by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Diana Stormrider Generation II precharged pneumatic air rifle.
This report covers:
- Why this is important
- This one is a PPP
- General description
- Stock
- Metal
- Sights
- Accessories
- Trigger
- Power
- Summary
This report is pretty special. I’m looking at the Diana Stormrider, a precharged pneumatic that I reviewed for you a year ago, only this time I’m looking at the second generation or Gen II version. Let me tell you why that matters.
Why this is important
It’s important first because when I recently wrote about the new price-point PCPs, I left the Stormrider off the list because the Gen I I tested isn’t silent. But this one supposedly is. It has a real moderator (silencer) instead of a fake one, and many people say it makes a big difference. Also this one has an adjustable trigger. Both features would be enough on their own, but there is one more special reason why I’m testing this rifle. I’m testing it because you readers are talking about it. Your comments last week caught my eye, and it just so happened that I had this .177-caliber Gen II rifle in the que for testing, so we’re starting today!
I linked to the last report of the first review so you can make comparisons between the guns. This one costs more but it is still $100 under the PPP price threshold of $300, and yet it has the important features. This will be an interesting report.
This one is a PPP
The other Stormrider I tested was a first-generation rifle. It had no silencer, no adjustable trigger and was in .22 caliber. These two changes (silencer and trigger) take the Stormrider over the threshold into the price-point PCP (PPP) category, and it deserves a test of its own.
General description
The Gen II Stormrider is a repeating precharged pneumatic (PCP) that holds 9 shots in the .177 magazine or 7 in the .22 magazine. It also includes a single shot tray, so you have a choice of how to feed it. We saw some difficulties with loading the first Stormrider magazine and it was sometimes fiddly in operation. I will test this one with that in mind.
The rifle fills to 200 bar (2901 psi) and gets 40 shots, according to the description on the Pyramyd AIR website. With the Gen I rifle I saw 17 good shots per fill, and I would expect this one to get up to 20 because it is a .177. Why do they say twice that? Because if you are plinking at tin cans at 50 feet there probably are 40 good shots on one fill. I am being more critical about the accuracy, and that reduces the number of shots I can take.
The Gen II rifle is two inches longer (40.5-inches, compared to 38.5-inches for the Gen I), but it’s still a small light rifle. It weighs just 5 lbs., which makes it a gun you can carry all day.
Stock
The stock is beech, finished in a blonde matte color. There is checkering of large flat diamonds on either side of the pistol grip and forearm. The diamonds are only for show and do nothing for your grip. The butt is a hard black rubber pad that does have some grip.
The cheekpiece is raised ever-so slightly on the left of the butt, but I think this stock is entirely ambidextrous. A Monte Carlo comb raises your sighting eye for a scope.
Metal
The metal parts are finished in a matte black that hunters will appreciate. The bolt on the Gen II is longer than the bolt on the Gen I. I couldn’t help but notice a striking similarity between the Stormrider bolt and the bolt on the Diana Chaser pistol. Like Crosman, Diana has discovered the benefit of a common platform from which many airguns can spring. They knew this already in their spring gun line; now they are applying it to their CO2 and PCP guns.
Sights
The Gen II Stormrider has a nice set of open sights. And there are no fiberoptics!The rear sight is fully adjustable and you know I will test it for you when we start to look at accuracy.
The Stormrider rear sight adjusts in both directions. No fiber optics!
Accessories
When I tested the Gen I rifle I got a rifle that Pyramyd AIR had been testing for some time. It came to me in a hard case without a manual and with a fill probe I had to adapt to my tanks. This Gen II comes with a nice fill probe that ends in a male Foster fitting, which makes it universal.
Among the accessories that come with the rifle, the fill probe has a male Foster fitting on the exposed end.
You also get what looks like a complete set of o-rings for a rebuild. I doubt Diana wants you to do that, but for many handy shooters those will be quite a benefit.
The single shot tray came installed in the breech, so don’t look for it in the accessory package. Both it and the magazine are held in the breech by a magnet. They go in and come out on the left side of the gun.
The single shot tray comes installed in the breech. It’s held in place by a magnet.
Trigger
As I mentioned in the beginning, the Gen II rifle has an adjustable trigger. But Diana failed to provide any instructions on how to adjust it! I will make that my mission in Part 2.
