RWS Diana 52 - tuning options....

[Hellequin]

I recently got hold of a very nice rifle which I'd hankered after for some years; a Diana 52 'Ultra Carbine' in .22 calibre.

It's a rifle I'd always liked the look of, especially in this configuration with ultra short barrel and to top it off this one is cosmetically near perfect and has a lovely looking stock. As far as I'm aware, it's bog-standard internally. It has the open sights present (although I use a scope on it) and is the model with T05 trigger according to previous owners.

So, I'm pretty happy with it BUT....

I know that, like most springers, they can be fettled to shoot a lot better. My options are as follows:

1. Simple route- buy new seals and a drop in kit from either Tinbum or V-Mach etc., to keep costs down.
2. Complex route- spend £200-£300 sending it to a professional for something like a proper short-stroke job & sleeved down piston.
3. Leave it as it is and put the cash towards another rifle.

I know that option 1 should smooth things a little and get rid of the bit of 'twang' the rifle currently has. Option 2 should seriously transform the shot cycle of the rifle and currently Tony Leach is favourite for the work if I go that route, as he's done quite a bit of development with the 52/54 platforms.
Option 3 is least favourite but, given that I've recently got myself a new shooting permission, I'm after something more suited to hunting; I know the 52 is perfectly capable but my preference is a break barrel or possibly even a PCP in .177 calibre...

Decisions, decisions.

Would you get it fettled? If so, which option & why? I know ultimately only I can decide but opinions on here are always welcome...

Cheers

[PCPShooter]

Buy a T06 Trigger piston kit from sportwaffen for about 60 quid and have a custom guide and top hat made, relube it properly -

That's my advice for best improvement for your money

A V Mach spring would be an ideal mainspring in one of those too - BAR ??

[Hellequin]

Buy a T06 Trigger piston kit from sportwaffen for about 60 quid and have a custom guide and top hat made, relube it properly -

That's my advice for best improvement for your money

A V Mach spring would be an ideal mainspring in one of those too - BAR ??

Thanks mate. I've had a look at that site but unfortunately the T06 kit is on 'pre-order' with no specified delivery. Chambers do list them in stock but at over £90.

Does the T06 have major benefits over the T05? Have to admit I've not done much research in that respect...

[Geezer]

What do you want to do with it?

Plinker: leave as is.

Serious hunter/FT: big tune.

My old 52 (factory slow lazy spring and restricted set-up) is a nice plinker (aka informal target rifle). Improving it much would cost at least what it’s worth.

[Hellequin]

What do you want to do with it?

Plinker: leave as is.

Serious hunter/FT: big tune.

My old 52 (factory slow lazy spring and restricted set-up) is a nice plinker (aka informal target rifle). Improving it much would cost at least what it’s worth.

Well, I had intended it being a jack of all trades, so a bit of bunny bashing plus some plinking & informal (not club competition) HFT style target shooting. That said, it's a .22 so I'd no real intentions or expectations for anything ultra serious for it. It's just a rifle I'd wanted for a long time and having finally found one in the right condition I'd like to use it rather than just look at it.

If I'm brutally honest, I know that to have this rifle seriously (professionally) tuned would be my heart ruling head and that something like a 97k in .177 (or a new Walther LGV) would be a more 'efficient' proposition as target/occasional hunting rifle. I don't really want to leave it 'standard' long term though, it's too nice a rifle to be left sounding like a dodgy bed spring every time the trigger is pulled...

[Frog]

Forget the T06 trigger - instead do the T05 two screw trigger mod - very easy and cost about 10p for a second adjustment screw. Gives an excellent result.