Can anyone give me some solid advice on buying my 1st .22 air rifle?

Answer 1

I agree with "Chris" if you want the best value air rifle, buy the RWS 34
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/rws-34-panther-air-rifle.shtml

You can buy the RWS 34 rifle & scope combo for $184 on
http://www.gunbroker.com

The Beeman SS1000T could be another reasonable priced option for you

Airgun sites
http://www.pyramydair.com
http://www.airgundepot.com
http://www.airgunwarehouseinc.com
http://www.airgunsbbguns.com
http://www.beeman.com

If you're looking for a high quality air rifle, try one of these
Beeman - R1
Weihrauch - HW80
Webley & Scott - Patriot
RWS - 350 or 54

The RWS 350 is probably your best bet for a high power & quality precision air rifle that also has a reasonable price.
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/rws-350-magnum-air-rifle.shtml

Answer 2

What do you want to do with it?

If it's not hunting then go for a moderate power break barrel rifle from a good manufacturer in a low grade trim. There's no point going for hand checkered walnut unless you are going to hang it on the wall. Square notch rear and narrow square post front sight are appropriate for the sort of accuracy you can get with an air rifle, the shallow/deep V and bead front are more difficult to align accurately and obscure more target.

If you are looking for a hunting rifle then I'd go for one of the side/under lever types because they seem to handle higher power levels better. I prefer the underlever because they tend to be narrower.

The gas ram system is much smoother than most if not all spring guns and lasts longer while maintaining full power.

Pre-charged are a lot of fuss, though they also produce high power. Some of the earliest lethal rifles and pistols were pre-charged air weapons. But all that running around trying to find someone to charge a big expensive divers tank doesn't appeal to me.

I have two RWS airguns, a 48 for hunting and a 34 for plinking. If I was buying a hunter now I'd also look at Weihrauch, Air Arms and Theoben. For a plinker I'd look at the RWS34 and the cheap Hamerli break actions.

Answer 3

4 choices, Co2, PCP, Spring and gas ram. The Co2 and PCP will need some form of charging unit like a divers air bottle for the PCP. Co2 bulbs can be bought in.
The springer is simple, co_ck, load and fire. The gas-ram uses a gas strut to replace the spring. Theoben make some tidy air rifles to suit all budgets.
My advice is buy something you can afford but will last.
http://www.theoben.co.uk

Answer 4

This really depends on how much you wish to spend, the choice is huge.
Give us a clue as to your budget.

Answer 5

FORGET THAT LIL 2-2 get a dragunov sniper from iraq they are strong and from what iv seen they blow the head of the soja....dont forget they are a lil expensive like $5 dollar expensive down their and get a 50x scope while your at it