Diana, Model 10

[pauln]

Looks like a nice Diana model 10 for sale on the local auction site. Probably sell for half the price of a knew Izzy. Do you think it would be a good pistol for a beginner to start with ?? thanks

[j-team]

They are heavy and will be difficult for smaller juniors to cock.

But, they shoot OK if you like that sort of thing!

[slofyr]

... Diana model 10... a good pistol for a beginner to start with ?? thanks

The model 10 was an engineering exercise to convert a Giss air rifle action into a match pistol, and it didn't quite make the grade. I never found cocking the 10 to be any problem, but it is a heavy and massive beast with compromised ergonomics and balance.

The Izzy's size, weight, and ergos could be criticized, too, but not nearly as much. It's a far better pistol in application and, in my opinion, you'll shoot better scores with it. From a mechanical perspective, the brilliant simplicity of the IZH makes it a better choice, too, because it is owner serviceable.

[yana]

I never found model 10 to be excessively heavy and I'm female. It has better balance for me than FWB65.
Ónly downside of all GISS systems, is that its an easy systemto ruin..(pinion caps and thread).
IF you buy anything with giss, make sure it has had new seals already. AND make sure it hasnt been ruined..
Besides that, they're verynice pistols; nice trigger, adj grip, some model 10s have adj weight to fix the hand..
Just dont foget to turn the shroud before you cock

[pauln]

thanks Guys

[JoeG]

If you can get a chance to handle a Model 10 prior to making the purchase you obviously will get a better idea how you might like it. It is very well made and is certainly capable of top scores and the Giss system is very effective in eliminatating any sort of vibration or recoil not that the IZH has any issue there. If it has the newer seals in it as previously mentioned you should not run into any issues with it. I have had two and have not experienced any seal issues but they did have the newer seals (blue in color).

Resealed and in top shape these usually sell in the $400-$450, less if they are in less good condition. A rebuild these days is not cheap since RWS no longer has their own service center like they used to.

The IZH remains one of the best values in air pistols and is very reliable and simple in it's mechanics. Some people do find the IZH front heavy, more so on the 46M than on the original 46 but whether that is a negative or positive is a personal consideration. I usually like a forward bias in weight balance so they work out fine for me.

Buy both if you can and have twice the fun.

Joe G.

[william]

Can the Model 10 be dry fired? If not, I would consider that a fatal handicap.

[JoeG]

Which is pretty much the rule for any spring piston airgun.

Sorry,
Joe G

[John C]

A key point about spring pistol air guns is that the lock time is horrendous. The pellet only starts moving down the barrel once the piston have moved a long ways down the chamber, if not all the the way down. This means that follow through is much more important. A SSP pistol dumps air much more quickly, as all the trigger does is trip the valve.

From my perspective, this means that it's much easier to shoot better scores with a SSP pistol than a spring piston pistol.

Good luck!

-John