I bought a Viscount, a Webley tracker with a longer barrel from Uttings years ago. The side lever was far less of a pain when shooting prone. Underlevers were a total pain and break barrel somewhere in between.
Hi Nick, a few months ago I bought a brand new Diana 54 here in Iran, for 500 US dollars, witch had been sitting in it's original packaging since left The factory in 2017 😊 . I was also interested in 56 but don't like The mat finish since I have it on my Diana Ar8 also in .22 . It's full power and goes super Sonic on lighter .22 lead pellets which I avoid. It's a beautiful accurate monster and I love it.but I don't think I would have bought it in UK,no point too big and heavy for sub 12 in my opinion. Cheers mate.
Haha great video! Thanks Nick I LOVE my 56TH, put the right pellets in and it will beat most pcps! PLEASE try JSB heavies! And I'll keep taking the meds, here in NZ!
Diana make great guns but not many dealers stock them compared to other makes in the UK and it is nice to be able to examine any gun before buying, at least I think so, this has put me off personally from owning one.
I must be mad Nick! Bought a Diana Airking 54 .177 in the UK. The most accurate springer i own at longer distances. Looking forward to this series. Your 56 looks fairly easy to pull the side lever back.
Gorgeous rifle. Was a bit out my price range and I got a 52 in .22, no regrets. Sitting at 18fpe with air arms in 16g it’s spot on at any range. Can’t wait for your next video 😎👍
Iv been trying to get my hands on a 56 forever I could be wrong but I don't think they are made anymore at least for the US market , I have the full power 54 air king pro .177 and love that gun powerful and accurate . I just love the TH stock on the 56 .
Grattons , Marshal Ward & Littlewoods catalogues , used to have loads of Air Rifles on their pages they also used to sell Shotguns which were delivered to the local agent , The Agent didn't necessarily need to have a shotgun certificate . Oh innocent days.
My first “adult” air rifle was a Diana 48 .177 that I bought about 30 years ago here in the states (actually at the gun shop where I worked at the time so I got an employee discount). It’s absolutely amazing at full power. Almost a year ago a client sold me a 52 in .22 for $50. The anti bear trap release had gotten bent somehow and made it in operable. $10 for the part off of ePay and a Leupold 3-9x40 from my closet and that $50 rifle is an absolute tack driver! I really think Diana are the sleeper rifles of the industry. I own seven of them and am contemplating a 640 now. Is the recoil and noise harsh on them? Compared to some of my other guns, yes. Am I interested in tuning parts from TbT? Also yes. Keep these videos coming, please! I love them, especially your “how to” series of tuning videos. Thanks!
Those pre - TX tap loaders were just gorgeous... Always was asking myself out loud ! Why did not Air Arms ever combine the side lever with the TX direct barrel loading action ? Too expensive I suppose.... But what a winner would it be ! They should consider a Jubilee or other Special Edition Side Lever, even at a premium price ! Diana TH I find real lookers. Got a 52 full power in 177 and it's shoots great ! Biggest gripe is the position and shape of the trigger blade combined with the grip curve...Love the 75 with that great trigger. ..I remember also a very short and stubby 22 carbine in 52 persuation looking quite extraoridinary.
Hi Nick, regarding recoil, I designed a shock absorbing recoil pad ,consisting of two adjustable oil fill dampers. you could even use a bipod with no deterioration in accuracy . The gun in question was a Webley Vulcan in 22 Cal.. I’d love to try the 54. really enjoying the channel as well 👍keep up the good work.🥂
That thing looks like an anti tank rifle, it's a behemoth! I've got a Hatsan 125 which has about the same power and it's not as big. It doesn't dampen the recoil unfortunately, that Hatsan is a beast to shoot.
I had a feinwerkbau 300 n loved it. Unfortunately due to the sledging system I'm unable to use it in springer comp but can in pcp category. Looking forward to seeing u fix this bud 👍
😭😭 I really wanted one, now you have put me off. I love the idea of the sliding action, just like my FWB 300 and my 65 pistol, absolute surgical precision 10m weapons.
I agree 100% the sidelever is the best springer arrangement, other than it being a bit tough on the left-handed. A nice solid fore-end, best ergonomics for cocking in any position, ideal for prone shooting. If PCPs hadn’t been invented the FWB300 would have got long stroked and we’d have the ultimate springer. I don’t like Diana’s very much so I’m upgrading a Hammerli 401 like I used in early FT. One of the very few taploaders that can demonstrate excellent accuracy…
I’ve got a cosmetically challenged .177 52 Firebird and the only reason I got it was because a mate wanted rid of it and sold it cheap. I can’t get on with the sidelever cocking and the pure heft of it. Each to their own but definitely not for me.. Think UK spec sees a port restrictor in the comp tube IIRC? A guy called “Bigtoe” from one of the forums did lots of work with reduced diameter pistons and got them to shoot nicely at 12ftlbs apparently. I wonder how much a TX200 SR is worth these days??
