HW97k or Diana 54 Air King

[fwbsport]

HW 57! (NO!)

[abqjoe]

Ask yourself if you like nice things (aesthetically pleasing, pleasant to shoot, finely finished, nicely blued) or raw power (crude energy, stick of dynamite going off in your hands, painted metal parts, utilitarian finish).

The HW is the nice things and the Air King is the raw power.

If you're looking for a wonderfully enjoying and relaxing afternoon shooting a high quality springer get the HW.

If you're looking for an adrenaline-filled hold my beer, "let's blow some stuff up," my jaw hurts, "what'd you say?" "think this springer can kill a 40lb boar coon?"  experience, than buy the Air King.

HW for long shooting sessions. Air King for "dang this things got power!" but you don't want to shoot it more than five times per outing.

Now that I've had my fun, I should add that the only enjoyable to shoot recoiling Diana (52,54,56, etc?) that I've shot was considerably detuned and modified by Hector Medina for, I'm guessing, a princely sum.

  This response made my day lol! BTW everyone, again, I sincerely thank you all for your input! I've decided to go with the 54 but instead of buying new (looked like everyone was out of stock anyway) I found one for $500 shipped that only had 4 tins of 250 through it belonging to an older Pastor in MT who is no longer able to really enjoy it because of strain due to numerous abdominal surgeries. It already has a UTG Bug-Buster scope 9x32 with an RWS anti-droop mount and comes in a nice case. I'm not worried about the few pellets already put through it because I see it as broken in. Should be here Monday.... Thanks again everyone!

[ssbn617]

Sometimes it’s not the first to go on the dance floor, but for sure the one you want  to home with.
Mitch

[abqjoe]

Sometimes it’s not the first to go on the dance floor, but for sure the one you want  to home with.
Mitch

Thanks for your help brother, it's greatly appreciated!

[Yarddog]

HW 57! (NO!)

Jezzzzzzzz monnnnnn...

[c_m_shooter]

Have fun, hopefully you'll get that Magnumitous out of your system soon.  It is pretty common among new airguners, but after that 54 breaks a few scopes or you get tired of the cocking effort you will be back shopping for an HW97/95 or HW50, R7......

[Arch_E]

Congratulations on getting what you wanted and finding a solid, used one that you don't have to break in.

At the rate (simply my perception) that people are buying into the PCPs (and I may do so, soon, too), I'm guessing that a used HW97 or 95 or 57 will be available sooner than later.

Have fun and be safe,

Archie

[AGEnthused2]

Congratulations on getting what you wanted and finding a solid, used one that you don't have to break in.

At the rate (simply my perception) that people are buying into the PCPs (and I may do so, soon, too), I'm guessing that a used HW97 or 95 or 57 will be available sooner than later.

Have fun and be safe,

Archie

I would agree, there do seem to be quite a few people getting directly into pcp airguns.
My first adult airguns were pcp, but then I started liking springers.

[Arch_E]

ATM, I don't need the precision of a PCP (well, the missed squirrels might laugh at that) since I've eradicated 64 pests in the last six months. My first Gamo bagged 16, but that was way below my shooting ability, which surged with the addition of my HW95. I've hit squirrels at 25-30 yards with my 95 and my Nitro Venom (both weigh the same and I shoot them better off-hand). 

Since my distance is limited by what I can safely shoot in suburbia, I don't see much increase in productivity. Fun factor, however, is entirely another matter. Likewise, I don't get back to the farm too often; so buying a PCP is probably much further down the road (or next week or next month; whatever works best )

Maybe I need to rethink this precision shooting aspect...

Archie

[blackdiesel]

I have both in 22 cal.  I admit to being biased about Dianas, so I would go with the D54.  Discounting biases, they are both really accurate and the Diana has the advantage of more power to go with the accuracy.

[blackdiesel]

Ask yourself if you like nice things (aesthetically pleasing, pleasant to shoot, finely finished, nicely blued) or raw power (crude energy, stick of dynamite going off in your hands, painted metal parts, utilitarian finish).

The HW is the nice things and the Air King is the raw power.

If you're looking for a wonderfully enjoying and relaxing afternoon shooting a high quality springer get the HW.

If you're looking for an adrenaline-filled hold my beer, "let's blow some stuff up," my jaw hurts, "what'd you say?" "think this springer can kill a 40lb boar coon?"  experience, than buy the Air King.

