At 66 I was an arms dealer at skool. Buying old Diana’s BSA’s etc. Taking em home cleaning em, bluing the barrels, up rating springs and washers. Sanding, polishing the stocks. And selling for a profit. We used to take em into skool and I even had teachers wanting rifles. Looks a lovely tool
At full power, it and the HW 80/90 are the big boys of spring-piston hunting. The only thing is, in my experience, you are better off using a red dot or the open sights as all of them are notoriously tough on scopes at full power. Or just realize that you'll need a scope and mounts that's almost as much as the rifle. 12-13ft-lbs at 50 yards is doable with these and the right (often heavy) pellet. Oddly enough, the sweet spot is .22 despite .25 cal being offered in some models. Spring-pistons simply lack the energy to really deal with larger calibers. So .22 is the best choice for hunting.
@@plektosgaming BSA make some good "springer friendly" scopes able to handle the recoil of a springer much better than regular scopes. Regular scopes can't handle the forward and rear recoil of a springer which on the heavier powered springers can be quite violent and will wreck a regular scope in a short space of time. They are available here un the USA, I use mine with a Diana 34, well happy with it.
I had an Original 45 in the early eighties. I sold it to buy an Hw 80. Although the Weihrauch was a good gun, i always missed the Original. It was a superb gun. The Original was a Diana.
Great review AAR! I have a model 48 from years past, also made in Germany. Being across the pond, and in .22 caliber, it has been useful in both target work and a bit of pest control. It is loud, and being a different model, the recoil is there. But given that I shoot centerfire rifles for pleasure, the recoil is quite manageable. Thanks again!
Also talking of this self-artilleryhold system in Germany we like to remember FWB 300 S as a first example of similar mechanics (another major step Walther LGR, first single stroke)
Yes this new rifle is very much modern Diana's tribute to Feinwerkbau. For 10m air rifle shooting I preferred the single stroke Walther to to the Feinwerkbau but the latter was much easier to use if shooting prone. As an 10m air pistol shooter I bought (and still have) a single stroke Feinwekbau 100 but I sometimes wonder if I should have bought a FAS 604 instead.
Andy, thanks for yet again reviewing a rifle that is seldom seen on UK channels, mores the pity. Side lever springer actions are rarely featured and that re coil reducing platform whilst not a new development combined with the overall weight clearly helps accuracy no end. Whilst l still have a mid eighties AirArms Bora springer side lever temptation may well get the better of me with this one. As ever a great presentation, many thanks.
Yes I remember Air Arms did something similar and was used in the FT scene, but the weight of most Diana's was always a problem as fine a rifle as they are people went for the HW's and the Air Arms. I chose the 77 as an avid HW fan but there were a few Diana's about and performing well, you have to remember that a lot of people used their hunting rifles for FT and the Diana's were 1, 1/2 pounds heavier than the 77's. Good stuff Andy and keep on giving us quality subject matter, oh and nice shooting by the way.
A friend of mine has one of these rifles (the full power version for New Zealand) and it too is a tack driver.... One hole groups with almost any pellets is the norm.....
Thanks for a great review, being a springer man this is right up my street. And yes springers do push your skill level and cooking and putting a single pellet in is like a ritual. 😎✌️
Too expensive, and too heavy! I love the 'Swinesback' comb. Not been around for years. It seems to have a very noticeable bend in the stock which would be perfect for 'Righties' but would be a bugger for 'Lefties'. An Air Arms TX would in MHO be money better spent. Great vid though Andy.
Morning It's a heavy lump, doesn't appear to be available in walnut (weight reduction). It'll shove the scope back off it's rails if not severily clamped on. Which you'll need to use on lower power setting, as the higher magnification will have you flincing as it hurtles backwards towards your eye. It'll shake the barrel weight loose and the stock stud needs to be set with a tad of glue as it eases out when a bipod is installed The stock is amazing but the cheek comb is too low I like it!!!!!
I've got one,... And had so much grief with trying to zero it, coz of "barrel droop" adjustable mounts just shook loose coz the recoiless system puts the shock all into the scope, not out through the stock and your shoulder, ended up using a UTG leepers Diana compensater mount and a small shim,... And you'd better be using a springer rated scope like my Hawke Airmax! But after all that it's a spectacular gun,... I love mine,... Finally!
Great video again. Me a big fan of German engineered air guns. Big bucks not required. My Beeman 10616 Mantis, $130.00 (US dollars), shoots RWS 8.3 gr Superdomes at 1,000 fps, 18.5 fpe. Accuracy; 0.3" at 30 yards. Has suppressor, low recoil, polymer stock, 9.5 pounds with scope. Kills tree rats at 45 yards, no holdover. I added a $67 Tasco 3x9 40mm AO scope. This gun may not be pretty to some, but beautiful performance at low cost. Just so you know, there are some great affordable German engineered air guns out there. Shoot safe. Magnum air guns are real weapons, not toys. Medium game no problem either.