The Gen I trigger is not adjustable. The bolt is also shorter and harder to grasp.
The Gen II trigger has two adjustment screws but no instructions in the manual. Also note the larger bolt.
Power
The claim is up to 1050 f.p.s. with lead pellets for the .177 caliber I’m testing. We shall soon see!
Summary
That’s it for Part 1. We will now look at a new .177 caliber Diana Stormrider. Several readers have already weighed in on this Gen II rifle for the sound level, trigger and accuracy. I can’t wait to test it.
For 200$ it’s likely already a win. With Snowpeak/spa this should be a decently solid platform.
If it can maintain consistantsy shot to shot then it’s a winner.
I assume there is no regulator, but is there some user accessable power adjustment?
Edw,
Power adjustment? Didn’t see one but I will look.
B.B.
As much as I like having new toys.
This shows.
NEVER buy the first generation of anything.
But that statement also goes against collecting.
As the first gen of something really weird is likely to be the collectable one. And possibly the only generation produced.
But with it being made by snow peak, its not going to be too collectible.
But at that price if it’s accurate, they will have a seller.
45Brovo
You are so right about losing out and missing the opportunity to collect something by waiting too long. I learned early and have a lot of discontinued airguns now. Time is not your friend in collecting. Try finding a Carbine version of the Evanix AR6 or a select fire Speed for example.
Somebody must really be paying attention to their customers, a lot of upgrades. I’m impressed. If we are lucky other companies will pay attention and all these upgrades will eventually become standard base model features.
BB,
It looks like the rear sight notch has a bit of glare on the edges, most likely the result of buffing off the edges. Is this detrimental.
Do you think a crisp sharp edge would be a better set up and provide a clearer image with the front sight by reducing glare, no mater how little there may be. I never really gave it much thought. Old eyes need all the help they can get.
Bob,
No. That photo was taken with a fill flash and that is what you see. The rear sight is crisp and sharp. IO will know more when I shoot it for accuracy, but I light the target to favor the sight, so I’m saying no.
B.B.
B.B.,
I am impressed with the changes. I am more impressed in the fact that they even happened,… at all. I see they also offer left hand breeches in .22 and .177, as well as barrels. Cheap too. The fill probe is a bit of a turn off, but I have never had to use one either. Making it Foster is a step in the right direction for sure. The magnet for the tray was a surprise. The Red Wolf has that, +1. Nice. I wonder if the magazine takes advantage of the magnet as well? The breech has 3 set screws for the barrel, but perhaps the Gen. 1 did too. I think so. The trigger,….. anything that reduces pull weight of lawyered up triggers is #1 for me. That, and a descent lube job from the factory.
Anything bad? The severe lack of anything that resembles a useful dove tail for optics, forwards of the loading port. Left side loading mags. can be an issue for anyone sporting an AO side wheel. That last point is for (all) makers!
Good Day to one and all,…… Chris
Chris,
There is a short section of dovetail in front of the loading port. You can also easily remove the rear sight and it is mounted on a section of dovetail also.
I too am impressed that someone at Diana / Snowpeak is listening.
RR,
I said “useful”. Not a good set up for a scope that needs moved fore or aft for proper eye relief. On the sight dovetail,.. I was not sure if we ever determined that is on the same plane as the rears.
Chris
I had a Gen 1 and mounted a scope using the rear sight as the forward scope ring mount without issue. I returned it and the replacement due to sloppy manufacturing issues…No breech lead at all, bent probe tip, jamming issues, etc. If the Gen2 get favorable reviews, I might try again…if the shot count is better than the Gen 1
Chris,
I remember from somewhere that it is on the same plane as the rear dovetails.
RR,
That is what I re-call too,…. but hey,… the ol’ rememberer ain’t what it used to be,… if it ever was! 🙂
Chris
Chris,
I understand. Too many youthful indiscretions killing too many brain cells.
Chris,
I prefer Foster fittings but in many cases (like having the manometer at the end of the reservoir) propriety fill probes have an advantage because of their small size. I had to add an adapter (threaded to male Foster) to my Weihrauchs, this Diana fill probe is ready to go.
Good point about left side mags interfering with an AO wheel – bet they never thought of that!
Hank
Chris,
“Left side loading mags. can be an issue for anyone sporting an AO side wheel. That last point is for (all) makers!”
