AusVarmint

I want to get an air rifle, it will be used by my kids also.so I'm thinking synthetic stock, light weight, open sights and easy to cock.
It will be used mainly for plinking and maybe the odd myna bird or toad.
I saw a Diana 11 at the shop yesterday for $150 but I'm not sure it they are complete garbage. I'm really not sure what I am looking at.

Thank you for any help

Tim


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Hi Tim

That particular rifle is one of the few I haven't played with.

There are two that I would suggest; Diana 21 Panther and Weihrauch HW30. Both in 177. Unless you can work on triggers, I strongly recommend the HW30 which has the reknowned Rekord trigger. Out of the box it is probably the best value for money low powered rifle. I think they currently retail at around $300 & $450 respectively but could be wrong. I'm sure MattW can correct me and will.

I currently run a 21 with a tuned T05 trigger. Had heaps of fun last night pinging rats out of my fig trees using a green LED torch. I love my figs but like shooting them rats even more. This rifle is tuned at 4.5 fpe and does the job very admirably.

If you're after something the kids can grow into as well, the Weihrauch HW50 also in 177. It's the 30s bigger brother. I'm expecting mine in April/May.

Steer well away from the Spanish and Turkish variety; Gamo, Hatsan, Norica, some BSA (subsidiary of Gamo), Kral, Pardus, Webley .............. And do not fall into the trap of buying an air rifle because "it is powerful with high muzzle velocity". Accuracy is everything in air gunning. If you want power, go powder burning. Well, large calibre air rifles are available but are just as loud and more expensive to run than a 22LR. Horses for courses.

I hope that helped. Feel free to PM.

Thanks very much for your insight, I'll do the ring around tomorrow and see availability of a HW30. The Gun World website has the Diana 21 Panther for less than $150.

Tim


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+1 for the Rekord trigger .

Not having much luck finding a HW30s in .177. I was told there is none in stock and the next shipment is only due mid year.

Tim


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They're in the same shipment as my HW50. Trust me Timmo, it's worth the wait.

Druid, who is also a member of this forum, placed a special order for a HW77 SE in Laminated stock and 20cal a few years back. He waited about 12 months for his baby. Won't part with it now and uses it to shoot FT comps at National level.

How much work was the diana 21 Geoff?

Careful Tim Geoff is very good and helping find some gold!

Is the 21 easy to cock?

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Ryan, for a handyman like your good self, 10 minutes. It was a heavy 2 stage T05 unit.

Took 1.5 coils off the second stage spring and replace the first stage spring with a BIC spring, or was it a Biro. I forget. You may need a bit of Superglue to hold the slightly shortened spring in place.

I ended up sleeving the piston as well.

Dare I say? It now feels better than any of my Records and is closer to what my Goldstar was.

Alas, the GS now lives with its new owners. Naomi and Eamon from the Canberra AR club. being put to good use.

Thks Geoff. Found one last night for 150 second hand. Thinking as Timmo something cheap and for the kids to get started. Figure at around 500fps is all we need.

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Thanks guys. I wonder why the price of the Diana 21 panther has dropped so much and if the quality has dropped along with the price.

Thanks again
Tim


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Yeah i don't know Tim. This one was second hand. I see new they vary 250 to 400ish.

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Just got a price of $128 for the Diana 21 from shooters delight. Apparently Noia have dropped their price.

Tim


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Is that new? Shizer

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Yes new, Gun World was the same price and The Barn was $140

Tim


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Timmo that is very cheap for a plinker for kids. Hmmm

So Geoff how easy is it for handy bloke to clean up the sping piston and seal on these? Just need a spring compressor?

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