HW for long shooting sessions. Air King for "dang this things got power!" but you don't want to shoot it more than five times per outing.

Now that I've had my fun, I should add that the only enjoyable to shoot recoiling Diana (52,54,56, etc?) that I've shot was considerably detuned and modified by Hector Medina for, I'm guessing, a princely sum.

  This response made my day lol! BTW everyone, again, I sincerely thank you all for your input! I've decided to go with the 54 but instead of buying new (looked like everyone was out of stock anyway) I found one for $500 shipped that only had 4 tins of 250 through it belonging to an older Pastor in MT who is no longer able to really enjoy it because of strain due to numerous abdominal surgeries. It already has a UTG Bug-Buster scope 9x32 with an RWS anti-droop mount and comes in a nice case. I'm not worried about the few pellets already put through it because I see it as broken in. Should be here Monday.... Thanks again everyone!

The UTG will hold up on the D54.  I have the Bullseye ZR Zero Recoil mount on mine now, but I never had any issues before I got it. 

[abqjoe]

Have fun, hopefully you'll get that Magnumitous out of your system soon.  It is pretty common among new airguners, but after that 54 breaks a few scopes or you get tired of the cocking effort you will be back shopping for an HW97/95 or HW50, R7......

Well, I wanted the power to ensure a quick and humane kill on that which I shoot.  This rifle will be used for 90% pest control and maybe 10% plinking....

[abqjoe]

Ask yourself if you like nice things (aesthetically pleasing, pleasant to shoot, finely finished, nicely blued) or raw power (crude energy, stick of dynamite going off in your hands, painted metal parts, utilitarian finish).

The HW is the nice things and the Air King is the raw power.

If you're looking for a wonderfully enjoying and relaxing afternoon shooting a high quality springer get the HW.

If you're looking for an adrenaline-filled hold my beer, "let's blow some stuff up," my jaw hurts, "what'd you say?" "think this springer can kill a 40lb boar coon?"  experience, than buy the Air King.

HW for long shooting sessions. Air King for "dang this things got power!" but you don't want to shoot it more than five times per outing.

Now that I've had my fun, I should add that the only enjoyable to shoot recoiling Diana (52,54,56, etc?) that I've shot was considerably detuned and modified by Hector Medina for, I'm guessing, a princely sum.

  This response made my day lol! BTW everyone, again, I sincerely thank you all for your input! I've decided to go with the 54 but instead of buying new (looked like everyone was out of stock anyway) I found one for $500 shipped that only had 4 tins of 250 through it belonging to an older Pastor in MT who is no longer able to really enjoy it because of strain due to numerous abdominal surgeries. It already has a UTG Bug-Buster scope 9x32 with an RWS anti-droop mount and comes in a nice case. I'm not worried about the few pellets already put through it because I see it as broken in. Should be here Monday.... Thanks again everyone!

The UTG will hold up on the D54.  I have the Bullseye ZR Zero Recoil mount on mine now, but I never had any issues before I got it.

Thank you, good to know the scope will hold up!

[Rick67]

So I'm new to Air Rifles and looking to make my second purchase and am looking at the HW97k and the Diana 54 Air King. Which one? Also, any other recommendations in that price range, thanks!

Joe, I see you are in Abq. too.

I am in the NW area.

Bought a Weirauch HW77, and it will be here next week.

Perhaps the two of us could compete with each other, lol!

[abqjoe]

So I'm new to Air Rifles and looking to make my second purchase and am looking at the HW97k and the Diana 54 Air King. Which one? Also, any other recommendations in that price range, thanks!

Joe, I see you are in Abq. too.

I am in the NW area.

Bought a Weirauch HW77, and it will be here next week.

Perhaps the two of us could compete with each other, lol!

That would be awesome man! I'll PM you my number, I'm Unser and Irving area....

[HectorMedina]

Hola José!

I am glad you got what you wanted.

Luckily for all of us (gunsmiths like me included), there are all sort of people. Variety is the spice of life. I am sure you were prepared to get all sorts of answers, as it shows in your responses.

I am surprised by the quickness of the whole thing (36 hours), but then it shows what the "Web" is capable of doing. It also twists our senses in that we expect everything to be as quick as the Web.  It's NOT. LOL!