As far as I am aware, the sidelever models and the 34, 350 and 460 were always made in Germany. The lesser models are made in China as were some barrels for the 34 etc for a time, years ago.
Also for Andy. There is a very German thing, sure there are some sort of shooting galleries,... so "Schießbude". Historically there were many famous models from Anschütz, Hänel und Diana. So one from Diana is model 30, around a decade ago Diana designed a cheap comemorative model Oktoberfestgewehr and this year model 30 neo (quiet expensive but very remarcable rifle).
I have had a full power .22 Airking for years. Heavy but so accurate. The recoil system is mainly for accuracy and not for comfort. Also as the action moves freely, it can and will destroy scopes. The easy and full cure is a recoil mount, either the Diana ZR mount or Crosman makes a copy, I have used both and they allow any scope to be used safely. This gun is really a category of its own, as it is so much easier to shoot accurately than a traditional solid built rifle, and the difference is significant. No hold worries, just put the crosshairs on the button and tickety boo, another bullseye.
I don't know why diana don't have the following in the UK that they do in the rest of the world they make incredible rifles. They are super accurate and have a trigger that's as good as anything out there including wierhrauch or air arms.
Nice looking rifle and I love springers, but I think the whole cocking/loading process would be a pain in the backside if you were standing and shooting freehand.
Glad to see them starting to focus back towards their roots and making more rifles in Germany. Way too many rebranded China "specials" on the market nowadays. Still have my very first air rifle. A Diana Mod24D also made in Germany.
The quality control of the "made in somewhere overseas" (many now say Asia, but that's no fooling anyone as that covers 48 nations!) It's clear as day if you know what to look for what the difference between proper engineering and quality control and "good enough for export".
In Belgium we are blessed since we have no power restrictions on airguns. This gun is a wonderful peace of kit. At full power it easily drops a well fed rabbit without the need of an air tank or the fuss of a compressor. The quality and the level of the finish is superb. And the design looks so good. I am not a big fan of laminated stocks in funny colors, as they tend to get boring very quickly. I prefer the look and feel of a classic chunk of walnut. It never gets out of fashion.
I agree with your comment on stocks. I'm still 100% springer man. My son had the 54 Airking Pro when we lived in the UAE - no power restrictions there - we had to sell rather than smuggle it back to the UK.
I have a Diana 48 with a Vortek PG4 Steel HO kit in it. Aprox.30 joules. I can only shoot 10 grains or more. But the kit eliminated the spring buzz and somehow the recoil seems less. The gun fires smoother. I smply love it. Very acurate eve without the recoilless system of the 54.
My first very first airgun was a side lever that my parents bought for my birthday, a Webley tracker in 22 and I still have it over forty years later, and I’ve really looked after it and it still shoots as good as it ever did. And would I sell it? not in a month of Sundays as it holds so many memories.
Awesome rifle. The sledge system is just sublime. (I believe, invented by Feinwerkbau). However, I can’t help but cringe when I see it being loaded with the cocking arm left free but it seems to be a common trait of side lever rifles. If this were a TX200, we’d be told to keep hold of the arm when loading. Be safe everyone.
Just ordered one in 22 ( US version of coarse ) . The weight is no big deal , my Gamo Hunter Extreme gen 1 ( made in England ) is easily 12 pounds scope included . I still hunt with it . Man up and stop complaining ! 😮💨 ☹. Plan on using a Hawke 4x16x44mm with a one piece mount . Had my eye on this for over a year . Cheers !
This appears to be the same recoil sled and loading system used by the Fienwerkbau 300 and 300SU which is the rifle l have owned for the last 50 years. I believe it cost about £300 in the early seventies.. like the modern models it is a target rifle and a very accurate one…l have just serviced it with new springs, piston washers and seals …it’s ready for another 50 years….
I've got a Chinese made model almost exact to yours. Bought it through a catalog back in the late 90s. My side lever has a slide extension, button released, that adds about 4 inches to the lever to give extra ease in cocking. Safety is automatic at the rear like yours. Mine is .177 and I think gets about 1000 fps. I put a scope on mine but am often preferential to open sights. Makes a great target gun or pest sniper.
...all of us, we musto STOP about to buy chineese products: JUST SEE THE ACTUAL "DIRECT-GUILT" for China monstruosly danger for its grown-up: see the "results".
