✅ Review of Diana air rifles

Review of the Diana rifle range, description of the technical characteristics of the weapon

Air rifles presented by the German company Diana are distinguished by their shooting accuracy and operational reliability.
The high strength of the product allows the rifle to be used for various purposes. Most often, such weapons are used during target shooting. It should be noted that Diana company specializes not only in the production of air guns. The company also produces various accessories, through the use of which you can make the operation of the rifle as comfortable as possible.

The most popular models of Diana air rifle

In the presented line, the Diana 54, Diana 48 and 350 Magnum models are especially popular. Each of these brands has certain features.

Diana 54

Air rifle Diana 54

The weapon has a spring-piston design. The steel rifled barrel gradually tapers towards the muzzle, as a result of which we can talk about improving the accuracy of fire.

Diana 54 is equipped with a front sight that can move along an inclined base. The presence of a lever-type safety ensures the safest operation of the weapon.

The rear sight is additionally equipped with four slots of different widths. Thanks to this, we can talk about improving the quality of aiming in low light conditions. For maximum ease of cocking, the weapon is equipped with a special rubber butt pad.

Video review of the Diana 54 rifle, appearance, shooting:

The adjustable front sight allows you to create the most comfortable conditions for aiming before shooting. It should also be noted that here installation of a collimator and optical sighting device is provided. The presence of these elements is a vital necessity when shooting at long distances.

Diana 48

Air rifle Diana 48

An air rifle with a break barrel has a side lever for cocking the mainspring. The high price of such weapons is due to the sufficient power of the weapon.

Primarily, the Diana 48 is designed to fire lead bullets. Cocking is carried out using a side lever. Among the many advantages of this rifle, a sufficient level of power should be noted. The latest indicator remains at 335 m/s.

Shooting from a Diana 48 air rifle:

The weapon stock is made of hard wood. Additionally, this element is equipped with a rubber butt pad. Its presence allows you to improve the quality of operation of the rifle. Despite all its advantages, the fact that there are no notches on the fore-end makes holding the rifle somewhat difficult. If we talk about the advantages of weapons, then the following stands out from the general list of advantages:

high bullet speed;
adjustable trigger force;
possibility of adjusting external sighting devices;
possibility of mounting a collimator sight;
high accuracy and accuracy of fire.

Diana 350 Magnum

Air rifle Diana 350 Magnum

This is a high quality and very powerful weapon. If handled correctly, you can count on high shooting accuracy. The high price indicators of this product somewhat narrow the circle of potential owners of the rifle. The model is in great demand among professionals. Purchasing this tool for beginners is not an advisable step.

350 Magnum is equipped with a spring-piston firing system. The presence of a blued barrel and the ability to adjust the rear sight have a positive effect on the performance characteristics of the weapon. The ideal shape of the stock, made of beech, makes shooting very comfortable. The presence of an 11-mm rail allows you to install an optical sighting device necessary for long-range shooting.

Video review of the Diana 350 Magnum rifle, equipment:

An adjustable match-type trigger and an adjustable rear sight can improve shooting performance somewhat. The butt of the rifle is made of beech. This part of the weapon is sold in several layers, the top of which is coated with a special protective compound. It is with its help that the attractive appearance of the product is maintained over a long period of time. Below you can see the performance characteristics of the models presented here.

Review of the Diana 31 Panther air rifle

When you pick up the Diana 31 Panther air rifle, you immediately understand: the phrase “Made in Germany” in relation to this type of weapon is most appropriate. Laconic lines in German, not a single superfluous or poorly fitted part, an outrageously simple and phenomenally reliable mechanism, excellent quality of the material - the manufacturer’s pedantry exceeded all expectations. This is probably why the Diana 31 Panther, including the Compact, Professional, Professional Compact models, has become one of the most popular air rifles among both novice shooters and professionals.

Simplicity and reliability

The Diana 31 Panther shotgun is a striking example of a single-shot spring-piston pneumatic gun. In order to cock the trigger mechanism and simultaneously load the weapon (for firing, lead bullets or balls (not recommended!) of 4.5 millimeter caliber are used), it is necessary to “break” the barrel in a vertical plane. At the same time, the mainspring is compressed and fixed in this position, which pushes the piston during descent.

