We all love German springers, but...

[splitbeing]

There's a Diana side lever up for $300 in the classifieds now.

[Methuselah]

What I didn't see is much talk about the consideration of "non-gun" related issues.

I've never seen an fwb or hw, but I have a d34. At the time it could have just as easily been a Benjamin 397 for $80 in 2015. Regretted that choce ever since.

Diana CHOSE to maintain a relationship with RWS, which from what I understand never cared much for integrity or honor where warranty is concerned. I've brought that up directly with Diana and they don't even care enough to respond.

And the gun? My Daisy 880 has been far less of a problem, but at least Daisy had the integrity to honor a warranty.

Nothing but nightmare stories online when there's a problem with a Diana airgun. Not to take anything away from those of you who didn't have issues, or worked on them yourself, but I associate Diana with products better left alone. From what I've read, that does not seem to be the case with hw.

So switch to HW, heck, switch to Daisy for that matter. Better quality, better accuracy, and they don't ignore you if there's a warranty issue.

Just my $.02

[SpiralGroove]

Yeah, I never thought of warranty issues much before.
For better or worse, I'm the warranty .

[Mark 611]

Same here Kirk, I'm my own warranty repair man! as long as a gun is good out of the box? I can fix any issues that that may a raise. which is why?
people like us try to speak out with our knowledge and experience of owing air guns and working on and tuning them, we see the good bad and the ugly of them, to know where our money is best spent when buying these rifles for our enjoyment

[SpiralGroove]

Same here Kirk, I'm my own warranty repair man! as long as a gun is good out of the box? I can fix any issues that that may a raise. which is why?
people like us try to speak out with our knowledge and experience of owing air guns and working on and tuning them, we see the good bad and the ugly of them, to know where our money is best spent when buying these rifles for our enjoyment

You know Mark,
I can understand why old farts like us have slowed down on our GTA posting .
In many cases, I feel like I'm talking to my 18 year old Son - who has no idea, even though he has good/honorable intentions.

They don't understand and we grow inpatient - sometimes a food fight ensues.

[avator]

Same here Kirk, I'm my own warranty repair man! as long as a gun is good out of the box? I can fix any issues that that may a raise. which is why?
people like us try to speak out with our knowledge and experience of owing air guns and working on and tuning them, we see the good bad and the ugly of them, to know where our money is best spent when buying these rifles for our enjoyment

You know Mark,
I can understand why old farts like us have slowed down on our GTA posting .
In many cases, I feel like I'm talking to my 18 year old Son - who has no idea, even though he has good/honorable intentions.

They don't understand and we grow inpatient - sometimes a food fight ensues.

I don't think those characteristics are restricted entirely to the youngers.   

[SpiralGroove]

Yeah Avator,
As a Policemen of the GTA Republic, I'm sure you're painfully aware of this .

[splitbeing]

GTA is the best go to for help fixing stuff yourself. And with Diana stuff, we have Hector to help as liaison expert too.

Thankfully, that's the case as I agree with and have experienced the RWS "warranty" demoralization.

Side question, what does warranty with HW guns look like? Brooke's gun is an r7 I got here in the classifieds and I recently got a p1 (that is awesome btw) here. Neither of these are warranty items given how I got them. I have no idea what the HW warranty situation is... or the rebranded Beeman HW situation is.

I ask out of curiosity. I also think about getting an HW 50 down the line now and then as the r7 was too small for me but a 50 might be just right. My Diana EMS is a joy and so I might not ever pull the trigger on a 50, but I also might eventually.

[SpiralGroove]

Yes, Diana folks should be very THANKFUL for Hector Medina's excellent GTA contributions .

From Weihrauch's website:
Weihrauch warranty is 1 year from date of purchase. We cannot accept repairs direct. Please contact your local dealer who will send us the gun on your behalf.

This likely does not cover 2nd party purchases within the first year ..... just guessing.

https://weihrauch.co.uk/contact-us

[avator]

Yeah Avator,
As a Policemen of the GTA Republic, I'm sure you're painfully aware of this .

Painfully is a good word choice.   
However I'm not sure Republic fits.
"a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch."

