INTRODUCTION
Most of you will know me as a "Science guy" and, yes, I guess I am more than a common NERD.
But life and experience have taught me that there is a lot of worthwhile knowledge to be gained from just listening to the users. Especially if the users are experienced and UNCOMMON persons, in the sense of having been endowed with more than a passing grade of "COMMON SENSE".
When I was much younger, my GrandMa used to tell me that the least common of senses was the common sense. After almost 64 years I have come to agree wholeheartedly with that.
Bill and I met by "accident" in one of the fora, we both love airguns, and German Airguns more precisely; and I cannot but see a future me (result of a strongly driven and purposeful youth with lots of physicality to it) in him.
One day my body will present the "bills" for all those strenuous activities.
And, while growing old is mandatory, it's growing up what I plan on keeping "optional" ;-)
To keep a capacity of wonderment, and the love of life, is what will make the next decade (or two), what it is supposed to be.
And so, in that spirit, I present you with a notable person, in the sense that he makes a lot of sense.
Oh!, and what does the title mean? Well it's sort of a private joke because while discussing the idea of this Blog entry, Bill asked me (and rightfully so), "Won't we be comparing apples to oranges here?"
My response was that there were sufficient characteristics shared by BOTH guns (HW30 and AM03) to think more about a comparison between Mandarins and Oranges: about the same, just slightly different size, zest and flavour.
¿Isn't that what life is all about?
;-)
I yield the floor to Bill:
Most of you will know me as a "Science guy" and, yes, I guess I am more than a common NERD.
But life and experience have taught me that there is a lot of worthwhile knowledge to be gained from just listening to the users. Especially if the users are experienced and UNCOMMON persons, in the sense of having been endowed with more than a passing grade of "COMMON SENSE".
When I was much younger, my GrandMa used to tell me that the least common of senses was the common sense. After almost 64 years I have come to agree wholeheartedly with that.
Bill and I met by "accident" in one of the fora, we both love airguns, and German Airguns more precisely; and I cannot but see a future me (result of a strongly driven and purposeful youth with lots of physicality to it) in him.
One day my body will present the "bills" for all those strenuous activities.
And, while growing old is mandatory, it's growing up what I plan on keeping "optional" ;-)
To keep a capacity of wonderment, and the love of life, is what will make the next decade (or two), what it is supposed to be.
And so, in that spirit, I present you with a notable person, in the sense that he makes a lot of sense.
Oh!, and what does the title mean? Well it's sort of a private joke because while discussing the idea of this Blog entry, Bill asked me (and rightfully so), "Won't we be comparing apples to oranges here?"
My response was that there were sufficient characteristics shared by BOTH guns (HW30 and AM03) to think more about a comparison between Mandarins and Oranges: about the same, just slightly different size, zest and flavour.
¿Isn't that what life is all about?
;-)
I yield the floor to Bill:
Guest Blog by Bill Rickvalsky
Bill with the two guns he was charged of comparing: in his left hand, an HW30, in his right a modified DIANA Mauser AM03
Let me begin with a little background information. A few weeks ago I was involved in a discussion on a web forum about the possible acquisition of another air rifle. I had not too long ago acquired a Weihrauch HW30S as an addition to my Diana Model 34. The reason for that purchase was because the cocking effort of the Diana 34 had become rather fatiguing. The HW30S was a considerable relief in that regard. But then I began investigating the purchase of another rifle that might provide power similar to the Diana 34 but not be as difficult for me to cock.
The reason the cocking effort is an issue for me is that I am in my 70's and have a chronic health condition that occasionally affects my muscle strength. But I thoroughly enjoy my shooting and regularly have somewhat lengthy shooting sessions. The HW30S allowed me to do this without wearing myself out.
