A new breed of Break-Barrel Piston rifle
Back in 2016 (that is already 5 years ago!) When I met Tobias Schmidt for the second time at Pyramyd Air Cup, we started toying around with ideas for the future of DIANA.
During the long hours of talks and idea sharing, we developed a respect and friendship that I am glad to be able to say that has survived the changing circumstances of life.
In subsequent years, we attended several IWA's and PAC's and our long drives to and from those events were usually spent brainstorming about the products and the markets.
About 2018, when we drove from Maryland to Ohio together, we started discussing in earnest what the EMS COULD mean to the shooters. Before that, it had been mainly a manufacturing simplification system, where the products could be built using common parts and only some parts would differentiate the versions.
Through our conversations, Tobias saw the value that the system could bring to the market; specifically, the US market that has a long tradition of "home tinkering" and enjoys a freedom not granted to citizens of other countries to CREATE our own rifles.
And so the "Easy Manufacturing System" became the "Easy Modular System" with a focus more towards the user than to the maker.
Given the HUGE opportunity that designing a new platform brought, we looked at every detail and every nook and cranny of the rifle, from the sights to the butt plate.
And when we were almost ready to release the first pre-production steps (first one series of 10 rifles, then a series of a 100), to then go into production at full pace, CoViD struck.
This disease/pandemic has brought different responses from different countries. MOST have opted to limit people's mobility and contact, some have opted to do nothing beyond putting the responsibility in the citizen's shoulders. Others started with a lenient attitude only to go into panic when hospitals filled overnight.
But in all aspects, it has been mostly "social distancing" what has prevailed.
In a production environment, "social distancing" carries a lot of collateral effects.
Things don't get transferred as fast and as completely as when there is face to face contact.
Things take, at least, twice as long (if not four times as long).
There are more errors and more problems that could have been solved, but were not, because people are not REALLY working together.
All our plans to release the whole suite of parts and accessories simultaneously with the guns have gone out the window. Though SOME parts are ALREADY available. And the reason is simple:
EMS builds onto the excellent results of the NTec series by using the NTec piston and trigger block; and then enhancing the architecture of the gun completely.
There are three "reviews" of the EMS currently published:
https://hardairmagazine.com/reviews/ham-exclusive-first-diana-34-ems-test-review/
https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/blog/2021/02/theres-a-surprise-at-aoa-the-new-diana-34-ems.html
https://airghandi.de/en/diana-34-ems-air-rifle-my-test-and-review/
This last review has a video (in German), that is quite understandable even if you do not speak German.
As good as the reviews are from a consumer perspective, there is a LOT more going on and I will try to touch on some points that seem to me to be of importance, yet ignored by the reviews in favour of velocity numbers and pellet tests. IF there is enough interest, perhaps we can post a complete analysis of the differences and the real advantages of the new architecture.
A typical complaint in the fora, usually by people who are "keyboard shooters" more than the real thing, has been that the parts to upgrade the guns are not yet available, but that is not completely true, and in this blog entry we will look into an upgrade that CAN be performed with a part in the current list of spares from DIANA.
During the long hours of talks and idea sharing, we developed a respect and friendship that I am glad to be able to say that has survived the changing circumstances of life.
In subsequent years, we attended several IWA's and PAC's and our long drives to and from those events were usually spent brainstorming about the products and the markets.
About 2018, when we drove from Maryland to Ohio together, we started discussing in earnest what the EMS COULD mean to the shooters. Before that, it had been mainly a manufacturing simplification system, where the products could be built using common parts and only some parts would differentiate the versions.
Through our conversations, Tobias saw the value that the system could bring to the market; specifically, the US market that has a long tradition of "home tinkering" and enjoys a freedom not granted to citizens of other countries to CREATE our own rifles.
And so the "Easy Manufacturing System" became the "Easy Modular System" with a focus more towards the user than to the maker.
Given the HUGE opportunity that designing a new platform brought, we looked at every detail and every nook and cranny of the rifle, from the sights to the butt plate.
