Unfired 430 Stutzen on the way!

[eyeguy74]

If you're intending to return the gun to the seller, I would not disassemble or mess with it any further...

Nope, this is as far as I plan to go. I may fire a single pellet through it, but that will be the extent of it.

[Mark 611]

Yep, that's a slam up of the cocking device for sure!

[eyeguy74]

Yep, that's a slam up of the cocking device for sure!

Going to reassemble it and take a shot. That's the only way I can assess anything else that could be a problem.
Wish me luck!!

[eyeguy74]

Reassembled and fired one pellet through it with no issues with cocking it or firing. The trigger is smooth and the cocking seemed to be fine. A little recoil and fairly quiet. I didn't feel any varying resistance along the pull of the lever and it locked the chamber open without issue to allow me to load the pellet. I don't have another rifle like this to compare it to, but everything feels right about it.
If the issue with the stock can be resolved, and the seller reimburses me and agrees to return some of the money I paid, I think I will be happy.

[Mark 611]

I think that's your best option! the stock can be fixed without a lot of expense, if all else is good? and if you want to keep the gun? that's the approach I would do! if the seller isn't willing to play along with an obvious damage before shipping which experts have looked at the action pix to see the damage prior to shipping then you have decide the fate of your money?  

[eyeguy74]

I think that's your best option! the stock can be fixed without a lot of expense, if all else is good? and if you want to keep the gun? that's the approach I would do! if the seller isn't willing to play along with an obvious damage before shipping which experts have looked at the action pix to see the damage prior to shipping then you have decide the fate of your money?

Right now, I think it's literally down to the seller. I'm going to assume a high of $200 to fix it. I'm not sure how much to ask for from what I paid for it. The price I paid was great, but what would it's actual value be had anyone had known about the damage? That's the part I have to try to figure out.

[Mark 611]

I have already set you these pix, this is a repaired stock, but you can still see the cracks from a barrel slamming up!

[eyeguy74]

I have already set you these pix, this is a repaired stock, but you can still see the cracks from a barrel slamming up!

Looks like a very good repair!!
It's a shame that it happened in the first place. From now on, I'll pay closer attention and ask for close up shots. I certainly learned a hard lesson with this one.

[Mark 611]

I don't know what you paid for the gun? but if you want to fix it right? it maybe more than $200 + dollars with shipping back and forth? my suggestion is to buy a counter sink wood bit and use a wood screw or dry wall screw and predrill a hole down through the wrist aera a tic smaller that the screw you're going to use about 3/4 of the length fill it with a good wood glue about halfway and seat the screw, this should pull the wood back together, but as you can see in the pix I have posted the crack will still be viable, just my thoughts

[eyeguy74]

I’ve thought about going down that road, but I think I’m more comfortable letting someone who’s done it a few times. As you can tell, my luck isn’t the best.

[HectorMedina]

OK, a few notes here:

1.- I have located a spare stock in Europe, but they want €380 for it (plus the financial cost and the freight, you are looking at a total of US$530-550 for the stock landed in the US.
2.- DIANA has not had time enough to answer, we need to give them at least a week. Europeans work at a different pace and we all need to understand that.
3.- Michael McKeown had already been suggested and yes, that would be MY choice. I also outlined to Wes, two different ways to repair the stock.
4.- There is special "wicking" CA by Loc-Tite, that does not age as bad as the normal CA's, it just needs the crack to be a LITTLE warm.
5.- Sorry to disagree, but I do NOT think the crack was caused by a flying lever, Wes' comments about the regularity of the screw holes would tend to support this theory, AND I've seen/suffered, lately, 5 different instances where cracks like these have occurred in rifle shipments, these are just 3 examples:







After dealing with the shipper EXTENSIVELY, I came to the conclusion that the problem is that ALL large carriers (USPS, UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.) are handling their packages in automated facilities where the transfer between major routes at depots is made by conveyor belts.
Conveyor belts that are several stories high, and move at relatively high speed.
The "ideal" situation for a long box to fly overboard, fall a couple dozen feet into a hard, concrete, floor.
If the box lands on one of the ends, there is a "ram" effect that simply shears off the stock at the weakest point (the pistol grip).
Notice the similarities of the breaks, and relatively "clean" snap.
All these shipments were made in double boxed, properly packed with bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts internal boxes that also had the OEM packing "blocks".

AND the carrier had the gall to send me a letter advising "better packing".   

It has gotten to the point where I now ship ALL guns in properly fitted hard cases (Yes, this is expensive, at $100 per pop, but it is "cheap insurance" in guns worth 6 to 20 times more), like this:


I also ship ALL guns FULLY insured and document how I packed them and shipped them. This helps a lot when filing a claim.

6.- I honestly cannot see the "fissures" in the original posting:


It IS a complicated issue and one that, even when solved will have repercussions on how Wes looks at the gun.
So, my comment here is that it would be best to have the stock repaired (whether Wes wants to do it, or he sends it out to someone else), and then fully internalize that this makes the the rifle a "war maiden", yes, it might not be as pristine as a princess, but she has gone through *(&^ and back and now has character.

;-)

A rifle with a story is ALWAYS more interesting than an "unfired, locked, zip-tied, safe queen, museum" piece. You feel liberated to use it and cherish it for what it is.

JMHO

Keep well and shoot straight!






