Question about the Diana 56

[blackdiesel]

Should I be able to manually slide the action back and forth? When the gun is unloaded I can push the action forward by just pushing the scope. I noticed my D54 will not slide when I push forward on the scope. I guess the question should be why the action on the D54 will not slide with pressure?

 

[Lewis]

The D54/56's are on slides which do not lock into position. When cocking the action, the last little bit pushes the action forward. The action is not locked though. If you push very hard at all the action will slide backwards. If you remove the stock you will find the slides, one in front and one at the rear. Each has an allen key adjustment that seats a ball into a detented position Hector Medina has some great illustrations of how to best adjust them including using small o-rings to prevent the ball fully seating into the forward position. In a perfect world you would just barely be able to point the gun upward to the highest angle you intend to shoot. For example a bench rest gun may have no detent engagement at all and a squirrel hunting gun may need to be able to point straight up. The idea is that the least amount of resistance will result in the least felt recoil. I keep mine so that if I tilt the gun up to around 45 degrees the action will slide back. I always have to seat the action forward when I push in the safety switch. It works perfectly and there is almost no feeling at all when it goes off. Just a slight visual change through the scope. It's great shooting a springer and still being able to watch the pellet in flight! 

 

[blackdiesel]

Thanks for your suggestion. I played around and got both righteous. I found a youtube video. 

 

[MScottLeeman]

The rear stock mount bolt,once removed,allows access to the tension adjuster via an allen wrench. Clockwise to tighten. In most cases You will want just enough tension on the mechanism that it will remain in ready to fire position (forward) after being pushed forward and the muzzle is raised. (Shouldn't just slide back loosely)It should remain so until the rifle is given a light to medium bump on the butt stock with the heel of Your hand. It's a bit of trial and error type of procedure.

This is how I have my D54 T06 adjusted and its Incredibly accurate! Your 54 sounds like its way too tight. They are held in place by a spring loaded ball bearing type of detent that slides into a recessed section on the mechanism. Too tight is not good as it can create galling.

Sorry if it seems like I'm rambling,it's been a Long day! It's obvious how it all works once You inspect it.

Hope this helps!

Mike.

 

[MScottLeeman]

Yes! What Lewis said! Nicely summed up.