I've got an eighties 52 in each calibre, bit of a challenge keeping them legal tbh, you need a chrono as most used ones sit firmly in FAC territory...easy enough to sort out, take some out of the spring, fit a ptfe guide and some ptfe washers, lighten the piston a bit etc Diana's method is a silly restricter grommet that makes the piston flap back and forth...and doesn't really work anyway
I love springers but also have a PCP for added accuracy. But this gun is like a dream come true! Pricey perhaps, but not compared to the best HW under levers, and you’re getting incredible accuracy, German engineering, and a laminated stock. Heavy, yes, but I’m a bench rest shooter. Don’t hunt so won’t be lugging it around woods. My quarry are paper targets. Can’t wait to get one and think my PCP is going on sale with the air bottle!
It is in the UK tbh....the 48/52/54 comes into it's own abroad where the power output is 21/24 ft/lb and the HW's and TX's are around 15/16... I've got a 52 in each caliber and a Mk2 HW77 and the HW is handier....but as a full fat 24 ft/lb .22 springer...the Diana sidelever is pretty much unchallenged accuracy wise.....the only one close was the old Webley Patriot and some pretty low quality Gamos you can get stateside ..but they are nowhere near as accurate and go off like a car suspension spring breaking
What can I say to a German made rifle by any manufacturer aside from YES please. Accuracy like reliability comes with a high sticker price although I may have to spend a whole lot more on a high end scope made to handle the type of air gun. I fell in love with Anshutz ever since I was a young gaffer with limited funds but alas they no longer make the break barrel I bought so many years ago. I would strongly recommend you find out where you can buy the parts before you buy the rifle as it may be a problem to get the parts as most manufacturers will not sell parts to the end user.
this is the rifle that I want to buy a few years ago because of the high power, but eventually I buy hw-97k,but it is still tempted I still remember that Diana luftgewerh is very popular in Indonesia beside bsa cadet major, bsa meteor, bsa under lever. My father have about 4 unit diana 50 and 1 bsa club c seri but all sold.
Andy, you forgot to mention the recoil sled system that moves backwards to take out most of the recoil and then forwards again on recocking, just a point that makes the gun different. David UK.
Great review as always. Lovely gun, nice to see a return to German build, but I do wonder how long that will last now that German industry is going to be struggling for energy and resources. I'm not sure I could justify £650 for one though, that's fixed barrel Air Arms and Weihrauch money. If Walther afew years ago could make the LGU Master Pro for £300 retail and the Diana 430L is available for £249 currently, though perhaps that isn't quite as German as Diana's latest offerings. I expect the accuracy of the 430L is almost as good.
Very nice rifle, nice review, thanks Andy. If it's anything like my TX I find loading a lot easier placing it butt down on my seat so the loading port is verticle. Then it's easier to balance the pellet against the thumb and use the side of the loading port is a guide while shoving the pellet in. 👍
Disagree about the gun being to loud for hunting I’ve used shotguns plenty to take rabbits and pigeons squirrels/rats mostly with 12gauge never had to really worry about noise as long as your movement isn’t to quick than noise isn’t a issue prefer my rim fires and air rifles but the only time when I’ve really felt the need for a moderator is for foxes or shooting at night or in areas where noise has to be kept low but this is also just my opinion either way very impressive rifle
Why does it not have a "pellet tray" trough to slide the pellet along into the barrel instead of dropping it onto the floor of the breech? Yes the breech needs to close behind the barrel but a loader could be arranged to drop out of the way, or a drop-in loader tool. Not easy to poke a pellet into a hole when cold fingers have inexplicably turned into bananas and needing an extra joint in the wrist.
If you want to make loading even safer, put your right elbow in front of the lever and hold the stock with your right hand as you load the pellet with the left hand. This is equivalent to holding the lever on an underlever. If the gun goes off and the anti-beartrap fails you get a bashed arm but keep your fingers. As standard, Diana has a really inefficient way of restricting them to 12ftlb. With proper tuning they are even better.
I would take a bit more weight and stability any day. That looks like a really nice, well made bit of kit. I'm not a fan of side levers myself - I can never really get on with them - but that shoots so well it might just be worth the hassle.
Great review Andy. I saw Gary Chillingworth review and shoot this too and OMG accuracy was amazing. I shoot both springers and PCP’s, both enjoyably, but this seems quite interesting. The feel of a springer with the ‘kick back’ of a PCP (well not quite, bit I think you know what I mean). Would be interesting to know how long before one would tire from that side lever action. Seems quite some effort. Very interesting rifle and I’d certainly consider buying one due to it being different to others. Maybe Air Arms or BSA should look at that sled motion and design something similar to add to their already impressive arsenals. Once again thank you for your time and effort to keep us informed. 👍
There was a tx200 sr that had a sledge on it. Not very common as maybe too heavy for hunting and in Field Target they are in a different class than springers
Another great review Andy. Those Germans do make some great guns. My only concern would be the weight, 4.7kg is a hefty lump if you're carrying it around the fields etc., probably why it's aimed at target shooters. With accuracy like that it will give similar priced guns a run for their money. 👍
It looks great from the left hand side but the lever looks very intrusive. I'm an AirArms pro sport fan, they are absolutely beautiful. I know looks aren't everything but I know if I had them side by side in my rack I would go for my pro sport or hw97 before that 👍👍 it looks like it shoots nicely though, good shooting 👍👍 Great review though, thanks.
