Any find a compelling reason why the stock Diana 48 cannot handle the .25 caliber?

Anyone with real world experience?

Anyone with rumors?

Just wondering if the spring can do justice to the caliber, and if the same care is taken with the .25 barrel as with the other cals.

Kris in NY

never shot one my self. That said my 52 in .22 cal ran about 23 ft-lbs with FTS pellets. So the same efficency in .25 cal would suggest a MV of around 700 fps with a 20gr pellet (like the Diana domes). My Kodiak .25 runs about 770-780 fps with the Dianas.

Al

I couldn't resist the price on the Diana 48 at AGE. Ordered a .25 version. Don't worry, I am NOT going to post pictures and try to convince you (or myself) that it is the most lovely, most perfect specimen of Diana springery made.

I WILL run it neck and neck with the Kodiak and give you all a report. Squirrel season is over here in NY, so any discussion of penetration or pass through will have to be based on fir planks.

Mostly I am eager to compare it to my M54 to see just how much the rails damp the recoil.

K in NY

When I called AGE to check on the availability of the Diana 48 in .25 they told me that there were three left. Now they are sold out. So...who among you got the other two?

Any comments yet? Did your invoice say "Turner Special" on it? What the heck was that about?

My take so far is this--

Features: NICE!

Yes, it has a plastic safety, but it is the first SILENT safety I have ever had.
Wood is wood.
Front sight is too big. Should have stuck with the hooded sight with inserts like on the breakbarrels. Will scope it this week.
Plastic trigger is too flexible. Makes me wonder how long it will last in cold temps.
Mechanics of cocking are very slick. As smooth and slick as my M54 even without the "return-to-battery" movement.

Design: Fits my frame.

Bringing that gun up to my shoulder and instinctively aiming puts me on target each time. At 6'2", I seem to be made for that comb and length of pull.
Without a scope it seems a little front heavy for my hold.

Power: Excellent!

Less powerful than my Kodiak in .25, but THAT was the point. I wanted a pellet with real weight moving at a speed that did not become menace after a passthrough.

At 20 yards, the M48 will send a Diana Dome or Kodiak Match pellet into a 5/8 inch piece of standard plywood with just enough force to cause a bump on the back side. No splinters and no cracks, just a nice smooth bump. The Kodiak, on the other hand, will blow both pellets right through. That is a fine illustration that the upper limit of the M48 is mere childsplay for the Kodiak.

Performance: The usual high quality performance we expect.

Consistency at 20 yards with open sights is very good. I DID manage to chew up all the orange of those stick on orange targets (2" dia), but considering my eyesight, that big honking front sight, and all the factors that come with a new spring, trigger and oily air chamber, I am not complaining.

Kris in NY