Diana transfer port arangement probably is the most efficient factory arrangment I've seen - coupled with a 28mm bore and a long stroke, this is what makes them great for FAC power levels.
FWB300 TP is similar. HW 77/97 is good, but longer; TX longer still (and not such a good sealing arrangement), but can be shortened.
Always looking for any cheap, interesting, knackered "project" guns. Thanks, JB.
It's interesting that you like the 77/97 T/P being offset but I was also wondering why you think the HW is a better sealing arrangement than the TX.
It's also interesting that the more modern Diana the 460 has a offset T/P that has another 15mm more stroke than the 52 and only just has a little more power than the efficient 52 just so it can have a barrel inline with the cylinder like the 77/97 and I would guess it would be harder to machine. Anyway interesting subject
The problem with the tx set up imo is the 2 o rings , and not so much the length ( long ports give soft cycle),I believe AA use 2 o rings to allow for more flexibility in the design to take up slack in the lock up , due to manufacturing tolerances, some lock up well some don't. The down side of this slack is the transfer port can hammer the end of the barrel, in severe cases it closes the lead in up slightly, which then sizes the pellet down ruining both accuracy and power.
When I make my own comp tubes I seal them in a completely different manner.
Correct me if I am misunderstanding what you are saying guns like the 77/97 and the Diana 460 are buffered by the front of the cylinder metal to metal with a small gap for the seal and T/P once the cylinder is fully forward, but the TX the seals are the buffer because there is a nut and not a flat surface like where the other two are buffered, you can see in the pics where the hinge pin bolt hole has made a mark on the 460 this couldn't happen with the TX nut.
I think that I disagree about the slack on the TX as I think the TX is supposed to have slack in that area otherwise it would put strain on the cocking link like it can on the 77/97 and crack if it's to tight, I don't really like the slack but these designs where before spring closing breeches
The slack doesn't protect, the lever,the clearance at the rear of the cocking shoe dies that .