Great review as always, one of the lads at our club turned up with an older version 48 ,I had a go , no recoil on target , got me thinking are they all like this then I found advert for Artemis SR900 with 7 shot mag and single shot tray for less than £200 can’t be any good can it. I know it’s not Diana or German but the price after seeing some Artemis reviews with you wondered what you think.
Hi Andy, Many many moons ago I used to shoot i a Bell target team with (like almost everyone I knew) a Finewerkebau 300su LIke this Diana it was a single shot side leaver and had the same recoil absorbing action. It looks a nice bit of kit though the price puts it well into PCP territory. Does it come is a traditional stock and I have never been a fan of laminate stocks?
Nice rifle, but not a huge difference between it and my old Wembley Tracker…tracker has tap loading reducing further the chance of amputated digits….nice stock though.
i wonder if the recoil system makes the gun less hold sensitive ..worth pointing out you may feel less recoil as the recoil is not transmitted to the stock so much ..however, your scope will feel more of it so a good quality springer-rated scope is a must
At 66 I was an arms dealer at skool. Buying old Diana’s BSA’s etc. Taking em home cleaning em, bluing the barrels, up rating springs and washers. Sanding, polishing the stocks. And selling for a profit. We used to take em into skool and I even had teachers wanting rifles.
Looks a lovely tool
I’m 50, when I was in skool, you could still do that depending on the day, it was starting to change by then.
As a non UK resident I've been looking at this in full power. This is by far the best review of this rifle I have seen so far.
At full power, it and the HW 80/90 are the big boys of spring-piston hunting. The only thing is, in my experience, you are better off using a red dot or the open sights as all of them are notoriously tough on scopes at full power. Or just realize that you'll need a scope and mounts that's almost as much as the rifle. 12-13ft-lbs at 50 yards is doable with these and the right (often heavy) pellet. Oddly enough, the sweet spot is .22 despite .25 cal being offered in some models. Spring-pistons simply lack the energy to really deal with larger calibers. So .22 is the best choice for hunting.
Diana makes a zero recoil scope mount/ "bullseye " Even at full power with any Diane rifle, you won't "pop"/bust a scope.
@@plektosgaming BSA make some good "springer friendly" scopes able to handle the recoil of a springer much better than regular scopes. Regular scopes can't handle the forward and rear recoil of a springer which on the heavier powered springers can be quite violent and will wreck a regular scope in a short space of time. They are available here un the USA, I use mine with a Diana 34, well happy with it.
My Airco 😁 is 25/ 30 Joule and shoots around 300 mps (up to 360 mps with flight penetrators) (The Netherlands)
4,5 mm
Were Diana airguns known as Original in the 1980's. I've got an Original 45 ,the early version with the fixing bolt through the back of the stock.
I had an Original 45 in the early eighties. I sold it to buy an Hw 80. Although the Weihrauch was a good gun, i always missed the Original. It was a superb gun. The Original was a Diana.
@@paultowns9880 thanks for the information. It was and still is a solid gun!!
Diana are premium. I love that artillery style action too.
Great review. I have been following your channel since the early days and it's great to see an airgun reviewer who doesn't keep pushing FX airguns.
AMEN..........
MORNING AAR hits different...🙌🙌🤙🤙
Great review AAR! I have a model 48 from years past, also made in Germany. Being across the pond, and in .22 caliber, it has been useful in both target work and a bit of pest control. It is loud, and being a different model, the recoil is there. But given that I shoot centerfire rifles for pleasure, the recoil is quite manageable. Thanks again!
Also talking of this self-artilleryhold system in Germany we like to remember FWB 300 S as a first example of similar mechanics (another major step Walther LGR, first single stroke)
Yes this new rifle is very much modern Diana's tribute to Feinwerkbau.
For 10m air rifle shooting I preferred the single stroke Walther to to the Feinwerkbau but the latter was much easier to use if shooting prone.
As an 10m air pistol shooter I bought (and still have) a single stroke Feinwekbau 100 but I sometimes wonder if I should have bought a FAS 604 instead.
Even goes a bit back more with the FWB 150 and 300
What a fantastic bit of kit,So accurate & very well made.Amazing...
