From Findlay Airgun Show- Vintage Diana Model 50

[MDriskill]

“My question is; you mentioned above that each front sight matches with a corresponding notch in the rear sight. Can you provide more detail on how this system works?”

Well nothing says you can’t use any combo of front post and rear notch that strikes your fancy, but they do seem to roughly correspond.

There is a “V”-shaped notch to go with the pointed barleycorn front, a square notch for that straight post, a small semi-circular notch for the small bead, and a very large semi-circular notch for the fat bead. The latter must also be used with the peep attachment, the others would block the view through the aperture.

[Privateer]

Mike, Were you at one of the GTA meets in Kentucky?

[Yng@hrt]

“My question is; you mentioned above that each front sight matches with a corresponding notch in the rear sight. Can you provide more detail on how this system works?”

Well nothing says you can’t use any combo of front post and rear notch that strikes your fancy, but they do seem to roughly correspond.

There is a “V”-shaped notch to go with the pointed barleycorn front, a square notch for that straight post, a small semi-circular notch for the small bead, and a very large semi-circular notch for the fat bead. The latter must also be used with the peep attachment, the others would block the view through the aperture.

I took a closer look at the rear sight & the light finally turned on as to what the "notches" are. Is their a set screw or does the rear sight actually rotate to the different notches?

Thanks

[45flint]

“My question is; you mentioned above that each front sight matches with a corresponding notch in the rear sight. Can you provide more detail on how this system works?”

Well nothing says you can’t use any combo of front post and rear notch that strikes your fancy, but they do seem to roughly correspond.

There is a “V”-shaped notch to go with the pointed barleycorn front, a square notch for that straight post, a small semi-circular notch for the small bead, and a very large semi-circular notch for the fat bead. The latter must also be used with the peep attachment, the others would block the view through the aperture.

I took a closer look at the rear sight & the light finally turned on as to what the "notches" are. Is their a set screw or does the rear sight actually rotate to the different notches?

Thanks

This plate pulls out held by spring retainer and can rotate into 4 positions each giving a different notch.

[Yng@hrt]

That's the pic I was searching for. Incredable engineering.

[45flint]

That's the pic I was searching for. Incredable engineering.

Has a ball bearing trigger, that’s new to me.

[Yng@hrt]

For a guy that isn't in to shooting you posted up some nice groups. I would be interested in this guns fps & fpe. You think you might be able to dyno her?

[Yng@hrt]

BTW; that one notch is huge. Can you post a pic of the front sight that matches up with it?

[45flint]

BTW; that one notch is huge. Can you post a pic of the front sight that matches up with it?

Yes lol, it’s so large cause it’s to match up with the diopter and not interfer.

[Yng@hrt]

I was going to say…not sure what that bead would be used for unless you’re hunting in Africa with a fire arm. lol

Makes perfect sense now.

[45flint]

For a guy that isn't in to shooting you posted up some nice groups. I would be interested in this guns fps & fpe. You think you might be able to dyno her?

Here is where your going to be disappointed!  The FPS with 7 grain Hobbys is 650.  FPE is 6.7?
It’s a target gun not a hunting gun.  Remember this is 1952 people much less concerned about power.  What this is, is the perfect backyard gun.  Easy to cock, no noise, and very controlled spring vibration.  I bought a Beeman C1 at the same show and it is 880 FPS.  A little beast, very cool but loud, and a real kick.  Interesting in Germany right now they have a 6 FPE limit.  This gun goes for a premium over there cause it’s grandfathered.  Lol

[Yng@hrt]

Not at all disappointed Steve. In fact that’s not bad for a first go-round. I bet the alcohol flush would give you significant gains. Although I doubt you would want to risk trying it on this gun. 

[MDriskill]

For a guy that isn't in to shooting you posted up some nice groups. I would be interested in this guns fps & fpe. You think you might be able to dyno her?

Here is where your going to be disappointed!  The FPS with 7 grain Hobbys is 650.  FPE is 6.7?
It’s a target gun not a hunting gun.  Remember this is 1952 people much less concerned about power.  What this is, is the perfect backyard gun.  Easy to cock, no noise, and very controlled spring vibration.  I bought a Beeman C1 at the same show and it is 880 FPS.  A little beast, very cool but loud, and a real kick.  Interesting in Germany right now they have a 6 FPE limit.  This gun goes for a premium over there cause it’s grandfathered.  Lol

Very true, the model 50 is a big old, macho-looking, 8-pound gun...that has R7 power!

The model 50 shared most of its aft-end parts with the model 35 barrel-cocker; they have the same piston, spring, and trigger. The 35 is roughly a 700 FPS gun—quite a hottie for the 1950’s—but the 50 has a long transfer port and the volume of the tap itself to overcome; you lose power but gain smoothness.

On the plus side, I’ve noticed that the springs in the older Dianas are of truly amazing quality. They will shoot at full power for a loooooooong time if you take good care of the gun.

In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Diana made the model 50 T01, with shared its rear end with the model 45 barrel-cocker (the 45 was Diana’s first “magnum” competitor for the HW 35 and FWB 124, etc.). Again, the tap loader gives up some speed, yet the 50 T01 will sneak over 800 FPS with light ammo, and may be the hardest-shooting of all traditional tap-loading underlever designs.

[MDriskill]

Mike, Were you at one of the GTA meets in Kentucky?

I have not been to one...but it sounds like a habit I need to start!

 

[45flint]

Not at all disappointed Steve. In fact that’s not bad for a first go-round. I bet the alcohol flush would give you significant gains. Although I doubt you would want to risk trying it on this gun.

I’m pretty sure a alcohol flush is more for pumpers.  This gun is so clean when I got it about new. The 650 FPS was the rating when new.  Only thing to do with this was to put some oil down the tap to soak the leather piston seal.  As Mike said these springs were made to last, same with the leather seals.  Much rather have leather seals than plastic ones over time they can turn to mush.  Early guns just seem to go on and on if treated right.