Had a hankering for a M 27 .22 ever since I read Ladd Fanta's article in the old "American Airgunner" magazine where he confessed that if he could "have only one" that it would have to be this Diana classic... Also, in the first "Airgun Digest" none less than the good Doctor Beeman himself described this gun as a "trim beauty" and a "lightweight tackdriver" with 25' accuracy listed @ .16" for the .177 cal version...I just finished rebuilding and accuracy testing my .22 version, after enough shooting to 'settle it in' it is clocking a consistent 550-555 fps. On my 26 yd indoor range, 5 shot groups with open sights and old eyes hover at the 1.5" range. I have little doubt that with a scope the groups would be easily half that size. Bagged 2 squirrels also. Have some 38 different airguns @ present and this "trim beauty" is quickly becoming my favorite!
Don't pass on this one if you have a chance to pick one up, it's a keeper.
The original version of that article actually first appeared in "Gun Digest" way back in the 70's. I picked up a used issue about the time I first got into airgunning, and I have to say it was perhaps the most influential piece of airgun writing EVER for me!
I not only learned about the many virtues of the evergreen model 27 (have had one for 12 years that was made in 1981 and shoots better now than when I got it), but I was most struck by Ladd's ability to seek out basic quality and efficiency in an airgun, while disdaining excessive power and cosmetic pretensions.
I like to flatter myself that his insightful and common-sense approach has colored my airgun acquisition habits ever since.
Possum,
As you well know, I am a great .22 fan, also a great Model 27 "Family" fan.
Sounds like you were a total success with the rebuild of yours!
I never got that model myself, but secured a "Abused" Hy-Score 801 (Diana model 25), which I righted as much as I could.
These 2 bore middle-weight sporters are wonderfully competent at extracting all the Muzzle Energy of these guns smooth powerplants! The scientific explanation escapes me but the results please...
I have noticed the big difference between impacts from my Geco .177 cal. Model 25D and the .22 Cal 801. Soda cans of water literally jump in the air when solidlly hit with the .22, as a potential "Hunter" this is the best caliber for this family of middleweights, IMHO.
Best of all, the broad range of .22 pells today, allow for precise target work in that caliber also.
Drop estimation is'nt nearlly as hard as was touted for years in the past.
Maybe, my fumble fingered loading adds to my preference for the 2 bores too?
How hard was the re-assembly of the 3 Ball sear trigger?
Will you please keep me updated on the post break-in velocitys?
Thanks,
ZVP
I agree with the observation that these light sporters in .22 seem to make efficient use of their smaller powerplants, (not to mention that the bigger pells are easier for a ham-handed recovering alcoholic such as myself to handle). Some years back, before I got a chrony, I picked up a basket-case pre-war M25 at a gunshow for $15. Once I got it shooting well, I was so impressed w/ it's handling and accuracy (it was a .22 also), that I took it with me on nearly every outing taking cottontails and even numerous pigeons at respectable distances, some at over 30 yds... hitting them where the neck meets the chest would drop them like a thunderbolt... one summer evening found me at my grandfather's stocktank at sunset, I decided to take a headlight and try for some bullfrogs with the little Diana. I ended up with around 1/2 dozen, all taken cleanly with headshots and a bullfrog can be tougher than a squirrel to anchor. Once I got a chronograph and realized that I was barely managing 400 fps, I kinda' retired it from hunting, but before I knew 'better', the little gun was like a "Death-Ray", everything I pointed it at would just drop like it swallowed a hand-grenade! Yes, you could say that I'm impressed with those old Dianas in the "Pumpkinball" .22. As far as my .22 M27, I believe that it is fully broken-in, I have put a couple 'o' hundred rounds through it and am getting an honest 550-560 with great consistency and not a trace of dieseling. I don't expect velocity to fall, but if it should climb some, I will keep y'all appraised.
For what it's worth, the Diana 27 in Fanta's famous article was a .22. He used it to kill gophers!
By the way, my 27 is a .177 RWS made in 1981. It has never been disassembled or tuned in any way--and shoots HARDER now than when I got it 12 years ago. The quality of the internal bits is remarkable.
Not 1/2 hour ago I bagged another cottontail w/ the 27 under the vapor-lights outside the shop, I just finished field dressing him. The quartering-away shot entered through the short-ribs, through both lungs, somehow nicking the spine as well... he never left his tracks. Couldn't find the pellet which never exited though. In answer to Dave's earlier query, I didn't have too much trouble with the ball-bearing sear assy when I overhauled the gun... you just have to put everything in just like it came out (damn, I have an uncanny grasp of the obvious!). Take care that you don't loose any of the 3 ball-bearings, one of mine fell out pretty easily and rolled/bounced into another dimension... luckily I found a match in my bin of spares. Yeah, I read that Laddie's gun was a .22, that helped fuel my desire to find one like it.
Hello,
I have a diana 27 in .177 cal. and just love the combination of simplicity, size and power. Several of you have mentioned Ladd Fanta's article on this gun, and I would love to get a photocopy of it. Would anybody be willing to copy and mail it to me? I would gladly pay for it.
Thanks
Tom
"nortontm@aol.com"
Back in 1985 (if I remember correctly) I ordered my first springer. An RWS model 36 from F.S.I. for $150.00. -Stick with me on this- This being my first spring gun the recoil and twang was a little Dissapointing. I returned the gun to RWS and asked if they could improve the accuracy and reduce the recoil. The gun they returned was a wonderful shooting airgun. Tim Challenger had found a burr in the breech end of the barrel and he replaced the stock spring with a model 27 spring. The difference was incredible. The gun brcame very smooth and was extremely accurate. Every since that time the model 27 has been a gun that some day I would like to own. If I remember correctly he stated in his letter that it a was shooting in the 625 to 650 fps. range with .177 cal pellets. So, enjoy your 27's and someday I hope to join you in the pleasure of owning one of those fine guns.
Just found someone who obviously knows the 427! I know it is pretty late after these post to expect you to be around, but if you are can we communicate on the .22 Cal model? Would appreciate a response from you. I have a disassembled 427 and no info on putting it back together.
Thanks
John
John, above is a link to a drawing of the model 27. Airgun Express in Iowa is the official service center for old Dianas in the US, give them a Google if you need parts, or someone else to do the work.
Below is a shot you may enjoy, showing a 80's-vintage model 27 next to a pre-WW2 one.
