Diana Diana 34...What a difference!

[Brian T]

Been a lurker for some time here. Learned quite a bit from the posts...Thanks!

Always had some sort of air guns but never took them too serious. I live on an agricultural property, able to legally shoot firearms here though i have a residential neighborhood surrounding me so i try not to upset the neighbors (they don't like my loud tractors and other ag type of stuff and call the police when i burn, etc...though im zoned ag so im able to do things my in town neighbors cant.)

I needed some way to thin my squirrel population. Bought a crosman break barrel and started shooting, trying different scopes, different rings, other budget springers, various pellets, etc. I was getting decent accuracy but I felt it could be better. Came across a 30 year old Diana 34 in .177...WOW what a difference. I know it's still in the realm of budget springers but it's a huge difference. Currently at 860fps with 7.9 cphp.

Next up will be a tune kit and spring. There seems to be a few different spring options? Im not solely concerned with velocity, was considering the "Old school" kit from air rifle headquarters.

Any other spring/tune recommendations before I dive in?

 

[Richfromohio]

Look at Vortek, if you call them the owner will answer the phone great service. I have used his products for years and they have always held up with no problems.

 

[cjtamu]

Wonderful gun. I have its twin. One thing you might consider is a butt pad, whether slip on or permanent. The wooden grooves will slip a little to a lot depending on shirt fabric you have on and trying to compensate can mess with your accuracy. Sw a recent thread from Mycapt65 talking about same with a different gun. Why the kit and new spring? If it’s making 13 FPE sounds like it’s shooting to spec.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

www.airrifleheadquarters.com/page/page/251488

 

[Brian T]

Wonderful gun. I have its twin. One thing you might consider is a butt pad, whether slip on or permanent. The wooden grooves will slip a little to a lot depending on shirt fabric you have on and trying to compensate can mess with your accuracy. Sw a recent thread from Mycapt65 talking about same with a different gun. Why the kit and new spring? If it’s making 13 FPE sounds like it’s shooting to spec.

I was considering doing something with a but pad mostly to prevent damage, slip on is a great idea.

As far as springs and tune kit...I just thought it was the next thing to do. I agree and probably should just take it apart, clean and grease as im sure it needs it given it's age.

Definitely looking into but pad options...thanks

 

[beerthief]

I was considering doing something with a but pad mostly to prevent damage, slip on is a great idea.

As far as springs and tune kit...I just thought it was the next thing to do. I agree and probably should just take it apart, clean and grease as im sure it needs it given it's age.

Definitely looking into but pad options...thanks

Cleaning is a good idea , not so sure about a tune kit unless your after a drop in FPS maybe 750 FPS for a more pleasant shot cycle ?

As far as noise ,you have grandfather rights IE: They knew you were an AG (farm) when they bought their house .

 

[Brian T]

Cleaning is a good idea , not so sure about a tune kit unless your after a drop in FPS maybe 750 FPS for a more pleasant shot cycle ?

Im sure you're right. Glad I asked. The shot cycle isn't bad currently. Probably just a clean, lube, etc.

Really I like tinkering but I Probably should leave well enough alone and stick with cleaning .

And I agree about the neighbors. They love looking at the nice aspects, horses, etc. But they also complain. I learned to live with it but try to be courteous.

 

[beerthief]

Im sure you're right. Glad I asked. The shot cycle isn't bad currently. Probably just a clean, lube, etc.

Really I like tinkering but I Probably should leave well enough alone and stick with cleaning .

Think your correct , or clean and shoot for a while , (month or so ) then think about what you would like to change ? 13 FPE is considered full power by springer manufacturing , 10 FPE is good for birds /rats/ Squirrels for an ethical kill .

 

[cjtamu]

Cleaning is a good idea , not so sure about a tune kit unless your after a drop in FPS maybe 750 FPS for a more pleasant shot cycle ?

As far as noise ,you have grandfather rights IE: They knew you were an AG (farm) when they bought their house .

I might just try a little heavier pellet to keep FPS under 800 after the clean and lube. Should help accuracy some without much change in power.

 

[Brian T]

Thanks for the insight. I have heavier pellets. So around 800fps is the sweet spot? Thats what I was aiming for.