As a result of that forum discussion I was offered an opportunity by Hector to compare my HW30S to a Diana AM03 Mauser that had been modified with people in just my situation in mind, older folks with health issues. The AM03 started life as an NTec gas piston rifle. It now has a steel spring operating an anti bounce piston (ABP). The rifle is putting out 13 fpe and has a cocking force of 23 pounds. My objective was to report on the perceived cocking force and the shooting characteristics of this rifle and the HW30S.
The reason the cocking effort is an issue for me is that I am in my 70's and have a chronic health condition that occasionally affects my muscle strength. But I thoroughly enjoy my shooting and regularly have somewhat lengthy shooting sessions. The HW30S allowed me to do this without wearing myself out.
As a result of that forum discussion I was offered an opportunity by Hector to compare my HW30S to a Diana AM03 Mauser that had been modified with people in just my situation in mind, older folks with health issues. The AM03 started life as an NTec gas piston rifle. It now has a steel spring operating an anti bounce piston (ABP). The rifle is putting out 13 fpe and has a cocking force of 23 pounds. My objective was to report on the perceived cocking force and the shooting characteristics of this rifle and the HW30S.
From top to bottom: DIANA Mauser AM03; DIANA 34; HW30S
After receiving the AM03 and getting it set up to shoot everything went very smoothly and the rifle fit me well just as received. My quick impressions from the first shooting sessions were very favorable. The AM03 is heavy. The all up weight is 9 lbs. 11 oz. which is heavier than my Diana 34 at 9 lbs. exactly. My HW30S weighs in at 6 lbs. 12 oz. Both rifles are scoped. The cocking effort of the AM03 was perceptibly heavier than the HW30S but not by a significant amount. The difference between the two would not make me choose one over the other just based upon the work involved in cocking. My Diana 34 is significantly more work. The trigger on the AM03, which I understand is an Ntec T06, is very light and has a clean, crisp break. A very nice trigger so I can't blame my sometimes poor shooting on the trigger.
Do any of you think this is poor shooting? Heck, No! It's good shooting in anybody's books.
As I was able to get in more shooting sessions I was paying particular attention to the shot cycle characteristics. The AM03 seems to shoot at an equivalent power level to my Diana 34 although my chronograph is not operational I had previously determined my Diana 34 put out about 13 fpe. But the shot cycle characteristics were very different. The AM03 has a sharper, crisper shot cycle than either the HW30S or my Diana 34. By that I do not mean the shot cycle is harsher. It just seems quicker and more stable. While the HW30S has a softer shot cycle it is only about a 6.5 fpe rifle. My impression after several shooting sessions was that the AM03 is less hold sensitive than my Diana 34 and is almost on the same level as the HW30S in that regard.
A couple of the shooting sessions I had were fairly lengthy with over 200 pellets down range. On those occasions the cocking effort of the AM03 and HW30S became an obvious advantage for me. I believe I could shoot either of those rifles all day long. I eventually would lay the Diana 34 aside while shooting the other two. I know there are people who do not find the Diana 34 difficult to cock. But it apparently crosses a threshold of work for me. I like the rifle and can shoot it for a while but there are limits.
One side comment I would like to make here is about the length of the cocking arm (barrel) and how it affects this. While many people say the longer barrel provides more leverage it also requires a longer reach, particularly when sitting. When reaching up to the end of the barrel my arm is fully extended and then has to swing out and down while still fully extended until more than half way through the cocking cycle. This actually is as much of a disadvantage as it is an advantage. I find it easier to not reach all the way to the end of the barrel.
Someone else's technique may give different results in this regard.
A couple of the shooting sessions I had were fairly lengthy with over 200 pellets down range. On those occasions the cocking effort of the AM03 and HW30S became an obvious advantage for me. I believe I could shoot either of those rifles all day long. I eventually would lay the Diana 34 aside while shooting the other two. I know there are people who do not find the Diana 34 difficult to cock. But it apparently crosses a threshold of work for me. I like the rifle and can shoot it for a while but there are limits.
