Interesting blog about this issue on Pyramids web site with B.B.

Although he stated that the 48/52 Dianas have gas springs which is not true. It seems like Gamo is introducing the Gas ram into the CFX rifle.

I know gas ram is not a new idea it is being used by others' than the Gamo line.

What are the benefits of the gas ram on the Dianas vs. the coil spring.

Open question for those that have it. Is it true that it does not have the torque motion as the 48? And smother to shot than the coil. Almost no back recoil?

Will the gas ram be the future of air guns? What do you think?

and remember "it's 30% the gun and 70% the shooter"

Warren

I had one in a Patriot for a time. I prefer the coil spring over the ram if you are willing to tune the gun. The ram is a tune in a box as far the spring goes. You will still get forward recoil just no buzz just a solid thunk. They will not give you a velocity increase. They are also quite expensive and they do need replacement after a time. Mine leaked down after about 5 years. HTH

L.E.

You are so right about the gas ram being a single unit, what you see is what you get and it cannot be modified. There are SOOOO many mods you can do to the coil spring.

To me the gas ram is a lifeless, mechanical, self contained unit in contrast to the coil spring that has a heart and mind of itself with variable options.

Am I in philosophy state of mind!!!!!! WOW, go figure

and remember "it's 30% the gun and 70% the shooter"

Warren

Popular (and expensive) tuner Paul Watts is working on a Diana 54 tune project. We 'll see what he does with it when he 's finished.

He raised his prices about 25% or more since the last time I was on his web site (springgunning.com) 2 months ago. Undoubtedly he is very good and most say a perfectionist, but his prices are getting a little out of control. He wants $200-250 for a typical (full) tune for rifles that barely cost that much and that doesn't include trigger or buttoning in many cases or other mods. Gloss finish $350?! Who said airgunsmiths don't make good money? I think he 's easily making what a regular auto shop charges per hour ($65-75hr) for labor.

ON the gas ram, I had one put into a supersport once, and it did shoot and sound different. The gun liked different pellets than before too. But, most of us like the accessibility of the spring system. Plus, gas rams have been around for many years now, if they were much better than springs, they would be the standard by now. If a person tries it and likes it, great. But the market tells us it is not superior, at least in the consumers mind.

On a different matter, I was a bit put off by the complaint about what someone charges for thier work. He can charge that much because he's good enough that enough people will pay for it. If he wasn't that good, people wouldn't pay that much and he'd either lower his prices or do something else with his time. Sorry if you can't afford it. I can't either, but I don't hold that against him.

If you don't want to pay the price for one guy, use another. Its that simple. Theres plenty of options out there.

like having spare parts (springs, etc.) in a drawer ready
for quick repair/replacement. Like slightly less cocking
effort to achieve the same power results/levels.

I've owned a RX-1 .22 and a SLR 98 .22. I've also owned
a TX200 HC .22, a Marksman 70 series .20 (HW95/R9ish rifle),
a Webley Tomahawk .177, a pro-tuned Webley Longbow .22, a
pro-tuned Webley Patriot .25, a pro-tuned Diana 350M .22
to name most of the quality magnum springers/rammers I've
once owned. IMO my presently owned Diana 460M .22 that hasn't
been pro-tuned delivers everything I desire in a magnum springer
rifle - well almost everything I wouldn't mind having a 42"
carbine version

A SLR 98ish carbine in single shot with TX200 internals and
trigger would be swell LOL

Mostly here. I do own 2 gas spring guns (RX-1 and Crow Magnum) and they have some good points. I do belive that the cocking effort can be higher than a metal spring rifle of equal power. My M350 cocks easier and produces more power than my RX-1. Not great amounts but more. Metal springs are relatively inexpensive to replace and  most people can do it with a spring compressor.  If a metal spring breaks it can be replaced by the owner. I think servicing a gas spring would be more difficult. For sure you would need some form of pump and fittings to recharge it after you repaired it. Out of the box gas springs would be smoother, but a good tune on a metal spring could be pretty smooth too.

Can you please tell me who tuned your 350 .22 and what was done to it? Do you see a noticeable difference, in accuracy, recoil, vibrations, etc.?

I communicated with Bob Werner (CDT) today. I asked for his SuperTune but without the spring replacement (there is actually no spring for the 350 unless it's custom made by someone) and seal, unless the seal is damaged. I was quoted $85 for the following which is his SuperTune, $119 minus spring & seal parts = $85.
Pre testing
Cleaning
Complete deburring
Honing & hatching the cylinder
Finishing the spring ends
Cleaning & lube trigger assy
Seer finish & polishing
Cocking shoe finishing
Polishing tophat (if applicable)
Heavy or Velocity tar
Molylube
Disassemble, clean & lube
pivot locking assembly
Bore cleaned
Check the crown
Adjust the pivot locking
assembly
External Lube
Final testing

He said hatching the cylinder would only be done if the seal was replaced. I think this is reasonable. Nothing major here - typical tune w/no parts replacement. I 've read somewhere that finishing the spring ends can slightly reduce power. Can that be true? I can't see that unless a coil is cut..

Paul Watts. Also had trigger tune, barrel cut to 12" along
with choke/recrown and a 10" muzzle weight or short shroud
installed. The rifle was sent straight to Paul from the store
or dealer I purchased it from. Paul used/installed his own
piston seal, used a custom spring done specifically for 350s
by JM.

The 'carbinized' and pro-tuned 350M was quite smooth in cocking
and quick, linear and RX-1 gas-rammish like in shot cycle. There
was a little lose in power - comparing it to a number of stock
350M .22s I've read posts/reviews on - due mainly to removing
several inches of barrel. It produced over 20 to 22 FPE depending
on pellet shot (14-21 gr.).

Should have kept it - at the time I was considering going PCP but
that soon "wore off" and back into springs I went with a little
messing around with pumpers and gassers. Now I'm pretty much deep
into springers.

When I read the details of what some tuners/modders of springers,
pumpers, etc. say they do I almost expect to read stuff like:

read gun a bed time story

floss each coil of the spring

LOL - sorry I guess I've did to much reading, studying, talking to
old timers in the "airgun world". No doubt all doctors, auto mechanics,
etc. are not the same in knowledge, skills, talents, etc.

A slight reduction in spring length/compression could reduce power
slightly or not or a slight increase. Springs and springers are funny
like that. I think some guys go goofy with the polishing and squaring
ends thing as though it really amounts to way more than a rat's ass.

Right now if I were going to have a springer pro-tuned I'd contact
Paul Watts or Jan Kraner or Ed K. or Dave Slade. No dis to anyone
else - that's my short list and my opinion.