Every year I offer what I consider to be a fine air rifle on our club raffle. I started with the Dianawerks M54 in .22. I could no longer justify the cost to the club since I didn't think the gun was bringing in any ticket sales from a predominantly non-airgun market.
So for the past three years I have offered the Dianawerks M34 in .22 as a lower cost alternative for us, whilst keeping the quality of the rifle high.
This year I am thinking of moving away from Dianawerks altogether in an effort to reduce the money spent on an item that likely does not generate any real ticket purchases.
So, what should I choose for a Raffle Airgun this year? Stipulations:
1) Factory new only.
2) No PCPs (too much extra equipment for non air gunners).
3 No scope combos (scopes tend to be poor overall).
4) 177 or 22 caliber.
5) Under $300
Thanks in advance. I have 1 month to decide before posters and tickets are printed.
Have you considered the Walther Terrus? Never tried one myself but they get really good reviews and have that German craftsmanship. Pyramyd has them for about $260 (wood stock) to $280 (synthetic stock). Even less with a 10% off code. The wood stock version is only available in .177 but the synthetic stocked version is available in .177 or .22.
Another option would be the HW30S. But you already know how good those are.
It would be reeeally slick to win this!!!:
https://www.krale-schietsport.nl/en/weihrauch-hw50-s-9231.html
It would be reeeally slick to win this!!!:
https://www.krale-schietsport.nl/en/weihrauch-hw50-s-9231.html
I agree. Absolutely love my 50S. And that's a great price. But the downside to ordering something from Krale would be if there were any need for warranty work. It would cost a small fortune to send something back. Not much of a problem for many of us since a good share of us work on our own guns. But KW said that most at his club were non-airgunners so the warranty might be an issue to consider.
I do appreciate the help so far.
Regarding Krale: I did the numbers for a gun from Krale when they were first mentioned on this forum years ago. With the shipping costs and duty tax/import cost, and the credit card fee for an international purchase there is no savings over purchasing from a US -based retailer. For instance I spoke to Christiaan at Krale about ordering HW30s rifles for my Vets.
HW30s = $215 + $29 shipping + 3% CC fee + Duty Fee from $20 -$50 = $270-300. The same gun from Pyramyd is $283 shipped with no surprises, free returns and support. Also the money goes to a US retailer.
I watched the YouTube review of the Nova Freedom. Looks like an interesting gun. Price is $400 so too much to invest in for the Club since it is more of a consolation prize. I like that it is a way to introduce non-airgunners to PCP without relying on a tank or fill station, but I have my doubts about the longevity of that hand pump. Anyone using this gun with the handpump exclusively?
Still looking for an alternative to the Dianawerks M34.
BTW: If you haven't read S Archer's review of the Nova Freedom, check it out here:
https://hardairmagazine.com/reviews/american-tactical-nova-freedom-pcp-air-rifle-review-22-caliber/
How about a Diana Chaser CO2 rifle/pistol kit? Winner gets the option of hand gun or long gun, magazine-fed or single shot. Not a huge investment on your club's part, for a really nice, versatile kit. Also available from Pyramyd, with their stellar backup. (The current guns come with a really nice trigger.)
How about a Diana Chaser CO2 rifle/pistol kit? Winner gets the option of hand gun or long gun, magazine-fed or single shot. Not a huge investment on your club's part, for a really nice, versatile kit. Also available from Pyramyd, with their stellar backup. (The current guns come with a really nice trigger.)
Hi Jim!
So I looked at the Chaser before for a different reason. I decided that buying a Chinese gun with 'DIANA' on it was not a great idea. Remember the Chinese barrels on the Diana M34s that gave pretty variable results from diehard Diana lovers? I don't trust Diana to brand imported items any more.
Along the lines of your recommendation I am looking at the Crosman 2300T/KT. There are some problems there as I discovered when I bought two last week. I will detail that experience under a different thread.
Hi Jim!
So I looked at the Chaser before for a different reason. I decided that buying a Chinese gun with 'DIANA' on it was not a great idea. Remember the Chinese barrels on the Diana M34s that gave pretty variable results from diehard Diana lovers? I don't trust Diana to brand imported items any more.
Along the lines of your recommendation I am looking at the Crosman 2300T/KT. There are some problems there as I discovered when I bought two last week. I will detail that experience under a different thread.
I understand your reservations, but past performance isn't necessarily an indication of current production standards. I currently own 4 variations of the latest Snowpeak air guns: .177 Mrodair Plinkster CO2 rifle, .177 Seneca Dragonfly MSP rifle, .177 Diana Chaser rifle/pistol, and .22 Diana Chaser pistol.
I have found these guns to be an incredible value for the $, and remarkably good right out of the box. A few easy tweaks, and they can be truly excellent.
You mentioned in your original post a predominantly non-airgun market. That's what immediately made me think of the Chaser. It's CO2, so no pumping or breakbarrel cocking. It's light and "high-tech" looking, decidedly NOT a firearm look-alike.
I don't know if you have been reading Hector Medina's recent blogs about Diana and its new affiliations, but my personal experience with current China-sourced Diana products has been good, very good.
Well for a fun factor and cost, I would recommend a Daisy Red Ryder, outfitted with a Chief AJ adult size wood stock and solid steel hoop lever, and add a big bottle of Copperhead 6000 count BBs, maybe some eye goggles.
The stock comes unfinished, so put a little work into it with a little sanding, a small can of Min Wax stain in Woodstock color or the Rustoleum Varathane in the Woodstock color... both would come very close to matching the wood forend stock... finish it off with some Poly Wipe or Tru Oil.... that would probably cost you less than $100.
If you want to spend more, do two or three of them for the raffle.
You really cannot beat the fun of plinking with these... I love mine !
Here's a short video I made...
How about a Crosman 392?
I know it is not the classic Sheridan, but it is a solid platform with accuracy and power for many applications. Its also made locally.
I had one in my early days and liked that it was bullet proof even when left in the camp for years.
Again remember that the goal is to offer an airgun that would likely end up with a non-airgunner.
