Diana G80 - Advice concerning recoil please

[ecp2012 14]

I have recently returned to air gunning after a gap of 30 plus years.

I discovered my old Diana G80 in the cupboard under the stairs and as it looked in reasonable condition, took it to a local gunsmith in order to have it serviced.

 

Since its return I have put between 100 to 200 pellets through it and have been really disappointed. When I collected the gun I was told that I would notice that its power had increased with the installation of a new spring. The gun is now unpleasant to shoot. There is significant surge which results in discomfort in the trigger finger after a few shots and it is difficult to shoot with consistent accuracy. I think it has become more hold sensitive. I cannot achieve satisfactory grouping even over 10 yards with the gun rested - it performed better than this prior to the service.

 

I discussed this with the gunsmith who suggested that increased recoil was to be expected with a new spring and that there would be a reduction once everything had bedded in. (It is still dieseling) He is willing to look at the gun but warned that if nothing wrong was found, that I would be charged for the work.

 

Being a novice with regard to the finer workings of air guns, I am loathe to return the gun just yet, as I don't wish to incur the expense - the cost will likely exceed the value of the gun having already paid £ for the service. I have agreed to shoot another 100 - 200 pellets to see if matters improve and to contact the gunsmith thereafter if necessary. My reason for posting is to seek the opinions of the experts here on whether fitting a different spring might improve the situation - the gunsmith suggested that clipping the current one was an option, but not one he would favour, as it would reduce the power. Should I just grit my teeth (and pad my finger!) in the hope that there will be significant improvement over time, as I am not enjoying my garden plinking at the moment?

 

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

[johnwhit 4]

£ seems a little excessive for a service and after 100-200 pellets it should not be deiseling, I'd suggest taking the gun to someone else.

 

ATB,

 

John

Edited October 12, 2012 by johnwhit

[bigmac 97kt 13,791]

I have recently returned to air gunning after a gap of 30 plus years.

I discovered my old Diana G80 in the cupboard under the stairs and as it looked in reasonable condition, took it to a local gunsmith in order to have it serviced.

 

Since its return I have put between 100 to 200 pellets through it and have been really disappointed. When I collected the gun I was told that I would notice that its power had increased with the installation of a new spring. The gun is now unpleasant to shoot. There is significant surge which results in discomfort in the trigger finger after a few shots and it is difficult to shoot with consistent accuracy. I think it has become more hold sensitive. I cannot achieve satisfactory grouping even over 10 yards with the gun rested - it performed better than this prior to the service.

 

I discussed this with the gunsmith who suggested that increased recoil was to be expected with a new spring and that there would be a reduction once everything had bedded in. (It is still dieseling) He is willing to look at the gun but warned that if nothing wrong was found, that I would be charged for the work.

 

Being a novice with regard to the finer workings of air guns, I am loathe to return the gun just yet, as I don't wish to incur the expense - the cost will likely exceed the value of the gun having already paid £ for the service. I have agreed to shoot another 100 - 200 pellets to see if matters improve and to contact the gunsmith thereafter if necessary. My reason for posting is to seek the opinions of the experts here on whether fitting a different spring might improve the situation - the gunsmith suggested that clipping the current one was an option, but not one he would favour, as it would reduce the power. Should I just grit my teeth (and pad my finger!) in the hope that there will be significant improvement over time, as I am not enjoying my garden plinking at the moment?

 

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

hi bud if your just plinking with the gun then rest it on two or three cushings this will absorb some of the recoil and stedy the gun olso if the trigger can be ajusted then ajust it so the trigger is light to squeaze as you may be pulling the gun when shooting it i had the same problem with my 97kt and i had to put 500 to 700 pellets through it be for it stopped deiseling if this dus not work why dont you pm pianoman on here and i no he will help you bud as he is the best spring rifle man i no and he was the one that helped me he,s a good,good man when it comes to springers hope this helps atvbmac

[fry 209]

take it some where else for sure

[andyfr1968 772]

It sounds like the work's mot been done properly. Either it's been over sprung with some daft Titan or Ox and/or the piston washer, which I'm pretty sure is leather on those has not been de-greased and re-lubed properly.

[thursodog 353]

As above and be carefull its not going to get you 5 years at her madges pleasure.

Get it checked out and find out what power its delivering by a reputable gunsmith mate.

 

Good luck Chris.

[ecp2012 14]

Thank you all for the advice.

 

bigmac95kt - It's great to hear that there are people like Pianoman who could be consulted if necessary.

 

andyfr1968 - I think you are right about the washer, as I recall the gunsmith telling me that he had a make one.

 

thursodog - warning noted. When I picked up the gun and asked him about the power, he told me it was near the legal limit - no chrony figures provided

and as I dont possess one cannot be sure. It certainly doesn't have the 'yellow pages' penetration power of my HW95S ;-)

I will also see who else might, gunsmith wise, cast an eye over it for a second opinion.

 

Thanks again.

