Diana overlooked/underated?

[mattyw1987]

Having recently got myself a new Diana 34 classic ive found out that they are a gem of a air rifle, the internal and external finish, the tolerances it's made to along with the quality of the barrel and also barrel lockup is second to none and in some areas far superior to a hw.

And I find this as a bit of a shock as all I've ever heard from people is that Diana air rifles are miles behind hw made with cheap stamped parts a inferior triggers which couldn't be further from the truth with my example.

What's the consensus on here?

[Bluefan]

I like mine bought on Bigtoe recommendation and yea it's good liked it so much I got a 280 like that too. To6 trigger is great I've not touched them bar a lube after 50 shots they were bone dry when I bought them. Paid a little more than I paid for my 98 for the two, so a win,like the 98 too.

[robs5230]

Having recently got myself a new Diana 34 classic ive found out that they are a gem of a air rifle, the internal and external finish, the tolerances it's made to along with the quality of the barrel and also barrel lockup is second to none and in some areas far superior to a hw.

And I find this as a bit of a shock as all I've ever heard from people is that Diana air rifles are miles behind hw made with cheap stamped parts a inferior triggers which couldn't be further from the truth with my example.

What's the consensus on here?

Those opinions are generally expressed by those who've never owned one.

Earlier this year I had 3 280's and a 34 here.

The problem with Diana is their pricing and odd marketing strategy. Unless they handle that better they'll stay the unknown gem for most over here.

The 280 is certainly a match for a 95 and to be honest I think HW quality has fallen well behind that of Diana now

[mattyw1987]

Well I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone in my findings, and yes the last hw95 I got new was atrocious and had to go back the 99s I got was fine tho but when paying for premium I don't expect numerous issues. This Diana dosen't have one area that I think could be finished better which is more than I can say about any of the new he's I've bought in the last few years.

[peddy]

My old 34 to1 is very high quality, apart from the plastic trigger blade. My 430 was pretty good and a match for new HW's. Scare stories about new Pistons being poorly made has put me and many others off them now along with Chinese links but German prices.

[robs5230]

My old 34 to1 is very high quality, apart from the plastic trigger blade. My 430 was pretty good and a match for new HW's. Scare stories about new Pistons being poorly made has put me and many others off them now along with Chinese links but German prices.

Never experienced the piston fault that was raised a while ago (rods coming loose) and never heard of that issue here, but the smaller 280 pistons do suffer from being pushed out of line during the process of the piston body being fixed to the head by crimping. Easily rectified though.

[Bluefan]

I've heard and seen photos of this but mine was fine luckily,but as you say easily fixed . Again maybe I was lucky but I thought £220 for a brand new Diana 34 was ok, plain stock but I'm a southpaw so it's a plus for me. The bone dry innards was a pain but I suppose better than packed with grease.

[bill57]

Those opinions are generally expressed by those who've never owned one.

I bought a new 280 last year, worst built gun I've ever owned. QC is non existent; it went straight back. It wasn't a one off either, I've seen others with some of the same issues.
It's great if you guys get good ones, but please don't tell us we're making it up.

[mattyw1987]

I bought a new 280 last year, worst built gun I've ever owned. QC is non existent; it went straight back. It wasn't a one off either, I've seen others with some of the same issues.
It's great if you guys get good ones, but please don't tell us we're making it up.

What issues did it have? I find it hard to believe that me and others on here have found them made to tighter tolerances than hw's but you say they have no QC and are worse than chinese rifle?

I'm happy to be proved wrong tho I just find it hard to believe bud.

[Shed tuner]

yeah, my old 34 (t05 IIRC) is very nicely made... was trying to sell it earlier, but no interest.. weird as you say they are decent quality for sure..

anyone know if the newer (longer forend) 34 stocks fit the older actions ?

[DM80]

I've always liked Diana's 45/34/38/52 etc they are well built accurate airguns but my opinion is the equivalent HW's are just that bit better.

Dave.

[bill57]

What issues did it have? I find it hard to believe that me and others on here have found them made to tighter tolerances than hw's but you say they have no QC and are worse than chinese rifle?

I'm happy to be proved wrong tho I just find it hard to believe bud.

Barrel bent to left, terrible barrel droop, breech/pellet seating area cut off-centre, so it chopped the skirt off the pellet when you closed it, scope rail not mounted in the centre of the cylinder but off to one side - I've seen this fault on a Diana Mauser 98k as well. It was just junk.

And no lube either.

[mattyw1987]

Barrel bent to left, terrible barrel droop, breech/pellet seating area cut off-centre, so it chopped the skirt off the pellet when you closed it, scope rail not mounted in the centre of the cylinder but off to one side - I've seen this fault on a Diana Mauser 98k as well. It was just junk.

And no lube either.

That is shocking I mean there is a Friday afternoon job and then there is that, make no wonder you don't like em.

[gingernut]

The problem with Diana is their pricing and odd marketing strategy. Unless they handle that better they'll stay the unknown gem for most over here.

Spot on.
Try and buy one through your local Gunshop!

[enfield2band]

Obviously, from what I read on here, Diana has improved its engineering from the mid 1960's. My older brothers had Diana's and they were fairly good. When I managed to persuade my parents to let me have a gun I got the Diana G36 which was boasted to be the first air rifle to have a safety catch.

Well, it turned out to be a pile of junk. Everytime you closed the gun it nipped a bit off the breech washer. The first shot was good out to the range I expected, but, from then on, each shot dropped slightly until it reached the point where I could throw a stone further!

My Dad had shot for the Royal Navy so he knew a bit about guns so he came on the canal with me (in the days when you do that without any hassle) and he had a few shots. He agreed it was not very good, so, much to my delight, he took me to the nearby gunshop and bought me a single barrel .410".

From then on I had always looked on the Diana as being poor quality. A couple of years ago I bought a new Gamo made BSA Supersport and that did the same as the Diana. I took it back to the shop and the dealer tried different washers and it still nipped it when the gun was closed. He gave me my money back and thats the last I have had to do with air rifles.