Not all. My Gamo Urban has a continuous dove tail rail with left side magazine loading. It’s a non issue on my Urban.
I have the UTG 3-12x44SWAT scope on the Urban with a 60mm side wheel. The side wheel is approximately 4″ to the rear of the loading port. Works great. Oh, and the Urban’s magazine uses a magnet to hold it also. Also, Pyramyd is selling a single shot tray for the Urban now.
Geo
Geo,
Very good. My Maximus port is in direct line as well as the M-rod port.
Chris
Geo,
The Athlon on the Red Wolf has no side wheel,.. as none are offered for the Athlon,….. yet. There is some U.K versions that are purported to be universal, but I have yet to look at them,.. or the “comma” versions. I do think that I prefer them,… as do most pro target shooters,…. ( of which I am not!) 😉 The Red Wolf, as currently set up,…. would also line up with the port,…. and it (also loads left) on the mag.. If you note,… there is some “half wheels” that look something like a comma. In hind sight,…. that could be the very reason. But I do not know.
Perhaps someone with some pro target shooting could weigh in on that?
Chris
Chris USA,
When you sat “they” are offering parts, who are you referring to?
Half
Half,
I wonder if the Gen2 model has addressed the non-hardened area where the bolt was wearing into the breech on your Stormrider? I remember you mentioning that, and at the time I thought that was a pretty serious issue. To me, that would issue along would make me steer away from this PCP.
Geo,
VERY good point!
Chris
Geo,
I thought that I posted this back to you earlier today but I guess I forgot to hit ” POST COMMENT ” after I composed the comment. Have been working on my A/C since I rolled out of bed this AM and brain was tired I guess.
I don’t know if the Gen 2 is tougher or not but I do know that the same area on my chaser combo is showing a tiny amount of mushrooming. It operates on the lower pressure of CO2 and doesn’t give the really hard rearward kick on the bolt that the stormrider does. The chaser now has nearly 2500 rounds through it and if the mushroom is growing is size, it is at a very slow rate. I don’t think it will be a problem on the chaser.
Maybe BB can put his thumb on the rear of the bolt when he fires the Gen 2. I think that rearward thrust is what caused the mushrooming on my stormrider. The material strength of the receiver would probably be fine were it not taking that beating on every shot.
Half
P.S. If you happen to run across my first response to you on this issue elsewhere, do me a favor and keep it to yourself. I really have been braindead all day. 🙂
Half,
What would you say the Chaser breech and Stormrider breech are made of? Low grade aluminum I would suspect. Whatever it is,… mushrooming should (never) happen. If it does,…. time to change up the material. End of story. Period. No discussion required.
Chris
Chris,
I don’t have a clue. Terms like low grade and aircraft grade don’t really mean anything to the people that manufacture things form aluminum. They deal with very specific alloys that are tailored for specific uses. The breech material could be a very acceptable grade of an alloy that is just wrong for the purpose.
Half
Half,
I would have to respectfully disagree. They know (exactly) what they are using and I will bet $1 to $100 that it is cost driven. The downside is that they have (not) done the testing that verifies that the material they are using is best suited to the task at hand. Agree?
Chris
Chris USA,
There may be alloys of aluminum that are harder than steel, but I would expect them to be exotic and just too costly for a $200 airgun. They probably couldn’t be cast or extruded, either, which are the only really economical ways to make parts for air guns. Machining from an aluminum billet would cost way to much.
I think my gun is defective in other ways. I don’t think my bolt should be jumping rearward when the gun fires. It is a no-joke hammering impact and I think just about any aluminum would mushroom under the beating. I think I will make a direct appeal to BB to test his Gen1 and Gen2 guns for this quirk.
Half
Halfstep, Chris USA,
What is happening is peening of the softer aluminum receiver by the harder steel bolt due to the very small contact area of the relatively small radius of the bolt handle. It doesn’t matter which aluminum alloy is used because it will still be softer than steel. Even using a forged aircraft grade of aluminum alloy this will still happen, just not as quickly.
I believe that redesigning the root of the bolt handle with a flat surface to the rear would spread out the impact of firing over a much larger surface.
I believe that these changes could easily be made by the manufacturer without too much additional cost.
Bugbuster
I think the PCPs with the bolt at the rear are a better design, and deformation of the breech is a non-issue. For example, Marauder, Maximus, or Urban.
