lot better. A smoother trigger would definitely make the 350 more accurate. I know my rifle moves slightly sometimes when I squeeze the trigger causing the POI to shift a little. Only if I really concentrate and take my time, and even then.. Why can't these companies make a dang trigger that works well? I have a cheap $80 (at the time) .22LR Marlin that has a better trigger than the 350. I love shooting that gun. It's so easy to squeeze that trigger without ever moving the crosshairs from the target. I mean not even a nanometer. 50-70yd bullseyes are so easy with that gun with a cheap 3x9 Tasco scope I got in '85 (don't even know the model - it was like $30 at the time). The 350's trigger is "rough" compared to most of my firearm rifles. I don't get it.. Maybe it smoothens out after 1 or 2 thousand shots? I guess no gun is perfect. If they were, they would all probably hundreds $ more.
I was frustrated with my 350 when I got it for all the same reasons Harry. That's why in my first post in this thread I talked about the Beeman Rekord trigger!
My 350 is quiet because Rich in Mich tuned it, and because he sold me a nice muzzle brake that quiets it way down. The trigger tune is something of an art...he knows exactly where to file this and that, and what lubes to put a dab of here and there. It really makes such a big difference that you just have to have it done to understand. My gun is quieter, more powerful I'm sure, and shoots way nicer (in part because of the nicer trigger feel).
You've come this far (by buying a good gun already), why not come a bit farther and have it tuned. Obviously you're an enthusiast and enjoy your guns...splurge a little and you'll really be glad! Christmas is coming up...give Harry a Christmas present: a tune job.
I don't have a problem splurging, believe me! and I convinced myself to get the gun tuned a couple of weeks ago. The thing is I have found several people out there that all claim do great work, and now I think it's come down to picking one of them. I do like what I 'm reading about velocity increasing 20-30fps after just a lube tune. One guy in another forum reported 880fps with the Crossman Premiers!
I think I would prefer someone that has worked on 350's before, so I appreciate you giving me your guy's info.
You wouldn't have a chrony would you? Now there have been mixed reviews on muzzle breaks on springers. Some say it creates extra vibrations on the pellet through new oscillations from the MB that were not meant to be there, and can affect accuracy as well as power. I really don't take anyone's word on power unless they have chronied their gun. I plan on putting mine through the chrony before I send it out.
BTW, how much does that Rekord trigger kit cost? I just want to have an idea in case they quote me a higher price.
thanks Eric!
Eric,
Tne topic around here is "I LOVE Airguns!
Yes, I set the place up as primarilly a storehouse for Diana information but ALL airgun info is welcome.
Frankilly, I too prefer the Rekord.
I have a self-tuned HW-55S and a R-11 which have the unit and it's really NICE!
The trigger kit for the Rekord really isn't necessary, as itsometimes tends to give you too light of a trigger for general Field uses. Basiclly the "soft" trigger spring makes letoff too light. It is however a good item to buy and have on hand in the parts stash.
I can't remember where, but there is a very good article floating around the Net about adjusting the Rekord Trigger. I think once you get your trigger "Perfectlly" adjusted that you'll find that is more than adequate. You might Google "Rekord Trigger and find the write-up???
You have a nice battery of guns.
ZVP
ZVP and Harry, just to clarify - I don't have a Rekord on my 350 - I had Rich in Mich tune my stock trigger and I think it turned out really nice. When I mentioned the Rekord, I was referring to it on my Beeman R9. Sorry for the confusion!
I love my 350, and was just trying to say that it really shoots a lot better now that I've had the trigger tuned. The stock trigger was stiff and I was having a hard time shooting accurately with it before having the trigger work done.
(This is a Diana forum, heheh)
DD