Diana 280 495 fps Non-PAL Version

lanshoka

lanshoka

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Hi..

I've purchased 3 Diana air rifles since April of last year. A Model 48 in .22, a Model 350 Magnum in .177, and most recently a model 280 in .177 calibre. All were bought new and the purchase of the first two required me to show my PAL.

I'm quite pleased with the Models 48 and the 350 as far as performance but I'm disappointed with the non PAL version of the 280. I should have bought the PAL version.

It seems to be severely lacking in power. I can see the pellet as it travels through the air to the target. The only advantage it has over the other two is that it is quiet.

Is it possible to purchase an upgrade kit to increase my 280's power to that of the PAL required version? What other tuning is required?

Any help you can give me is much appreciated. I would simply return the rifle to the store but I don't want to do that unless I have to.

Thanks.
Jim.
 
You will also find the 350 /.177very pellet fussy and hold sensitive.I had one and should have bought the .22 version. I sold it to a guy that actually killed a full grown coyote with it. You have to use heavy for caliber pellets in that one like Kodiaks and Crosman's heavies.A tune kit is a must.........Harold
 
You can ask if you can exchange it for a PAL version, which in a D 280 in .177 is about 800 fps. Airgun dealers, however, are reluctant to exchange as the returned item becomes "used". Ask if they will install a more powerful spring for you, or if you are handy you might do the job yourself. Contact the dealer for a more powerful factory spring. If you didn't buy from a dealer, check with D&L Airguns, Airgun Source, and the Canadian Airgun Forum Store http://www.airgunforum.ca/store/index.php (send Dan an email to see if he has the spring in stock).
 
Try maccari springs for an equivalent. I think a HW30 type spring will work.
http://www.airrifleheadquarters.com/catalog/item/251488/2322114.htm
Or vortex has the proper spring for a 280
http://vortekproducts.com/ourstore/airgun%20Springs/OEM%20Springs?product_id=235

Be aware that you may have to replace the piston as well, as I heard the Canadian detuned version has a different piston
 
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I agree with what the others have said before me.
I'd try the Canadian dealers for a full power spring. I see D&L sells the 280, perhaps they may have one. I don't know who else sells the 280.
If the Canadian dealers can't find one, I've used airgunspares in the UK to find hard to find parts.
Maccari might be an option - he has a spring matching service but you need to know the exact dimenions of the full power spring.
I've not had the 280 (don't know if piston modification was involved), but did own a reduced power Diana 24 (with weaker spring). It was underpowered and lobbed the pellet as you said, but also the slow pison speed made for a very sluggish firing cycle. That particular gun also had a really tight fitting piston seal which didn't help matters. Even if you don't get the 10/10 full power spring, a stronger one may help and I'd check if your seal fit is too tight (assuming you disassemble the gun yourself). My general preference on guns of that power level or higher is to go with a softer spring anyways for easier cocking and nicer firing cycle - but too soft can be problematic!
 
Contact Dan at the Canadian Airgun Forum Store. http://www.airgunforum.ca/store/ If you order from this place, don't be alarmed at the shipping shown on the site as it's the "default" shipping price. Send Dan an email with your question and ask for a shipping price.

Another place to enquire about a spring is Scopes and Ammo, which has a lot of parts, including Diana springs, in stock. http://scopesandammo.com/ Send Eric at S&A an email with your question.
 
airgun forum store has full power springs for the 280, I got one from Vortec in the states for less I think. As far as the 24 or 240 they can't be made into 12fpe guns because the compression chamber is too small. My 280 is a .177 and depending on which pellet I used JSB or H&N FTT it shot very very close to the 500fps rating. They are rated for below 500 using H&N 10.65gr Barracudas so if that tells you anything also the JSBs and H&N FTTs were faster than lighter Crosmans and others I tried.
I love my 280 its very accurate right out to 50yds, my best group was 5 in a dime at 45yds
 
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