And when we were almost ready to release the first pre-production steps (first one series of 10 rifles, then a series of a 100), to then go into production at full pace, CoViD struck.
This disease/pandemic has brought different responses from different countries. MOST have opted to limit people's mobility and contact, some have opted to do nothing beyond putting the responsibility in the citizen's shoulders. Others started with a lenient attitude only to go into panic when hospitals filled overnight.
But in all aspects, it has been mostly "social distancing" what has prevailed.
In a production environment, "social distancing" carries a lot of collateral effects.
Things don't get transferred as fast and as completely as when there is face to face contact.
Things take, at least, twice as long (if not four times as long).
There are more errors and more problems that could have been solved, but were not, because people are not REALLY working together.
All our plans to release the whole suite of parts and accessories simultaneously with the guns have gone out the window. Though SOME parts are ALREADY available. And the reason is simple:
EMS builds onto the excellent results of the NTec series by using the NTec piston and trigger block; and then enhancing the architecture of the gun completely.
There are three "reviews" of the EMS currently published:
https://hardairmagazine.com/reviews/ham-exclusive-first-diana-34-ems-test-review/
https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/blog/2021/02/theres-a-surprise-at-aoa-the-new-diana-34-ems.html
https://airghandi.de/en/diana-34-ems-air-rifle-my-test-and-review/
This last review has a video (in German), that is quite understandable even if you do not speak German.
As good as the reviews are from a consumer perspective, there is a LOT more going on and I will try to touch on some points that seem to me to be of importance, yet ignored by the reviews in favour of velocity numbers and pellet tests. IF there is enough interest, perhaps we can post a complete analysis of the differences and the real advantages of the new architecture.
A typical complaint in the fora, usually by people who are "keyboard shooters" more than the real thing, has been that the parts to upgrade the guns are not yet available, but that is not completely true, and in this blog entry we will look into an upgrade that CAN be performed with a part in the current list of spares from DIANA.
From Steel to Gas Spring
As we have mentioned above, the EMS builds on the success of the NTec rifles (mainly the 340 NTec) by using the NTec piston (that is stemless), and the T-06 NTec trigger (different from the T-06 Stemmed piston trigger).
But, let's get started:
But, let's get started:
This is a 0.22" cal 34 EMS as they come out of the box.
The "Classic" version of the stock is the one currently available. IF you compare it to an old 34 "Classic" you will see that this stock is slightly more slender, and that the comb is a bit higher
This puts the recoil more in line with the center/shoulder point of contact to the butt plate, and so, the shootability of the gun gains because there is less "jump" to the gun when the piston is released.
This is something that has already been identified by HAM's technical reviewer, my friend Eric Brewer.
The "Classic" version of the stock is the one currently available. IF you compare it to an old 34 "Classic" you will see that this stock is slightly more slender, and that the comb is a bit higher
This puts the recoil more in line with the center/shoulder point of contact to the butt plate, and so, the shootability of the gun gains because there is less "jump" to the gun when the piston is released.
This is something that has already been identified by HAM's technical reviewer, my friend Eric Brewer.
The front sight is a modern unit with fiber optic "pipe". It is held in place with the traditional grub screw from the top and a nut at the front. And NO the synthetic cover is NOT the holding nut, it is a threaded cover and thread protector of the ½"-20 UNF thread at the barrel's muzzle.
This is the real nut. Steel. It takes a 15 mm's slim wrench to losen it properly.
The rear sight is an interesting element.
With dual fiber optic pipes, it is adjustable for both windage and elevation and the screws have re-assuring "clicks" that tell you that the screws will not move on their own, as well as allowing to count the variation you are incorporating in the LOS.
You can also appreciate here the fork adjustment screw and nut, they both take a 5 mm's Allen wrench. Screw is on the left hand side, nut is on the right, and underneath are real nord-loc washers. IF your forks are "Too tight" shoot the gun at least 100 shots before deciding to losen the arrangement. In any case, you do not need to take the stock out to adjust the breech-block to fork tension.
