Diana/Mauser K98

[Josie & John]

Seriously, I'd like to see it Nick, and I'm awaiting John's review of this air rifle in the coming weeks !

I hope its really nice, well built and performs well !

Reading this thread just makes me want one all the more! I wonder if an original nosecap can be fitted in place of the dummy one. That way a K98 bayonet will fit for those Quigley bucket charges.

Still no news on the review rifle's arrival - Terry's been doing his best to source one.

John

[pinguisgod]

A cheaper option for the bayonet rather than a K98 original is the Yugoslavian M48 one. I picked up a tatty one at the last historic fair at Bsley for a fiver, less than I paid for my carving knife.

[Blackrider]

Reading this thread just makes me want one all the more! I wonder if an original nosecap can be fitted in place of the dummy one. That way a K98 bayonet will fit for those Quigley bucket charges.

Still no news on the review rifle's arrival - Terry's been doing his best to source one.

John

Saw the reference in the AGW John !
Bet you're "itching" to get going with it !?

[Josie & John]

Saw the reference in the AGW John !
Bet you're "itching" to get going with it !?

I am indeed. I have a converted Haenel 310, which resembles a K98 with its full stock but it would be good to have a full powered pellet firer to play with, I mean test! Actually that 310 is scheduled for a review in the not too distant future too. It is incredibly accurate at realistic distances of 15 yards or so, despite the 4.4 mm ball ammo.

John

[tinbum]

It's here!

It arrived this morning and initial impressions are: very nicely made, very solid, good weight albeit front heavy and extremly good looking (imo)

Theres a strange greasy/oiliness to the visible part of the internals and it feels a little gritty and graunchy on cocking. I haven't fired it yet as I want to do that when I'm in a position to start work on it. The lathe is set up for a TX run atm so it will have to wait!

BTW, does anyone know how to fit the original (replica) sling?

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps9ofxtxxh.jpg

[gingernut]

Looks good.
I have taken the replica sling off my Airsoft Mauser to put it on to my 30M.
I failed.
I need to ask Baz who put it on the plastic rifle.

Your real life picture has tempted me to enquire at the local toy shop today

[Josie & John]

The tricky bit is the rear fixing. The sling passes through the stock and attaches either directly into the stock stud or through a separate tab. It is easier to demonstrate than explain - maybe there is a you tube video out there?

John

[Blackrider]

It's here!

It arrived this morning and initial impressions are: very nicely made, very solid, good weight albeit front heavy and extremly good looking (imo)

Theres a strange greasy/oiliness to the visible part of the internals and it feels a little gritty and graunchy on cocking. I haven't fired it yet as I want to do that when I'm in a position to start work on it. The lathe is set up for a TX run atm so it will have to wait!

BTW, does anyone know how to fit the original (replica) sling?

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps9ofxtxxh.jpg

Looks very nice !
Awaiting your "performance report" and John's review !

[Barryg]

It's here!

feels a little gritty and graunchy on cocking.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps9ofxtxxh.jpg

Its usually the cocking slot that wants deburring on those 460 actions

[tinbum]

Tea-break, slings on! Just the top hats to make and I can crack on with this.



Yippeeeeeee!

[tinbum]

Ok, heres the situation now:

Stripping down; Anyone who's ever stripped an AK will be familiar with this procedure. Undo the muzzle thread protector and the front sight unit, forward furniture with bands, sling loop and barrel sleeves all slide over the front.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...pslkbhmizw.jpg

Next undo the three standard stock screws and remove the stock. With the action removed you are left with a basic Diana Underlever, so its drift out the two rear pins running through the trigger block while containing the preload pressure, disconnecting the cocking link and removing the cocking eye from the compression tube using a hex key to undo the retaining screw.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...pszo8nduqm.jpg

Once out the comp tube, piston and spring were examined. The transfer port had a 2mm restrictor washer under the breech seal. This was removed. The piston was pretty standard Diana fare and the rear skirt was polished and both the piston and comp tube degreased. The spring was a 2.65mm wire and 42 coils, after some experimentation and a little while crunching numbers in an almost scientific way this was ditched in favour of a 3.15mm 32 coil spring. Guides were made to suit, it was carefully relubed and put back together.

On firing there is some recoil going on, but frankly nowhere near what I had expected from such a heavy piston travelling such a long way. Power tested at 10.8 with JSB 8.44's up to 11.8 with H&N Sniper Light 7.5's, its a heavy piston! The snipers were a good firm fit into the barrel and I'm hoping the gun likes them as the BC is great for an air pellet.

In short, is it as smooth as my stroked TX! No. My stroked 95? No. My unstroked 99? No. But its a damned sight better than a standard 80 and very pleasing to look at, hold and shoot.

I'm already wondering what a 1.5-5x20 on high mounts would look like on it?