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Setting up a DIANA 460 for Iron Sights

6/5/2021

2 Comments

 
After more than 10 years after its introduction, the DIANA 460 has already become a "Classic".
No other gun displays the power, the accuracy and the elegance of this svelte lady.
22-24 ft-lbs yields are the norm, and accuracies well within minute of rabbit ;-) at 70 yards are not uncommon.

So, when a friend asked me to take a look into her gun because the cocking linkage had failed, and then she decided to take the opportunity to have the gun set-up for iron sights I was more than intrigued.

As things go these days, we had to wait for over 4 months to get the spare parts to repair the gun (on warranty from DIANA), but in the end they came and we got the repair done swiftly.
We took advantage of installing a custom guide made for the OEM springs.
OEM DIANA springs are reasonably good. They are powerful and consistent. But the molded guides leave something to be desired. A guide turned to the proper dimensions will quell the spring's longitudinal vibrations, and reduce the twang and the buzz.
Normally I would not tackle a "partial" tune, but since this was really a "repair", it really was not a problem to be flexible.

Once the guide was installed and checked, the gun was chronoed at almost 23 ft-lbs with the JSB  Exact  Jumbo (15.89 grs in 5.52 mm's). No twang, no buzz.

And once the uniformity of the MV's was established (SD's of 3 and 4 fps), we proceeded to change the front sight for something more useful with a peep.
We looked at different options for the front sight, from the very "field" Firesight, to the Lyman Olympic.
In the end, we decided to use the Firesight.
Picture
We eliminated  the large, flat "blade" and cut a cross-dovetail for a Williams Firesight
Then we drifted the front sight in (always right to left).
Picture
We had settled on the system months ago, left to right:
​Williams GR base, Int'l to Williams adapter  made by Gehman, then the Sinclair / AOS Microsight, and then the Gehman Iris adjustable "stop". 
It is worthy of note that the AG base is too high for this application and to keep a very low LOS, corresponding to the OEM design of the stock.
Picture
The thumbscrew replaces the locking screw and makes it easy to keep  the sight set. Even though it is a Williams part, it has to be cut as the original thread length is too much.
Picture
Picture
In this picture you can see how the bridge can come as low as the base itself. This allows a bit forward mounting and the use of the DIANA OEM rear sight recoil arresting screw (the original use and design of that screw from 50 years ago).
Typical offhand 5 shot groups at 10 meters
Picture
Picture
We will tackle putting sling swivels (Pachmayr Flush) and then the gun will be off to its owner.

Really interesting guns, these 460's.

Keep well and shoot straight!







HM

2 Comments
RidgeRunner
6/26/2021 09:25:16

Hector,

It has been some time since I have visited. Wow! I have missed a lot.

I absolutely adore peeps. I myself would have chosen the large iris on the right instead of the glowy thingy, but to each their own I guess. With the proper clear iris or pointed "perlkorn" post, that thing would be dead on at a considerable range. My Diana 50 can be quite impressive for a low powered sproinger.

Reply
Hector Medina
7/1/2021 11:58:06

Hello RR!

As a gunsmith, I do not get to do whatever I want. LOL!

Personally, I would have used the DIANA "Pyramid" insert in the DIANA Korntunnel, but the customer wanted American style cross-dovetailed sights. So, she got what she asked for.

HM

Reply



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    Hector Medina

    2012 US National WFTF Spring Piston Champion
    2012 WFTF Spring Piston Grand Prix Winner
    2013 World's WFTF Spring Piston 7th place
    2014 Texas State WFTF Piston Champion
    2014 World's WFTF Spring Piston 5th place.
    2015 Maine State Champion WFTF Piston
    2015 Massachusetts State Champion WFTF Piston
    2015 New York State Champion WFTF Piston
    2015 US National WFTF Piston 2nd Place
    2016 Canadian WFTF Piston Champion
    2016 Pyramyd Air Cup WFTF Piston 1st Place
    2017 US Nationals Open Piston 3rd Place
    2018 WFTC's Member of Team USA Champion Springers
    2018 WFTC's 4th place Veteran Springer
    2020 Puerto Rico GP Piston First Place
    2020 NC State Championships 1st Place Piston
    2022 Maryland State Champion WFTF 
    2022 WFTC's Italy Member of TEAM USA 2nd place Springers
    2022 WFTC's Italy
    2nd Place Veteran Springers

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