You cannot get these in Europe anymore. I went for a 48, 177 full power, shortened the barrel to 32cm (no speed, or accuracy loss) put on 1/2unf adapter because it was loud. Not suitable for light weight match diabolo but with heavier pellets it will behave just fine. The Diana 48 is about the same weight as my laminate 77K.
I love my fwb300s (thanks to Owen JRK and the forum meets) and always wanted a full power side lever just not not a Diana and I do like my heavier rifles having a full length 77 But like you say Nick they take the piss with the weight, I fancied an early Air Arms but was warned off them by Geoff for the same reasons you stated. I want a side lever, but I want decent power for HFT and I would like to know that its going to hit what I want ut to 45 yards (when I do my bit) So its just my 300s for 10m side lever fun and my 77 when I want full power zebedee fun on the courses... Now that being said you absolutely need to de-power that to German levels just for giggles and blood pressure issues 😂😂😂
Hi mate,I have been trying and looking for an Diana Airking for ages in the UK.!! Can't find anywhere at all that sells them. Don't know if it's the import issue from Germany or not? Finding the vids great.
I bought a Viscount, a Webley tracker with a longer barrel from Uttings years ago. The side lever was far less of a pain when shooting prone. Underlevers were a total pain and break barrel somewhere in between.
I have owned a diana sidelever since 1988 , superb rifle , also easy to mount a bipod or sling stud on
Hi Nick, a few months ago I bought a brand new Diana 54 here in Iran, for 500 US dollars, witch had been sitting in it's original packaging since left The factory in 2017 😊 . I was also interested in 56 but don't like The mat finish since I have it on my Diana Ar8 also in .22 .
It's full power and goes super Sonic on lighter .22 lead pellets which I avoid.
It's a beautiful accurate monster and I love it.but I don't think I would have bought it in UK,no point too big and heavy for sub 12 in my opinion.
Cheers mate.
TBT channel bringing it.🔥 This looks like a job for the spring compressor.
Haha great video! Thanks Nick I LOVE my 56TH, put the right pellets in and it will beat most pcps! PLEASE try JSB heavies!
And I'll keep taking the meds, here in NZ!
Diana make great guns but not many dealers stock them compared to other makes in the UK and it is nice to be able to examine any gun before buying, at least I think so, this has put me off personally from owning one.
What a beautiful gun!
I must be mad Nick! Bought a Diana Airking 54 .177 in the UK. The most accurate springer i own at longer distances. Looking forward to this series. Your 56 looks fairly easy to pull the side lever back.
Nick said in the video that it's under 6 ftlb.
@@Deleba333 Thanks. I must have missed that.
Gorgeous rifle. Was a bit out my price range and I got a 52 in .22, no regrets. Sitting at 18fpe with air arms in 16g it’s spot on at any range. Can’t wait for your next video 😎👍
I own a 48. Love it. It is heavy. Put a bipod on it. Fitted it with a vortek pg3 steel kit . That got rid of the spring buzz. Super accurate.
Iv been trying to get my hands on a 56 forever I could be wrong but I don't think they are made anymore at least for the US market , I have the full power 54 air king pro .177 and love that gun powerful and accurate . I just love the TH stock on the 56 .
Nick you are missing g the fact that it makes a great bench rest gun.
Grattons , Marshal Ward & Littlewoods catalogues , used to have loads of Air Rifles on their pages they also used to sell Shotguns which were delivered to the local agent , The Agent didn't necessarily need to have a shotgun certificate . Oh innocent days.
Very accurate, but bloody heavy.
I far preferred my Webley Tracker with its gas ram
My first air rifle was a Air Arms Khamsin, made the mistake of selling it. Bought another a couple of years back.
My first “adult” air rifle was a Diana 48 .177 that I bought about 30 years ago here in the states (actually at the gun shop where I worked at the time so I got an employee discount). It’s absolutely amazing at full power. Almost a year ago a client sold me a 52 in .22 for $50. The anti bear trap release had gotten bent somehow and made it in operable. $10 for the part off of ePay and a Leupold 3-9x40 from my closet and that $50 rifle is an absolute tack driver! I really think Diana are the sleeper rifles of the industry. I own seven of them and am contemplating a 640 now. Is the recoil and noise harsh on them? Compared to some of my other guns, yes. Am I interested in tuning parts from TbT? Also yes. Keep these videos coming, please! I love them, especially your “how to” series of tuning videos. Thanks!
