Page 2 - Diana Stormrider Reviews

Nicely finished, checkered stock, compact (40") and very light weight (<5lb) for a PCP. Magazines and shot tray are aluminum with magnets to help hold them in place. Open sights are well placed, easy to align and were dead on out of the box. Quieter than a pumper in the same caliber.

Fill port has no cover, open to elements, dirt, whatever. Easy enough to purchase or make a plug though. Magazines are expensive.

There is an aftermarket regulator available that can increase it's shot count by 50% or better, and swapping the factory fill port for the style used on the Bandit, which includes a manometer, also provides a rotating cover for the fill port.

The looks of the Stormrider is classic, the wood stock has a nice grain, finish and the checkering is precise. The gun is much lighter and compact than I thought it would be. I am used to a very heavy Beeman springer so this is refreshing. It shoulders well and has good sight lines. I did not try the open sights as I had a Simmons 3x9 scope ready to go. The gun was well protected in the box with dense foam cut out in the shape of the gun, could be used in a case. As for accuracy, I was able to get on the bullseye quickly after making scope adjustments. I am using JSB RS and Crosman hollow point dome, 14.3 gr, groupings are very tight, about 1/2" at 30 yds. The 2 stage trigger is quite good as well.

I measured the gap between the air chamber and the barrel, it is .170" at the breech and .170" at the barrel band, it droops ever so slightly at the air fill to .165". Diana should include a second barrel band to stop any droop issues over time. I will be adding one if they are ever back in stock. The cocking is a little stiffer than I would like but not terrible. It would be nice if they provided an air fill plug to keep dirt out. Otherwise I have no complaints.

I have about 500 rds through it now with the two brands of pellets noted. I have not experienced one jam with the rotary clip like people have noted in other reviews. My backyard range only goes out to 30 yds so I have not shot further than that yet. The Stormrider is surprisingly accurate at this distance, any shot more than 1/2" outside the group is me not the gun. I also live in a tract neighborhood and shoot in my backyard, this gen 2 version is VERY quiet. I use a cheap hand pump off Ebay and takes about 60 pumps (very easy) to get it to 20 bar, 3,000 psi. It held the exact same pressure for several days so no leaks, and I get roughly 35 shots before refill. I am quite happy with this gun so far, hope it has some longevity.

Orders shipped quickly

Some sort of quality control.

Purchased this rifle and a few cans of pellets as a Christmas gift. The rifle had an air leak. Rather than return and wait for them to process it and send a replacement, I returned it for a refund and purchased a second one at the same time. When the second rifle arrived, it too leaked air. I decided to just return everything. When I called to set up the return, not only did they not apologize for sending me two defective guns, but they also informed me that technically it was my responsibility to pay return shipping on the pellets because they were not defective, but as a "courtesy " they were covering it. Gave me a good laugh but .......wow!

The price is very good for an entry level PCP. It can be filled with a pump. Very accurate, light and many parts available. The iguanas in Puerto Rico are afraid !!!

Another magazine will be a nice touch !

A regulator will increase the performance.

Beautiful wood stock, simple design, and very lightweight. This airgun puts pellets on target consistantly. Mine in .22 is not pellet picky and I have shot a variety of pellets with great results. I got the best results with the JSB exact jumbo Express 14.3 grain but could still hit soda cans with H&N slugs at 100 yes. Before I put the regulator in it, i could get about 25 shots before the drop was ruining my aim. After i installed the regulator set at 150 bar, i now get 15 shots that are absolutely spot on.

the free floatng barrel is a bit concerning, I have ordered the additional barrel ring, I think that will work nicely. My only other complaint is the tip of the bolt is so small that it cocks the pellets just slightly enough to make them not go into the barrel smoothly, sometimes I have to jam the bolt forward pretty hard. Doesn't seem to affect the accuracy though.

In my opinion this is the best sub $300 aigun available.

Very accurate and lightweight. Very nice wood stock.

I think it should have a barrel band on the front of the barrel and an extra magazine.

After the first shot, the screw fell out of the trigger adjustment.
It would be nice if it had a thumbhole stock as an option.
My wife loves her early Christmas toy and took out two rodents in 1 day.

Everything about it !

It does need another barel band and I di add one !

Just go ahead and order another barrel band for it !