Andy, thanks for yet again reviewing a rifle that is seldom seen on UK channels, mores the pity. Side lever springer actions are rarely featured and that re coil reducing platform whilst not a new development combined with the overall weight clearly helps accuracy no end. Whilst l still have a mid eighties AirArms Bora springer side lever temptation may well get the better of me with this one. As ever a great presentation, many thanks.
Ha Ha.. Same tech as my 30 year old Diana 48. Nice to see old things can be used today.
Good morning. I'm just glad to see that my Friday morning has been restored to some normality with a decent coffee and a great AAR review.
Yes I remember Air Arms did something similar and was used in the FT scene, but the weight of most Diana's was always a problem as fine a rifle as they are people went for the HW's and the Air Arms. I chose the 77 as an avid HW fan but there were a few Diana's about and performing well, you have to remember that a lot of people used their hunting rifles for FT and the Diana's were 1, 1/2 pounds heavier than the 77's. Good stuff Andy and keep on giving us quality subject matter, oh and nice shooting by the way.
A friend of mine has one of these rifles (the full power version for New Zealand) and it too is a tack driver.... One hole groups with almost any pellets is the norm.....
Thanks for a great review, being a springer man this is right up my street.
And yes springers do push your skill level and cooking and putting a single pellet in is like a ritual. 😎✌️
It's the type of gun that can handed down over generations because It's built that good.
Too expensive, and too heavy!
I love the 'Swinesback' comb. Not been around for years.
It seems to have a very noticeable bend in the stock which would be perfect for 'Righties' but would be a bugger for 'Lefties'.
An Air Arms TX would in MHO be money better spent.
Great vid though Andy.
Morning
It's a heavy lump, doesn't appear to be available in walnut (weight reduction). It'll shove the scope back off it's rails if not severily clamped on. Which you'll need to use on lower power setting, as the higher magnification will have you flincing as it hurtles backwards towards your eye. It'll shake the barrel weight loose and the stock stud needs to be set with a tad of glue as it eases out when a bipod is installed
The stock is amazing but the cheek comb is too low
I like it!!!!!
I've got one,... And had so much grief with trying to zero it, coz of "barrel droop" adjustable mounts just shook loose coz the recoiless system puts the shock all into the scope, not out through the stock and your shoulder, ended up using a UTG leepers Diana compensater mount and a small shim,... And you'd better be using a springer rated scope like my Hawke Airmax! But after all that it's a spectacular gun,... I love mine,... Finally!
Just ordered Diana bullseye ZR mounts, its supposed to fix all that
Great video again. Me a big fan of German engineered air guns. Big bucks not required. My Beeman 10616 Mantis, $130.00 (US dollars), shoots RWS 8.3 gr Superdomes at 1,000 fps, 18.5 fpe. Accuracy; 0.3" at 30 yards. Has suppressor, low recoil, polymer stock, 9.5 pounds with scope. Kills tree rats at 45 yards, no holdover. I added a $67 Tasco 3x9 40mm AO scope. This gun may not be pretty to some, but beautiful performance at low cost. Just so you know, there are some great affordable German engineered air guns out there. Shoot safe. Magnum air guns are real weapons, not toys. Medium game no problem either.
As far as I am aware, the sidelever models and the 34, 350 and 460 were always made in Germany.
The lesser models are made in China as were some barrels for the 34 etc for a time, years ago.
Also for Andy. There is a very German thing, sure there are some sort of shooting galleries,... so "Schießbude". Historically there were many famous models from Anschütz, Hänel und Diana. So one from Diana is model 30, around a decade ago Diana designed a cheap comemorative model Oktoberfestgewehr and this year model 30 neo (quiet expensive but very remarcable rifle).
Wow. Amazing accuracy.
Beautiful rifle ❤
I have had a full power .22 Airking for years. Heavy but so accurate. The recoil system is mainly for accuracy and not for comfort. Also as the action moves freely, it can and will destroy scopes. The easy and full cure is a recoil mount, either the Diana ZR mount or Crosman makes a copy, I have used both and they allow any scope to be used safely. This gun is really a category of its own, as it is so much easier to shoot accurately than a traditional solid built rifle, and the difference is significant. No hold worries, just put the crosshairs on the button and tickety boo, another bullseye.
Amazing how the stock doesn't move just the action! Wow!
In Germany you can buy an Adapter to fit a silencer. I do it with an A- TEC from Norway. Best results over 7,5 Joule and so quiet
I don't know why diana don't have the following in the UK that they do in the rest of the world they make incredible rifles. They are super accurate and have a trigger that's as good as anything out there including wierhrauch or air arms.
That back sight looks like the one on my Gecado 27 I had back in about 1978 onwards!I think that Gecado was a tradename of Diana.
