Custum, Diana 34?

[Fleshwound]

I have an old beat up Diana 34. 22 cal. I’m going to do something to make it different than all of the other Springers I have. Possibly cutting the barrel and the stock. I’m sure somebody on here has done this. Anybody got pictures? Thanks Ben.

[Roadworthy]

Be aware - the Diana 34 has a choked barrel.  If you cut the barrel you lose the choke.  I have not cut any barrels but I do have a Diana 34 Pro Compact AKA Meisterschutze.  It has a shorter barrel and is my most accurate 34.  It has no front sight.

[Fleshwound]

Be aware - the Diana 34 has a choked barrel.  If you cut the barrel you lose the choke.  I have not cut any barrels but I do have a Diana 34 Pro Compact AKA Meisterschutze.  It has a shorter barrel and is my most accurate 34.  It has no front sight.

Do you have a picture

[Yogi]

I have a Diana 340-Ntec Pro Compact.  t too have a shorter barrel and is very accurate.

-Yogi

[Toxylon]

If you cut the barrel at a spot where the bore is a little loose, you'll lose all accuracy. So, before doing any cutting, make sure you cut at a tight spot.

It is also possible the only tight spot outside the breech block is at the choke.

[Fleshwound]

I think I could choke a barrel if I needed to. So I’m not worried about that, but I don’t know how short I could make the barrel before it started causing problems and it would be a bummer if I went to short lol they’re not easy to find

[Yogi]

I think I could choke a barrel if I needed to. So I’m not worried about that, but I don’t know how short I could make the barrel before it started causing problems and it would be a bummer if I went to short lol they’re not easy to find

Too short a barrel will make it MUCH harder to cock.
How are you going to rechoke a barrel??

-Yogi

[Fleshwound]

Probably have to squeeze it in a press. You got another idea?

[Yogi]

Probably have to squeeze it in a press. You got another idea?

How big is your press?  You ain't sqeezing lemons...

-Y

[HectorMedina]

@ Ben/FW.-
I am NOT trying to discourage you from your ideas, I will just give you some facts to guide your actions:

1.- If you are looking for no more than 13 ft-lbs output, the barrel can be as short as 10", if you want more energy, then you need between 13" and 16", the smaller the caliber the longer the barrel needs to be.
Do remember that the barrel is your cocking lever, so the shorter the barrel the higher the Peak Cocking Force (PCF) will be.

2.- You will need  a VERY special set of dies to generate a choke that is circular. MOST aftermarket chokes end up being off-round, and while that is not a problem within the first 35-45 yards, going further will be a challenge. It is a better idea, if you have a knurling attachment that acts like a pai of pliers for a lathe, to change the knurling wheels for smooth wheels and squeeze the muzzle using a brass pilot/centerpoint while the lathe is spinning rather fast (just like in a knurling operation, just no diamonds).
If you do not care about the roundness, then you will need at least at 3 ton hydraulic press.

3.- IF you have a lathe that allows you to chuck the breech/barrelblock, dial the barrel into center, then use a fixed steady rest, drill out the barrel and reline with a L-W barrel blank, you will need to cut the blank from the rear, to keep the choke.
This is the liner for 0.177"
https://www.lothar-walther.com/airgun-blank-choked-twist-17.7-.177-air-od-.35-l-23.82-precision-rifle-steel-tube/llc-45-9-605
This would be the liner for 0.20"
https://www.lothar-walther.com/airgun-blank-choked-twist-17.7-.20-air-od-.47-l-23.82-precision-rifle-steel-tube/llc-50-12-605
This would be the liner for 0.22"
https://www.lothar-walther.com/airgun-blank-choked-twist-17.7-.22-air-od-.39-l-23.82-precision-rifle-steel-tube/llc-55-10-605

As long as the fit is good enough (no more than 0.007") between the two parts, you can use Brownell's Accra Glass, JB Weld, or Loc-Tite 638 to keep the two pieces together.

When we specced the D34k Premium, we used 13.75" L-W barrels:


When a friend asked to make him a two caliber rifle, I found it better to just buy the longer 0.177" barrel/breechblock assembly:
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/two-caliber-rifle

Mine has gone through many "incarnations" and  is now making 17½ ft-lbs:
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/exploring-the-steel-springed-ems-powerplant

So, there you have some facts and pictures.

HTH, keep us posted!






HM

[Fleshwound]

That’s great information. Thank you.

[Mark 611]

Hector, I like the looks of that rifle in the pix, what is that?

[Guzziman]

Hector, I like the looks of that rifle in the pix, what is that?

I Believe that is a sweet shooting Diana 280 in .177

[HectorMedina]

@ Mark 611.- It's  # 30/30 of the custom run we made some years ago.
Lothar Walther 0.20" cal barrel, short, as explained above, Premium Stock.

@GuzziMan.- Sorry, but no, much more power and sophistication than that.

Some pictures for your enjoyment!

As it was born:


First iteration:


Compared to a Stutzen:


Converted to NTec:



Latest incarnation (hopefully, this is the "Ultimate":
In full:

Do note the long eye relief scope

Carbon Fiber tensioned sleeve:


LPVO:


The powerplant now is the "Precisioneered" EMS power plant described here:
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/exploring-the-steel-springed-ems-powerplant

To say that it is one of my pride and joys would be an understatement, LOL!

Hope you enjoy the pictures, keep well and shoot straight!



HM

[Yogi]

Hector,
If you ever do another run of those rifles, please let me know.

-Yogi

[HectorMedina]

Hector,
If you ever do another run of those rifles, please let me know.

-Yogi

I still have one... no need to wait.

LOL!





HM