I am about to order an RWS34, probably in 22 caliber.
This will be for informal target shooting/plinking, maybe squirrel hunting; and an occasional chance to pop rats out to 35 yards,perhaps a little farther in some rare cases.
I do not intend to scope the rifle, at least not at first, but I am not ruling out a scope in the future. I am leaning heavily to .22 over .177, but will review all of the literature and information one more time before final decision and order. I am firm that it will be an RWS 34.
I welcome any thoughts, suggestions or experiences any of y'all can share regarding a brand new out of the box 34, and specifically the following:
About how long a break in period can I expect?
Any recommendations on pellets to use during break-in period
What about a muzzle brake and any other legal "thingys" for an unscoped rifle
Anything else y'all can think of
Thanks!
Doc

I would get the wood stock one in 0.22. Panthers are ok if you are good with the front sight and synt stock. Sight it wiht a Beeman Sport Aperature see my comments and pic on this in the "Peep sights and sling swivels" post below.
In pellet sellection I have been going wiht KryTech coated Crosman Premiers 14.3 grs. They come in the cardboard box of 625. It should take about 250-500 to break it in.

Doc, I disagree on a couple of issues with Kevin about the choice of caliber. I think the 177. is a much more versatile pellet. It is powerful enough to take squirrels and starling etc. and is a great plinker and more of a target gun. Tom Gaylord does a complete review of this choice on the Pyramid web sight. He discusses the different reasons to buy each caliber. I really like the synthetic stock. I think for a hunter in 22.cal that is the way to go. I have synthetic stock on my Italian shotgun and love it. Also I would not classify the 34. as a beginner rifle. I think it is a rifle that is a good choice no matter how long you have been shooting air guns. I do like Kevin's idea of a peep sight on the 22.cal and am thinking of getting one when I get the Panther. So, my opinion, is get the rifle first in 177. and then in 22.cal. I don't mean to be spending your money, and the choice is yours but you asked. However, you really can't loose either way.

I love my 34. period. My first gun was a Quest bought at Walmart for $99.00. A nice little gun that got my bug going. Then a trip to Bass Pro shop I tried out a 34 in 177.cal. I fell in love at first sight. My gun is very accurate, and powerful and a pleasure to shoot. It really smoothed out after about 300-500 shots and after I did a standard lube. I have a 460.Mag now and love both. Recently I fired both rifles into a telephone book at about 30-35' and I was surprised to see that the 34. penetrated as much as the 460. obviously not with as much destruction. I shot all RWS pellets with my gun. Hobby's, and Meisterklugeins work great. You will need to add a buttpad when you get the gun or buy the upgraded model 38. I got the gun with the RWS Scope combo and regret that purchase. The scope sucks. I have a leapers on my 460. and it is so much better. I have decided that the gun is such a great air rifle that my next addition to my collection will be the Panther in 22.cal. It received a great reviews by Tom Gaylord. The 34 is a classic air rifle. A very wise purchase. Good luck and good shooting.
Below is the link to the review.

http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2007/06/rws-diana-34-panther-part-2.html

Diana made some really nice air rifles in the 60s and 70s. They were all similar in lineage starting with the model 35. This model upped the power of the model 27 and was one of the first "magnum" springers capable of 700 fps in .177 cal. The model 38, 40, 45 followed and are basically the same power plants with slightly different bore/stroke. Power increases with model/age. I believe there is a very nice model 40 right now on Auction Arms or Gunbroker - just saw it the other day. You should be able to get something like that for around $150, give or take. These are sweet shooting guns, the ones up until the early 80's had leather seals. With proper care, they should last a very, very long time. Most have very nice triggers and are lacking the plastic parts of modern guns. There should be no problems with these guns holding scopes and the stock open sights are quite servicable. Here is a 1978 model 35 I picked up for right around a C-note. Easy cocking, sweet shooting and solid. What more do you need?


"but I'll be needin' that gun, fer squirrels and such."

Diana made some really nice air rifles in the 60s and 70s. They were all similar in lineage starting with the model 35. This model upped the power of the model 27 and was one of the first "magnum" springers capable of 700 fps in .177 cal. The model 38, 40, 45 followed and are basically the same power plants with slightly different bore/stroke. Power increases with model/age. I believe there is a very nice model 40 right now on Auction Arms or Gunbroker - just saw it the other day. You should be able to get something like that for around $150, give or take. These are sweet shooting guns, the ones up until the early 80's had leather seals. With proper care, they should last a very, very long time. Most have very nice triggers and are lacking the plastic parts of modern guns. There should be no problems with these guns holding scopes and the stock open sights are quite servicable. Here is a 1978 model 35 I picked up for right around a C-note. Easy cocking, sweet shooting and solid. What more do you need?


"but I'll be needin' that gun, fer squirrels and such."