9:46 You can see the gun move in the stock. Perhaps it is to reduce recoil from the spring? You can see it pop forward at the last stage of cocking.
Nice looking rifle and I love springers, but I think the whole cocking/loading process would be a pain in the backside if you were standing and shooting freehand.
35 meters, less than 1" group?! I'd say you ARE a good springer shooter! And an excellent rifle for sure!
Love this gun, worth every penny, quality.
Glad to see them starting to focus back towards their roots and making more rifles in Germany. Way too many rebranded China "specials" on the market nowadays. Still have my very first air rifle. A Diana Mod24D also made in Germany.
the china line is not the same as snowpeak spa , gsg did some approvements
The quality control of the "made in somewhere overseas" (many now say Asia, but that's no fooling anyone as that covers 48 nations!) It's clear as day if you know what to look for what the difference between proper engineering and quality control and "good enough for export".
In Belgium we are blessed since we have no power restrictions on airguns. This gun is a wonderful peace of kit. At full power it easily drops a well fed rabbit without the need of an air tank or the fuss of a compressor. The quality and the level of the finish is superb. And the design looks so good. I am not a big fan of laminated stocks in funny colors, as they tend to get boring very quickly. I prefer the look and feel of a classic chunk of walnut. It never gets out of fashion.
I agree with your comment on stocks. I'm still 100% springer man. My son had the 54 Airking Pro when we lived in the UAE - no power restrictions there - we had to sell rather than smuggle it back to the UK.
I have a Diana 48 with a Vortek PG4 Steel HO kit in it. Aprox.30 joules.
I can only shoot 10 grains or more. But the kit eliminated the spring buzz and somehow the recoil seems less. The gun fires smoother. I smply love it. Very acurate eve without the recoilless system of the 54.
My first very first airgun was a side lever that my parents bought for my birthday, a Webley tracker in 22 and I still have it over forty years later, and I’ve really looked after it and it still shoots as good as it ever did. And would I sell it? not in a month of Sundays as it holds so many memories.
Awesome rifle.
The sledge system is just sublime. (I believe, invented by Feinwerkbau).
However, I can’t help but cringe when I see it being loaded with the cocking arm left free but it seems to be a common trait of side lever rifles.
If this were a TX200, we’d be told to keep hold of the arm when loading.
Be safe everyone.
I agree with second paragraph, when I had HW 77's in the 80's I always held the underlever back
It's not British made and will not fail during loading...
If there's a good out of battery safety, the mechanism should not be negligently discharged until the breech is closed.
As someone who loves springers seeing you shoot and review them makes me smile 😊
the recoil rail system is the same as a fwb 300 10 meter match gun , perfect for springers
Just ordered one in 22 ( US version of coarse ) . The weight is no big deal , my Gamo Hunter Extreme gen 1 ( made in England ) is easily 12 pounds scope included . I still hunt with it . Man up and stop complaining ! 😮💨 ☹. Plan on using a Hawke 4x16x44mm with a one piece mount . Had my eye on this for over a year . Cheers !
It's nice to see Diana moving back to Germany and nice to see a springer on show as well, Thank's Andy Great Stuff 🍻🍺🍻
I would have been very interested to see what the rifle would do at 45 50yards, with groups like that
its at the same distance as a 12 ftp pcp accurat
This appears to be the same recoil sled and loading system used by the Fienwerkbau 300 and 300SU which is the rifle l have owned for the last 50 years. I believe it cost about £300 in the early seventies.. like the modern models it is a target rifle and a very accurate one…l have just serviced it with new springs, piston washers and seals …it’s ready for another 50 years….
The NSRA sold the 300S for £125.50 in June 1974. The Anchutz 250 was £115.45, the Original (Diana) 65 was £75.90 and the Anschutz 335s was £49.90.
I still have a airarms diana 52 .fantastic gun.
I've got a Chinese made model almost exact to yours. Bought it through a catalog back in the late 90s. My side lever has a slide extension, button released, that adds about 4 inches to the lever to give extra ease in cocking. Safety is automatic at the rear like yours. Mine is .177 and I think gets about 1000 fps. I put a scope on mine but am often preferential to open sights. Makes a great target gun or pest sniper.
...all of us, we musto STOP about to buy chineese products: JUST SEE THE ACTUAL "DIRECT-GUILT" for
China monstruosly danger for its grown-up: see the "results".
Impressive. Beautiful.
Appears very reliable and accurate.
I'm not really a fan of the side lever cocking springers, but i do like the recoil compensator it has. Thanks for the review Andy.👍
Why, their typically more accurate?
Great review of a work of art rifle. I like springers (especially German ones), and after this review, am now suffering severe air rifle envy.
