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Thread: Diana 35

  1. #1
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    Diana 35

    The Diana 27 seems a popular rifle on a lot of forums. It's certainly a nice rifle and and is about the perfect size but why very little talk about the 35? I have both and find the 35 to be a slightly larger deluxe version. It's not enough bigger to make much difference to me. Mine is branded with the Winchester logo and my 27 is actually marked Hy-Score 807. The Winchester has a bright red recoil pad and the 807 has a round gold Hy-Score medallion inletted into the butt and a Monte Carlo style stock. Other than that I think they are pretty much mechanically the same as other versions. I don't have any others to compare to so I can't be sure. They seem equally accurate. My 35 has a 16mm barrel compared to 15mm on the 27. The 27 has a fixed hooded front sight where as the 35 has a nice target globe with interchangeable inserts. I don't know if that's the way all are or if it's just different specs that might have changed over the years. The Winchester 435 was made in 1970 and the Hy-Score 807 in 1979 so anything could have happened. They shoot at about the same velocity. In fact the 27 shoots about 20 fps faster with the same light pellet but slightly harsher too so I'm wondering if they may have upped the power over the years or is it the 35 isn't shooting up to spec? Mine is shooting about 650 to 660 fps with light pellets and it still looks almost brand new. Couldn't have been fired much. It shoots so smooth and consistent over the chrono I don't care and I'm not touching it other than the fresh lubes it got. If I could only have one of the two it would be the 35. One thing I like about these old Dianas is that the cocking arm doesn't rattle and make noise like most all of my HW springers. Don't know if all Dianas are like that but mine certainly are. Why doesn't HW install some thin synthetic washers or maybe reduce the tolerances so they aren't so sloppy? Maybe they could learn a bit from Diana (M&G).
    Last edited by dair; 13-01-2025 at 10:01 PM.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by dair View Post
    The Diana 27 seems a popular rifle on a lot of forums. It's certainly a nice rifle and and is about the perfect size but why very little talk about the 35? I have both and find the 35 to be a slightly larger deluxe version. It's not enough bigger to make much difference to me. Mine is branded with the Winchester logo and my 27 is actually marked Hy-Score 807. The Winchester has a bright red recoil pad and the 807 has a round gold Hy-Score medallion inletted into the butt and a Monte Carlo style stock. Other than that I think they are pretty much mechanically the same as other versions. I don't have any others to compare to so I can't be sure. They seem equally accurate. My 35 has a 16mm barrel compared to 15mm on the 27. The 27 has a fixed hooded front sight where as the 35 has a nice target globe with interchangeable inserts. I don't know if that's the way all are or if it's just different specs that might have changed over the years. The Winchester 435 was made in 1970 and the Hy-Score 807 in 1979 so anything could have happened. They shoot at about the same velocity. In fact the 27 shoots about 20 fps faster with the same light pellet but slightly harsher too so I'm wondering if they may have upped the power over the years or is it the 35 isn't shooting up to spec? Mine is shooting about 650 to 660 fps with light pellets and it still looks almost brand new. Couldn't have been fired much. It shoots so smooth and consistent over the chrono I don't care and I'm not touching it other than the fresh lubes it got. If I could only have one of the two it would be the 35. One thing I like about these old Dianas is that the cocking arm doesn't rattle and make noise like most all of my HW springers. Don't know if all Dianas are like that but mine certainly are. Why doesn't HW install some thin synthetic washers or maybe reduce the tolerances so they aren't so sloppy? Maybe they could learn a bit from Diana (M&G).
    The Diana 35 is a lovely rifle. (I have two of them, from the 50s and the 70s.). Their problems were:

    1. The ball-sear trigger is a bit of a bitch to disassemble (though easy if you know how);
    2. In the “power wars” of the 1970s, the Diana 35 lost out to the HW35, FWB 124, BSF 55/60/70, etc.

    But if you can bear 1 ft-lb less than the 40+ year old competition, a D35 is a very nice rifle.

  3. #3
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    The 35 is probably my favourite air rifle I have one in each calibre. I have a 27 also and as much as I love that gun, it is physically too small to qualify as the perfect break barrel, especially around the pistol grip.

    The 35 is absolutely spot on for me in terms of size, weight and it's sweet shooting manners are not far behind the 27. I have the .177 set up with a Diana diopter sight and it's great for short range target work. It's running at a very mild 7fpe. The .22 is more typical of the breed and gives just under 10fpe and shoots very well at that. I use various RWS wadcutters in both.
    I'm not shooting all that regularly these days but when I get the chance it's with either of the 35s.