HM

[eyeguy74]

Hector,
I like your outlook on the situation!
I feel like I got a great deal on an otherwise perfect rifle. With all the great advice I've received, I think I'm still breaking even at worst by having it repaired. When DIANA responds, that may change my entire outlook toward the better, but it certainly won't make matters any worse.
The first and only shot that I've fired was perfectly uneventful as well as the cocking process. Everything was exactly as you'd expect, given my limited experience with any underlever style rifle. Also, the comments about it being a war maiden are spot on as to my feelings about it as well. I'm always very careful with how I treat all my firearms, but if in the process of shooting or carrying it around it gets a ding or a scratch, I won't be as heartbroken.

Hector, I'll await your response from DIANA before moving forward, but either way, I think I'm pleasantly happy no matter where this road ends.
Thank you so much for your insight, your generosity, and your time with this situation. I owe you!!

[avator]

I once boxed up a scope to send to a new owner. I went to the UPS store to ship it. The young lady asked if I wanted to insure it. I asked her if she thought I needed to. She told me to push the box off the counter onto the concrete floor. When I declined to do that she said "yes, you need to buy insurance".   
I took the box home and repackaged it.

[eyeguy74]

That's a good determining factor for insurance!
I told the seller he could be in for a $200 repair, and he said to just let him know, but we'll see when it ultimately comes time to pay up!

[Mark 611]

I would also say if nothing else is a miss with the rifle and shows no signs of other damage I would not rule out shipping damage! the good thing about this is all of us came together to help this man come to a logical look at what may have happened?  and what can be done to fix the problem, GOOD JOB GENTLEMEN!!!!

[eyeguy74]

Very good job, indeed!!
The wealth of knowledge amongst this group is something I've rarely seen in the forums I've belonged to in many years on the web!
To say I'm humbled is an understatement.

[Yogi]

Very good job, indeed!!
The wealth of knowledge amongst this group is something I've rarely seen in the forums I've belonged to in many years on the web!
To say I'm humbled is an understatement.

    When Hector and M Driscoll comment we know we are in the deep end.

-Y

[HectorMedina]

Hector,
I like your outlook on the situation!
I feel like I got a great deal on an otherwise perfect rifle. With all the great advice I've received, I think I'm still breaking even at worst by having it repaired. When DIANA responds, that may change my entire outlook toward the better, but it certainly won't make matters any worse.
The first and only shot that I've fired was perfectly uneventful as well as the cocking process. Everything was exactly as you'd expect, given my limited experience with any underlever style rifle. Also, the comments about it being a war maiden are spot on as to my feelings about it as well. I'm always very careful with how I treat all my firearms, but if in the process of shooting or carrying it around it gets a ding or a scratch, I won't be as heartbroken.

Hector, I'll await your response from DIANA before moving forward, but either way, I think I'm pleasantly happy no matter where this road ends.
Thank you so much for your insight, your generosity, and your time with this situation. I owe you!!

Jess;

DIANA responded today:

"Dear Hector,

Sorry but the replacement stock of a DIANA 430 stutzen is not available anymore."


So, sorry, but we will not be able to get a replacement stock from DIANA.
I am still looking at one more possibility, but is is sort of a long shot and I am afraid to "jinx" it if I say too much about it, LOL!

The custom stock is still an option, yes, but that would still mean a $500'ish investment. There is a shop in OR that duplicates any stock, but you need to provide the wood. My estimates are based on a reasonable walnut blank and their duplication cost.
You would have to add the cost of checkering or stippling.

My MAIN worry is that the present "state of the crack" is precisely where most of the stress upon cocking goes.

I would, at least, put a bolt through the pistol grip in the correct angle for the curvature of the pistol grip, like this:





An oak dowel is a better reinforcement:



This stock has travelled tens of thousands of miles:



because it became this stock:



So, the method works well, and in YOUR case, where the stock has not yet separated, I am sure the repair would hardly be noticeable.

This is Mike McKeown's website:

https://www.airgunstocks.com/

Write to him, tell him I sent you and send the pictures we've all seen requesting a repair.

I am sure he will do a good job. The only thing you need to be careful to get agreed is the time, as he is a busy man.

Again, I am sorry that this happened to you. IF the "dark horse" idea pans out, I will let you know.

Do remember that the mods made to the 430L are also applicable to the 430, so a light piston will improve vastly the shot cycle. The full length stock already makes a good job at reducing the harmonics, as there are several contact points to dampen the vibrations.
You may want to read this when considering the steps AFTER the stock resolution:

https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/the-430l-a-semi-custom-powerplant-part-1

Keep well and shoot straight!





HM

[eyeguy74]

Hi Hector,

Thank you very much for getting back to me about the stock from DIANA.
I'll hold on to hope for your long shot chances, but will get in touch with Mike soon with pics and to get an estimate. I've learned over time that you can't rush perfection or a busy man. You just have to wait calmly to get the desired results.
As far as a custom stock goes, I'm not going to rule that out either, although it may happen further down the road. Personally, I admire a good checkering or engraving job, but I'm perfectly content with a smooth stock.
In regards to Mike's work, if he finds that things would be easier to go through the grip, I may ask him to add a piece of walnut to the bottom with a white spacer in between to add an aesthetic touch.
When I cocked the rifle the other day, I was pleasantly surprised with the cocking effort. It really didn't seem so bad to me, so I'm content with that aspect.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for your long shot, but won't be disappointed either way.

I can't begin to thank you enough for the lengths you've gone to help a stranger in a new hobby. I hope one day to be able to repay you!

[Mark 611]

JMO. I would be testing the accuracy of that rifle before investing a lot of money into it!