Geo,
Maximus is side bolt.
Chris
Oh yeah, I forgot that.
Bugbuster,
I agree with you, but the root problem is the fact that the bolt is thrust rearward so hard in the first place and it’s banging against the aluminum receiver over and over again. On the stormrider Gen 1 there is a socket head cap screw threaded into the underside of the bolt that engages a cut out in the receiver when the bolt is turned down. It operates much as a locking lug does on a centerfire rifle. I believe that is what is supposed to hold the bolt in place as it absorbs that rearward energy. The geometry is much more favorable at that junction than it is where the bolt handle meets the receiver and can spread the energy out over a larger surface. Unfortunately the clearances are too large and the capscrew’s head just flops around inside it’s slot, leaving the bolt handle to take the hit.
You can see the capscrew/locking lug hanging down in this photo of the bolt.
And this is the slot
Bugbuster,
Or,.. go to steel?
Chris
Halfstep,
Provided that the longitudinal guide slot is wide enough, would it be possible to sleeve the capscrew/ locking lug to a larger diameter? I wonder if this issue was resolved in the gen 2 model, that peening of the receiver by the bolt handle would definitely be a no-go.
Bugbuster
Bugbuster,
Looking at my photo, it seems the long slot is narrower. The bolt head in question is also used to pull the striker back and that may actually be its real purpose. The 90 degree pocket may just be there to give that bolt head a place to go when the rifle’s bolt is thrown down. If that’s the case, Diana, when they were having this gun made to their specifications (NOT), sure missed a great chance to use that pocket as a locking lug slot. The bolt handle may, in fact, be the only thing holding to bolt closed. ( in other words, I may have described that feature incorrectly) If that is the case, it is too small.
Regardless of what is supposed to hold the bolt forward, I just don’t think my gun should be hammering rearward on every shot the way it does. BB has agreed to check for this on both his Gen1 and Gen2 guns, when he returns to that report, so I will know then If it is a fluke with just my gun.
Half
Halfstep’
I agree with you that the cocking stud for the striker should have been incorporated as the locking lug for the bolt as opposed to the rather small diameter of the bolt handle.
Due to the multiple axis CNC machining centers in common use today, this would not be a problem at all.
What is the actual diameter of of the bolt shank? From your photo, it appears to be no larger than 8mm, maybe even smaller, assuming that it is metric.
Unless the tolerances on your rifle are out of spec, that peening problem should have manifested itself during the testing of the Gen I prototype and corrected prior to production. Hopefully, Diana corrected this shortcoming on the Gen II, I suppose we will eventually find out.
Do you shoot any springers, (that is all that I own at the present time)?
FYI, I purchased a case of Almagard 3752 (Tune-in-tube) grease from Lubrication Engineers late last year to use on my air rifles and my machinery. It broke down to $9.29 a tube delivered. One 14 oz tube will fill seven 60ml/2oz irrigation syringes, actual cost of grease per syringe $1.33. I was contacted by the field rep for my area and he told me that several NASCAR crews use it in their wheel bearings and it is a common practice for their products to be purchased, re-branded and sold under a different name/brand. The only shortcoming (for me) is that it (Almagard 3752) is not recommended for any bearings running in excess of 3000 RPM because it is too tacky and will cause the bearing to overheat.
Bugbuster
Bugbuster,
I have springers but I don’t shoot them much since I got into PCP and CO2 guns.
Half
Chris USA,
That would certainly resolve the problem but would create two more issues, cost and weight. I believe that tightening up the tolerances as Halfstep noted on the internal locking lug would also correct this shortcoming.
Did you check out Dr. Chili Pepper and Red Lion Spicy Foods yet?
Bugbuster
Bugbuster,
I have not checked out the sites, but will. Just made notes again. I am not much of an on-line shopper at all. I love to cook and often make things myself.
My Ghost Pepper plant will be X-mas tree. I think I have some pepper patio lights and will look for some chili bulbs. The 2 Cayenne’s that I Wintered over last Winter will come back in too. See if I can get another year from them. Those, grown as one and the Ghost did the best. The rest of Cayenne’s were complete duds for some reason.
Chris
Chris USA,
Just pretend you are shopping at Pyramyd AIR, only tastier, and you won’t get lead poisoning.
