I think either the Diana 48 or Gauntlet would have served you well. The Gauntlet would take you out to longer distances and be easier to shoot well, but as you see, it costs twice as much to get going. Another "problem" with PCPs is that once you get an air source.
I have a Diana 48 in .22 as well. Got it used at a Fun Shoot. Mine's tuned with a Vortek kit from the previous owner. It's shooting at about 18 FPE, which is just perfect.
The fixed barrel design is inherently better, in my opinion. Less to go wrong in the long run; one less alignment to worry about. The lever system also gives leverage without needing a longer barrel. (spring piston airguns don't benefit from a longer barrel like pneumatic airguns and firearms do) But yeah, they are heavier. It's not a big deal though. Get it on a sling if/when you go hunting. A shotgun sling works fine if you don't want to drill into the stock to install sling swivel studs. The rest of the time, the weight doesn't matter. Also, the weight is more rearward-biased (better balanced) than a break-barrel with the same power. The gun is just handier.
When you get it, clean the barrel out, and try not to look for accuracy until you've shot a tin's worth of break-in pellets through it.
My '48 likes Crosman Premier Domes, H&N Field Target Trophy and JSB Exact 14.3. Both the tightest and loosest groups come from the Crosman pellets. The best average groups come from the H&N FTTs. (smaller head size) I took down a couple of skunks that were stinking up my neighborhood with mine, late this summer. It shoots Predator Polymags well, which is a bonus. They are devastating on game. Here's a squirrel I took down with mine. I have some detailed photos with forensics anlaysis, if you're interested. The scope is a UTG 4-16x44, 30mm tube, side focus "SWAT". A great value. They make one in the same series, but a fixed 10X. I'd probably get that one if I had it to do again. My '48 was made in the 90s.
Cocking technique: Put the left side of the rear of the stock against your right leg. When you pull the lever, the rifle's braced against your leg and it feels pretty easy to me. It gets easier as the rifle breaks in and the spring takes a set.
I had a Diana 56th before. That's the same mechanism, but in a recoilless sled and a nicer-grained thumbhole stock. Notably heavier too. It wasn't worth the extra money, compared to a 48. Best for shooting from a rest. Still needed a tune, as it was quiet buzzy. With that same money, I'd rather have a 48 and money left over to have it pro-tuned.
