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  1. #1
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    Diana 45

    Having picked up a couple of these over the years, I've come to appreciate the quality of engineering and finish that went into the gun. The gun was Diana or at that stage Originals offering to the bit of a power kick that was going on back in the late 70s and early 80s.
    However many who have owned this gun will know it was a great deal.more than just a dustbin driller. Its quality shines through from its trigger mechanism (ok the blade itself is a bit pants), but its feel is as good as anything modern. Its barrel hinge arrangement, its underlever and cocking shoe. Its accuracy put many of its contemporaries to shame and will still give a few modern offerings a run for the money.
    My question is, bearing in mind we have had a re- born FWB Sport back on the scene after many years- would/could a reintroduction of the 45 be feasible or indeed successful in today's climate? Diana have one of the most extensive range of guns as it is- but do people think there is a market for it to come back into the range?
    Dave

  2. #2
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    It would be nice to see it back with new internals but the 34 has all bases covered these days.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by landymick View Post
    It would be nice to see it back with new internals but the 34 has all bases covered these days.
    Agreed. The 31/34/36/38 is no better, but is cheaper to make, in part because it shares parts across the Diana springer range. It is 1 or more ft/lbs more powerful as the 45, in unrestricted markets, and about half a pound lighter.

    And, much as I like the 45, the stock is not great and the barrel is a tiny bit too long.

  4. #4
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    I remember when the 'Original' 45 in .20 was one of the best bargains ever at around 70quid if I remember correctly. A lovely rifle let down by a nondescript stock that did nothing for correct eye scope alignment. It was however a popular FT rifle back in the day easily competing with FWB 124 and HW 80 and 35 rifles.

  5. #5
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    The 45 was a big departure from other Diana's of the period and is very well designed and engineered as you rightly say, Dave. The 34 countered with a simple but effective design that makes good power. I've always thought a polyurethane piston sealed Original 45, resprung to suit, would edge the 34. As it stands, I think there's little or nothing in it.
    I like the stock, particularly the earlier version. The butt is not markedly lower than other models with raised combs and I think the gun handles nicely. Perhaps it's not quite as handy as a 34 or 35 admittedly.
    Its worth mentioning that Diana brought out a later 45 based on the 34 so presumably the model was missed by some.
    Yes, if it was re-released, all syntheticed up, I would definitely buy one. It would be a costly rifle though, considering it's relative complexity. That's what killed it in the first place.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Drew451 View Post
    The 45 was a big departure from other Diana's of the period and is very well designed and engineered as you rightly say, Dave. The 34 countered with a simple but effective design that makes good power. I've always thought a polyurethane piston sealed Original 45, resprung to suit, would edge the 34. As it stands, I think there's little or nothing in it.
    I like the stock, particularly the earlier version. The butt is not markedly lower than other models with raised combs and I think the gun handles nicely. Perhaps it's not quite as handy as a 34 or 35 admittedly.
    Its worth mentioning that Diana brought out a later 45 based on the 34 so presumably the model was missed by some.
    Yes, if it was re-released, all syntheticed up, I would definitely buy one. It would be a costly rifle though, considering it's relative complexity. That's what killed it in the first place.
    Agree, with three riders:

    - official velocity figures (though who trusts them?) in the 80s put the 34 ahead on power;

    - the later 45-based RWS45 and 34-based 45 were slightly desperate attempts to cash in on the 45 model name: neither was very successful;

    - my personal theory on the 45 is that it sold very well from introduction until the HW80 arrived in 1980/1, then became very unfashionable. It was indeed a great FT choice in the early days.

    And I have a feeling that on cost it would now be at least in the same league as a 97 or TX. Which means it would not sell (like the new FWB Sport).

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Drew451 View Post
    The 45 was a big departure from other Diana's of the period and is very well designed and engineered as you rightly say, Dave. The 34 countered with a simple but effective design that makes good power. I've always thought a polyurethane piston sealed Original 45, resprung to suit, would edge the 34. As it stands, I think there's little or nothing in it.
    I like the stock, particularly the earlier version. The butt is not markedly lower than other models with raised combs and I think the gun handles nicely. Perhaps it's not quite as handy as a 34 or 35 admittedly.
    Its worth mentioning that Diana brought out a later 45 based on the 34 so presumably the model was missed by some.
    Yes, if it was re-released, all syntheticed up, I would definitely buy one. It would be a costly rifle though, considering it's relative complexity. That's what killed it in the first place.
    Very very true. And I think that the gun exemplifies the effort Diana put into the project to bring out a gun that could compete with the FWB.and the 80. True, the 80 would more than edge it at the higher US power levels but as many will attest ut could compete quite favourably with other top.of the range German guns of the day.
    I think in engineering terms the 45 was something of a high water mark for Diana in its break barrel efforts. And yet as you say it was also perhaps its undoing.
    Maybe that's the bottom line, to produce it again at a standard demanded by the public would make it cost ineffective.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by derekj View Post
    I remember when the 'Original' 45 in .20 was one of the best bargains ever at around 70quid if I remember correctly. A lovely rifle let down by a nondescript stock that did nothing for correct eye scope alignment. It was however a popular FT rifle back in the day easily competing with FWB 124 and HW 80 and 35 rifles.
    I agree. And whilst still not perfect the RWS variant with its cheekpiece and pressed checkering went at least some way to.improving looks and handling.
    Dave

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by jonnyone View Post
    I agree. And whilst still not perfect the RWS variant with its cheekpiece and pressed checkering went at least some way to.improving looks and handling.
    Dave
    The RWS does indeed handle well and is more comfortable to shoot. John Walter said the opposite but I'm not with him on this now I have got my hands on the RWS, finally. There's a hint of match rifle about the RWS but obviously in a lighter package.
    I find the safety is very handily placed on the 45's and its satisfying to click it off with the thumb. Yes, addictive rifles. And they can trade punches with just about any other standard springer.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by landymick View Post
    It would be nice to see it back with new internals but the 34 has all bases covered these days.
    I take your point. That said having recently had both a 34 and a 45 apart recently (also a 50T01)- I would say that not having a well machined and fitting cocking slipper and piston liner on the 34 was a backward step over the 45.
    But I accept that the 34 in overall terms is the modern replacement of the 45. I can't help thinking that the build quality of the 45 was better and the overall quality of machining higher.
    In the power stakes (more important across the pond than here) the 45 certainly lost out to the 34.
    One of these days I'll try and make time to.have a shooting session with both my 34s and a 45.
    I think that a carbine 45 would have been better handling and have a quicker action that even a 34. But that's something that will have to.be marked down as "what could have been".
    Dave

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