I like the Ghost Pepper Christmas tree idea, very practical, since eventually, you will be able to eat the ornaments, just a little too hot for my taste.
Bugbuster
PA has replacement breeches for $19.99
Les Schaub,
I soldered my transfer port shut and then drilled it smaller to get more shots from the gun. As a result, it is not hitting so hard and it may be worthwhile to replace it now. Thanks for the heads up. That is cheap enough, for certain.
Half
Half,
How much improvement did you see with a smaller transfer port? Shot count? Velocity?
When I had a Stormrider, I really wanted it to work because of its’ size and light weight. Do you know if the moderator is removable on the Gen 2? Or does it work any better than the Gen 1. It looks like the Gen2 front sight is separate from the moderator – breech lead was non-existant on both that I had, I wouldn’t trust the crown without being able to fix it.
Half,
How much improvement did you see with a smaller transfer port? Shot count? Velocity?
When I had a Stormrider, I really wanted it to work because of its’ size and light weight. Do you know if the moderator is removable on the Gen 2? Or does it work any better than the Gen 1. It looks like the Gen2 front sight is separate from the moderator – breech lead was non-existant on both that I had, I wouldn’t trust the crown without being able to fix it.
Les Schaub,
I will include a graph of my results, but the short answer is I now get 28 shots at a lower velocity but only a 35 fps extreme spread. Before, those same 28 shots were at a higher velocity but had a 85 fps extreme spread.
The Gen 2 gun appears to have the same suppressor as the chaser rifle. If it is the same, and I am almost certain that it is, it works great, at CO2 pressures, at least, and should be threaded to the barrel and should come off. It will have Loktite on it, but mine came off the chaser barrel with just hand power. The Gen 1 suppressor was marketed as a suppressor but all it really was was a aluminum bar with a hole drilled through it. The Gen 2 should work much better than that.
I don’t have a Gen2 stormrider, but I have the Diana chaser combo, which are very similar to the stormrider. I can tell you that there is no leade in the breech of either of the barrels that came with that kit. The head of the pellet just gets pushed into the rifling that presents itself as a wall rather than a ramp, if you know what I mean. I would expect that the Gen2 stormrider barrels to be the same. It seems to be the pattern. BB will probably have more to say on that when he returns to his report.
Half
Les Schaub,
I should have said the bolt handle is not hitting the receiver slot so hard.
Half
Geo,
I don’t know but I do know that I am seeing a small amount of mushrooming in that area on my Diana chaser. That gun is CO2 and is operating on a lower pressure . I don’t feel the hard snap back when I place my thumb on the rear of the bolt like I do with my stormrider, but I do feel a little rearward force.
Half
Half,
I punched in Stormrider in the PA search box and it showed gun options, 2 barrels and 2 L. hand breeches. It may not be much, but it is a start. Far above what we are used to seeing.
Chris
Chris,
Cool. I will check it out. Thanks for the heads up. I wouldn’t have been expecting it so I probably never would have looked.
Half
Chris,
For an HPA filter I would suggest you go to Amazon and have a look around. Some of them are pretty inexpensive and will provide at least a modicum of protection. Also, they are less likely to blow up. When you start messing around with HPA you do not want to end up building a bomb.
As for using the desiccant beads on the HPA side, I do not think they will work well. They will likely become saturated very quickly. They may even break down into small enough particles to be injected into your airgun.
RR,
Note made. Will do. If it comes apart, I think the beads, with some additional dust/particle filter would work. I do believe some take beads, but it has been awhile since I looked.
Chris
BB,
As I said to Chris, I am impressed that someone at Diana / Snowpeak seems to be listening to the consumers. I am looking forward to this review to see how much of an improvement has happened between these generations.
BB,
From the discription here, a lot of the parts look to be interchangable with the ones on the Diana bandit. I have just unboxed the one I received yesterday.
Gerald
Many parts are interchangable on the Diana/SPA line. On the left is a Bandit in a “Chaser” stock. I do not have the Seneca multi pump “Dragonfly” based on the same platform.
B.B.,
My Bandit shoots way faster than the documentation specifies. 2.8K fill, 11 shots, 820,860,820 shot curve,
and the S.D. is a little bit much between shots. The transfer ports are a wide .125″, but I like how Diana does them.