Diana really listened to the average airgun lover. This rifle reminds me of an old favorite, the Sheridan. Small, light, and hard hitting. I think Diana took the old classic and made it a pcp with an improved trigger and much easier to mount a scope. Also made it much more quiet. Then to top it off kept it under $200. The only plastic on the rifle is the rear and front sight that I can find. Very Accurate!! The trigger is perfect right out of the box and I like light triggers. My is a 22 caliber Gen 2. This is the best value in a pcp out there, PERIOD!

I think they could improve the checking and the color of the stock.

I own Airforce, Daystate, Sumatra, Weihrauch, Diana, and Hatsan air rifles and pistols. Been shooting airguns for 50+ years. I tune springers and do trigger jobs on them all. This could be my new favorite go to rifle. The first one I received from PA looked like a Reconditioned rifle to me. The fill tube was all scratched and looked like someone tried to mount an additional barrel band on it and mangled it up. PA sent out a return label and after they received it sent out a replacement, The new one is perfect. I have the barrel band on back order but not sure I will use it. It will dampen the harmonics and cost accuracy. The barrel is solid as it is, just do not grab and wheel the rifle by the moderator.

I'm an experienced shooter (military-VFW, law enforcement, armorer). This is my first PCP rifle and purchased as "plinker" to shoot with my family at targets. I was tired of constantly pumping air rifles or buying CO2 and thought I would give PCP rifles a try since coming down in price the last year or so. I'm very happy with purchase: Affordable, good quality, shoots great, accurate and easy to operate. On a full take, I had about 55 shots. The last 10 still pierced tin cans but not all the way through both sides. That said, having an air rifle with 30-40 shots with power is nice.

The magazine works - but it's not good quality. After fooling with it a few tries - I found it easier to use. However, I found loading pellets one at a time no issue at all. My teenage son, using magazine for first time, ended up forcing two pellets into chamber and I had to use rod. It was interesting since bolt couldn't engage and magazine couldn't be removed. The magazine was likely not properly seated and bolt couldn't fully engage, so he re-cocked it and the rest is history. I was able to duplicate the problem easily. Suggestion, load only 3-5 pellets until you get used to using the magazine.

Pumping for first time was interesting. Rife came 3/4th full and not having any experience - pumping at that high of pressure for first time was not easy. I expected the pumping to be easier than it actually is. Once I cycled the initial air pressure, the pumping wasn't as difficult. It takes about 80-90 pumps to fully charge and the last 20 take some work;) However, once you get used to it - it's not a problem.

Its a great gun, especially for the price. It shoots a dime size 7 shot group at 50 feet. During the lockdown, its kept me sane with my local range closed. I made a silent pellet trap and dont bother the neighbors

If it came with a built in regulator it would be even better. I have ordered one, theyll be available in November, I hope

The little spring catch in the magazine broke after less than 200 shots. It still works but I contacted Pyramid about it who referred me to the manufacturer and I havent heard from anyone. I think pyramid should have handled it. I tried to order 2 new ones and they arent available. Kind of a bummer

1. Accuracy - quite accurate using .22 Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14.3 gr. Pellets. These pellets also feed easily from the magazine 2. Optional regulator With the regulator set at 110 BAR I get about thirty shots at 705 FPS with 14.3 gr CPHP pellets. 15.7 FPE, plenty of power for squirrels at the ranges that I shoot. 3. Size and weight easy to pick up to shoot the squirrels on the bird feeders. Much handier than my Marauder. 4. Multi shot – If I miss with that first shot at a squirrel (yes, it happens!) I can immediately take a second shot. 5. Silencer – the integral silencer is highly effective. Typically, all I hear when I shoot the rifle is the sound of the hammer and impact of the round. 6. My outfit consisting of a Stormrider and a 3-12 Bug Buster scope is really quite elegant looking!

1. I did not see the quality problems that others have mentioned. The only problem that I had was that the little screw that holds the breech on fell out. When I tried to replace it, it would not tighten. Fortunately, PA accidently sent me a replacement breech kit in a previous order. The kit contained a screw. I was able to firmly secure the replacement screw. It has stayed secure. I would keep an eye on that area of the rifle. 2. The lack of a cover for the fill port is a potential problem. There is a sleeve on the replacement pressure gauge that supposedly rotates the cover the holes. But when the gauge is secured on the pressure tube, the sleeve doesnt rotate. I bought a protective plug off of eBay. 3. The fill probe did not fit the original female foster fitting on my filler unit. I had another that worked OK. 4. The replacement magazines are rather expensive.