I've got an eighties 52 in each calibre, bit of a challenge keeping them legal tbh, you need a chrono as most used ones sit firmly in FAC territory...easy enough to sort out, take some out of the spring, fit a ptfe guide and some ptfe washers, lighten the piston a bit etc
Diana's method is a silly restricter grommet that makes the piston flap back and forth...and doesn't really work anyway
I love springers but also have a PCP for added accuracy. But this gun is like a dream come true! Pricey perhaps, but not compared to the best HW under levers, and you’re getting incredible accuracy, German engineering, and a laminated stock. Heavy, yes, but I’m a bench rest shooter. Don’t hunt so won’t be lugging it around woods. My quarry are paper targets. Can’t wait to get one and think my PCP is going on sale with the air bottle!
That's the best score card you have ever gotten I think
You should keep that rifle
Cracking show as always
👍👍👍😜🏴🦕🦄😁✌️🤞
On balance, for this weight and the the use of barrel weight, I think the HW 97 thumb hole is the better option.
It is in the UK tbh....the 48/52/54 comes into it's own abroad where the power output is 21/24 ft/lb and the HW's and TX's are around 15/16... I've got a 52 in each caliber and a Mk2 HW77 and the HW is handier....but as a full fat 24 ft/lb .22 springer...the Diana sidelever is pretty much unchallenged accuracy wise.....the only one close was the old Webley Patriot and some pretty low quality Gamos you can get stateside ..but they are nowhere near as accurate and go off like a car suspension spring breaking
The model 52 is the Best Air Rifle I have had and use much prefer it to a PCP even with the weight
I like the look of it,and the way it performes. Thank you for a fantastic review.
Air Arms made a semi recoilless rifle some years ago. The Airking was said to be a better design. They are quite heavy though.
What can I say to a German made rifle by any manufacturer aside from YES please. Accuracy like reliability comes with a high sticker price although I may have to spend a whole lot more on a high end scope made to handle the type of air gun. I fell in love with Anshutz ever since I was a young gaffer with limited funds but alas they no longer make the break barrel I bought so many years ago. I would strongly recommend you find out where you can buy the parts before you buy the rifle as it may be a problem to get the parts as most manufacturers will not sell parts to the end user.
I like it with a fixed barrel over the break barrel type. Be a good back up, no external air source required.
Still got and use my 22 Diana from the 80's made in East Germany.
this is the rifle that I want to buy a few years ago because of the high power, but eventually I buy hw-97k,but it is still tempted
I still remember that Diana luftgewerh is very popular in Indonesia beside bsa cadet major, bsa meteor, bsa under lever.
My father have about 4 unit diana 50 and 1 bsa club c seri but all sold.
Andy, you forgot to mention the recoil sled system that moves backwards to take out most of the recoil and then forwards again on recocking, just a point that makes the gun different. David UK.
Great review as usual, but the rifle is heavy and clumpy and a lot of hard work just to get one pellet off. But it looks OK.
Great review as always. Lovely gun, nice to see a return to German build, but I do wonder how long that will last now that German industry is going to be struggling for energy and resources.
I'm not sure I could justify £650 for one though, that's fixed barrel Air Arms and Weihrauch money. If Walther afew years ago could make the LGU Master Pro for £300 retail and the Diana 430L is available for £249 currently, though perhaps that isn't quite as German as Diana's latest offerings. I expect the accuracy of the 430L is almost as good.
Not a springer shooter Andy, well you could have fooled me ,springer sniper comes to mind ,(and thanks for all your super reviews)
Very nice rifle, nice review, thanks Andy.
If it's anything like my TX I find loading a lot easier placing it butt down on my seat so the loading port is verticle.
Then it's easier to balance the pellet against the thumb and use the side of the loading port is a guide while shoving the pellet in. 👍
Disagree about the gun being to loud for hunting I’ve used shotguns plenty to take rabbits and pigeons squirrels/rats mostly with 12gauge never had to really worry about noise as long as your movement isn’t to quick than noise isn’t a issue prefer my rim fires and air rifles but the only time when I’ve really felt the need for a moderator is for foxes or shooting at night or in areas where noise has to be kept low but this is also just my opinion either way very impressive rifle
Why does it not have a "pellet tray" trough to slide the pellet along into the barrel instead of dropping it onto the floor of the breech? Yes the breech needs to close behind the barrel but a loader could be arranged to drop out of the way, or a drop-in loader tool. Not easy to poke a pellet into a hole when cold fingers have inexplicably turned into bananas and needing an extra joint in the wrist.
You can't argue with that grouping.....i wish it were not side lever especially being a lefty but you can't argue with that and it looks good too 👍
Great review, beautiful looking gun, but!! Very heavy! So is the price!!
Fixed barrel springer , good stuff !
I dont like the tsock personally but each to their own. Nice gun. Thanks Andy.