Could I easily rotate the barrel slightly, to choke down the power?Yes, but the valve stem seems very short, so an oring buffer is still a question when it comes to hammer bounce. The end cap design precludes a spring stop guide device, but i am impressed with the quality of the internals. This pistol looks like a sedate 10 meter gun, but with JSB 8.44, mine has accuracy and power. Definately 3/8″ groups at 14 yds possible, shooter error not withstanding. 11 mm dove tails are the way to go with this scale of gun, and i like that the fill probe is removable.
The magnetized single shot tray and magazine, plus spare orings, and a decent case really adds value. This pistol needs no tuning out of the box really. Looking forward to this rifle review. Maybe you can find the magic pellet(s) ! Rob
Rob,
Well, that holds promise for this series, plus I probably need to review the Bandit, as well.
B.B.
I like the changes to the Stormrider shown in the Gen 2. Perhaps it is a bit disappointing for those who bought the Gen I but, personally I find it very encouraging to see a large company(ies) listening to their customers. It raises the bar for everyone else.
My only minor peeve is the rather smallish rail length that limits the options for optics mounting. On the plus side, considering the cost and how light it is it seems like a very good example of the PPP genre. Assuming it shoots, of course, so we will eagerly wait for the future reports.
By the way, it might not be needed and for some it may contradict the simplicity of the platform, but in case anyone is interested there is a regulator made by Altaros Air solutions developed specially for this rifle under the guidance of Hector Medina.
Have y’all a good day!
Henry
I guess I need to get one or more of theses different Diana’s and see how accurate they are and how the parts interchange.
Had too many configurations of the Crosman 13xx, 22xx, Discovery’s and Maximus. Know how they shoot and how parts like valves and barrels and transfer port orifices and springs and end caps and so on can be interchanged.
If the Diana’s are accurate, and dependable and parts can be got from Diana for interchanging. Then I say watch out Crosman you got some competition.
My thing being the modder I am. I hope Diana offers the schematics and parts availability to call in orders for parts like Crosman. If that happens then they have a winner. But of course if this Diana series are accurate.
The Stormrider is starting to look interesting…
$169.99 for a Gen I – nicely featured entry level PCP
$199.99 for a Gen II – which gets you an upgraded adjustable trigger and quieter operation – like this 🙂
So that leaves $100 to upgrade the Stormrider from an entry level PCP to a PPP. Think that it would be possible to have another level…
$299.99 for a Deluxe Stormrider GEN II with a regulator and 3000 psi (or more) system?
… not nagging, just suggesting 🙂
Hank
As long as it doesn’t require a larger diameter tank that messes up the interchangeability between guns.
There is an aftermarket regulator for it. It looks like it can be had for 84 euros. Bit if Diana/snowpeak developed something similar it should be had under the magic number.
I think of regulators in airguns like automatic transmissions in cars. Yes they add cost and complexity but they are very convenient and many people prefer them.
With a bit of marketing to explain the benefits of a regulator to a customer new to PCPs I would bet that many of them would shell out the extra $$$.
I’m looking forward to the rest of this series. I wasn’t very interested in the first gen because of the lack of sound suppression, but this is looking very promising.
BB,
Are you sure that you had to adapt the fill probe on the Gen1 to a Foster fitting? Mine came with the brass probe to brass Foster connector. You also published in Part 1 of the Gen 1 report under “FILL PROBE”
“I have to acknowledge this. The fill probe has a male Foster connection on the other end, making the Stormrider as easy to fill as any other standard PCP. Manufacturers who don’t acknowledge the Foster fitting as universal are subjecting themselves to a loss of sales, I believe. All it takes is one bad experience where their gun cannot be filled because the proprietary probe isn’t present and another customer potentially walks.”
The photo that you are using of the gun is not the same as the Gen 2 photo on the Pyramyd site.
Do you still have the Gen1 stormrider? I’d like to know if the LOP and actual barrel length are the same on both guns since you said the Gen2 was longer overall.
Half
Half,
Yes to everything. My Stormrider was a very early one and wasn’t sent in a box. I received only a probe with threads. No Manual, Yes that gun is still here and Yes, it is shorter than the new one.
The picture at the top of this report is the SECOND picture on the Pyramyd website. Click on the picture on the website, then click on the right arrow to scroll to this pic.
B.B.
BB,
But I still think it is a Gen1. Here is the Gen 2 photo that I’m referring to.