  4. #4
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    I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing one of these first hand. However, as I like the vast majority of Dianas that I've tried and do like milder, sweeter shooting guns, I know I'd like a 35.....
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  5. #5
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    The Original 35 is a great airifle not the most powerful around 9ftb to 10ftb but that's plenty for target and short range vermin work, the lack of power is offset by their build quality and stunning accuracy the trigger unit is also an excellent performer, I own a few 35's and wouldn't part with them.

  6. #6
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    27/35

    I have both a 27s and a 35s though i have only used the 35 for any length of time. This thread has reminded me to dig both guns out for a plinking session come the better weather.
    I've not been inside or fettled either of these but both shoot quite sweet if not a little twangy as they stand. Both have excellent accuracy with Superdome or FTTs.
    I particularly like the 35s due to its lineage with my other favourite gun the Original 45. In my youth these guns were amongst the tops.
    Its getting harder to find good condition vintage Originals nowadays. But very satisfying when you do.
    Dave

  7. #7
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    Diana 35

    Quote Originally Posted by TonyL View Post
    I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing one of these first hand. However, as I like the vast majority of Dianas that I've tried and do like milder, sweeter shooting guns, I know I'd like a 35.....
    I've got 2 in the past year, a nice 79 model that shoots great at 11ft;lb in .22 with it's new maccarri spring in it & a .22 mod 35 super I assembled out of parts. I just need a trigger for it now to complete & it'll be for sale, the mod 50 trigger fits too & I've already tried it out with the trigger from the older one & it seems to be making good power too although I couldn't chrono it as I'd just shot my combro .....doh. Much better guns than the mod 50 imho. wish I had got one when I was younger they are so underated.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by dair View Post
    The Diana 27 seems a popular rifle on a lot of forums. It's certainly a nice rifle and and is about the perfect size but why very little talk about the 35? I have both and find the 35 to be a slightly larger deluxe version. It's not enough bigger to make much difference to me. Mine is branded with the Winchester logo and my 27 is actually marked Hy-Score 807. The Winchester has a bright red recoil pad and the 807 has a round gold Hy-Score medallion inletted into the butt and a Monte Carlo style stock. Other than that I think they are pretty much mechanically the same as other versions. I don't have any others to compare to so I can't be sure. They seem equally accurate. My 35 has a 16mm barrel compared to 15mm on the 27. The 27 has a fixed hooded front sight where as the 35 has a nice target globe with interchangeable inserts. I don't know if that's the way all are or if it's just different specs that might have changed over the years. The Winchester 435 was made in 1970 and the Hy-Score 807 in 1979 so anything could have happened. They shoot at about the same velocity. In fact the 27 shoots about 20 fps faster with the same light pellet but slightly harsher too so I'm wondering if they may have upped the power over the years or is it the 35 isn't shooting up to spec? Mine is shooting about 650 to 660 fps with light pellets and it still looks almost brand new. Couldn't have been fired much. It shoots so smooth and consistent over the chrono I don't care and I'm not touching it other than the fresh lubes it got. If I could only have one of the two it would be the 35. One thing I like about these old Dianas is that the cocking arm doesn't rattle and make noise like most all of my HW springers. Don't know if all Dianas are like that but mine certainly are. Why doesn't HW install some thin synthetic washers or maybe reduce the tolerances so they aren't so sloppy? Maybe they could learn a bit from Diana (M&G).
    The 35 was a well made rifle similar in build and size to the Anshutz 335 but was another gun with the TP being too big in diameter. Also angled which robbed a Ftlb. It was Cardew that first suggested this design flaw and from there its popularity never really got going until replaced by the more powerful 45. From there it got a bit more criticism than was fair when stacked up against the 45s reputation which could out compete a FWB Sport.
    It tended to get left in the gun shop rack for the better performers.
    Last edited by Brad3; 14-01-2025 at 06:22 PM.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by junglie View Post
    I've got 2 in the past year, a nice 79 model that shoots great at 11ft;lb in .22 with it's new maccarri spring in it & a .22 mod 35 super I assembled out of parts. I just need a trigger for it now to complete & it'll be for sale, the mod 50 trigger fits too & I've already tried it out with the trigger from the older one & it seems to be making good power too although I couldn't chrono it as I'd just shot my combro .....doh. Much better guns than the mod 50 imho. wish I had got one when I was younger they are so underated.
    Ouch re the Combro!

