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Slinging the Dianas

2/1/2020

8 Comments

 
Luckily, there is no disclaimer for this one! LOL!

​Let's take a break from harmonics and look in detail at ways to sling airguns.

As a custom gunsmith, I am often requested to put sling swivels and add a sling to the package.

When I ask the customer HOW he would like his rifle slings installed, the answer is always: "As always", or "The only way you can do it".

In reality there are two major ways of installing slings in sporting rifles and within those two ways or locations, you can choose between two hardware styles

The first location and indeed common to the edge of being the only one seen commonly in the USA is what we will term the "American Way". And it is basically en evolution of the military form of slinging the bolt actions: Slings go on the bottom of the stock because rifle is always carried muzzle up
Picture
But there are other ways of slinging an airgun, for example, the Europeans like to sling some guns on the side:
Picture
Reason is simple: This is a "bergstutzen" (literally: mountain carbine), basically a short, light, carbine design, mainly thought for mountain hunting.
When the rifle is carried up and down 99% of the time, the rifle lies flat against the back and provides a much more comfortable "carry".
A slightly better installation (and more expensive), is the "Pachmayr Flush Mount" swivels, not always easy to obtain:
Picture
In this type of installation, the sling needs to go into a special swivel that you need to push and turn for it to lock inside the cavity. Once inside it is perfectly secure and can move back and forth, as swivels should, but you can easily remove the swivels and the surface of the gun is as clean as it can be.
Picture
These flush-mounted swivels require a special installation tool, and so they are not that popular:
Picture
Buying a $100 tool to install one or two slings, is not truly worthwhile for most shooters.

The bronze inserts on the left were made to use the tool to locate more conventional swivel holes.

Of course, you can mix and match, as you see fit:
Picture
In this example, the shooter wanted a comfortable way to carry the gun, but still wanted the possibility to use the sling as a "hasty sling" when shooting prone. Something you can easily do with the DIANA 54.

But, ¿what can you do with breakbarrels?, some may ask.

Well, in essence you can choose how to install the rear swivel in any of the two ways: bottom or side, but the front?
Picture
This is one way, using a "Magazine Tube" sling, usually employed in Rimfire repeaters to attach the sling swivel to the barrel.
I like to install it as far to the rear as possible, because in that way it interferes the least with the shooting itself.

It does need some care in the installation because there is a hollow screw that attaches the two sides.
Picture
I usually install  a thin piece of leather or rubber to protect the finish and also to prevent sliding of the stud along the barrel.
Picture
The finished job is quite good and functional because at the rear of the barrel, the pressure or pull on the sling will not open the barrel either.
I always recommend a muzzle down carry with this method, but it is not always possible to do it comfortably if the customer chooses the bottom installation of the rear swivel.

The other option for break barrels is to simply replace one of the front stock screws by a stud.
Picture
Even though this picture is from a Stutzen, the same technique can be used for the 34 and other DIANA's with side mounted stock screws.

As you can see, it is not difficult to sling an airgun, you just need to be a little ingenious.

:-)

Keep well and shoot straight!






​HM
8 Comments
Thomas Marshall
2/1/2020 13:33:43

As usual very informative. Thank you for putting it together and sharing with us less in the know.

Reply
Hector Medina
2/2/2020 12:24:51

Thanks for reading, Tom!

HM

Reply
RidgeRunner
2/16/2020 14:34:13

Hey Hector,

I had a Diana 46E that had a mag tube sling on the cocking lever. I never could get it tight enough to suit me. It works as long as you point the muzzle down.

I do like those flush mount swivels, although they are not really necessary. My next wood stocked sproinger will likely get quick detach swivels.

Reply
RidgeRunner
3/26/2020 05:40:10

Hector,

Speaking of Diana, once upon a time they were supposed to be working on a Model 30 for the American market.

What happened to it?

Reply
Hector Medina
3/26/2020 18:16:52

Hello RR!

Actually, there are TWO.

One is the "Oktoberfest Gewehr" in 0.177" cal (as opposed to the 0.172/4.40) that was supposed to be handled byPyramyd Air.
Perhaps you can ask them if they went along with the project or not.
The other is the new CNC machined Diana Mod 30, basically geared towards travelling shooting galleries in the German market. It is a €900 gun with all the ways and means of doing business: counters for shot string and overall shot count, bulk ammunition manufactured by H&N in the proper 4.40 caliber, 100 shot magazines, and 300 shot capacity magazine loaders, tether ring and Absolutely indestructible. yes it is a complete system.

It was to be unveiled at IWA 2020, but without IWA and with the Covid-19 crisis, the project has been "parked" as many others.

Keep well and shoot straight!






HM

Reply
RidgeRunner
3/29/2020 08:54:02

We have been waiting on the Oktoberfest Gewehr. It would certainly be nice to have a very well made bb gun that could challenge the 499.

Rand
2/20/2021 13:58:26

Hello Hector! As always, thank you for the informative post. I’m currently trying to sling my 350 Mag, and am curious about the stud you mentioned/showed, replacing one of the side stock screws. Where can I find this part that is compatible with the 350 Mag? Thank you for your time, and seemingly never ending airgun knowledge. Shoot straight my Friend!

Reply
Hector Medina
2/24/2021 10:23:55

Hello Rand;

These are the screws you need:

https://unclemikes.com/115-b-magum-band-swivel-screws/

While the factory is "out of stock" you should be able to get them almost anywhere else.

HTH!



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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