/product/diana-stormrider-multi-shot-pcp-air-rifle?m=4449#8648
Half
I think that you are right Half. From the pictures it would seem that the front sight has been moved from the supresor to the barrel – also the bolt handle seems a bit larger. Not sure which is which though.
Henry
Half,
The website is screwed up. I used the picture from the site, but the blowup isn’t the same photo. I am correcting it now.
I am testing a real Gen II rifle.
B.B.
B.B.
BB,
I wasn’t disputing that you were testing the correct gun. I just wanted to let you know about the photo. I also believe you when you say the Gen 2 is longer. I was only inquiring about what makes it longer, the stock, the barrel or the different suppressor. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear. It’s been that kind of day for me. 🙂
Half
Half,
The silencer makes the Gen II longer. I laid the Gen I on top of the II and the Gen II is longer.
B.B.
One detail I noticed on the Gen2 is that the bolt has grooves machined into it.
I’m still concerned about that long length of barrel that’s unsupported and possible POI shifts if that. long barrel gets bumped good. I’m also concerned about the fact that you can’t use a SCUBA tank with a 3000 psi fill. It will really be interesting to see a shot curve to see where the optimum fill levels are.
I’m looking for some feedback on a new target I’ve been working on. It’s a two person shooter target, racing from one side to the other then back again. The spinners stop abruptly and are timed to the threads so they always present at the end. They spin very nicely and with a 5 tpi screw they travel across 9” pretty well about 8 shots with a .22 Hw50 at 15 yards, your mileage may vary. My primary question is would you be interested in it? Are two person targets relevant to the market? I think clubs might have some use for this but does the individual? Thank you for any consideration and or response.
Carl
Carl,
I like it! It is just me here, but for a couple or couple of shooters, it would nice to “race” from one side to the other. Just don’t hit the opposite paddle and reverse all of your hard earned efforts! 😉 8 shots for 9″ travel is very good I think. A 50 ft. lb. could maybe do it 2 shots? 🙂 LOL
Very innovative Sir! Well done.
Chris
I made something similar a while back. When shooting with the family we usually dont race, but see who can move the most with a given number of shots. I didn’t put anything to spare the threaded rods, so they eventually got messed up, some angle in front would have fixed it. The other thing I did that was really nice was putting a led light strip in it, it lit up the targets after dark.
Here it is
Coduece,
For my part, I don’t understand the folks that DON’T like 2 shooter targets. Friendly competition adds just a little bit of tension that would be worthwhile training if you are going to hunt or compete in a serious way. I don’t do either of those things but simply like the ” spice ” that it adds to shooting. And you can win beer!
When you make these targets for market, do you check to make sure that they don’t violate any patents?
Have you deliberately shot the threaded rod to see if the lead gets embedded in the threads?
Are your spinner’s nuts tapped out over-sized to remove resistance that might cause the spinner to settle in an edge-on attitude while still in the middle of the threaded rod?
I see a bolt sticking out the back of one of the discs. Is there any chance that they could stop in the middle with the bolts facing the shooter? I don’t think It would matter, but some buyers might insist that the flat side always be forward.
I like the target and would be interested in buying one, price being right, of course. I have seen something similar marketed by GAMO, I think, but my understanding is that it doesn’t work too well, so I wasn’t interested in it.
Half
Half,
I have counter weighted the paddles so they always present to the shooter as they travel across the screw. On each end the spinner has been timed to the stop so that it ends in the vertical position for shooting. The durability of the threaded rod is excellent. And I feel confident that no one is even aware of this thread.
Carl
Carl,
Acme thread? We use it to rack 500# – 2,000# plus breakers in and out at work all the time. There is another one that cuts the rack revolutions down by around 1/4,…. (1 turn VS 1/4 turn for same movement, with less effort), but not sure of the product name. It works way better than the standard Acme that we used to use. I do know that. Less effort and faster travel.
Any (target) price point on this new invention yet?
Chris
Chris
I think your referring to triple leade screw it is the fastest thread out there, But it is also expensive. Yes it took as much time to incorporate the flags as it did to build the whole target, the way the spinner stops leaves no doubt about it reaching the end.
Carl
Coduece,
Because the targets seem to be the same diameter, that wasn’t as obvious as it was with your spinners, Adding weight on the back?