When speaking about the extreme reliability of a weapon, we mean the simplicity of the mechanism. Figuratively speaking, apart from the spring or piston, nothing in the rifle can break. And these two parts can be changed quite easily even at home. By the way, it would not be amiss to mention that the weapon cannot fire at will: the mechanism is equipped with an automatic safety lock that blocks the trigger every time the spring is cocked.

Warning: although the weapon is quite easy to disassemble (it is enough to unscrew a few screws), it is better to entrust the repair of Diana to professionals. Due to the popularity of the model, components and spare parts for it are easy to find.

Weapons for hunting

The classic contours of the butt and fore-end, made of elastic and dense dark-colored plastic, are familiar to every fan of pneumatics: a great many analogues from other manufacturers have been made in the image and likeness of the model. The butt of the weapon is shaped like a hunting one. It is completely symmetrical, making the rifle suitable for both right-handed and left-handed shooters. What is typical: the Diana 31 Panther is a fairly budget shotgun, but the model is equipped with such an “aristocratic” element as a rubber butt pad. It is designed not only to make the sound of a shot quieter, but also to soften recoil and vibration, thereby increasing the accuracy and accuracy of shooting.

general information

This manufacturer produces products of excellent quality, with perfectly fitted parts, and the reliability and accuracy of the weapon surpasses its competitors.

The company gained such superiority over other manufacturers and worldwide fame due to the fact that it manufactures its rifles at the highest European level, taking into account absolutely every detail, including minor flaws.

The product is not an easy weapon for beginners, as it is intended for experienced shooters. Due to the fact that the manufacturer mostly produces rifles on a spring-piston basis, the bullet can reach a speed of 350 m/s.

Considering all the positive aspects associated with this weapon, we can say with certainty that German Diana air rifles have the highest degree of reliability. After all, it’s not for nothing that most shooting enthusiasts prefer this particular weapon, since its distinctive quality is considered to be good accuracy of hits. It is worth reading the material about the price of the pneumatic SVD and about the Gamo air rifles.

The undeniable advantage of the product

Due attention should be paid to the company itself, its long history of activity and its products. So, the company produces four types of rifles: with an under-barrel cocking, conventional ones with a barrel fracture, with pre-pumping and with a cocking equipped with a side lever.

If we talk about power, the Diana air rifle is the most powerful among its analogues, at least as evidenced by some of the models of this manufacturer. And this is not surprising, since the initial speed of the bullet is about 290 meters per second, considering that its weight is approximately 0.68 grams, this is quite decent power. If you are interested in power, then you should read the material about the rating of air rifles by power and quality.

Beginners may not be able to understand the full power of the weapon, but professional shooters will undoubtedly appreciate this feature.

Naturally, if you fire shots from a new weapon with a fresh cuff and a new spring, then the bullet’s flight distance may not reach 320 meters per second, but the pneumatic will quickly “get excited” after literally ten shots.

In fact, the weapon reaches its “peak of perfection” after 200 shots, at least that’s what practice shows. But, in order for you to be able to get to know the Diana air rifles as much as possible, the company’s official website provides its new products with their technical characteristics. Having familiarized yourself with each of them, you will undoubtedly find what you need.

Description Diana 460 Magnum T06

Diana 460 Magnum T06, developed by German and rightly belongs to the new magnum class models. It enjoys well-deserved popularity not only among amateurs, but also among professionals, as well as hunters. It has a classic configuration, cocking is carried out by breaking the barrel. It has increased aiming accuracy and good muzzle energy. It is advisable to use at a distance of up to seventy meters. The design is modern, the stock is made of beech, the barrel is made of a steel alloy of special strength. Metal elements with a beautiful black bluing, the buttstock is complemented by a rubber butt pad. Thanks to this feature, the recoil from the shot is dampened, thereby ensuring comfort when shooting. Comes with an adjustable fiber optic sight. Refers to pneumatic weapons of the spring-piston type.

