Date: 28/4/2025 8:25

Page 4 - Diana Model 48 Reviews

Diana Model 48 Sidelever Action Spring Piston Air Rifle

Average Customer Review

Rating 5.05.0 (124 reviews)
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  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    Everything on this rifle is superb for me.

    Things I would have changed:

    Offer enhanced front and rear sights for low light shooting.

    What others should know:

    This rifle is an excellent spring-piston. Accurate and powerful. Mine likes the 15-16 grain JSB and H&N pellets. It shoots the 18 grain pellets with about four inches of drop at 25 yards. There are no fliers with this rifle.....accurate! I am very satisfied.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    Accuracy, looks,

    Things I would have changed:

    for myself the stock is a little short

    What others should know:

    this air gun is very accurate and well worth your money

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    Well built stock and metal parts.Heavy but manageable with a sling if carrying in the woods for hunting.Its a breeze to install the sling studs!Very hold sensitive.Took me about 100 rounds to figure out my best hold for this gun.It like to be held very lightly without any pressure point.Once I dial in the hold,I was able to put 5 shots in a 1/2 inch circle at 20 yds!.I use a Leaper 3x9x40 scope with medium ring on a UTG droop compensator scope base.I realized that my gun does not have a barrel droop so I reversed the scope base instead.So far it likes RWS Superdome,Grosman Premiers and the Diabolo Exact domes pellets.The Diabolo is the most accurate of these three pellets for my gun.I am very happy with the overall quality,accuracy ,and price for this gun.It really oozes German technology and built quality. Very happy with the puchase, and the customer service of PA.No regrets for my first air gun!

    Things I would have changed:

    None for now....

    What others should know:

    It is a heavy gun to shoot off hand.Mine weigh over 10 lbs with scope, scope base and rings!If you plan on doing a lot of walking for your hunt,a sling will be helpful.A shooting stick will help stabilise this heavy rifle with longer shots.Learn to hold it lightly on your shoulder,cheek and do not squeeze the forearm.Give it room to move from the double recoil and your accuracy will Improve.It likes dome pellets so far weighing between 13 to 18 grains .I zero it at 20 yds and it is good up to 35 yds.Above 35 yds I just have to hold over a tad on my mildot .Overall, be patience and take the time to learn the hold and pellets preference.Once you have these dialed in, it is a pleasure to shoot.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    Very accurate gun. Lots of fun and easy cocking unlike my 8 pumper.

    Things I would have changed:

    Nothing

    What others should know:

    Makes a little noise, but hey part of the fun. Kills squirrels so far at 20 yards.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    Everything

    Things I would have changed:

    Nothing

    What others should know:

    This is the first quality spring gun I have owned or even shot. Dime size groups are common.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    This rifle is very well made . I was surprised at the quality of workmanship. It is designed to hold in the off position very well.

    Things I would have changed:

    Not a thing!

    What others should know:

    While this rifle is a bit heavy it is very solid and no plastic which makes it a joy to hold and shoot. I have found it very accurate and very consistent.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    High quality fit and finish. Absolute dead on accuracy with RWS dome head pellets. Dime size 5 shot group at 25 yds. consistently.

    Things I would have changed:

    The iron sights need to be the same as the new fiber optic sights on the model 34. Front sight way to wide.

    What others should know:

    This gun is HEAVY. A sling is a must on this big boy! Gun is rock solid though.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 4.04.0 4.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    I had the guys at Pyramyd do the 20 for $20 and mount the scope. Out of the box I dusted the first squirrel I shot at about 25 yds. Great gun, well made, love the side lever cocking, German quality is excellent.

    Things I would have changed:

    nothing

    What others should know:

    still need to bench test the performance for the most accurate pellets

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 4.04.0 4.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    I have the 22 cal version, mine is 10 years old or so at this point. 1000's of shots, no loss of power noted, smooth cocking and trigger, very accurate with the right pellet. High quality stock, build in general.

    Things I would have changed:

    narrower front sight would be an improvement, I have a scope mounted so it doesnt matter much now.

    What others should know:

    purchase the utg scope mount designed for this gun, also sold at pyramydair. Blue locktite the stock screws after a few hundred shots. RWS are pricey, maybe too pricey since other manufacturers have caught up somewhat.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    this is a beautifully crafted masterpiece,which fits in your hand just out of the box.It is as balanced,have crispy trigger and accurate as i have other high end AR with just double of it's cost.This is truly an amazing Air rifle.Mine is in 0.177 and have got 1/2" grouping at 20 yards and 3/4" grouping at 40 yards with 8.2 gr RWS flat head pallets and 3-9x50 Hawk HD scope.

