Diana Model 10

[Modski66]

Having recently acquired an Original 6G and been suitably impressed with the Giss system, I now find myself wondering if a Diana Model 10 would make a good 10m target pistol?
I had to part with my beloved FWB 65 because my bad right elbow could not cope with the side lever cocking, whereas the 6G break barrel is okay.
But the Model 10 just looks like it takes things to another level. I didn't know much about the Giss system, other than it was scary and to be avoided, so I am somewhat behind with my knowledge of these pistols.
What does the collective knowledge of the target shooting community think of the Model 10, why are there none for sale, and if there were, what sort of price would I be looking at?

[Rutherford99]

When I used to shoot 10m pistol competitively at club level using a Steyr LP10, other shooters being similarly equipped, the best shooter in the club used an Original Model 10 pistol.

[AC99]

In the early 80's I used an Original mod 10 in 10m match competitions at my local club with a high degree of success before buying a FWB 65 and then moving on to a Morini but I regret selling the mod 10; a nice pistol to shoot.

[MDriskill]

The model 10 is a fantastic airgun, arguably the best barrel-cocking spring-piston pistol that it's possible to make...nothing quite like it before or since. Grips, trigger, and sights are all significantly advanced over the 6G.

The down side is that the mechanics are even more complex than the model 6 - especially the trigger mechanism, so you need to either buy one in good nick or have a good mechanic to hand! And, it is even heavier than the FWB 65.

Part of the issue is balance. The Giss system is amazing, but makes for a long receiver tube and a lot of weight in the middle of the gun. To get the muzzle-heavy feel that I like, I needed the auxiliary weight, putting things near the 1.5 kg legal limit. Even in my younger/fitter days, I was all over the target after just a few shots.

[Modski66]

The model 10 is a fantastic airgun, arguably the best barrel-cocking spring pistol that it's possible to make...nothing quite like it before or since. Grips, trigger, and sights are all significantly advanced over the 6G.

The down side is that the mechanics are even more complex than the model 6 - especially the trigger mechanism, so you need to either buy one in good nick or have a good mechanic to hand! And, it is heavy, especially with the optional muzzle weight mounted. It weighs even more than the FWB 65.

Having re-assembled the trigger mechanism on a FWB 65, the Model 10 can't be any more complicated than that!

It may be that I will not be able to acquire one any time soon; the sale of Ian Jones's collection at the Melbourne Airgun Fayre will not now happen, and there was the possibility of buying his. I will just continue to work on the anatomical grip for my 6G and see how I get on with that for now.

[thirdwheel]

If you are serious at all about 10m forget the 10, as has been said above it is heavy and too forward balanced, save your money and buy a s/h pcp.
But if you are a plinker, shooting for just fun and love mechanical things it is fine but the 6 is also just as good, not many 10's were sold as it was up against the 65 and that is so much better.