Modifications of Diana 460 Magnum T06:

1. “Target Hunter” - a variant with a handle like a pistol. Distinctive feature. increased shooting accuracy compared to other models, subject to unhurried, deliberate shooting; 2. “Classic” - basic version. Without any frills in the form of various decorative elements; 3. “Panther” - has a polymer stock. Characterized by the manufacturer as a model with an “energetic” design; 4. "Professional" This modification includes an optical sight. In addition, the rifle is equipped with a weighted muzzle. Vaguely reminiscent of a silencer, however, it performs a completely different function - it increases the accuracy of fire; 5. "Compact". Option with a shortened barrel by 10 cm;

The predecessor of the rifle is the Diana 430 Stutzen pneumatic

Characteristics of Diana 460 Magnum T06:

1. Material – metal, wood; 2. Caliber – 4.5, millimeters; 3. Weight – 3.7 kilograms; 4. Total length – 1150 millimeters; 5. Barrel length – 460 millimeters; 6. Barrel type – rifled; 7. Bullet type – lead; 8. Initial speed - 350 meters per second (175 - for the version with a weakened spring); 9. Firing range – 60-80 meters; 10. Energy – up to seven and a half Joules; 11. Operating principle – spring-piston mechanism; 12. Manufacturer’s warranty – 6 months; 13. Fuse – automatic;

The best and unsurpassed models

The most popular and occupying the highest level among the representatives of pneumatic weapons of this manufacturer are the Diana 48, Diana 54 and 350 Magnum models.

They are the pride of the company, as they have a wide range of additional functions and their own specific advantages. So, let's look at each of these models one by one.

One of the most powerful rifles in the world is the Barrett m98b.

Read material about popular 4.5 mm PCP rifles here.

For information about the best air rifle for hunting without a license, see: https://pwpn.ru/p-oruzhie/vintovki/obzory/dlya-oxoty-bez-licenzii.html

"Diana 54"

The pistol is made on a spring-piston basis. If we talk about external data, then a rifled barrel made of steel smoothly tapers towards the muzzle; it is this feature that greatly improves the quality of accurate shooting. For an overview of the model, see the following video:

The model is equipped with a front sight that has the ability to move along the base with an inclination. Thanks to the safety lever, which has a lever type, the highest degree of safety is ensured during operation of the weapon. The rear sight built into the rifle has 4 slots of different widths, which improves the quality of aiming even in poorly lit conditions.

In addition, the weapon is additionally supplemented with a special rubber butt pad for greater convenience during shooting. Thanks to the front sight, which is adjustable, maximum comfort is created during the aiming process.

In addition, one cannot ignore the fact that the manufacturer has provided for the installation of an optical and collimator sighting device. Summing up this model, we can say with certainty that it is an excellent “assistant” for long-distance shooting. Such a pleasure will cost you about $800 today;

"Diana 48"

The rifle of this model has a break barrel and a side lever with which the mainspring is cocked. The price of the weapon is quite high (about $500), but this cost is justified, since it is quite powerful.

To begin with, what I would like to “put emphasis on” is the fact that the Diana 48 pneumatics are filled exclusively with lead bullets.

Using the side lever, cocking is carried out. Undoubtedly, this model has a significant number of advantages, the main one of which is the high level of power - about 335 meters per second.

Now let's move on to the external characteristics of a weapon whose stock is made of wood (hardwood). Its butt plate is made of rubber, which greatly improves the quality of use of the rifle.

But this model also has disadvantages, the main one of which is the lack of notches on the fore-end, thereby making it more difficult to hold the weapon. But, nevertheless, there are much more positive qualities, namely: you can adjust the trigger force, the bullet speed is very high, you can mount a callimator sight for an air rifle, you can adjust external sighting devices, as well as maximum accuracy and accuracy of shooting;

Read about the Matador RSR rifle here.

"Diana 350 Magnum"

The rifle of this model is a very high quality and most importantly powerful weapon. If you follow all the operating rules with it, you can achieve maximum shooting accuracy. “Diana 350 Magnum” is very popular among buyers, despite its high price (about $800).

Basically, it is a “favorite” among professional shooters; in principle, it was made for them. Therefore, for beginners in the field of shooting for exercises, it is better to choose a model that is much simpler; it is too sophisticated for them.

Now a little about the technical characteristics: the rifle operates on a spring-piston type system. Due to the fact that the manufacturer has equipped the weapon with an adjustable rear sight and a blued barrel, successful performance during operation is guaranteed.

The buttstock is ideally carved from beech wood for comfortable shooting. And thanks to the 11 mm bar. An optical sighting device can be easily installed, which is indispensable when shooting at long distances.

What's more, with the adjustable rear sights and match-type trigger, you can maximize your shooting performance. The buttstock was also made from beech and consisted of several layers and was coated with a specialized compound that protects it from external irritants. It is thanks to this that the beautiful appearance of the weapon is preserved for a long time.

