Diana 280 .177

Rellum

Rellum

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Recently bought a Diana 280 in .177 flavour off the sales forum here
I’ve given it a quick spruce up and strip down & lube and found everything inside spot on I’m no fan or lover of the Hw95 especially in .177 so saw this rifle and thought why not? I’ve heard loads about the Diana’s trigger T06 ? I’ve found the one on this rifle excellent so it’s been left well alone and it’s lovely to use.
This Diana is also lighter than an HW95k and slimmer now the bad news I’m not too impressed with the trigger guard it’s either plastic or some maztec crushed recycled alloy either way it feels cheap and nasty same with the safety made from the same material.The barrel on this one is super accurate with good lock up as I’ve found on most Mayer and Grammelspacher rifles that I’ve owned this ones no exception. Not pellet fussy either I’ve tried various pellets inc all the usual suspects and found most group very well.
All in all a very underrated rifle that I’m pleased with now I’ve got it how I like it 👍👍
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Dianas beat Weihrauchs fair and square in general performance, if you ask me. The plastic trigger guard etc. tend to create momentuous teeth gnashing among the shooter community, but I have never had any problems with those unholy parts in my many Dianas, or even heard of any problems with 'em, so the proof's in the pudding.
 
Rellum said:
Recently bought a Diana 280 in .177 flavour off the sales forum here
I’ve given it a quick spruce up and strip down & lube and found everything inside spot on I’m no fan or lover of the Hw95 especially in .177 so saw this rifle and thought why not? I’ve heard loads about the Diana’s trigger T06 ? I’ve found the one on this rifle excellent so it’s been left well alone and it’s lovely to use.
This Diana is also lighter than an HW95k and slimmer now the bad news I’m not too impressed with the trigger guard it’s either plastic or some maztec crushed recycled alloy either way it feels cheap and nasty same with the safety made from the same material.The barrel on this one is super accurate with good lock up as I’ve found on most Mayer and Grammelspacher rifles that I’ve owned this ones no exception. Not pellet fussy either I’ve tried various pellets inc all the usual suspects and found most group very well.
All in all a very underrated rifle that I’m pleased with now I’ve got it how I like it 👍👍View attachment 599994View attachment 599995View attachment 599996View attachment 599997View attachment 599998
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Well done on buying that. It stopped me buying it :ROFLMAO:

I like the 280 and have owned 3 or 4 of them
Very accurate when set up well

The T06, I find, generally has a really long first stage, which is difficult to dial out. One of my 280's was fitted with longer adjustment screws which meant trigger adjustment was easier to get how I wanted it.

The 280 pistons, can sometimes be slightly oval, just behind the piston seal. It's caused by how the crimp the piston head onto the piston body. Easy enough to dress out, if you have that problem

Very pointable and slim, as you say and if they're right, they're a match for anything out of the HW lineup

They did produce a carbine version at one point. Oddly, made in 2 barrel diameters (15 and 16mm).
 
robs5230 said:
Well done on buying that. It stopped me buying it :ROFLMAO:

I like the 280 and have owned 3 or 4 of them
Very accurate when set up well

The T06, I find, generally has a really long first stage, which is difficult to dial out. One of my 280's was fitted with longer adjustment screws which meant trigger adjustment was easier to get how I wanted it.

The 280 pistons, can sometimes be slightly oval, just behind the piston seal. It's caused by how the crimp the piston head onto the piston body. Easy enough to dress out, if you have that problem

Very pointable and slim, as you say and if they're right, they're a match for anything out of the HW lineup

They did produce a carbine version at one point. Oddly, made in 2 barrel diameters (15 and 16mm).
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This one’s been carbined Rob don’t know by whom but it’s been done nice/right and fitted with one of Hal’s mods Nice and pointable I’m well pleased with it As you say quite correctly a match for any of the HW line up suspects once set up correctly Glad you didn’t buy it I did my research before I did Trigger on this one is nice and crisp 👍👍
 
Rellum said:
This one’s been carbined Rob don’t know by whom but it’s been done nice/right and fitted with one of Hal’s mods Nice and pointable I’m well pleased with it As you say quite correctly a match for any of the HW line up suspects once set up correctly Glad you didn’t buy it I did my research before I did Trigger on this one is nice and crisp 👍👍
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I was waiting for confirmation of actual barrel length, which the seller never came back on
My loss, your gain
 
I picked up a 280k some years ago and i have to say its a cracker. Easily a match for my 99s but as the 280 is in .177 and the 99s is in .22 its not a level playing field really. But in general handling characteristics i would say the 280 edges things. Certainly whilst both are accurate guns i have to work less with the 280 to achieve that.
How effective is the mod on yours? Thats the only downside with this 280k it has quite a bark. But its so compact i would hate to lengthen it.
Dave
 
jonnyone said:
I picked up a 280k some years ago and i have to say its a cracker. Easily a match for my 99s but as the 280 is in .177 and the 99s is in .22 its not a level playing field really. But in general handling characteristics i would say the 280 edges things. Certainly whilst both are accurate guns i have to work less with the 280 to achieve that.
How effective is the mod on yours? Thats the only downside with this 280k it has quite a bark. But its so compact i would hate to lengthen it.
Dave
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One of Hal’s silencers it’s great and super quiet Custom made for this rifle I’m happy with it ideal for back yard garden shooting 👍👍
 
Got a 48,and recently picked up a 430L which is great to handle,and super accurate,as said as good as the HW's
 
bill57 said:
bought a 280 new, it was the most poorly made gun I ever bought. I sent it straight back for a refund, not replacement.
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Sorry to hear that 😕, my Diana's are all older ones and are excellent build quality, maybe standards have slipped on the more modern ones.
 
robs5230 said:
Well done on buying that. It stopped me buying it :ROFLMAO:

I like the 280 and have owned 3 or 4 of them
Very accurate when set up well

The T06, I find, generally has a really long first stage, which is difficult to dial out. One of my 280's was fitted with longer adjustment screws which meant trigger adjustment was easier to get how I wanted it.

The 280 pistons, can sometimes be slightly oval, just behind the piston seal. It's caused by how the crimp the piston head onto the piston body. Easy enough to dress out, if you have that problem

Very pointable and slim, as you say and if they're right, they're a match for anything out of the HW lineup

They did produce a carbine version at one point. Oddly, made in 2 barrel diameters (15 and 16mm).
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The T06 long pull issue is easily resolved. If the small flat in front of the trigger is drilled and tapped 3mm and a locking screw and nut inserted most of the slack can be taken up with the screw. It transforms the trigger from mediocre to excellent.
As to the trigger guard, what does it matter what it is made from, it works as the one on my 1994 48/50 has done for years without any problem.
 
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Splitpin said:
Sorry to hear that 😕, my Diana's are all older ones and are excellent build quality, maybe standards have slipped on the more modern ones.
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They are now part of GSG ( German Sport Guns, also the same reason they now have a Diana .22lr ) , If it has been made since GSG took them over , things may have changed quality and where it is made .

Some were made in Malaysia and Bulgaria .

You can see on their website . Some are advertised as Made in Germany but the others don't say where they are made .
 
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