[Phantom 631]

£ seems a little excessive for a service and after 100-200 pellets it should not be deiseling, I'd suggest taking the gun to someone else.

 

ATB,

 

John

 

I'd agree that it sounds a little over the top price wise, however after only a couple of hundred pellets I'd still be expecting it to be dieseling and it will take a lot more than a couple of hundred pellets to bed the gun in more like a couple of tins!

 

Remember, you had the gun serviced and not tuned.

 

Tony

[thursodog 353]

If your in the North east of Scotland any time soon get in touch pal and i'll give it a proper service for the price of a pint, i drink English bitter and traditional scottish ales, none of that Tennents garbage.

Might be somit to do with my Grandad coming from Portmouth.

 

Chris.

[Phantom 631]

If your in the North east of Scotland any time soon get in touch pal and i'll give it a proper service for the price of a pint, i drink English bitter and traditional scottish ales, none of that Tennents garbage.

Might be somit to do with my Grandad coming from Portmouth.

 

Chris.

 

There is nothing wrong with Tennents..... That a thermo nuclear device detonated in the brewery wouldnt solve :laugh:

[thursodog 353]

If your in the North east of Scotland any time soon get in touch pal and i'll give it a proper service for the price of a pint, i drink English bitter and traditional scottish ales, none of that Tennents garbage.

Might be somit to do with my Grandad coming from Portmouth.

 

Chris.

 

There is nothing wrong with Tennents..... That a thermo nuclear device detonated in the brewery wouldnt solve :laugh:

Hahaha!!! :laugh: Too true might taste of something after it

[pianoman 3,587]

Hello there ecp2021...

 

Sorry I've not added my two-pennorth on this one, I've been away on business for the weekend.

 

RIGHT THEN...Some good answers from good lads here. First off from me, STOP SHOOTING YOUR RIFLE. There's likely damage being done here internally and your gunsmith has been telling you crap! You'll "be charged if nothing wrong is found!"?????, So we can expect a bill when he tells you your rifle's fine and nothing's wrong then?! Like he will! As Tony says, you've only had it serviced, not tuned. It will go on dieselling for longer than 200 pellets, but the level this Diana is punching out, is not likely to smooth out any day soon!

 

I'd lay good money this clown has fitted an Ox spring and, instead of a thorough degrease and clean up before applying a sensible, neat and light oiling, he's been a lazy bugger who just added clean lube over stale, dirty oil. This mix has just over-lubed the internals in a bid to smooth out the cycle of the poor thing. In practice the dieselling oil is inside the compression chamber, causing a condition inside the rifle called combustive ignition recoil. Basically, too much lube is becoming a combustive force like a car piston, each time you fire the trigger, which, as the internals warm up becomes more pronounced behind the piston on firing and creates a vicious, physical back-kick vibration of recoil, which butts your trigger finger against the inside of the guard and causes a painful 'Hot' percussion-spot on the bone beneath the skin.. It can even stress your wrist joint and painfully bruise it!

 

I'm inclined to agree with Andy's observations here. I think, if I remember rightly, this Diana will have a leather washer which, along with the rest of the rifle, will not stand up to above-legal limit power.

I have strong views on Ox springs...They are quite simply, bloody rubbish! I wouldn't even take money to have one fitted! They usually overspring the rifle making it wildly inconsistent enough alone. Add the fact that it's probably swimming in gunk inside and you have a rifle that will crack off it's shots with quite alarming levels of whack! I think you have been sold a right bloody pup on service here.

 

Alright. Well now we know what. Best thing now is get the rifle stripped down completely and degrease every component. Or, I would either ask Andy or Chris to service it. Both these lads know, REALLY know their stuff when it comes to strip-down servicing and they are brilliant. Give them a PM and see about getting your rifle to them. Best price of a decent pint you'll ever pay up!

 

Let us know how you go. Best wishes.

 

Pianoman

Edited October 14, 2012 by pianoman

[ecp2012 14]

Pianoman - Thank you for the comprehensive answer - I have only just had an opportunity to use the gun again and following the advice of bigmac 97kt tried the cushion approach. The grouping was better but after 5 shots my finger was definitely smarting. I can't imagine continuing to shoot like this and will be following your advice about NOT shooting the rifle at least until it has been seen by someone else. I am definitely coming around to the same conclusion regarding the servicing which makes me determined not to make use of his services again - I fear that you are correct about the 'nothing wrong found' statement and can ill afford unnecessary expenditure.

 

Chris - Your post made me smile - never tasted Scottish beer and Newcastle brown is the furtherst north drink I've tasted. (I've never been the same since!) Also, many thanks for the kind offer which I'd love to take up, but there's too much to do down here!!!

 

Once more thank you all for your contributions - I will be plinking with an alternative gun until I can get the Diana sorted.

 

Eric

[bigmac 97kt 13,791]

Hi Eric let us no what was the mater with it when you get it sorted mate atvbmac