Anyway, with that dousing of reality, let me clarify a few things:

Eric says that the lighter the sled slide threshold is set, the more accurate the 54 is, well, that is true, but only up to a point: Shooters that use very light holds require very light sled locking pressure. Shooters that use full grips require stronger lock-ups at the rear ball. It all depends how you shoot and the only way of determining this is to test when the gun arrives. In BOTH cases, absolute consistency in the trigger hand hold is essential to top grade precision and accuracy. To ME, the "thumb up" position works best.

Personally, I set my hunting sleds to JUST release with the shot, but my target sleds I set to JUST lock when the gun points upwards. I hunt with my 0.20" cal D54 and shoot some Open FT with it, but I shoot a lot more my WFTF D54 (between 10 and 30,000 rounds per year).
So this tells you that the gun WILL stand up to years of USE (not abuse), as any quality gun will.

Pictures are good, still I cannot discern if the gun is a 0.22", but I will assume it is.
Do try the mid-weight pellets.
The 54 "engine" is like a small Chevy block, it WILL deliver the power, but it needs a medium body weight to work with for stability.

10.75 grains (GTO's) will work well with a slight detune (you do not want ANY pellet to go faster than 875 fps).
13.9's are a light but useable pellet, 14.3's are better and in SOME guns perform very well, 16's are usually where the gilt-edged accuracy will be, 18's are seldom good performers and higher weights stress too much the engine. SO, try what you can get and also look at buying some specialty pellets from online stores: Predator Polymags are good hunting pellets and accurate out to 40m/44 yards.
H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme are also good hunting pellets and accurate at the 40 m/ 44 yards mark. The BHE WILL Penetrate hard skulls, like 'Possum's, when the impact speed exceeds 750 fps. IF you hit the Raccoons, or the Skunks in the head when shooting straight on, it is probable that the pellet "glances" of the curved part of the forehead, shoot a little low, just above the nose.
Predators are better for lung/heart/medula shots.

As for the Thrashers, if they are disturbing your backyard, it means that you have plenty of insects. Not trying to rain on your parade, but they are not, usually,  garden noxious. On the contrary,  they help keep your garden insect-healthy. For this, they do have to rustle up the food from the ground. If you take care of the excessive in-ground insect populations, the thrashers will stop bothering your plants. At least that is my experience.

When you receive the gun, GIVE IT A GOOD BARREL CLEANING, and once that is done, chrono your gun. You do not need to obsess over MV's; they are just like a "hearbeat", they will tell you the general health of the patient.

And when you test pellets, make sure to test lubed pellets also. Some shooters do not like to bother with lubing the pellets, but sometimes you find that a so-so pellet shoots REAL WELL when lubed.
Lubing will also add to your overall enjoyment because in the long run, a barrel that is shot with lubed pellets needs less deep cleanings; and to be honest, we ALL like to shoot more than we like cleaning.
Try Pledge, KryTech and T-9, all are "dry" lubes in the sense that you apply them as liquids, but they do dry out. You will not get "oily" fingers.

;-)

Congrats on your purchase, keep us posted, and Welcome to the DIANA family!







HM

[Rick67]

Jose sir, PM replied to.

You are actuallly quite near my  area, lol!

I am about a hundred meters away from Tres Volcanes Colloborative School.

Mr. Medina, reading your post gives me an idea what to do with mine--my springer will be arriving just about the same time as Joe's.

Good to hear there is another AG enthusiast near me, as this is my 3rd year in the US without having met one yet   .

[Mossonarock]

Nobody mentioned the differences between the safety levers on the two rifles. I have a HW97 and I don't like the safety at all. Its an oft over-looked feature and I didn't give it enough thought myself. I prefer the safety lever on DIANAs. I'm seriously thinking about getting a D48 or a 52 if I could find one. But I'm a small guy and weight matters. So, idk. My HW97 is very accurate but over-all I've been underwhelmed by the rifle. The other thing that bugs me about the HW97 is the ping that the spring in the cocking lever makes during the cocking and shooting cycles. Oh I hate that!

[triggerfest]

Yes, i prefer the Diana safety as well. It sits on a more natural and logic place.

Many Weihrauch airguns do have a ping or some buzz indeed, fortunately that doesn't impact the accuracy at all.

[DanD]

.... The other thing that bugs me about the HW97 is the ping that the spring in the cocking lever makes during the cocking and shooting cycles. Oh I hate that!

A drop or two of motor oil or whatever oil you have on hand will fix that. Just drop it around the button and work it in to the spring by pressing and releasing the button.