Diana Outlaw

I purchased this gun very recently from AirgunsNZ for $1200 plus freight after selling a couple that I'd lost interest in (the AR6 and Reign).  It's a regulated PCP in .22 calibre and comes with a single magazine.  I've put that aside and now use 2 x 13 shot CARM magazines.

I have an FX Dreamline that I use for target shooting and I was looking for something that might be a bit more of a challenge.  I've always admired the look of this gun, but it seemed a bit cheap and I knew it was manufactured for Diana by SPA (Snow Peak Airguns) in China.  My understanding is that SPA build most of the assembly then ship it to Germany where Diana fits its own trigger assembly and the wooden stock (Benelli I've heard?). 

However, looking for the challenge as I said, I did some googling and couldn't find anyone really knocking it and lots of people rating it quite highly so I went ahead and ordered one in .22 cal.

Straight up, it had a couple of issues, but that said, so did both of the FX guns I've purchased new with one having to be returned to the supplier for repair.  

The first issue was pellets clipping the suppressor.  This wasn't an easy fix as the thread hadn't been tapped square to the end.  I could have returned it for a replacement but I figured that it really hadn't cost me extra as they do with most other guns, so I repaired it.  It took me a couple of goes to get it right but it's now sorted.

The second problem was a harsh cocking action followed by failure to cock at all.  Again, I could have sent it back but I decided to hell with the warranty and the hassle/cost of shipping so I pulled it down to check.  What I found was a small portion of a pellet in the hammer chamber and after removing it I did a couple of things.  Firstly, I cleaned the chamber and then coated the inside of the brass sleeve and the hammer with CRC Dry Glide.  I sprayed it onto the hammer and applied it to the sleeve with a cotton bud, several coats on both.  Next, I stripped the trigger block and cocking mechanism and coated all pivots and sliding surfaces with Moly grease.  I'm not sure if the trigger assembly is manufactured by Diana but it's beautifully made and has adjustment for take-up and sear engagement.  The feel is not as good as the FX but it's still quite acceptable.

I also did a couple of other things that I doubt have any real bearing on the final outcome.  I removed the o-ring on the hammer spring tension adjuster as it was binding when adjusting.  I also machined an opening in the top of the brass sleeve that the hammer runs in to allow air in front of the hammer an easier escape path.

I know it sounds like a lot of fluffing around and understand that my approach is not what most would want or be able to do, but it was well worth the effort and here is the proof

This was shot today indoors at 25yds bench rested using 18gr JSBs straight out of the tin.  Two shots per diagram.

I also managed a second card of 199 straight after, so my verdict is that it's equally as accurate as my FX Dreamline (perhaps a fraction better even and bare in mind that the barrel is made by SPA!), but also quite different in a number of ways.

The FX is super lightweight, very quiet (with a suppressor), has a very light and slick cocking action with no noticeable recoil.

The Outlaw on the other hand is a little heavier (but still relatively light) and also bulkier due to the wooden stock.  The cocking action also requires more effort and is not quite as smooth (even after the mods mentioned earlier).  It is also a little louder (again with a suppressor) with a very distinct 'bark' and noticeable recoil, both of which I quite like.

To finish, I'm really very happy with my purchase and wouldn't hesitate to buy another.   This gun has real character and it looks superb (yes - looks do matter!) with the checkered wooden stock and black metalwork.  Pleasingly, it performs better than expected and I'm really enjoying shooting with it preferring it to the Dreamline which may end up becoming my 50m outdoor gun - although that may change when the weather improves and I get a chance to try the Outlaw on the longer range!

 

NZ$1200 is great value but most of us would have needed support from the supplier or manufacturer to correct the issues.

Look forward to a grouping measurement and a review of the scope please.