 

[cjtamu]

Thanks for the insight. I have heavier pellets. So around 800fps is the sweet spot? Thats what I was aiming for.

Under 800 fps is generally more accurate with a skirted pellet. Can overcome a lot of things but physics and aerodynamics aren’t on that list LOL. And the gun will probably like some pellets better than other. I’d try some JSB 8.3 and some H&N FTT and I bet at least one of those will work well.

 

[Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62)]

This might help with your kit installation should you decide to go that route. The 34 is a classic. There's a reason that it remained in production for so long.

 

[MDriskill]

You chose well, the 34 is a real classic! It can be kinda plain looking, but Diana puts the good stuff where it counts: barrel, sights, trigger, and sturdy action.

I am NOT an expert on the 34 but did one for a friend with an ARH spring and Vortek piston seal and was happy with the result. But I would also agree that this could wait given how well it shoots now!

I'm not arguing against the no-slip butt, but as a point of interest - "no-buttplate" is a traditional German Look. At a recent gun show I saw a Merkel shotgun with a 4-figure price tag and bare wood at the back...!

 

[Hateful McNasty]

You chose well, the 34 is a real classic! It can be kinda plain looking, but Diana puts the good stuff where it counts: barrel, sights, trigger, and sturdy action.

I am NOT an expert on the 34 but did one for a friend with an ARH spring and Vortek piston seal and was happy with the result. But I would also agree that this could wait given how well it shoots now!

I'm not arguing against the no-slip butt, but as a point of interest - no buttplate is a traditional German detail. At a recent gun show I saw a Merkel shotgun with a 4-figure price tag and a bare wood rear end...!

Lot of guys like that combo of srh springs and vortek seal.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

I was considering doing something with a but pad mostly to prevent damage, slip on is a great idea.

As far as springs and tune kit...I just thought it was the next thing to do. I agree and probably should just take it apart, clean and grease as im sure it needs it given it's age.

Definitely looking into but pad options...thanks

Noce leather ones at amazon under 35$ .. or more if you wanted to

Quick example store

TOURBON

Tourbon mainly sell hunting shooting accessories ,bike bag ,golf accessories and other sports products .

www.amazon.com

 

[Brian T]

This might help with your kit installation should you decide to go that route. The 34 is a classic. There's a reason that it remained in production for so long.

I watch your videos often. I look forward to watching them, thanks for taking the time!

 

[Brian T]

You chose well, the 34 is a real classic! It can be kinda plain looking, but Diana puts the good stuff where it counts: barrel, sights, trigger, and sturdy action.

I am NOT an expert on the 34 but did one for a friend with an ARH spring and Vortek piston seal and was happy with the result. But I would also agree that this could wait given how well it shoots now!

I'm not arguing against the no-slip butt, but as a point of interest - "no-buttplate" is a traditional German Look. At a recent gun show I saw a Merkel shotgun with a 4-figure price tag and bare wood at the back...!

Yes i don't want to permanently alter the stock so I'd use a slip over. I prefer originality.

 

[Brian T]

Noce leather ones at amazon under 35$ .. or more if you wanted to

Quick example store

TOURBON

Tourbon mainly sell hunting shooting accessories ,bike bag ,golf accessories and other sports products .

www.amazon.com

I like the leather! I put a rubber one on an old shot gun and it sorta changed the finish but better than damaging it. Probably should take it off when not in use it suppose.

 

[cjtamu]

Yes i don't want to permanently alter the stock so I'd use a slip over. I prefer originality.

That’s why my Diana 34 and FWB 124 don’t have Morgans on them. Slip on works fine, and yes, remove it after if you want to be sure it doesn’t affect the finish. And holy cow, I just realized who Pellets&Pistons is! Great channel. Sorry, life put our hobbies on about year and a half timeout so just getting back into the groove.

 

[Brian T]

One thing I did notice my elevation on the scope is almost maxed out, i dont really like that. I ordered the rws mount with droop compensation. Apparently from reading these seem to benefit from that mount. Some have suggested bending the barrel...I have all sorts of presses in my shop so sure I could bend the barrel but that sorta scares me.