One side comment I would like to make here is about the length of the cocking arm (barrel) and how it affects this. While many people say the longer barrel provides more leverage it also requires a longer reach, particularly when sitting. When reaching up to the end of the barrel my arm is fully extended and then has to swing out and down while still fully extended until more than half way through the cocking cycle. This actually is as much of a disadvantage as it is an advantage. I find it easier to not reach all the way to the end of the barrel.
Someone else's technique may give different results in this regard.
The AM03 seems a little louder from behind the gun than either of the other two rifles. It is not very much at all and may be related to the crisper shot cycle. But I am fortunate in being able to shoot without any concern for the noise levels of any of these rifles as none of them is really offensive in my rural neighborhood. And just as a check I asked my son to listen to them from about 20 yards away to the side. He felt that the Diana 34 and the AM03 were about the same. The HW30S as expected is quieter.
I would love to have a hybrid of the AM03 and the HW30S. I like the extra reach of the AM03 without paying a significant price in cocking effort. The AM03 that I am shooting is heavy, especially for occasional offhand shooting. But there are times I wish the HW30S had just a little more weight for offhand shooting. This light, short rifle sometimes seems a little twitchy without a rest of some sort. It would also be nice to have the barrel on the AM03 be two or three inches shorter. For me anyway the shorter overall length would balance better.
I would love to have a hybrid of the AM03 and the HW30S. I like the extra reach of the AM03 without paying a significant price in cocking effort. The AM03 that I am shooting is heavy, especially for occasional offhand shooting. But there are times I wish the HW30S had just a little more weight for offhand shooting. This light, short rifle sometimes seems a little twitchy without a rest of some sort. It would also be nice to have the barrel on the AM03 be two or three inches shorter. For me anyway the shorter overall length would balance better.
I would like to thank Hector for this opportunity to participate in this comparison and to possibly contribute slightly to upcoming design decisions. And I told him several times how much I love the set up on the trigger in this AM03. It is an absolute pleasure to shoot.
I hope everyone learns a little something from this old guy's comments. I know there are others like me out there who may have the same concerns.
Bill Rickvalsky
I hope everyone learns a little something from this old guy's comments. I know there are others like me out there who may have the same concerns.
Bill Rickvalsky
N.E. I would like to finish this entry by thanking Bill for his time and effort.
And yes,I learned things that we expect to put in place with the new EMS line at DIANA.
The 34 EMS will allow users to "tailor" the gun in such a way as to suit THEM.
Particularly in Bill's case, I am already envisioning a 34 EMS with the NTec trigger, a lightweight ABP unit inside the OEM piston, a shorter barrel, and a Carbon Fiber moderator/Harmonics Tuner in place. The short barrel will save 1 full pound of weight, the Carbon Fiber mod/HT will save another ¼ lb, and a beech stock will also save another ¼ lb, so, all in all, with a Traditions lightweight scope in small ZR Mounts, we could be looking at a 7 to 7¼ lbs all up rifle still capable of delivering 12 ft-lbs at the muzzle with a bit over 25# peak cocking force.
Now, THAT would be an interesting little gun, LOL!
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
And yes,I learned things that we expect to put in place with the new EMS line at DIANA.
The 34 EMS will allow users to "tailor" the gun in such a way as to suit THEM.
Particularly in Bill's case, I am already envisioning a 34 EMS with the NTec trigger, a lightweight ABP unit inside the OEM piston, a shorter barrel, and a Carbon Fiber moderator/Harmonics Tuner in place. The short barrel will save 1 full pound of weight, the Carbon Fiber mod/HT will save another ¼ lb, and a beech stock will also save another ¼ lb, so, all in all, with a Traditions lightweight scope in small ZR Mounts, we could be looking at a 7 to 7¼ lbs all up rifle still capable of delivering 12 ft-lbs at the muzzle with a bit over 25# peak cocking force.
Now, THAT would be an interesting little gun, LOL!
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
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