Well last evening I found a 36 Diana, that the seller claimed was in Very Good Conditions. But with the pics he sent I really couldn't tell how good VERY GOOD was. But by chance he was only 45 minutes away. So I dickered a price with him if it was he stated. I aint sure but think I found good one, and cheaper than I can buy a new one.
Oh and he had a front sight set for it as well. The sights are hardly ever with these old guns that I've seen. But at 9:30pm I loaded Carter man, my trusty side kick in the truck.
Then we headed his way. I'm pretty glad I made this trip, and even happier I broke my no more springer comment! If he didn't tell me had shot it, I would have believed him. This gun is not Very Good, it is MINT! I could not even tell a scope had ever been put on it.
I mean this rifle is so close to new condition, I broke out the Canon 1D-X and my favorite 24-70 lens to get pictures. 1993 build date with the old T01 trigger, and the Diana emblem and Model 36 stamped receiver. I threw the old RWS 4x36 non AO scope on it and did some chronographing. I sighted in with Crow Magnums, a pellet that has always just shot so so in my other springers. But at 820.4 fps average after 10 shots, I decided to shoot ten more in the same group. I flyer in the first 10 on shot 3 I had to see if it was just the scope setteling down. Well for about 15 or 16 shots I thought it was, then another fllyer. But for 20 shots at 20 yards, From an old rifle that has hardly ever seen a pellet. I'm pretty stoked!
I shot it again off hand, and this gun is unruley! I have a vintage 2005 that shoots lights out, with the HO pg4 Vortek kit I put in it. So I'll see if this gun will settel down and if I can give it the same manners I gave the 34. If not, the 34 has a new dress! This stock was what drew me to look at this gun to start with. I figured if it was in excellent condition, I would just update the 34 stock to the deluxe the 36 comes with. Then just sell the 36 in the 34 stock. But we all know how this stuff is so addicting. I'll keep it as is if it shoots as good as the 34 when I get done tuning it. The same tune the 34 got made it a real lady instead of an unruly B!+(h. and it shoots that good offhand standing. just bracing my forearm against something.
I'll Move the 4-16x50 Airmax over to the 77K and put the 4-12x40 Airmax off of it on this 36 once I get the tune kit and tune this gun this weekend, I'll report back with an update, hopefully the 36 will quiet down quit jumping around and I'll eliminate that twang. I'll live with the speed where it is at, but I want it to shoot affhand standing as good as it shoots rested on a bag now.
Oh ya, and soon as I find the Laminated 77K in 177 Im looking for this, thats it for adding more air rifles,,, no more!