Nice rifle Andy and great review. That stock is a looker for sure!
As always, a good, well presented review.
Would love to see this with a side-by-side comparison with HW 97. Great video. A little pricey in the United States at over $840
When we we going to get to the best English air Rifle the BSA Air Sporter. 22 or1.77 best air gun I ever owned 😮 xx.
didnt air arms have the same system on a tx200 several years back? tx200 sr i think.
The front swivel could also be used, for a single point sling.
Great accurate .22 rifles that are fun indeed
If you want to make loading even safer, put your right elbow in front of the lever and hold the stock with your right hand as you load the pellet with the left hand. This is equivalent to holding the lever on an underlever. If the gun goes off and the anti-beartrap fails you get a bashed arm but keep your fingers.
As standard, Diana has a really inefficient way of restricting them to 12ftlb. With proper tuning they are even better.
That is a nice looking and crazy shooting rifle!
Great review as ever Andy! Side levers were always fun bits of kit. Looks like the new Diana 54 is a serious contender for my next springer! Cheers!
I would take a bit more weight and stability any day.
That looks like a really nice, well made bit of kit. I'm not a fan of side levers myself - I can never really get on with them - but that shoots so well it might just be worth the hassle.
Exelent ¡ A cuantos mts se realiso la prueba ? Gracias de Argentina
How is this guy not over 1m subs +++. Excellent presentation. Thanks for consistently creating such good videos.
My 1st rifle was a Diana and that was a good 22 rifle but think I may look at a springer instead of pcp .....only look
Would be absolutely class to see this vs a hw 97 blue laminate head to head
Great review Andy. I saw Gary Chillingworth review and shoot this too and OMG accuracy was amazing. I shoot both springers and PCP’s, both enjoyably, but this seems quite interesting. The feel of a springer with the ‘kick back’ of a PCP (well not quite, bit I think you know what I mean). Would be interesting to know how long before one would tire from that side lever action. Seems quite some effort. Very interesting rifle and I’d certainly consider buying one due to it being different to others. Maybe Air Arms or BSA should look at that sled motion and design something similar to add to their already impressive arsenals. Once again thank you for your time and effort to keep us informed. 👍
There was a tx200 sr that had a sledge on it. Not very common as maybe too heavy for hunting and in Field Target they are in a different class than springers
Another great review Andy.
Those Germans do make some great guns.
My only concern would be the weight, 4.7kg is a hefty lump if you're carrying it around the fields etc., probably why it's aimed at target shooters. With accuracy like that it will give similar priced guns a run for their money.
👍
So I've been told. That's why we have one of the most restrictve gun laws worldwide ....
...can't trust Germans around guns.
@@andreasmartin7942
As long as they're not producing great nuclear weapons we should be ok! 😆
Gotta respect the quality of the manufacturing.
Thank you Andy 👍👍👍
nice looking and great shooting rifle andy, pity it's so heavy
It looks great from the left hand side but the lever looks very intrusive. I'm an AirArms pro sport fan, they are absolutely beautiful. I know looks aren't everything but I know if I had them side by side in my rack I would go for my pro sport or hw97 before that 👍👍 it looks like it shoots nicely though, good shooting 👍👍
Great review though, thanks.
Wow😲! That was about as close to perfect shooting, as you can get 😃👍.
nice review beautiful stock very accurate
I love the Diana heritage and this is another great rifle but side lever...not sure.
Very impressive gun, would like to see the FAC model tested
Nice Review Andy, Good Morning.
Great review as always, one of the lads at our club turned up with an older version 48 ,I had a go , no recoil on target , got me thinking are they all like this then I found advert for Artemis SR900 with 7 shot mag and single shot tray for less than £200 can’t be any good can it.
I know it’s not Diana or German but the price after seeing some Artemis reviews with you wondered what you think.
Hi Andy, Many many moons ago I used to shoot i a Bell target team with (like almost everyone I knew) a Finewerkebau 300su LIke this Diana it was a single shot side leaver and had the same recoil absorbing action. It looks a nice bit of kit though the price puts it well into PCP territory. Does it come is a traditional stock and I have never been a fan of laminate stocks?
Nice rifle, but not a huge difference between it and my old Wembley Tracker…tracker has tap loading reducing further the chance of amputated digits….nice stock though.
the pellet direct in the barrel is a must for accuracy and power
@@peteralexben wasn’t knocking it just a comparison of features, accuracy is very impressive 👍
i wonder if the recoil system makes the gun less hold sensitive ..worth pointing out you may feel less recoil as the recoil is not transmitted to the stock so much ..however, your scope will feel more of it so a good quality springer-rated scope is a must
Reminds me of a FWB 300S.
For me fwb 300 s is forever
Great review as usual Andy.