Another thing to note is that all 34 EMS's are issued with the Serial Number in TWO locations: at the fork as you can see from the picture, but also in the barrel, so that people can know if a gun is keeping its original barrel or not.
With dual fiber optic pipes, it is adjustable for both windage and elevation and the screws have re-assuring "clicks" that tell you that the screws will not move on their own, as well as allowing to count the variation you are incorporating in the LOS.
You can also appreciate here the fork adjustment screw and nut, they both take a 5 mm's Allen wrench. Screw is on the left hand side, nut is on the right, and underneath are real nord-loc washers. IF your forks are "Too tight" shoot the gun at least 100 shots before deciding to losen the arrangement. In any case, you do not need to take the stock out to adjust the breech-block to fork tension.
Another thing to note is that all 34 EMS's are issued with the Serial Number in TWO locations: at the fork as you can see from the picture, but also in the barrel, so that people can know if a gun is keeping its original barrel or not.
As you can see, the sight picture is quite usable. Shooting with both eyes open is possible and reasonably accurate.
With the sights removed, now we can remove the stock and put the gun in the spring compressor.
To remove the stock there are two forearm screws and a trigger guard/block screw. In the picture above, you can see that the forearm screws are ANGLED into the compression tube finishing block. Something that is shared with some of the best airguns in history.
For the savvy shooter, this allows some degree of "tuning" because the tension between stock and action can be regulated in a solid manner. This could also be done with the "old" 34, but now the degree of adjustment is one degree of freedom better.
For the savvy shooter, this allows some degree of "tuning" because the tension between stock and action can be regulated in a solid manner. This could also be done with the "old" 34, but now the degree of adjustment is one degree of freedom better.
The EMS has a compound cocking linkage, which was first used in the 350 Magnum, the compound linkage reduces the Peak Cocking Force (PCF), AND allows an easier disassembly/piston extraction for maintenance or upgrade purposes.
This is what you find in the underbelly
This is how the linkage pops-up
And you simply remove the linkage from the piston. That allows the piston to be removed without having to disassemble the whole linkage from the barrel, as used to be the case with the "old" 34.
This is the T06NTec trigger block. You can clearly see the steel main spring and the rear guide inside the main tube.
The T06Ntec trigger is an interference trigger. Meaning that there is a ramp that rises and locks into the slot at the skirt of the piston. When the trigger is released, the ramp "falls" out of the way.
It is an incredibly fast trigger, especially useful for offhand shots.
The T06Ntec trigger is an interference trigger. Meaning that there is a ramp that rises and locks into the slot at the skirt of the piston. When the trigger is released, the ramp "falls" out of the way.
It is an incredibly fast trigger, especially useful for offhand shots.
Once the rear dust cover is removed, and the compressor has taken all the stress from the closing pins, the dummy pins can be inserted and the trigger unit can be slid back to reveal the spring, and the rear guide.
Removing the whole spring lets you access the front guide.
Removing the whole spring lets you access the front guide.
This is what you have to get out of the gun, from left to right: Front guide, spring, rear guide.
The front guide is a solid piece of steel, and adds considerable weight to the piston. Once that guide is removed the gun's power plant is "skewed" towards lighter pellets.
This front guide can be replaced with an Anti-Bounce unit, but that is a custom project we may talk about in a future entry.
In the trigger you will find a simple allen headed screw that needs to be removed.
The front guide is a solid piece of steel, and adds considerable weight to the piston. Once that guide is removed the gun's power plant is "skewed" towards lighter pellets.
This front guide can be replaced with an Anti-Bounce unit, but that is a custom project we may talk about in a future entry.
In the trigger you will find a simple allen headed screw that needs to be removed.
Here you can see the screw that acts as solid support for the rear guide. You can also see in the bottom of the trigger unit the "ramp" that locks into the piston slot, when that ramp falls, the piston flies forward.
Once that screw is out, you can then simply screw the NTec gas spring into the trigger unit.
I would STRONGLY recommend using Vibra Tite by applying to the thread and then letting it dry. THEN assembling the NTec gas spring to the T06NTec trigger block.