    Things I would have changed:

    Nothing except Cheek piece,which s/b slightly elevated so as to have proper cheek rest while sight in the scope( used single piece medium height mount)

    What others should know:

    Since i also practice for 10 M AR competitions,i have pretty good idea about balance ,feel ,comfort and accuracy and this rifle have all.Buy it,you won't regret .It's remarkably as per Diana's legendary commitment towards quality and satisfaction.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    Solidly built and precise.

    Things I would have changed:

    Tacky sights.

    What others should know:

    Well built and finished. Good design. Powerful but balanced.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    While I have only owned My RWS model48 .22cal rifle for a few weeks I have shot around 150 pellets thru it primarly off hand at 20 yds (basement.I am 62 so my eyes are not what they used to be so using open sights is temporary. I am very impressed with the accuracy of this rifle. I am holding a good 3/4 inch group at 20yds off hand. I shot on two rifle teams as a teenager so using that training helps. I am using 14.3 Benjamin pellets that I had laying around and they work good for now but I will try different weights,brands and designs later.

    Things I would have changed:

    I would like to have a longer stock I am 6"2 210lbs and the reach is a little on the short side but not to bad. I will be mountng a scope soon after breaking this rifle in. So hopefully the RWS factory dovetail is robust enough for the scope mounts.I read that scope mounting and scopes can be problem with breakage on these springers. I would hope that RWS would design a robust scope mounting system for these rifles.

    What others should know:

    I read that some people are concerned about the ratcheting sound the gun makes during the cocking cycle. I believe this is perfectly normal as my rifle cocks very smooth with no binding or hesitation at all. This is very high quality built rifle, heavy but solid and accurate. I can't say enough about the support and shipping speed (2days)of PyramydAir. I talked with a few techs via the support button and they answered my questions in a matter of minutes. Awesome rifle, buy one!

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    The 48 is a very impressive right out if the box, in both appearance and performance. The power of this rifle is amazeing and with open sights and my old eyes dime size groups at 33 ft. alsom. After about 500 round's of 14.3 grain pellets the side cocking lever has freed up and the pull some were 36 and 39 lb. Love the rifle. The T06 adjustable trigger is sweet.

    Things I would have changed:

    Swivels and a sling.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    Excellent combination of accuracy and power. T06 trigger function is superb.

    Things I would have changed:

    Change the front sight base/shroud from plastic to steel.

    What others should know:

    This is a very high quality, powerful air rifle.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    Got this rifle about two months ago, it shoots very accurately and precisely right out of the box. My 48 is .177 and I shoot it with crosman premier 10.5 grain dome pellets,its important to use these heavy pellets because the 48 has a lot of power and anything lighter will just go too fast for accuracy. Mine shoots the 10.5 at over 900 fps - it delivers a hell of a punch; shot 6 to 10 pound iguanas offhand at over 35 yards placing the shot in the area of the head the animal came down like a sack of rocks. I installed a Leapers 4-16x40 AO which is too heavy , but the 4x32 Leapers I had previously did not withstand the beating and its reticle was damaged. The 48 in .177 is a super flat shooter with the 10.5 pellets expect to hit 2x2 inch targets at 70 plus yards S.O.P. As for aesthetics the 48 even with out the elevated cheek piece is gorgeous ,mine came with beautiful wood mohagony colored and flawlessly fit to the steel workmanship. The blueing is top notch. And the TO6 trigger in my opinion can compete with the HW or Beeman Rekord trigger hands down. I'm not into field target shooting but if I were my 48 could do the job.

    Things I would have changed:

    The 48 is a classic, but I would love to see some accessory to lengthen the stock. The 48 has a substantial kick and it will probably play havoc on some scopes,but once its steadies out the rifle is a jewel. After having experienced the quality and precision of the 48, I place this gun in my opinion above the 460; the 48 is a lighter gun and even if it does not have all the power of the RWS 460 the difference in weight makes it more user friendly . Both guns have about the same noise level , they will bark in closed area, almost silent in open places. Be careful with the 48 as with the 460 they can definitely poke a hole through 3/4 inch plywood even at 20 plus yards- choose your back drops wisely.

