Originally Posted by
Geezer
Yes, but the whole point of the 55 is that it is short, light and, by 1950s-70s standards, powerful.
The 60 and 70, especially if lowered a bit in power, lose that historical unique selling point, and become just another alternative to the Diana 35, Anschutz 335, Webley Vulcan, etc. Still good rifles (and, beyond the trigger, the BSFs seem to have no constructional issues like the A335 stock bolt mounts, the many FWB Sport flaws, the HW35 porous breech) but are not just as distinctive as the 55.
I recall a Tom G blog a while ago which essentially said that, looking at the top late 70s springers (D35, D45, FWB 124, BSF55), the BSF 55 was essentially a Diana 27-sized rifle that beat the Diana 35 and matched the other bigger heavier guns on power. By the same logic, de-tune a 55, and you might as well have bought a Diana 27.