Comment about break barrels, springers or whatever we call them, compared to a PCP recoil
Springers can shoot extremely well, we have many excellent springer shooters here. I have two and can't shoot either worth a darn. My opinion of a springer is that you must start with a good power plant and have a good trigger to shoot well. Having never shot a Diana, I can't speak to that brand, but . . . .
The physics of a PCS are simple. Pull trigger, blast of air pushes pellet out of barrel. Recoil is one direction, back into your shoulder just like any normal gun.
Break Barrel is different. When you pull the trigger, the spring or gas ram pushes the piston forward, pushing the gun back into your shoulder. This is the normal part of the recoil cycle. When the piston hits the front of the chamber and stops, the recoil reverses and pulls the gun out away from your shoulder. To counteract this, look up and use the "Artillery Hold". Basically, you hold the gun loosely and let it recoil as it desires.
A good gun, such as the Diana will minimize impacts of the second recoil. Unfortunately, my guns are not the higher quality. I got rid of one Ruger (Made by Umerex) that literally shuddered when you fired it. was just unnerving, so sold it for a song. By the way, Umerex (
https://www.umarexusa.com/) makes many "Brands" of air gun including Browning, Ruger, Winchester, Berretta, Walther, Colt, Hammerli, RWS, Smith & Wesson, and others. Basically, if it isn't a Crosman, Diana, or a couple other brands, it's probably an Umerex. If it's at Walmart, it's probably an Umerex.
Break Barrels may (most do not, but it is a risk) suffer from Barrel Droop. This is where over time, the barrel no longer returns to the proper position after cocking. You can adjust optics to compensate, but wear and tear on these are different from PCP's. PCP's tanks (the carbon fiber bulk air tanks) must be recertified every 5 years, and if you use pumps, you'll need to rebuild every few years as the O-rings will wear.
Break Barrel guns and PCP's can both shoot well. The real problem is that both are good starter choices. I personally am firmly in the PCP camp, while others love the Break Barrels. I saw one post above that this is just the first step of a hobby that will suck you in and just figure this is your first of a long line of guns. Yup, gotta agree wth that one. Critical point here is to make a decision and "pull the trigger" and get shooting.
Good luck!
@ saltlake58