topshot61 3 Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 hi guys, i recently bought a diana 54 air king in .22 off a mate, any of you lot had anything to do with these guns or any info many thanks Darren Quote Link to post
pianoman 3,587 Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Hi Darren. Top rifle mate! I really rate it. It was designed for Diana by Air Arms using the British maker's sliding sledge, anti recoil system from the Air Arms TX200SR with the excellent sidelever system of the Diana Mod.52. This produces a near-recoiless, ultra smooth firing manner. It's a lovely gun to shoot as it is to look at. The Beech woods that Diana use for their gunstocks looks vey nicely figured and so it is with the few 54 Airkings I've shot with. I'm a left hander and I have had no handling problems with the right-hand bias stock. My only real gripes are mainly that, there's too much plastic found on this rifle, such as the open sights, muzzlebrake and the trigger. Given the high cost of these guns and the superb quality of their construction, this is a bit of a cheap finish for me . I don't like the shortened, stubby barrel, Ive seen on a few recently and I'd like to see a bit more scoperail length and a usable arestor hole system for studded aft mounts, but that's a little thing. But in all respects the rifle will be accurate and a delight to own and shoot. Got a pic of it? ATB Simon Quote Link to post
andyfr1968 772 Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) Yup, as above I've never owned a 54 but they really are a lovely gun to shoot and built to last a lifetime. I'm on my second 52 at the moment after having sold my first one many years ago and regretted it ever since. I found a replacement a couple of years back and I'll not part with this one. The only thing I'd add to what Simon has already said regards the scope rail.... They are a little on the short side but unless you're a funny shape ( ) and need to mount your scope in an extreme position to get the correct eye relief, it should't be a problem. Also, whilst they don't have holes to accept fixed arester stud mounts, the top of the rail is finished almost like the surface of a file so it will grip screw down studs properly. Cheers Edited January 9, 2011 by andyfr1968 Quote Link to post
topshot61 3 Posted January 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 thanks for the input guys, it seems as if i had a good buy with a quality rifle, must leave the shotguns and fac rifles alone for a while and have a plinker or two with the air gun again many thanks Darren Quote Link to post
andyfr1968 772 Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 (edited) If you've a slot on your FAC for airgun, Darren, they can be taken up to close to 30ft/lbs very easily in .22 and it'll still be nice to shoot. They're designed to make that kind of power but fitted with a much weaker spring for the UK market. Edit to say... My first 52 was on ticket and it was a proper belter, it gave 32 with a little extra fettling. The non FAC one I have now hardly recoils at all, very easy guns to shoot. Edited January 10, 2011 by andyfr1968 Quote Link to post
andyfr1968 772 Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Just to add, at the risk of sounding like a total train spotter..... Simon?? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the 54's sliding action based on the system FWB developed in the 70's for their 300 series target rifles? I think both the TX's and 54 are based on that much earlier design as was the god-awful Gammo (ASI) Statical. I had a Statical as a lad and it was probably the worst gun I've ever owned... Quote Link to post
pianoman 3,587 Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 I'm not really sure there Andy. I heard from someone I know at Air Arms who once mentioned it was their own TX200SR system that was adapted for Diana's Air King mate. Perhaps it was Feinwerkbau's original system that was first used and adapted by Air Arms for a commercially available anti-recoiling system? Really not sure of this. Simon Quote Link to post
andyfr1968 772 Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) I think the 'slideing sledge' system that FWB developed was coppied by a good few folks. It was a very good and very simple idea, stick the action on a floating four point sledge that's operatated by a camb on the cocking stroke, gun goes off, dampers handle the recoil, feck all felt by the shooter. AA and Diana coppied FWB's system very well, Gamo didn't....... Edited January 11, 2011 by andyfr1968 Quote Link to post
topshot61 3 Posted January 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 very interesting,reports from you guys i will certainly consider the FAC transformation but as of now keep it as it is just for now,also i,ll try and get a pic of it on here shortly again many thanks Darren Quote Link to post
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