I would STRONGLY recommend using Vibra Tite by applying to the thread and then letting it dry. THEN assembling the NTec gas spring to the T06NTec trigger block.
The "button" at the end of the stem in the gas spring needs to fit into this recess in the piston's head.
And you need to ensure that everything is properly aligned.
When everything is a go, you simply insert the trigger/gas spring assembly, properly seated into the piston, into the gun. I STRONGLY recommend using shim material to prevent the cuts in the mechanisms tube from scoring/cutting/hurting the piston seal.
If you want to de-burr the edges prior to assembly, do use the "quintessential" tool of rifle-making. It's called a "riffler file" and nowadays the diamond versions are not that expensive. Get a proper one and learn to use it (rifflers are used by pulling, as opposed to files that are used by both pushing and pulling). It will save you a lot of headaches.
Put everything in, pop the cocking linkage in its place, put the gun in the spring compressor, compress the gas spring, put in the action closing pins, put the dust cover.
Assemble the stock to the gun, taking care to glue some flat washers to the bottom of the recesses so as to protect the wood from the star washer chewing the stock to death.
And test.
Assemble the stock to the gun, taking care to glue some flat washers to the bottom of the recesses so as to protect the wood from the star washer chewing the stock to death.
And test.
With the NTec gas spring, it takes a meager 30½ lbs of PCF to fully cock the gun.
Testing different pellets at short range will give you an idea of which pellets to try at long range.
Testing different pellets at short range will give you an idea of which pellets to try at long range.
The three pellets that are outstanding in this particular example are the JSB's 16's, the 14.3's and the GTO's at 11.75 grs.
The Crosman, FTT's, and other pellets simply did not "jive" with this barrel. Perhaps in the future, once the full 500 shots "running in" has been accomplished things may change a little.
The Crosman, FTT's, and other pellets simply did not "jive" with this barrel. Perhaps in the future, once the full 500 shots "running in" has been accomplished things may change a little.
While the JSB 16's behaved better, the GTO's perhaps need more work.
The JSB's yielded 15 ft-lbs, while the GTO's yielded upwards of 17 ft-lbs
The JSB's yielded 15 ft-lbs, while the GTO's yielded upwards of 17 ft-lbs
So, for "real-life" (meaning lead) pellets the conversion complies with the catalog specs, using the GTO's (which are not bad as a hunting pellet out to about 40 yards), it easily exceeds the catalog specs.
This rifle is now equipped with a fixed shroud that still allows the tuning of the muzzle harmonics, so once the user defines exactly what he wants to do with the gun, some fine tuning is possible to achieve the best accuracy with the pellet he chooses.
This rifle is now equipped with a fixed shroud that still allows the tuning of the muzzle harmonics, so once the user defines exactly what he wants to do with the gun, some fine tuning is possible to achieve the best accuracy with the pellet he chooses.
While the rifle may seem a bit too long, remember that there will be short barrels available in the future.
In our tests, the length of the barrel is not as crucial to the energy delivered to the pellet as in the PCP's.
The conversion itself took all of 20 minutes to do and I think it is achievable by anyone that can change a spring or a piston seal. I do believe that it complies with the "design intent" when we set-out to make a gun that was easy to be "converted" to what each shooter wanted.
As this pandemic eases and we learn to live in the "new normal", I hope that more and more of the planned accessories and tuning elements will become available.
For the time being, I have secured 8 gas springs to do this conversion, if you are interested, drop me a line through the contact page.
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
In our tests, the length of the barrel is not as crucial to the energy delivered to the pellet as in the PCP's.
The conversion itself took all of 20 minutes to do and I think it is achievable by anyone that can change a spring or a piston seal. I do believe that it complies with the "design intent" when we set-out to make a gun that was easy to be "converted" to what each shooter wanted.
As this pandemic eases and we learn to live in the "new normal", I hope that more and more of the planned accessories and tuning elements will become available.
For the time being, I have secured 8 gas springs to do this conversion, if you are interested, drop me a line through the contact page.
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
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