I wasn’t asking about the durability of the rod, more, does it get clogged up when pellets hit it by mistake.
Half
Half
The thread is very open with a fair amount of slop to it. I’ve shot it several times no sticking yet. Yes there are weights behind the bottom target. This is a prototype second one really. The first was smaller and had flags that were raised when the spinner reached the end. But the spinner stops so positively that the flags didn’t seem worth the effort.
Carl
Carl,
As in the past, your ideas have been on my mind. I like the flag idea. Maybe something that goes “pop!” That adds visual, as well as audible. No doubt, cost to manufacture and retail cost are paramount. I (do) respect that.
I will try to find out that name of that other type of thread,.. if you have not already.
Once refined,… you might do well to enter the premium market. You are heading that way already with your premium refinements and attention to quality and well done function.
Durability and friendly to abuse can go a long ways too,… in the right market. Again,… read high end/premium.
Chris
Chris,
Thanks for the reply, I haven’t been on,or shooting much lately dads been sick, workin too much, mowing every 5 days. Hopefully things are slowing down and I can get back to fun stuff soon. Good to hear from you!
I guess the one drawback to the target is you need identical guns to have a level playing field. I’ve also been thinking it could just be a single instead of the double. I don’t know just putting it out there.
Carl
The one I made was a single. We started in the middle and tried to move it closer to the others side.
Edw,
Yes that’s sounds fun.
Carl
Carl,
Hope your dad is better soon!
As far as different guns or unbalanced shooter capabilities… that’s what handicaps are for!
Pre agreed number of turns lead works for me and probably for others.
You know what free advice is worth!
shootski
Carl,
I would not worry too much about that. Wife thinks hers is the best,… and hubby thinks his is the best,…. and the race is on! (or 2 buddies)
A single could work too. With one paddle heavy on one side, the rotation would have to be only one way. Equal weighted paddles would make it work it either way. But then,… we have the paddle presentation to the shooter issue. A “re-set” would be in order. The other side would be 8 shots to move left and 16 shots to move right?,… due to the different weighted paddles.
Heck,… with (skill),… you could kick my butt with a $300 gun vs a $3,000 gun.
Either way,…. fine job,….. Chris
BB,
You said the bolt is longer. Did you mean the bolt handle? If the bolt itself is longer, that implies other internal changes
Les,
I did mean the bolt handle.
B.B.
BB,
Do you have any way to compare the suppressor on the new Gen 2 Stormrider with a TKO suppressor? I am thinking of buying the Gen 1 and putting on a TKO to try to make it more back-yard friendly.
Welcome to the blog,
I have owned a TKO and it is quieter.
B.B.
Gosh… I was thinking of asking for a Maximus as my first PCP for Christmas from my old lady… and now this… too many cool things to choose from. I didn’t know this thing existed until I saw the blog. I need to tell her to put the wallet away until I sit, read, and figure out what I want. Being multi-shot and having a suppressor built in checks a couple more boxes at a similar price point. The multi-shot being fiddly (and unnecessary, I suppose), the suppressor being poor, the tiny amount of real estate to mount a scope, that long, unsupported barrel, and having to pump to 3k may make the Maximus still win out. Looking forward to part 2!
DickyRivers,
Yes, it’s good to do your homework. It really comes down to how you are going to use it. Also, how far away you intend to/can you shoot. Noise,.. if urban and neighbors are a concern or you might do some indoor work.
For me, I like to see some history and good reviews. Consistent ones are always desirable. Accuracy for one. 1/2″ at 25 and 1″ at 50 is considered pretty decent by most standards.Things like does it have a decent trigger. The Maximus one is so-so, but can be made quite nice with some easy tweaks. Scope rail is a concern. While you may not need it depending on the use and scope chosen,.. it is a must that you are able to get the scope adjusted correctly for proper eye relief. That is where the bigger/longer scopes with more tube fore and aft of the turrets can save you. Then again, putting a huge scope on something like Maximus is way overkill and just adds weight.
If hand pumping, 2000 is better than 3000. A cheek riser is nice. Repeater is nice. On the topic of the barrel hanging out there unsupported,…. most all high end stuff have the barrels that way, so don’t discount that.
Keep us posted on the current blog as you start to narrow down your choices. People here are very kind on offering solid, no BS advice.
Chris