The W. H. B. Smith 1950’s shoot-off: BSA MK2 Airsporter vs. Diana Model 50

[45flint]

Been going back in time with W. H. B. Smith classic 1957 book on Airguns. He does extensive write ups and testing of the guns of the day. First up he comes to the conclusion that the Webley MK3 and the Walther 55 are the finest airguns of their time. But he is enamored by the “newly” designed BSA Airsporter but has it below the accuracy of the above. He says it is the equal to the Diana 50 in performance. But out of the rifles of this era these two are about the most elegant. Since I have these two in about new condition I think a shoot off is in order. Taking bets. Removed the Diopter sight from the Diana to level the playing field. Very happy to include a Webley MK3 or Walther 55 if you want to send one to me. Lol

Smith’s write-up:

[Garvin]

Been going back in time with W. H. B. Smith classic 1957 book on Airguns. He does extensive write ups and testing of the guns of the day. First up he comes to the conclusion that the Webley MK3 and the Walther 55 are the finest airguns of their time.

He's pretty keen on the Falke 90 too!

[Hsing-ee]

You will need to practice a little bit more with the Airsporter as it is more powerful and has a more pronounced spring-surge. Also the trigger is not as good as the 50 one.

[45flint]

You will need to practice a little bit more with the Airsporter as it is more powerful and has a more pronounced spring-surge. Also the trigger is not as good as the 50 one.

Already making excuses for the BSA? Understand the power issue but if the trigger isn’t as good can you penalize the Diana for making a good trigger?

[gingernut]

The Diana will win.

[45flint]

The Diana will win.

Whats pretty nuts is I took the diopter sight off the Diana and moved the sight to the closer rail for the open sight. It pretty much held POA. The Diana trigger is a long two stage trigger. The long first stage to me is like a having a safety. The second stage is target quality, I think they say it’s a ball bearing trigger? Very sweet. The BSAs trigger isn’t even close. But I forgot that it needs RWS Superdomes took the wrong pellets out. Got too cold. There’s always another day.
With diopter:


Closer rail open sight:

[45flint]

He's pretty keen on the Falke 90 too!

I knew that was coming, lol. One year after he wrote the book Fawke would be no more and the 90 reached a production total of 200? Not sure that qualifies as a viable production run? My backyard has its limitations!