    Yes, I've also always enjoyed shooting 50s that I've tried too. Much more "solid and better engineered feeling" than the Airsporter, in my opinion. I'm not sure I'd ever own one, though, unless for novelty / nostalgia reasons, as I prefer direct-to-breech loading designs.
    THE BOINGER BASH AT QUIGLEY HOLLOW. MAKING GREAT MEMORIES SINCE 15th JUNE, 2013.
    NEXT EVENT :- May 17/18, 2025.........BOING!!

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brad3 View Post
    The 35 was a well made rifle similar in build and size to the Anshutz 335 but was another gun with the TP being too big in diameter. Also angled which robbed a Ftlb. It was Cardew that first suggested this design flaw and from there its popularity never really got going until replaced by the more powerful 45. From there it got a bit more criticism than was fair when stacked up against the 45s reputation which could out compete a FWB Sport.
    It tended to get left in the gun shop rack for the better performers.
    Yes, I always put it into the same category as the 335, too, with its medium power and similar weight etc. Precision over brawn. I did briefly own a 45, back in about 1987. Very nearly new and very cheap. Very harsh and twangy cycle. I didn't fancy stripping one of these back then but managed to sell it for more than I paid for it, so off it went.
    THE BOINGER BASH AT QUIGLEY HOLLOW. MAKING GREAT MEMORIES SINCE 15th JUNE, 2013.
    NEXT EVENT :- May 17/18, 2025.........BOING!!

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by TonyL View Post
    Yes, I always put it into the same category as the 335, too, with its medium power and similar weight etc. Precision over brawn. I did briefly own a 45, back in about 1987. Very nearly new and very cheap. Very harsh and twangy cycle. I didn't fancy stripping one of these back then but managed to sell it for more than I paid for it, so off it went.
    Agreeing.
    The 45 was a bit twangy with no comparison to modern tuned guns of today, even with that recoil bolt through the stock, but back then it's harshness no greater than most of the Magnum powered sporters, where it had one year as being considered better than a FWB Sport before the arrival of the HW77 which sort of killed it off. I'm not certain what happened to them. They just seemed to phase out.
    I still prefer preferred the HW35 Luxus and Mercury I had and didn't wade in.
    Quite hard to get past a goody HW35, or Mercury for a decent break barrel at that time. Even today perhaps.

  12. #12
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    Some 45's shot very well out of the box, with no twang. There was a bit of variation in spring/ guide fit. Factory springs were a bit on the heavy side, also. Early 34s could have the same issues.
    I agree that the HW77 severely hurt its sales but you could say that about many, many guns from the time. The 45 did run on to 1988 but it's rare to see one built after 1985.
    I do like the HW35 but prefer the Diana's.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brad3 View Post
    Agreeing.
    The 45 was a bit twangy with no comparison to modern tuned guns of today, even with that recoil bolt through the stock, but back then it's harshness no greater than most of the Magnum powered sporters, where it had one year as being considered better than a FWB Sport before the arrival of the HW77 which sort of killed it off. I'm not certain what happened to them. They just seemed to phase out.
    I still prefer preferred the HW35 Luxus and Mercury I had and didn't wade in.
    Quite hard to get past a good HW35 for a decent break barrel at that time. Even today perhaps.
    Agreed.
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  14. #14
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    Some of the Diana 35 I find over here seem to have lived a life as club/target guns alongside more refined target guns.
    Too many airguns!

  15. #15
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    I have to wonder what could have been the potential outcome and (possible) change in fortunes had M&G swapped over to synthetic piston heads part of the way through the production life of the 45, for example. Or better still commenced production with a synthetic head on the 45? For us here in the UK, i think it would have resulted in a gun with sweeter manners due to less stout springs being needed in the guns. But for unrestricted overseas markets this would have released more top end to compete with the likes of the Sport for example. That said the 45 for example would never have been able to compete with the HW80 which the world was just starting a love affair with at that time.
    Time constraints mean i just don't have time presently to get inside my 27 and 35 to convert them over to synthetic heads and perhaps crop a coil or two off the spring. The three ball trigger doesn't phase me, but it also doesn't lend itself to swift strips and re tweaks to set power levels. That said im not unhappy where my 27 and 35s are. The 27 is a tad harsher than i would like but more than manageable. Cracking little gun.
    Anyone here have experience of swapping a 35 over to a synthetic piston head? As i say in my mind i would do the usual spit n polish, carefully size and correctly lube gun n lop perhaps 2 coils off. But who knows maybe the gun won't conform to this treatment and i would lose something of the gun along the way.
    Dave

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