My Stormrider is a .22 with a regulator. I had PA do the original installation of the regulator. Based on a review in Hard Air Magazine, I requested that they set it at 125 BAR. This setting did not give the results that the magazine article indicated. I reset the regulator to 110 BAR and got, for me, much more satisfactory results. Working with the regulator is not complicated but extracting and replacing it in the pressure tube is a pain in the rear.
The earlier model of the Stormrider had real problems with the bolt handle bending/breaking. The newer model that I have has an improved bolt handle. Some people are still reporting problems. I have not had any (yet). When retracting the bolt, I grasp the bolt handle right next to the bolt to reduce the leverage on the bolt handle. When loading a pellet, I push the rear of the bolt forward with my thumb. This method was suggested in an earlier review.

Compact light solid build.

Stock a little thin for my hands. Chamber bolt needs to be bigger and turned down. The gun is very picky as to ammo to use for consistency. Still worth the money for a plinker.

This might be My favorite Air rifle now. I have several, My break barrel is too heavy, loud, and makes me flinch, My CO2's are fun but require buying CO2 cartridges and lower power than the Diana Stormrider PCP, which is light, accurate at moderate range, and easy to use. I use a hand pump to charge it, which is laborious but not the fault of the rifle. I use it mostly single shot, the magazine is good but does hang up at times. I also can't find more Mag's on line at this time which means I have to reload it often. For its price this rifle is well worth the money.

the magnetic locking of the Mag and single shot adapter, is ok but not rigid enough.

this is the only PCP rifle I have ever shot.

This is my first PCP and I am so glad I got the Stormrider. First it's a very nice looking rifle with a wood stock and it's very lite, easy to carry in the field' I also like that in about 4 minutes i can fill the tank with my air pump. I get 35 hard hitting shots at full power and then it's time to pump again. The accuracy is amazing. I can shoot same hole shot after shot at 15 yards. it's currently sighted in at 35 yards with H&N Baracuda Hunter extreme and it's dead on out to 50 yards. Great intro into PCP world.

can't think of anything. I have had no issues at all with mine.

if you were thinking about getting into PCP. This is a fantastic starter and beyond. I found that the H&N Baracuda 18.52 grains pellets shoot best in my
Diana Stormrider. You may have to shoot different ones until you find the one yours will like, Also I found that I don't need to readjust my scope to
shoot the Crosman 14.3 grains. They shoot exactly in same spot at 15 and 50 yards. Don't know why but it does.

The wood stock and the weight of the gun.

A magazine that held more pellets.

I gave it a three on accuracy because I haven't shot it enough to find the right pellet.

Small and light, and doesn't wear you out to pump it up

The bolt isn't very smooth when loading pellets

This is a good backyard plinker. It's accurate, not too loud, and gets you a decent amount of shots per fill.

Accuracy is dead on. Flat dead kills on squirrels at 200 feet and beyond. Have a scope mounted and this baby puts the pellet exactly where you put the crosshairs! It's amazing!!! Plenty of power and if it was any quieter it would be silent! I LOVE IT!!

Nothing! I don't know how it could be improved!

If you're going to use a PCP gun, you're going to need a pressure source. I use a scuba tank because the pump is slow and will wear you out using it. It can take as much as 200 strokes to reach the 3000 pounds of pressure you'll need. Might as well order something to give you the 3000 pounds of pressure you'll need. 30 - 40 shots between fills is quite adequate, but you don't want to use a pressure pump! It will wear you out!! Good excercise, I guess, but I can do without it. Get a scuba tank and a fill valve.

I have not been able to exercise the rifle as much as I want but I look forward to a wonderful summer and fall.

Maybe some visibility paint on sites.

I am a beginner with air guns but I am confident that I made good choices to start with the Diana rifle and Benjamin pump.

Accurate, great trigger, has sights

I'd like an adjustable stock length.

Lightweight, shoots excellent groups with iron sights, nice trigger action, quiet.

Only had it two days and haven't found any warts.

This is just a great value in an entry level PCP.