[Thumpa]

I took delivery of a new D460 (.177) just before Christmas, my first and only Diana.
I also own a HW77k (.22) and a HW97k (.177), both of which were 2nd hand when I purchased them, but in very good to excellent condition.
I have to agree with the OP, for me the Weihrauch's feel like the next step up.  I haven't chronographed the D460 yet but I feel like it is performing at the standard one would expect from this rifle.  Some spring twang is there but it's not too bad.  The wood work is good but it feels a little flimsy in certain places.  For example there's not much wood between the receiver and the cocking lock and that area definitely feels like a weak point. The HWs on the other hand feel absolutely rock solid in every way.

Price wise the D460 is about 25% cheaper than a HW97 here in Aus.  For me I feel the step up in quality is worth the extra money, but not everyone will feel the same way.  Functionally, the D460 is a fine rifle and I will get a lot of enjoyment out of it, but the Weihrauch's are better IMO and my favourite is the HW77.

[Crowman]

About two years ago I received a HW97 and the cocking arm bearing release was frozen. It was fixed so fast under warranty. I hardly noticed it missing.
As far as which rifle is best. Just take both makes and do a tune to both. I’m no expert, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure which has the better parts. Crow

[SpiralGroove]

About two years ago I received a HW97 and the cocking arm bearing release was frozen. It was fixed so fast under warranty. I hardly noticed it missing.
As far as which rifle is best. Just take both makes and do a tune to both. I’m no expert, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure which has the better parts. Crow

Hey Crow,
Never owned a Diana, but some visible parts are plastic, not sure how many more are. 
Weihrauch has been using nylon/delrin spring guides for awhile now - they work well and are an upgrade from the metal (split) ones.
The newer, metal spring guide of the HW80S give the piston more momentum.........

[triggerfest]

So what ?

A Glock, one of the most used service pistols, is fully build out of 'plastic'.

Synthetic or not, is not the question anymore as long as the synthetic or plastic parts are of good quality. From experience I can say that the Diana synthetic parts are of good quality / industry grade quality.

There is a benefit as well. And that is weight savings. The reason I have sold my 2x HW97k's has been their weight (and I am a tall, pretty strong guy).

I still own my Diana's. And they're built to last too.

[SpiralGroove]

Yeah Trigger,
I sold my HW77/HW97 because they were just too heavy & fiddly -> beautiful guns though .
Keep in mind, the very best Diana's substantially out-weigh the HW77/HW97 (were talking D54/D56).
The D48/D460 and D350 are at most 8 ounces less.

Everything else is hand crafted in China ..............

[splitbeing]

The diana ems changed my mind about synthetic stocks.

[Yogi]

FWIW-Diana's resettable safety is worlds better than Weihrauch's side nob.

-Y

[SpiralGroove]

FWIW-Diana's re-settable safety is worlds better than Weihrauch's side nob.
-Y

Yeah, I haven't had to de-cock my Weihrauch's very often .
However, I've had many, many, many would be bulls-eyes interrupted by that darn safety .

[Crowman]

For nearly two years I shoot 1-2hours daily. I can’t ever remember trying to reset my safety. I turn off safety before I shoot and it’s over.
Today I shot my 350 mag. .22 cal. I name my springers and write down in bible, the name, “Killer”. It hits like a freight train with excellent accuracy. Doesn’t make it my favorite but I like it.
I have to make a confession. I put delron muzzle ends on my break barrels. They were made by SpiralGroove and I must say a quality product. In Canada silencers are illegal but I love the looks. What sells me is tomorrow it’s going to be 12F. and as long as there’s no wind I’ll shoot. Hanging on to the barrel is murder in the cold. The muzzle ends save the day, big time.
I have a few Diana’s that have such a cheap looking muzzle end. It’s simply embarrassing. They should get in contact with SpiralGroove. Crow

[Denby95]

For nearly two years I shoot 1-2hours daily. I can’t ever remember trying to reset my safety. I turn off safety before I shoot and it’s over.
Today I shot my 350 mag. .22 cal. I name my springers and write down in bible, the name, “Killer”. It hits like a freight train with excellent accuracy. Doesn’t make it my favorite but I like it.
I have to make a confession. I put delron muzzle ends on my break barrels. They were made by SpiralGroove and I must say a quality product. In Canada silencers are illegal but I love the looks. What sells me is tomorrow it’s going to be 12F. and as long as there’s no wind I’ll shoot. Hanging on to the barrel is murder in the cold. The muzzle ends save the day, big time.
I have a few Diana’s that have such a cheap looking muzzle end. It’s simply embarrassing. They should get in contact with SpiralGroove. Crow

Could you share some photos of these? Would be interested to see them