I've been breaking in my Diana 46. This rifle intrigues me because of the pellet loading design. Those who know more than I do scoff at the rifle, saying its got some weak points. Its not perfect, but then I've owned a Harley since '93. I'm intimately familiar with loving something that isn't as good as it could be.
That said, here's what I need to find solutions for.
I'm not a big guy. The reach from the pistol grip to the trigger is a little long. I can hold the rifle much as I do my ten meter 75 and my groups shrink noticeably.
The sights. As discussed in a previous thread to Vincenator I think I found a partial solution at least.
Groinky cocking. I'll get into that but for the most part its just an undersized spring. Although I'm thinking hard about getting that underlever to behave in a more civilized fashion. Might have a solution to that too yet, hard to say.
Is the rifle accurate? At ten meters and in these hands, yes. I think it can do better. Much better than it is now.
This rifle could do with a flatter trigger blade at the very least. Better yet would be a set-back design such as some of the tuners are fabricating.
My goal with this rifle is not to be a powerhouse. No, what I'm looking for is a rifle that doesn't show the shooter any particular shortcomings in its use or firing behavior (yes I know its an inanimate object lol). What I'm looking for is an air rifle that performs with a kind of elegance. An air rifle that doesn't infer any gross imperfections. Its not going to be perfect. The tuners could outdo me before any of them were fully awake. I want to see what I come up with, and it might take time.
Sure, it would be easy to just let the guys who really know what they're doing, finish the job for a price. I want this one to by my own effort. I want to look at this particular rifle and see what I find wrong with it. See if I can't find solutions to those problems. Will I answer them all? Who knows? Doubtful really. I have to be honest with that answer first of all. I'm not even in the league of the decent shade tree mechanic. But I'm going to see where this goes.
I've been shooting my Diana 46. At ten meters I produced a four shot 3/4 inch group with this stock rifle. Last shot was way off but the four shots proved that with more attention to detail, this rifle has potential. It can do better and it can be better.
I'm learning what this Diana 46 is trying to teach me in the way it wants to be held and fired. The more I use it the better its getting but still, I think there are some variables which need alteration to really see what this air rifle might be capable of.
I'll have to do this a little at a time. See if I have any ideas on how to improve the things I discover and think are holding this rifle back. Don't expect much as I'm not a tuner or even a wannabe tuner. I've been into a few of my airguns and have done somple things. That doesn't qualify my opinion beyond the little I do know other than to say its got about as much value as the blind leading the blind. Forget taking what I find and write with a grain of salt, here's the shaker.
I've toyed with the idea of fiber optic sights even though its not "traditional" in the world of airgunning. But the version 46 I have precludes me from using fiber optic front sights. While those sort of interest me (in a passing way) I can't get a handle on them when they're teeny little circles attached to what should be an alignment of three squares. The sharpness of aligning hard edged shapes helps a shooter get on poi quicker and also gives a much more definitive set of tools (three) to align for the shot. True, for lower light shooting conditions (and possibly older eyes) they would really, uh, shine.
but I like fixed barrels' so power is not in my menu but accuracy is, forget for now the 350
the problem with the 46 is the breech mechanism, it seems to have its quirks and drawbacks, many people have problems with it. And then so do they have with the 48, 52, 54 and 460. You must pull back all the way the level in order to set the pellet in the breech, then you have to release the safety. cumbersome process for these rifles, if you HURRY any step it locks or you might bend the level, then the 48 is pellet selective not so with the 460 it will swallow any size
am I making sense here or just rambling? still the 46 is a great gun and pricey
side or under are my THING
warren
and remember "it's 30% the gun and 70% the shooter"
I like that I can load a pellet and wait to cock the rifle until the shot
January 31 2008, 3:47 PM
Just on the question of safety this is a superior design to anything out there, shy of a magazine loaded rifle with the shot-slot being empty.
I see the 46 as that Diana which deserved better marketing from the standpoint of safety and its uniqueness. I would look at this rifle as potentially one of the more interesting fixed barrels. This thing deserves some great sights on it. Show the potential of distance shooting with open sights again. That's where this one could stand out. hell, they already built it with open sights. Maybe not the best but a start. A little wiggle room without changing anything at all. Just a dab of Blue Loctite ought to secure that four notch leaf a little higher to eliminate the double notch, for example.
Taking that rounded trigger blade and gently and carefully filing it to a nice square feel. Maybe even cut and reglue it back a little further. A true set-back trigger blade. A few horzontal grooves and you've got some honest to goodness feel in that blade too.
This is just a start. And getting that sport aperture sight? You could go with the Williams sport aperture or you could get the one Crosman makes.
I've always liked at least one fine rifle with open sights.
Warren, You MUST try a 54! Fixed brl.,Yes,Side lever,Yes! Most powerfull Diana, NO. Accurate?? YOU BETCHA!!! I will probly get "hate" mail over this, but Diana 54 IS THE MOST ACCURATE Diana! Hold sensative?,, Forget about it! Hold it ANY way you want,,IT DONT CARE!! (I still love my 460m. & REALLY miss my 22 cal. 34). 54 IS THE BEST! Pricey, yes, but WORTH EVERY LAST CENT!! Light grab & go,,NO,, serious accuracy w/ 20 FT. LBS. of knockdown power?,show me somthing that even comes close! (ok, maybe a TX 200)?? 54 is THE BEST DIANA!!!! P.S. the lever relese on the left side is super convienent compaired to rt. side on 460!!. Anyone else have a 54??,, please back me up!! (before I get KILLED!) LOL.!! Good shootin Warren! Tim,w/ the best 54 in the world!! (LOL.)
Warren:Thanks for your reply. TRY a 54! Costly,YES BIG yes,heavy,yes, Accurate, YESSSSSS! I hate to rave so much but the 54 IS the most accurate springer you will ever shoot! (ok. Ive heard aTX 200 is one in the same),,, Diana 54 costs less & more powerfull!!)!! For fear of being "banned" from this site,,My 460m. is a sweet shooter,,,,My 54 makes it out to be a China CLUNKER! Yhea, its that good! The sledge recoil aspect of the 54 can be a little disconcerting,,,YOU WILL GET USED TO IT!! IT WORKS!!! Ive had 34,s a 48 that was a TACK driver & my 460m now,,,54 WILL shoot where you aim!! EVERY TIME!! Tim.
I know you know your guns and that review of yours about the 54 has my complete interest, that is how much I trust your opinions.
have to wait until I get other Dianas fully dressed. rememeber they all come without scopes, mounts, JM spring and accesories. I have the same set up as you, the 34, 40, 48, 460 and they all need attention. all you get when you buy them are the gun and a cardbox with the receipt inside
as soon as I take care of the needs of the ones I have, watch OUT here I come looking for the 54. maybe with my Tax return for 2007 the 54 will be in my hands LOL
warren
and remember "it's 30% the gun and 70% the shooter"