Diana 54 Diopter, Globe, And Inserts?

[DevilsLuck]

I recently purchased a Diana 54. It’s been really impressive so far. However I found the factory open sights somewhat lacking.
On an attempt to improve on this shortcoming I installed a Daisy 5899 peep sight. It was a dramatic improvement over the factory rear, though not quite perfect.

It would work even better if not for the rather wide front post, and the addition of a front hood would also enhance repeatable alignment. I notice that the factory front sight has notches that appear to be designed to accommodate a front hood. Yet I cannot find an example of such. Do any of you know of one? And/or where to get one?

Further down this rabbit hole... I have a Diana front sight globe, with pointed insert, from a Diana 350, however I do not have the front sight base. Though I don’t think it would matter if I did. The barrel ODs are different between the two. Which brings to mind more questions. Does Diana offer additional/different front sight inserts for their front globe sight? It seems like they would. Why go to all the trouble to make a rather complicated front sight (compared to a simple front post) with interchangeable inserts, only to offer a single style of insert. Do they make a front sight base for the 54/48 series that can accommodate the Diana front globe sight? As you can see in the pic if I can get it to load; the factory front sight base is ramped. As such it cannot accommodate the Diana globe sight I have.

I’m really happy with the results of changing my rear sight to the diopter style. So I also want to know if there is a better rear diopter more optimized to the 54?

Lots of questions, I know. But long story short... What are the best options for front, and rear sights; to go from notch, and blade, to diopter rear, and globed front with inserts?

[Hoosier Daddy]

Here is a 10 year old write up, but maybe it will help.
 https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2010/02/mounting-a-globe-front-sight-on-an-rws-485254/

[DevilsLuck]

Here is a 10 year old write up, but maybe it will help.
 https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2010/02/mounting-a-globe-front-sight-on-an-rws-485254/

A very interesting read. Thank you for the link. A couple things stood out. The front sight base referenced was said to only accommodate the T05, and would not work on the T01. But made no mention of the T06 at all. I suspect that maybe the T06 hadn’t hit the scene yet. Another point the article stated was that there were only a limited number of these sights, or was it the bases..? Or both..? Hmmm... And that when they were gone, they were gone. Being that this article is as old as it is; I’d wager these were gone long ago.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Might be worth reaching out to the contact mentioned, or at least more fuel to the search terms. 

[fwbsport]

I think the sights on the D54 are a throw back because it's meant to be scoped.

[truck driver]

Here is a 10 year old write up, but maybe it will help.
 https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2010/02/mounting-a-globe-front-sight-on-an-rws-485254/

A very interesting read. Thank you for the link. A couple things stood out. The front sight base referenced was said to only accommodate the T05, and would not work on the T01. But made no mention of the T06 at all. I suspect that maybe the T06 hadn’t hit the scene yet. Another point the article stated was that there were only a limited number of these sights, or was it the bases..? Or both..? Hmmm... And that when they were gone, they were gone. Being that this article is as old as it is; I’d wager these were gone long ago.

I don't want to argue or cause a disturbance but not all TO1 D54s have a cut dove tail for the front sight shroud. Mine was made just before the TO5 version came out and is also one that was made before a plant relocation and it has the ramp cut into the barrel for the current Diana front sight.
Mine also shares other upgrades or differences with the TO5 and TO6 guns such as the rubber mounting washers.
The birth data for mine is 01 08 which would be January of 2008.

[DevilsLuck]

Here is a 10 year old write up, but maybe it will help.
 https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2010/02/mounting-a-globe-front-sight-on-an-rws-485254/

A very interesting read. Thank you for the link. A couple things stood out. The front sight base referenced was said to only accommodate the T05, and would not work on the T01. But made no mention of the T06 at all. I suspect that maybe the T06 hadn’t hit the scene yet. Another point the article stated was that there were only a limited number of these sights, or was it the bases..? Or both..? Hmmm... And that when they were gone, they were gone. Being that this article is as old as it is; I’d wager these were gone long ago.