Your chosen beverage to drink whilst working on a Diana 56 should be interesting!
Whisky Toddy with anything you lik added ?
Those pre - TX tap loaders were just gorgeous... Always was asking myself out loud !
Why did not Air Arms ever combine the side lever with the TX direct barrel loading action ? Too expensive I suppose.... But what a winner would it be ! They should consider a Jubilee or other Special Edition Side Lever, even at a premium price !
Diana TH I find real lookers. Got a 52 full power in 177 and it's shoots great ! Biggest gripe is the position and shape of the trigger blade combined with the grip curve...Love the 75 with that great trigger. ..I remember also a very short and stubby 22 carbine in 52 persuation looking quite extraoridinary.
Hi Nick, regarding recoil, I designed a shock absorbing recoil pad ,consisting of two adjustable oil fill dampers.
you could even use a bipod with no deterioration in accuracy . The gun in question was a Webley Vulcan in 22 Cal.. I’d love to try the 54. really enjoying the channel as well 👍keep up the good work.🥂
That thing looks like an anti tank rifle, it's a behemoth! I've got a Hatsan 125 which has about the same power and it's not as big. It doesn't dampen the recoil unfortunately, that Hatsan is a beast to shoot.
I had a feinwerkbau 300 n loved it. Unfortunately due to the sledging system I'm unable to use it in springer comp but can in pcp category. Looking forward to seeing u fix this bud 👍
😭😭 I really wanted one, now you have put me off. I love the idea of the sliding action, just like my FWB 300 and my 65 pistol, absolute surgical precision 10m weapons.
I agree 100% the sidelever is the best springer arrangement, other than it being a bit tough on the left-handed. A nice solid fore-end, best ergonomics for cocking in any position, ideal for prone shooting. If PCPs hadn’t been invented the FWB300 would have got long stroked and we’d have the ultimate springer. I don’t like Diana’s very much so I’m upgrading a Hammerli 401 like I used in early FT. One of the very few taploaders that can demonstrate excellent accuracy…
Brilliant guns the 28mm Cylinder diana side and underleaver guns are fantastic in 12ftlb form if there sleaved down to 25 or 22mm
I have a FWB150. Nice rifle, not a powerhouse, but very accurate...................
I’ve got a cosmetically challenged .177 52 Firebird and the only reason I got it was because a mate wanted rid of it and sold it cheap.
I can’t get on with the sidelever cocking and the pure heft of it.
Each to their own but definitely not for me..
Think UK spec sees a port restrictor in the comp tube IIRC?
A guy called “Bigtoe” from one of the forums did lots of work with reduced diameter pistons and got them to shoot nicely at 12ftlbs apparently.
I wonder how much a TX200 SR is worth these days??
Good luck with that i had trigger ov you for a 48 52 but never got it to work it would work some time s ah well 😂
You cannot get these in Europe anymore. I went for a 48, 177 full power, shortened the barrel to 32cm (no speed, or accuracy loss) put on 1/2unf adapter because it was loud. Not suitable for light weight match diabolo but with heavier pellets it will behave just fine. The Diana 48 is about the same weight as my laminate 77K.
I love my fwb300s (thanks to Owen JRK and the forum meets) and always wanted a full power side lever just not not a Diana and I do like my heavier rifles having a full length 77
But like you say Nick they take the piss with the weight, I fancied an early Air Arms but was warned off them by Geoff for the same reasons you stated.
I want a side lever, but I want decent power for HFT and I would like to know that its going to hit what I want ut to 45 yards (when I do my bit)
So its just my 300s for 10m side lever fun and my 77 when I want full power zebedee fun on the courses...
Now that being said you absolutely need to de-power that to German levels just for giggles and blood pressure issues 😂😂😂
Do you remember the Webley Osprey ? I can remember my mate having one of those in the 80s
It looks like categorie A ....
Hi mate,I have been trying and looking for an Diana Airking for ages in the UK.!! Can't find anywhere at all that sells them. Don't know if it's the import issue from Germany or not? Finding the vids great.
A dealer in Cornwall has one for sale on gun trader
If your going to raffle that beast off Nick, I'll have all the tickets😂 in return I'll get you tickets for the Human league😉
Just to say. In U.K SMK in 2024 are now the Distributor For Diana. I Phoned about the price for a 54. I was quoted £1000. I'm a banana.
Just don't peel yourself
Nice one matey xden
Springs broken
Factory springs on these are way too long and brittle,
They are fine at full power if you use 10.34 grn pellets
@@Robo56hunter possibly, I still,haven’t opened it!
And gives your arms a ruddy workout
NO,