The Val sniper rifle occupies the ranking of weapons in terms of price and quality; more on that later.

"Diana 350 Magnum Classic"

This is the most powerful weapon among absolutely all German models. The “giant” is equipped with the latest trigger mechanism of the latest production, which maximizes the level of quality during operation.

Moreover, the rifle has many positive aspects that give it the opportunity to take the “palm” among its fellows. Watch the video:

By breaking the barrel, cocking is carried out. The adjustable open-type sights and match-variation trigger mechanism have the best effect on increasing comfort while using the weapon.

This rifle is simply a real “treasure” for professional shooters, the price range is about $550.

Crosman air rifles will not leave you indifferent either; see the link about them.

The lineup

The model range of these air rifles officially supplied to Russia is limited to three representatives:

Diana 31 Panther T06;
Compact;
Professional.

There is also a Panther Camo model, distinguished by its original stock coloring. Its technical characteristics are similar to T06.

Diana 31 Panther T06

Basic model with a barrel length of 495 mm with a total length of 1160 mm. Caliber 4.5 mm.

The Diana Panther 31 t 06 rifle has an automatic safety (after loading is completed and the barrel returns from the “broken” position to normal) and a conventional sighting pair of rear sight and front sight.

Review of the Diana 54 Airking air rifle

The Diana54 Airking air rifle was developed as an alternative to magnum class rifles from other manufacturers; for example, it successfully competes with the GAMO HUNTER1250 rifle, while surpassing it in workmanship and some other parameters. Once again, the German manufacturer has proven its superiority in the airgun market and for this reason Diana 54 bears the proud name of Air King - King of Pneumatics.

Type: Pneumatic spring piston rifle (SPP) with side cocking lever. The energy of the spring at the moment of the shot compresses the air accelerating the bullet. The older model of the fiftieth series is different from its predecessors. Thus, special mention should be made of the recoil compensation system, which is not present on 48, 52 Dianas.

The weight of the rifle is quite large - 4.6 kg, but what can you do, you have to pay for the power of this magnum class rifle. If a rifle with such a spring had less weight, then aimed shooting from it would be practically impossible.

The length of the Diana 54 rifle is 1130mm, the barrel length is 440mm.

Muzzle velocity declared by the German manufacturer Dianawerk GmbH & Co. is 320ms, which is quite true when firing Diabolo Jumbo Exact Heavy bullets. This type of bullet is optimal for the Diana 54 rifle.

The technical accuracy of fire achievable under certain conditions is 17mm at a distance of 50 meters, which is a very, very impressive result for a magnum class spring piston rifle.

The power of the rifle, achievable with the FAC spring version, is 26 J, which allows you to confidently hit small game and birds at a distance of 40-50 meters. Walking hunting with Diana 54 is recommended for physically strong people.

The cocking force of the FAC spring is 18 kg, which means that the Diana 54 is quite suitable for both boys and girls, although, again, keeping in mind the significant weight of the rifle itself.

The stock is made of selected beech boards, beautifully processed from the inside and has a rather serious appearance from the outside. Convenience of holding the rifle is achieved by a notch on the fore-end and handle, and ease of aiming with a “boar’s back” - a rest under the shooter’s cheek on the butt. The stock is impregnated with a moisture-resistant compound.

The barrel is made of German steel, in the best traditions of “Krupp” and “lotahr Walther”, has, like all Diana rifles of the fortieth and fiftieth series, 8 rectangular rifling, as well as a choke-barrel narrowing that tightly presses the bullet into the rifling, thereby eliminating any the beating of a bullet as it passes through the barrel. The chamfer is smooth and ensures that the bullet comes off the rifling evenly at the moment of firing. The breech section of the barrel has a conical profile, thus increasing the contact area with the compressor seal. This barrel guarantees maximum accuracy and is the greatest advantage of the Diana 54 rifle.

Sights and device The muzzle of the rifle has a movable, adjustable open front sight. The front sight can move when adjusting the rifle along the inclined guide of the muzzle. This is necessary when zeroing a rifle over long distances. In the desired position, the front sight is tightened tightly with a screw.

The rear sight is adjustable in standard planes, that is, horizontally and vertically. It is secured with two screws to the receiver. The rear sight has inserts with slots of different profiles, which allow you to choose the most convenient view for aiming.

