I was was curious about the Diana 350 magnum .22 cal. I’m on the fence.
He’s my problem. My buddy (mentor) tells me it will fall apart in no time. Lucky to get 500 rounds through.
Now I’ve got a few Diana’s. Their power increase is notable and this is what my buddy says is the problem.
I got the 460 and found it to have great accuracy as well. My huge problem on the 460 is again plastic especially the front sight.
I’m Super satisfied with my Weihrauchs, Air Arms and FWB’s. Like the variety.
What’s you opionion on the 350 Magnum premium?
Crow
I do not post much anymore because I do not like to contest with all the B.S. on this forum. Such as HW rifles having cast pot metal triggers, etc, etc.
I have had two Diana 350 magnum rifles, one was the Panther 350 which has the synthetic stock and the one I still have is the 350 Classic. The Premium is simply a model with a premium stock with the cheekpiece for right handed shooters and as I am left handed never bought one.
Both 350 models I own started as you ask started falling apart much sooner than 500 shots, and one situation was very dangerous and I could have gotten seriously hurt. Lets address this first. The main stock to action screw will vibrate loose in less than 25 shots due to the recoil. It also only has on average two thread turns on that screw into the action screw boss, so very little recoil and back out is required for the thread to boss to become weak and tear clear out of the boss rapidly and violently sending the rear of the action flying at your face at high speed. While cocking the rifle the screw and boss will separate and the action will fly upwards right at your face.
My solution for both of them was to make a trip to Fastenal and obtain longer and better fasteners, install with a liberal coating of screw lock and this solved this dangerous situation. So make sure to check the main action to stock screw carefully and if required and if they have not changed this replace with an adequate fastener. Umerex which is the current distributor for Diana was no help at all and it was like speaking to a deer standing in a bright headlight and the light bulb inside was not on. Grin!!
Next, on both models the rear factory sight has adjustment held in place with two small ball bearings. In about 100 shots the sight will back out and get so loose due to recoil it will fall apart and if in the woods never be found again, if bench shooting it will land on the bench. Both guns did this.
Next, the rear automatic safety unlike the HW pot metal trigger, is in fact some type of pot metal. Around 300 shots fully expect this to break and the back half of it to fly off the rifle. Both rifles had this happen. To be fair the 350 classic since then has had well over 10K through it with no further problems with a factory replacement. However Umerex with the lack of a light bulb was no help and I got a replacement from a well known supplier in the UK.
Next, the Panther developed a torn piston seal and most likely was like this since day one and torn during assembly. In any event the excessive slam recoil allowed another POT METAL cocking lever part to crack and when I took the rifle apart for repair the cocking lever had shaved long thin coils of metal from the action tube and was serious enough to me to require replacement of the tube. Some five or six years ago I bought another Panther that was on sale and started having problems with that one, I simply posted it up and gave it away free. I did not wish to rebuild another one, a well known person has this and loves it, however he also reported a chipped piston seal and other problems he had to fix. Once fixed it is now a favorite.
OK it is not all bad, once all these issues are resolved it is a wonderful rifle with a great fully adjustable trigger and it is extremely accurate. Once you learn the rifle get the trigger set to your liking it is a very nice looking and balanced rifle with high accuracy .
And that is my experiences with the 350.
Cheers
Kit
. I’d prefer metal but doesn’t bother me that much. And I believe the nylon piece on the 54/56 barrel shroud assembly is part of the vibration dampening so it couldn’t be metal. Hateful, come on over and shoot mine. They’re fine guns. And I’ll show you why brisket beats pulled pork too ha ha ha.
