Open Sights ?

[Blackrider]

Thanks for that Geezer, I imagined quite rightfully that the Webbo Mk. 3 would figure and even the HW 55.
I also thought something in the Diana stable may also crop up but I know little of early Dianas so I couldn't speculate.

[Geezer]

Thanks for that Geezer, I imagined quite rightfully that the Webbo Mk. 3 would figure and even the HW 55.
I also thought something in the Diana stable may also crop up but I know little of early Dianas so I couldn't speculate.

The classic era Dianas all have good iron sights. As said above, the late 60s onward ones have really usable "iron" sights. On the better models, usually an alloy front with interchangeable elements and a plastic rear with click adjustments and a choice of four notches (square, which I always use, U, and - from memory, mine are locked up - two versions of a V, or a V and shallow U).

The earlier up-market Dianas have great rear sights, which can be converted to peeps with the right add-ons and moved to the rear sight rail. The sight radius on opens with the 50 is about perfect for shooters with OK eyesight. The front sights vary from sub-optimal (but period charming) beads on tapering post to the more target-oriented models that offer a quickly changeable range of four blades included in the unit. Considering their cost (lots were made), they are a great buy. You can get a great 50s model 50 for £200. Or less.

All those high-end 50s German rifles were set up for the nascent sport of 10M match. So their open sights are a cut above most British equivalents, which were set up for farmyard pests, let alone the American multi-pump and CO2 ones, which are frankly crude, no better than those on a Webley Mk1 pistol.

[Bluefan]

Always get a big smile using a chums Diana 27 he's says he's left it to me in his will . Maybe a bit too recent but I've also enjoyed shooting hi original 45 and 50 not sure if they're a bequest yet! The hw 35e yes it's nice but as a southpaw that catch is on the wrong side and just breaks up my rhythm does shoot well tho it's my eyesight that lets it down nowadays.

[Blackrider]

Always had a liking for Stutzens. I shoot a nice scoped RB2 .22 but I've often fancied the Diana Stutzens, anyone own one ?
Excepted that these are a more recent air rifle.

[jonnyone]

Always had a liking for Stutzens. I shoot a nice scoped RB2 .22 but I've often fancied the Diana Stutzens, anyone own one ?
Excepted that these are a more recent air rifle.

Afternoon fella. I've got a 430ST and also a 46ST. Unfortunately in.this instance both are scoped as my eyes are not what they used to be. Modern Diana foresight bead is a rather chunky affair but the 430 came to.me with a non std rear sight that was.mounted on the scope dovetail. Setting this rearward gave a long sight.line and one in hindsight I wish I had perhaps investigated more as I think it had potential.
Both guns are very accurate with the correct pellet and set up.
Dave

[johnbaz]

Hi John

Not sure if Dioptre sights are deemed as 'Open' sights! (No optics though?).



I've also a Gecado mod35 (Original mod35) in .177cal..



There's also the other 35's too, The HW ones!!



Mk1 HW80



Type 01 Original mod50..



Webbo mk3




Let me know if you want me to bring any of them over next week- The scopes come off easily enough


John

[Binners]

Why not bring a wheel barrow to Kempton in 45 days time

[Blackrider]

Hi John

Not sure if Dioptre sights are deemed as 'Open' sights! (No optics though?).



I've also a Gecado mod35 (Original mod35) in .177cal..



There's also the other 35's too, The HW ones!!



Mk1 HW80



Type 01 Original mod50..



Webbo mk3




Let me know if you want me to bring any of them over next week- The scopes come off easily enough


John

Aw Heck, make yer mind up time .....
The HW 35E looks nice as well as the Webbo Mk. 3.
I like the Tyrolean job but owing to my "left handed affliction' I wouldn't be able to shoulder it !

How do they Shoot ?

Great stuff John, Thanks.

[MDriskill]

The classic era Dianas all have good iron sights. As said above, the late 60s onward ones have really usable "iron" sights. On the better models, usually an alloy front with interchangeable elements and a plastic rear with click adjustments and a choice of four notches (square, which I always use, U, and - from memory, mine are locked up - two versions of a V, or a V and shallow U).

The earlier up-market Dianas have great rear sights, which can be converted to peeps with the right add-ons and moved to the rear sight rail. The sight radius on opens with the 50 is about perfect for shooters with OK eyesight. The front sights vary from sub-optimal (but period charming) beads on tapering post to the more target-oriented models that offer a quickly changeable range of four blades included in the unit. Considering their cost (lots were made), they are a great buy. You can get a great 50s model 50 for £200. Or less.

All those high-end 50s German rifles were set up for the nascent sport of 10M match. So their open sights are a cut above most British equivalents, which were set up for farmyard pests, let alone the American multi-pump and CO2 ones, which are frankly crude, no better than those on a Webley Mk1 pistol.

Absolutely agree with this--for my money, the sights on the 50's through 80's Dianas are some of the finest "notch" sights ever made for any kind of rifle.

The excellent, mostly-plastic model that Geezer mentioned was replaced in the late 70's by a larger and even better all-metal unit, still with the 4-notch plate. Very smooth windage and elevation adjustments over a good range via nice knurled finger knobs, and was used on the models 25D, 27, 35, and 50 for several years. Slightly simplified versions of this were used on their newer models up until fairly recently.

I usually go with aperture sights, but I have a hard time making myself remove these!