I don't want to argue or cause a disturbance but not all TO1 D54s have a cut dove tail for the front sight shroud. Mine was made just before the TO5 version came out and is also one that was made before a plant relocation and it has the ramp cut into the barrel for the current Diana front sight.
Mine also shares other upgrades or differences with the TO5 and TO6 guns such as the rubber mounting washers.
The birth data for mine is 01 08 which would be January of 2008.

That’s good info to know. To know that there is some overlap if you will... This is my newest addition to my addiction, so no trivia, is trivial. Thank you for taking the time to respond. It seems there is a somewhat small pool of owners with which to discuss the minutae of this particular rifle with.

[DevilsLuck]

Bumping the thread. Still looking for solutions/answers. Hopefully Hector will see this thread...

[Yogi]

Bumping the thread. Still looking for solutions/answers. Hopefully Hector will see this thread...

Or send him a PM.

-Y

[Jeff Marshall]

Here is a 10 year old write up, but maybe it will help.
 https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2010/02/mounting-a-globe-front-sight-on-an-rws-485254/

A very interesting read. Thank you for the link. A couple things stood out. The front sight base referenced was said to only accommodate the T05, and would not work on the T01. But made no mention of the T06 at all. I suspect that maybe the T06 hadn’t hit the scene yet. Another point the article stated was that there were only a limited number of these sights, or was it the bases..? Or both..? Hmmm... And that when they were gone, they were gone. Being that this article is as old as it is; I’d wager these were gone long ago.

I don't want to argue or cause a disturbance but not all TO1 D54s have a cut dove tail for the front sight shroud. Mine was made just before the TO5 version came out and is also one that was made before a plant relocation and it has the ramp cut into the barrel for the current Diana front sight.
Mine also shares other upgrades or differences with the TO5 and TO6 guns such as the rubber mounting washers.
The birth data for mine is 01 08 which would be January of 2008.

Sir, I'm really surprised that your gun marked 01 08 has a T01 trigger. On the Dianawerk forum we decided that the the T01 started being phased out sometime in 2000, and we found no guns with a T01 after 2002. Have you looked at your date code under magnification?

This is really making me scratch my head and go Hmmmmm!

[HectorMedina]

Bumping the thread. Still looking for solutions/answers. Hopefully Hector will see this thread...

Or send him a PM.

-Y

Hector already answered the PM, but since it seems to be a recurrent question, here is a link to the gamut of options I have used in the past:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=133394.msg1327419#msg1327419

Sadly, some of the options are no longer available, or are now in the "rare piece" category.

I was testing today the DIANA 34 EMS and I am happy to say that different front sights and rear sights will be available. A good gunsmith should be able to make those fit the 54.

And changing the barrel takes all of 20 minutes, even going step by step. With practice, you can do it in about 7 minutes.

I also like the fact that you can go from NTec to steel spring and back with no other changes.

And that the cocking linkage is hinged, so you do not need to remove the pin between linkage & block to take out all the innards.

Real easy gun to work in.

I still need to suggest a few improvements that may or may not happen but this is going to be one interesting week.

Keep well and shoot straight!






HM

[HectorMedina]

Sir, I'm really surprised that your gun marked 01 08 has a T01 trigger. On the Dianawerk forum we decided that the the T01 started being phased out sometime in 2000, and we found no guns with a T01 after 2002. Have you looked at your date code under magnification?

This is really making me scratch my head and go Hmmmmm!

Jeff, there is still another possibility:
Someone bought an '08 rifle, extracted the T-05/T06 piston and trigger, moved it to an old gun (for whatever reason), and then sold the new gun with the old trigger-piston set. Pretty easy changeover.
The ONLY way of checking this is to compare the lengths of the guns from Barrel Block to the center of the two action closing pins.

[DevilsLuck]

Bumping the thread. Still looking for solutions/answers. Hopefully Hector will see this thread...

Or send him a PM.

-Y

Hector already answered the PM, but since it seems to be a recurrent question, here is a link to the gamut of options I have used in the past:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=133394.msg1327419#msg1327419

Sadly, some of the options are no longer available, or are now in the "rare piece" category.

I was testing today the DIANA 34 EMS and I am happy to say that different front sights and rear sights will be available. A good gunsmith should be able to make those fit the 54.

And changing the barrel takes all of 20 minutes, even going step by step. With practice, you can do it in about 7 minutes.

