I have a diana 34 with a scope and it is a heavy bugger. I really like it. It shoots great, and is reliable. but is there anything which is just as good which is substantially lighter? I have difficulty shooting it without bracing it.
I have a RWS 34 or Diana - its heavy
- Thread starter jj99
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As far as spring piston guns go, not really much lighter unless you get something with much less power. The less powerful guns have smaller actions, thus being lighter. Such as a Weihrauch HW30s. Just consider what you use the gun for and decide if you can get by with less power.
The cheap plastic stocked department store stuff can be lighter, but you will be taking a huge dive in quality from what you have now.
One big question is, what kind of scope are you running? A high power scope, particularly the more affordable ones, tend to be very heavy. A heavy scope can really make a rifle feel unwieldy and bulky, and swapping to a lower powered much lighter one can make a big difference in feel. I've found that I can get away with a lot less magnification than I thought I needed.
The pump guns are very light and compact. But also very loud, and most have terrible triggers and problems mounting a scope solidly.
Going to PCP would allow you to have a lightweight and high powered gun, and also quiet, but they are a big investment to get started in having to include the fill setup.
The cheap plastic stocked department store stuff can be lighter, but you will be taking a huge dive in quality from what you have now.
One big question is, what kind of scope are you running? A high power scope, particularly the more affordable ones, tend to be very heavy. A heavy scope can really make a rifle feel unwieldy and bulky, and swapping to a lower powered much lighter one can make a big difference in feel. I've found that I can get away with a lot less magnification than I thought I needed.
The pump guns are very light and compact. But also very loud, and most have terrible triggers and problems mounting a scope solidly.
Going to PCP would allow you to have a lightweight and high powered gun, and also quiet, but they are a big investment to get started in having to include the fill setup.
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34's are great middle road power springers. IMO they're getting into high power but not magnum,
A HW30 or HW35 is about the only lighter bweight springer I can currently think of.
A HW30 or HW35 is about the only lighter bweight springer I can currently think of.
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you could get into a prod with optic and pump for less than 5 ... probably weighs half that springer ..
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I definitely agree with Thumper about scope weight. A decent 4x32 fixed power scope is sufficient for a whole lot of uses. I even have some very good light 3-9 x 32's. A 10 lb. rifle is fine if you shoot off the bench or rested. 10m target. Too heavy for many Seasoned citizens to shoot offhand. I don't know how seasoned you are.
BTW the HW35 mentioned above is about a pound heavier than an RWS 34. Did JamesD mean to say HW50?
HW50 and a light scope might be your answer. Likely shave a pound off of what you have.
BTW the HW35 mentioned above is about a pound heavier than an RWS 34. Did JamesD mean to say HW50?
HW50 and a light scope might be your answer. Likely shave a pound off of what you have.
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Yeah lightweight and springer doesn't really go together. I do like the hw50 tho. I think it's your best bet if you absolutely need a springer.
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i think you all are right on. I was fine with the weight and iron sights before i put the scope on but my eyes are not as good as they were. These posts got me looking at the williams FP. I may give that a try.
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Yes, 8 pounds is my comfort zone limit. Anything more and I'm not a happy camper. I put a Primary Arms micro red dot sight on my HW95. It only weighs 4 ounces which brings overall weight into the mid 7 pound range. With a Vortek PG3 kit power is about 16.5 foot pounds, plenty for small game.
I suppose you could get a custom light weight stock, but the recoil would go up.
The HW field pros aren't drilled for iron sights so a red dot is your best option. Plus it's immune to springer recoil.
I suppose you could get a custom light weight stock, but the recoil would go up.
The HW field pros aren't drilled for iron sights so a red dot is your best option. Plus it's immune to springer recoil.
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OK I'm not exactly an expert as I've owned my very first 34 for all of a week now, LOL!
But I've noticed over the years that the perception of weight can be as much a function of balance, as of sheer mass. I bet that your big scope has made the gun feel butt-heavy and top-heavy, which to me always feel very ponderous.
The 34 (my T01 example at least) is really notably muzzle-heavy with its OEM sights. I actually like a rifle to be a little nose-heavy - giving a steady "hang" to an offhand hold - but to me it goes a bit too far! For me it would be great with a rear-mounted aperture sight, or as Thumper mentioned, a lighter scope, and I bet you'd like that too.
But I've noticed over the years that the perception of weight can be as much a function of balance, as of sheer mass. I bet that your big scope has made the gun feel butt-heavy and top-heavy, which to me always feel very ponderous.
The 34 (my T01 example at least) is really notably muzzle-heavy with its OEM sights. I actually like a rifle to be a little nose-heavy - giving a steady "hang" to an offhand hold - but to me it goes a bit too far! For me it would be great with a rear-mounted aperture sight, or as Thumper mentioned, a lighter scope, and I bet you'd like that too.
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Depends what your using it for, sounds like hunting? The 95 is my hunter and its heavy with a scope, I went with a Williams peep sight, and it feels so much lighter, less cumbersome too. I think it has a Luxus stock on it, prob look for a trade for a standard to lighten it up more.
Hw30 is real light (5.5 lbs), but it wont reach and hit like the hw95 (7.5 lbs). I use it as a plinker cause cocking and holding is like my old 34 was.(regrettably) Good luck
Hw30 is real light (5.5 lbs), but it wont reach and hit like the hw95 (7.5 lbs). I use it as a plinker cause cocking and holding is like my old 34 was.(regrettably) Good luck
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What I would give to get a real D34 in .22 or .177! It is a real nice combination different from R9s and such!
Anyway the rifle you have is creating the best combination of power with accuracy for field hunting and that is a fine rifle to hang on to!
A lighter rifle is an HW50. The HW35E weighs 8.4 pounds alone without mounts and sights you may decide to install.
If the RWS34 is on the heavier than you like side, truly the HW50 in the same caliber; as well as the HW35E in the same caliber, make shooting easier with more time to be sure all moving parts are working well.
I would think an R9 or HW95L or HW95 would be the larger rifles I'd take from HW50 and HW35E.
I say keep that 34 and pick another rifle to own to compare with your original assessments and go from there with the two rifles for comparison and which one you like better.
You'll always buy another air rifle so why stop now!
Anyway the rifle you have is creating the best combination of power with accuracy for field hunting and that is a fine rifle to hang on to!
A lighter rifle is an HW50. The HW35E weighs 8.4 pounds alone without mounts and sights you may decide to install.
If the RWS34 is on the heavier than you like side, truly the HW50 in the same caliber; as well as the HW35E in the same caliber, make shooting easier with more time to be sure all moving parts are working well.
I would think an R9 or HW95L or HW95 would be the larger rifles I'd take from HW50 and HW35E.
I say keep that 34 and pick another rifle to own to compare with your original assessments and go from there with the two rifles for comparison and which one you like better.
You'll always buy another air rifle so why stop now!
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