[Jeff Higgins]

I shot a 48 for years, probably 20-30 years ago. I loved that thing, too. I like the side lever, which allows for a fixed barrel. It was a .177, though, so I traded it off for some long forgotten whatever. Wish I would have kept it.

I always thought the break barrels were a bad idea, and would loosen up and droop over time. I was considering another 48, but in .22, because of that concern. Many airgunners insisted I was dead wrong; I guess I finally am willing to take that chance. Nothing stays in production, and so well respected, if it had a flaw like that.

The 34 is about half the price of the 48. While it's a big rifle, it's still smaller than a 48 as well. The stock lines are more traditional, and it's much narrower in cross section. It locks up like a feakin' bank vault, too, so I'm not worried in the least about it "shooting loose". It's a great rifle.