I also like the fact that you can go from NTec to steel spring and back with no other changes.

And that the cocking linkage is hinged, so you do not need to remove the pin between linkage & block to take out all the innards.

Real easy gun to work in.

I still need to suggest a few improvements that may or may not happen but this is going to be one interesting week.

Keep well and shoot straight!






HM

Thanks for the info. It looks like my front sight has a date with the gunsmith.

[truck driver]

Here is a 10 year old write up, but maybe it will help.
 https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2010/02/mounting-a-globe-front-sight-on-an-rws-485254/

A very interesting read. Thank you for the link. A couple things stood out. The front sight base referenced was said to only accommodate the T05, and would not work on the T01. But made no mention of the T06 at all. I suspect that maybe the T06 hadn’t hit the scene yet. Another point the article stated was that there were only a limited number of these sights, or was it the bases..? Or both..? Hmmm... And that when they were gone, they were gone. Being that this article is as old as it is; I’d wager these were gone long ago.

I don't want to argue or cause a disturbance but not all TO1 D54s have a cut dove tail for the front sight shroud. Mine was made just before the TO5 version came out and is also one that was made before a plant relocation and it has the ramp cut into the barrel for the current Diana front sight.
Mine also shares other upgrades or differences with the TO5 and TO6 guns such as the rubber mounting washers.
The birth data for mine is 01 08 which would be January of 2008.

Sir, I'm really surprised that your gun marked 01 08 has a T01 trigger. On the Dianawerk forum we decided that the the T01 started being phased out sometime in 2000, and we found no guns with a T01 after 2002. Have you looked at your date code under magnification?

This is really making me scratch my head and go Hmmmmm!

Gee sorry for the confusion but it seems I transposed the numbers and the winner is 08 01  Aug 2001 probably one of the last ones assembled with the TO1 trigger group.

[dwalk]

i have a RWS /Diana model 54 made in 2015.

i explored ways and means on how to put a "Hood" on the front sight, or replace it with one some what akin to the HW style front sight. here's what i came up with an as an alternative.

i used a pin from an old bow sight. it allows a lot of height adjustment between the threaded blade and the sliding ramp. I use a Williams rear peep along with it.

[DevilsLuck]

i have a RWS /Diana model 54 made in 2015.

i explored ways and means on how to put a "Hood" on the front sight, or replace it with one some what akin to the HW style front sight. here's what i came up with an as an alternative.

i used a pin from an old bow sight. it allows a lot of height adjustment between the threaded blade and the sliding ramp. I use a Williams rear peep along with it.

I myself have settled on taking my front sight to a smith, and having it dovetailed to accommodate a Lyman globe front. For now the Daisy rear diopter is working very well; but up next is the Williams rear.

[Yogi]

i have a RWS /Diana model 54 made in 2015.

i explored ways and means on how to put a "Hood" on the front sight, or replace it with one some what akin to the HW style front sight. here's what i came up with an as an alternative.

i used a pin from an old bow sight. it allows a lot of height adjustment between the threaded blade and the sliding ramp. I use a Williams rear peep along with it.

I myself have settled on taking my front sight to a smith, and having it dovetailed to accommodate a Lyman globe front. For now the Daisy rear diopter is working very well; but up next is the Williams rear.

Not sure the William's will be an upgrade?  It will look nice though........

-Y

[DevilsLuck]

i have a RWS /Diana model 54 made in 2015.

i explored ways and means on how to put a "Hood" on the front sight, or replace it with one some what akin to the HW style front sight. here's what i came up with an as an alternative.

i used a pin from an old bow sight. it allows a lot of height adjustment between the threaded blade and the sliding ramp. I use a Williams rear peep along with it.

I myself have settled on taking my front sight to a smith, and having it dovetailed to accommodate a Lyman globe front. For now the Daisy rear diopter is working very well; but up next is the Williams rear.

Not sure the William's will be an upgrade?  It will look nice though........

-Y

While the Williams will come after the Lyman... I have had to reposition the Daisy diopter twice now. I’m hoping the Williams will offer better purchase on the rail, This rear sight was never meant to be subjected to this kind of recoil...