    What others should know:

    This is a serious target and hunting air rifle. The side lever is hard to pull at the begining of your training with this gun,but once you get the feel of it ,and acquire the technique it becomes second nature. The mechanics of this rifle are superior to other rifles that have the same or higher price. German quality at its best. The gun takes some time to break in, but in my experience my 48 has just gotten better with time and use. If I had less years and better eye sight I would shoot my 48 with its open sights or better yet with some high quality peep sights, the gun is winner.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    This is my second air rifle, after my bumpy first foray into air gunning with a Ruger Air Hawk... Uhhhg :( I have a challenging problem with squirrels in my backyard garden and orchard, so .22 cal was the logical and recommended choice. I have owned it now eight months, and so far it has done the job to which it has been assigned very well. It’s light enough to carry and hold for hours in the field, and if my artillery hold is operating, I normally get one-shot kills out to thirty yards. The 48 is every bit an air “ranch rifle”, much like my Ruger Mini-14 is in the firearms world. Fast, powerful and deadly. The side cocking feature was an unexpected delight to experience. Break barrels are nice, underlevers are better, but side cockers are the best, I think. You don’t have to get “under” the rifle to cock it. Imagine not having to get “under” your car to change the oil. Very satisfied with this rifle. So much so I decided to buy an RWS 54 . Using the 54 from a rest off my back porch, or out the bedroom window has all my close-in work covered. The 48 for field work. Both use the same basic platform, so switching between the two is effortless. Airgunners find they often need more than one gun. These two could be called the “Dynamic Duo”.

    Things I would have changed:

    Absolutely nothing. I’m fat and happy with both the rifle and the support of Pyramyd Air and the staff. Don’t fret about the plain looking stock. It’s well finished in what I believe is polyurethane. At least that is what I used to touch up some scratches I put on my stock. Some folks here claimed the stock was too smooth and slippery, but that helps the with artillery hold a lot… a light, loose hold, remember?

    What others should know:

    My best groups come from both 15.9 gr and 18.1 gr JSB pellets. RWS 14.5 gr Superdomes were disappointing with their inconsistent grouping. With only these three pellet samples, I would only cautiously conclude that the heavier pellets work better with the 48, given its higher power rating. As such, .22 cal would be the better choice over .177. I recommend the UTG droop mount and low weaver rings. But I shot over 20 squirrels during the break in period using only the open sites. So don’t worry about jumping into just any scope right away. Your needs will determine your scope choices. Tom Gaylord has several good articles and blogs on choosing the right scope. Check them all out on this site. Many of the comments below me I found to be persuasive, sage, and accurate. Read on. But I think the best thing of all is that this rifle can deliver near PCP level power and performance without all the extra baggage attached….air tanks, gauges, hoses, and then having to buy a chrony just to see if the thing is even shooting right or not. Simple is as simple does, or something like that :)

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    Great power. Exellent accuracy. only thing is slow to reload. so, follow-up shots huntging is hard.

    Things I would have changed:

    PLASTIC TRIGGER & SAFETY

    What others should know:

    NOt loud, distinctive pop!

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    The fit and finish on this rifle is astoundingly good. The side lever is very easy to use, a little stiff at first but breaks in quickly. The trigger is great- two stage with a a very predictable let-off; the T06 trigger is a must. I shoot this with the stock iron sights using bulk pack crosman .22 domed pellets and it's a drill, really... I use this primarily while camping for quiet plinking and it fits the bill better than anything I've ever owned and will be taking this over my .22 LR now. I would not feel "under-gunned" with this if pressed to hunt small game if needed for any reason. This thing just exceeded my expectations in every way imaginable. So many well thought out features

    Things I would have changed:

    Not the best sights, not the worst... I feel the front post is rather wide, but I imagine it's interchangeable if needed since the front sight is also adjustable for elevation- a very nice touch. It' not a "balanced" rifle; which is not bad, but the artillery hold is not as intuitive on this rifle... maybe it needs a bit more weight up front?

    What others should know:

    This is a very stout, compact, and heavy rifle and the side lever adds a lot of bulk. Neither here, nor there, just different! Worth every single penny

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    Seems to be extremely well made. Fit and finish are superb for a rifle in this price range. Have not had this rifle very long, but it is a real joy to shoot. I just don't see how you can go wrong choosing this rifle. Very accurate and powerful.

    Things I would have changed:

    My "ideal" 48 would have no fixed sights, as I have to use a scope because of my less than youthful eyesight. Would like to see an option for a muzzle brake instead of open sights. Also, would like a raised cheek piece (monte carlo style) stock.

    What others should know:

    This air rifle is the real deal. It takes quite a bit of effort to cock, at least initially, so bring a strong arm. If you plan on using a larger objective scope on this rifle(greater than 40mm), you will most likely need a high mount ring system. This will raise the center of the scope line considerably above the bore. This is not a problem in and of itself, but keep in mind you might not get a good cheek weld with the stock. I installed a Leapers 3x9-40 with a Leapers medium rise one piece mount and it clears the action by about 1/4 inch. This has been a very comfortable combination for me to work with.

  • Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Rating 5.05.0 5.0

    Things I liked:

    Craftsmanship, accuracy and smooth action

    Things I would have changed:

    Maybe raised cheek pad on butt

    What others should know:

    Awesome air riffle

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