Diana Outlaw |
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KiwiTR6
Senior Member Joined: 03 Nov 2022 Location: Stratford Status: Offline Posts: 268 |
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Posted: 10 Aug 2024 at 9:39pm |
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! |
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FX Wildcat MK111 BT Sniper .25
FX Dreamline Classic .22 Diana Outlaw .22 Cometa Fenix 400 .177 Weihrauch HW50 .177 Crosman 2240 PCP Custom .22 Crosman 2250 PCP Custom .22 |
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Myson
Senior Member Joined: 06 Mar 2016 Location: Feilding Status: Offline Posts: 182 |
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Great Review Gavin!!!
And some excellent engineering in there too!! You've turned that rifle into a superb machine! Nice one!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE
Air Arms S510 US .22 Air Arms S410 .22 Weihrauch HW97KT .177 Weihrauch HW95 .177 |
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kruzaroad
Senior Member Joined: 02 Jul 2022 Location: Hastings 4 now Status: Offline Posts: 2226 |
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Awsome targets. You must be pleased as with both your shooting and the gun.
Venting the air away from the hammer, isn't something I'd have thought about but does make sence if its building pressure as it releases. Would a couple of small holes in the hammer itself have worked as well? Curious as to if the small piece of pellet was in the mechanism prior to your use? Is a very nice looking gun indeed. Edited by kruzaroad - 11 Aug 2024 at 8:20am |
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Pauly5
Forum Moderator Joined: 10 Mar 2013 Location: Titahi Bay Status: Offline Posts: 1394 |
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That's great. A real pity on the QC, but I kind of mirror your thoughts on stuff the warranty and make it better.
How did you remedy the threading error? Was the whole thread off line and you cut a new thread, or seating shoulder? |
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mercs
Senior Member Joined: 24 Apr 2020 Location: Stratford Status: Offline Posts: 262 |
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Disappointing that Diana factory QA did not pick up on the suppressor issue. All that precision manufacture let down by an accessory.
NZ$1200 is great value but most of us would have needed support from the supplier or manufacturer to correct the issues. Amazing hole in hole 2nd in from top left and diagrams 1, 4, 5, 6 & 10 are worth a mention. Excellent review and great shooting. Look forward to a grouping measurement and a review of the scope please.
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KiwiTR6
Senior Member Joined: 03 Nov 2022 Location: Stratford Status: Offline Posts: 268 |
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Kruza - I believe the part pellet was in there from new. Quite small as you can see but enough to cause mayhem . There was already a vent hole in the top of the block but the sleeve was closing it off so a slot was an easy fix. Pauly, yes the whole end cap thread was off-line (16.0 x 1.0). I didn't have a tap in that size so I turned down a piece of acetyl rod to a neat fit inside that hole with a thru-bolt and washers to hold it, then squared the face and removed the cap outer thread so it no longer screwed into the body. I knurled the surface where the thread had been removed and fastened it in place using JB Weld with everything assembled and held in alignment using the acetyl tool and fixed centre. Mercs, if it's any consolation I seem to be a magnet for faulty goods! I have absolutely no doubt the supplier would have dealt with both issues under warranty but given my natural inquisitiveness, more than adequate workshop facilities, easy fix and the cost/hassle shipping a PCP I was happy to forgo the warranty. I'd already shot with it so new the barrel was good and accurate Re the scope, I reviewed that a little while ago: http://www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz/forum_posts.asp?TID=1006&KW=vector&PID=9535#9535 |
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FX Wildcat MK111 BT Sniper .25
FX Dreamline Classic .22 Diana Outlaw .22 Cometa Fenix 400 .177 Weihrauch HW50 .177 Crosman 2240 PCP Custom .22 Crosman 2250 PCP Custom .22 |
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RangerPete
Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2023 Location: Cambridge. Status: Online Posts: 867 |
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Great review, thanks Kiwi.
Iād love to see how it does over 50m. Very well priced for an accurate, wooden stocked PCP šš» |
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Walk quietly, but carry a big stick.
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