The optical sight is traditionally mounted on a dovetail; it is recommended to purchase a monoblock bracket. Optics should only be installed that have been tested for magnum pneumatics, for example, the Bushnell 3-9×40 AOGD optical sight; with proper care, it will serve you for a very long time.

The breech is made of steel; it rigidly fixes the barrel, practically eliminating the possibility of its removal. The breech is also fixedly fixed in the receiver.

The bolt (receiver) box has a window for manually loading bullets; it is located immediately behind the rear sight (sight). On the right side of the receiver there is a slot so that the cocking rod can move freely and push the piston. The surface of the receiver, as well as almost all other structural parts, are oxidized. Oxidation is a chemical coating of metal surfaces that increases their resistance to corrosion.

The trigger mechanism (trigger mechanism) is made in the form of a removable separate block. It has a number of specifications that differ in release settings. Using two screws, the length of the trigger stroke and the force required to release it are adjusted. The trigger has a safety lock that blocks the trigger, thereby eliminating spontaneous firing when the trigger is pressed carelessly. The trigger is held in the receiver by two pins. The design of the trigger may vary in some DIANA 54

. We recommend disassembling the trigger slowly, remembering the location of the parts.

The recoil compensator is implemented in a very original way: two stock mounting elements have spring-loaded guides. During the shot, the springs are compressed, compensating for the impact of the powerful mainspring.

The compressor barrel is made of steel, hardened, and has a shackle on the front right side, which is pivotally connected to the cocking lever. At the end of the cylinder there is a bypass hole which is equipped

The bypass seal is a polyurethane ring with an internal cone. When locked, the seal fits tightly to the breech end of the barrel, providing the tightness necessary for firing a shot. The life of the seal is 4000 shots.

The piston has a central hook and is distinguished by high quality and precision manufacturing. The piston life is unlimited.

The cuff is original - the Diana 54 cuff is made of a special type of rubber and provides maximum compression for 3000-3500 shots.

The spring – version “FAC” has a diameter of 21mm, its length is 300mm and the wire cross-section is 3.2mm. The number of turns of such a spring is 35 with a total weight of 110g. The springs of the “F” version and the “Magnum” version have differences, respectively. By installing a magnum spring, you thereby increase the power of the rifle, raising it from the legal 7.5 J to 23 -30 J, keep this in mind.

The back of the USM is composite plastic. A non-automatic safety button is attached to it.

The spring guide is also made of composite materials, the use of which justifies the reduction in the overall weight of the rifle and does not in any way affect the reliability of certain components of the rifle. For overly suspicious users, we recommend replacing it with turned steel. In general, many plastic parts used in modern air rifles can be replaced with metal ones, thus unnecessarily increasing the weight of the rifle and disturbing its balance.

The cocking lever and rod are made of steel. The cocking lever is supported by an axis fixed in a metal gusset corner on the right rear side of the receiver.

How to properly disassemble the Diana 54 rifle:

Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the 2 screws under the rifle stock. One of them is located in the forend under the breech, and the second is in front of the trigger guard.
Slowly separate the rifle stock while paying attention to the metal and rubber washers of the unscrewed screws. Don't lose them.
Move the cocking lever slightly to the side, releasing the pusher. Using a thin screwdriver, pry up and remove the washer that secures the cocking lever screw in the receiver (washer at the bottom).
Push the screw itself up. Again, try not to lose the thin washers that are located on both sides of the lever.
Using the same screwdriver, remove the washer that holds the cocking rod pin (under the lever)
Remove the cocking lever
With the rifle conveniently positioned on the edge of the workbench, knock out the pin closest to the breech.
Using a long drift, knock out the rear pin, leaving a drift in its place.
With the rifle resting on the table, press the backplate, carefully removing the drift rod. Thus, you will remove the trigger block from the receiver.
Pull out the plastic guide with the washer and mainspring.

Review of the Diana 31 Panther air rifle

Simplicity and reliability

Weapons for hunting

The initial speed of a bullet fired from the presented model reaches 305 meters per second. It must be admitted that not every air rifle, even of the Magnum class, can boast of such indicators. The muzzle energy of the weapon, coupled with the shooting accuracy (the rifle barrel has internal rifling that “twists” the bullet and gives it directional stability) is quite enough to use pneumatics not only for shooting at stationary targets, but also as a hunting weapon. Of course, you can’t go after big game with this rifle, but you can kill a hare, squirrel or bird. The main thing is to shoot accurately from a distance not exceeding 20-30 meters.