Diana Stormrider .22 (My second one!)

[Bicycleman]

Several weeks ago, I received my second Stormrider .22 from Pyramyd Air.  When I received it, there was very little air in the rifle as compared to the three PCPs I had purchased in the past.  But after pumping it to 3,000 PSI and letting it sit for about a week, there was NO leak down. 
The reason I let it sit for a week is because I was waiting for scope rings.  When the rings arrived, the scope was mounted.  I went out and sighted-in.  Shots 12, 13, and 14 were about a 1/2 inch group. 
I have hunted (squirrels) with the rifle three times and killed three squirrels and had a fourth limp away after being wounded.  After the first hunt (when the wounding occurred), I took a test shot at a piece of Scotch tape that had held the target I used for sighting-in.  I hit the tape dead center.  But this shot was taken from a position about ten yards farther than when I sighted-in.  That pleased me very much.
Like the first Stormrider, this rifle is light and consistently accurate.  The shot count is adequate for my style of hunting.  The LDC on this Gen 2 Stormrider seems to be quiet enough.  I have taken multi-shots at a squirrel a few time during these three hunts and the squirrels didn't spook.  The last squirrel I shot didn't cut and run when I shot her pal about 30 feet from where she was hunting for Hickory nuts.  [She will never make that same mistake!]
The bolt handle is different on the Gen 1 and Gen 2.  The Gen 2 handle is a little longer and has some rubber o-rings on it.  The o-rings make it nicer to grip the bolt handle.  And the pellets seem to feed into the barrel smoother on the Gen 2.  I don't see any difference in the magazines that came with the two rifles.  They have performed satisfactorily on both rifles.   
Both of these rifles are keepers; but the Gen 2 has been improved. 





 
I have a Maximus .22 for sale.  See:  https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=151866.0

[Bicycleman]

Yesterday, my son and I went to the woods for a morning of squirrel hunting.  Before we left the house, I watched him load a magazine after my brief instruction.  When we got to the woods, I told him a few things about the Stormrider.  One of those things was that he should close the bold firmly and only once for each shot to prevent double loading. 
We both did a fine job because he shot two full magazines+ with not problems.  And he obviously got along with the rifle by shooting six squirrels.
IMHO, this is a fine rifle for a beginning shooter.

[Blacktalon6]

I got one for the wife and me to kill cans with in the backyard at night. With open sites small V8 cans do not stand a chance. Even at 30 yards.

[Bicycleman]

Good choice, Ed.  Both of my rifles are super accurate.
Good luck with your "kan killing".








 I have a Maximus .22 for sale.  See:  https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=151866.0

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Congratulations Mike !     I read your 2nd Stormrider, hunting post.     
I am glad that your 2nd Stormrider is working out so well for you.


Best Wishes - Tom

[Bicycleman]

Stormrider #2 is working out just fine, Tom.  I am a happy hunter.  But today, I am staying in and do some cooking.  I might be back in the woods Friday or Saturday. ? .

[anti-squirrel]

I missed this review, Mike.  Thanks for sharing.  I ordered a .177 Stormrider barrel and band from PA for my Varmint; got the bolt and breech coming from China and once I have all the parts, I'll be doing a full prep to convert mine from .22 to .177.  As you know, I have a .22 Max so there's no need at this point to have 2 lightweight rifles of the same caliber.

As far as the sights for the Diana go- are they any different from the sights that come on the Varmint?  I'm assuming not, but haven't held the Diana to compare... And I don't recall if mine came with sights (bought it used)

[Bicycleman]

Good morning, Peter.  Yes, I know about your Maximus .22; and that it is a proven squirrel killer.  Hee hee
When I was ordering an LDC from Rocker1, I asked it he had one to fit the new (at the time) Gen 1 Stormrider.  His answer was that the Stormrider and Varmint barrels were the same.  But that does not mean the sights are the same.  And the Gen 1 and Gen 2 Stormriders have different sights.
Wish I could be more help - Maybe someone else can put some facts in here.
Thanks for reading my review.

[anti-squirrel]

I may have to give Julie a holler and order some more parts from China, but that's okay.  My shooting will be going on hiatus come Monday.  We're slated to get some fluffy white stuff to accompany the freezing weather and gosh-darned I'll be in Miami, Pompano Beach, and Key West for work.  Shucks. 

By the time I get back I may go on a spending spree to bring some projects closer to completion, but getting the Varmint tip-top is paramount.  I "need" a .177 powerhouse.

[Bicycleman]

Here are a couple of pictures of the two Stormriders.  The top one in the pictures is the Generation 1 bought in January of 2018.  The Generation 2 at the bottom was bought in November of 2018.  I hunt with both and use the JSB 18.13 gr pellets.  I am pleased that the rifles perform so well.
The Generation 1 Stormrider has the Rocker1 LDC.  The Generation 2 has the stock LDC (which works fine.)

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Wow Mike......Those two are a very nice pair of hunting rifles that you have. 


Best Wishes - Tom

[Bicycleman]

Thanks Tom.  Lately I have been using the Gen 1 (bottom one) to make sure it is consistently accurate.  That is the one my son shoots when we hunt together.  And shoot he does.  Last time out, he had shot six squirrels.  The boy is a better hunter that I am. 
I had not put a picture of either gun in the Review Gate before; so I figured I would get both at the same time.   

[darkcharisma]

Can someone with a stormrider please give me the length of the pr sure tube from fill port to barrel band? I want to regulate it with a bottle but need to know the length to calculate cc

Thanks

[Bicycleman]

I decided to replace the original suppressor with a TKO that was just hanging around.  I wanted to see if the rifle report would be any less.  I think it is about the same TKO as compared to the original.  So, I will say that the original on the Gen 2 works well.
Okay, here is the process I used:  I boiled water and stood the rifle in the water - suppressor down.  I let it soak for about two or three minutes.  I then tried to unscrew the suppressor with a pot holder - didn't happen.  Next, I tried with my Vise Grip pliers after another soak in the hot water.  Hey it moved.  So, I started working it back and forth always unscrewing a little more with each unscrew cycle.  Another dunk in the hot water after each cycle.  Finally after about 15 minutes of working it back and forth, I was able to unscrew it all the way off.  Yes, the suppressor did get scuffed up. The front sight stayed in place. 
To remove the front sight, I used the Vise Grip pliers again to get a firm grip on the front sight.  Using a hammer, I lightly tapped on the pliers until the sight moved off the barrel.  It was destroyed in the process but the barrel was unmarked.
Now that the suppressor is off, I tried to separate its two parts to check the condition of the baffles inside.  I will have to try something different next time because it didn't budge.
If you try this method and plan to use the suppressor again, it can be sanded, touched up, and still be serviceable.  But plan to buy a new front sight when you are putting things back to original.
Good luck.

[Bicycleman]

Today, I received some information from Mike Tiehen of TKO.  He says that some of the Stormriders have a barrel stub of 10mm.  The TKO that fits a Discovery (Section 1) is 11mm. 
My .22 Stormrider Gen 2 must be 11mm because the TKO that I had from a Discovery fits it great. 
Your milage may vary!