Diana Mauser K98

Turned out to be a real pile of dung. Catastrophic failure on 2nd outing (less that 100 pellets total fired!). Cocking mechanism failure (piece that sticks out of piston that the cocking arm pushes on) fractured (looks like its either "pot metal" or MIM part). When this occurred, part of the cocking arm/assembly hit the stock and split the wood more than 4", and also the anti-beartrap release made a nice in the top of the stock. While I still like/use my 60+ year-old Diana 35M, this is the last 'new' Diana I will ever buy! All the while I thought the Gamo "Stutzen" I got some years ago was at the top of my "piece of junk" list, but it seems I have a new one for that 'top spot'... Since this gun supposedly shares its 'action' with the Diana 460 "Magnum", I'd be real leery about one of those too.

Pros
Looks nice, and that's about it.

Cons
VERY poor quality.

You need DNT 06 mount

Pros
Excellent, at 30yds /Leapers scope/3-9x40/DNT06/ DEAD RED!

Cons
NONE

I have lots of fun shooting my Diana K98 Mauser air rifles. I use both my .177 and .22 caliber guns to shoot field targets, water filled beer cans and balloons, clay pigeons, and shatterblast disks at distances ranging from 20 to 100 yards. Both rifles have enough power and accuracy to hit my targets. I left the T06 trigger at factory settings. My .22 rifle is equipped with a Williams aperture sight; the .177 sports a UTG 3-12X44mm Mini SWAT mil-dot scope mounted on a UTG DNT06 mount. The rings are UTG. I added a removable leather cheek piece to allow better sighting through the scope. The short scope and cheek piece give the rifle the look of a made-to-order WWII rifle for a sniper. After several hundred pellets, UTG continues to hold zero.

I've had previous experience with aperture sights shifting because of the double recoil of high powered springers. There is a threaded M3 hole on the K98 scope rail. I installed a M3X0.56 grub screw and then
backed the Williams aperture sight against it. I used Loctite on the grub screw aperture sight mount screws to secure everything. The sight has remained anchored to its post after several hundred shoots. Accuracy is superb.

I shoot from a rest since the rifles are quite heavy. The .22 likes JSB 13.43 pellets; the .177 shoots JSB and H&N pellets of the same weight well. I love shooting my K98s. However I cringe each time I cock the rifles because of the failure prone cocking mechanism. The cocking effort takes strength. Be prepared for a workout.

Pros
Accurate, well made (with an asterisk), nice to look at, fun to shoot. Plenty of power for long range shoots. My BSF 55, a state-of-the-art 1960s springer, is limited to 40 yards max. When I bought my BSF 55, I never dreamed that one day I would own a spring-piston rifle with which I could blast beer cans and clay pigeons a football field away. You never know when Diana will stop production of the K98. It may go the way of the 300R or the 340 N-Tec Compact.

Cons
Two critical weakness. There is a pin in the cocking mechanism that bears tremendous pressure during cocking. This pin failed on my .22 caliber rifle. I experienced the same failure on a Diana Model 430. I sent the K98 to Air Venturi for repair. The second weakness in the design is the cocking lever retention system. A small spring steel retainer is used to hold the cocking lever in the neutral position. It is easy for the retainer to release the lever when you bring your rifle down to a rest. If you are not careful, you can fire your K98 with the cocking lever down causing damage.

I was very pleasantly surprised shooting this air rifle. Spec says 850 fps and using JSB Exact Jumbo 15.89 gr I would estimate it is close. Accuracy was better using Jumbo Heavy however. In the coming days I'll check the velocity using the chronograph and re-post results. Two stage trigger was good and I thought the rifle was quite smooth in firing and well mannered for this power level. Fit and finish was also quite good. Purchased rifle for offhand practice using military style sights in preparation for CMP Vintage Military matches at Camp Perry and elsewhere.

Pros
Fit and Finish Quality Materials Accuracy and Power Smooth Firing

Cons
* Smooth steel butt plate, while historically accurate was not the best for off-hand target practice. Diana could have stippled the surface or impressed some checkering onto the surface, like the Springfield 03, and that would have helped in keeping the butt from slipping off the shoulder. The aesthetic affect would not have changed and it would have been more functional. * Rear sight running out of right windage adjustment. Removing the rifle from it's shipping box for the first time I immediately noticed the rear sight cranked to the right. If I had had the opportunity to inspect the rifle before purchase, I would have asked to see another rifle. Unfortionally, with mail order you do not have that option. I was able to get it sighted-in at 25 yards with 2, maybe 3 clicks of right windage remaining. In my mind this is unacceptable and a sign something isn't quite right.

This looks amazing and it's mostly dead on to the real deal. With one flaw: a world famous bolt action rifle has no bolt! That's not authentic. Their are plenty of nice bolt action air rifles that look like a real bolt action. This one they didn't even try to put the biggest feature in. The cleaning rod cocking lever is kinda smart and I can handle it being single shot and not some sort of stripper clip system. But they boast it's realisticness without a bolt!

Pros
Good sights Clever cocking lever Good stock Amazing trigger Good power No co2 usage

Cons
No clip (which I can live with) NO BOLT ON A REPLICA BOLT ACTION

Great air rifle

Pros
Heavy enough to prevent barrel hop.

Cons
no directions for strap attachment.

I have a RWS 48 and I thought that it was accurate,,,until I shot the Diana K98 Mauser..

Pros
Fairly easy to cock, some folks complained that loading the pellets was difficult - I did not find that to be the case. Nice looking rifle/fit and finish was up to par with Diana quality. The rifle is a bit heavy but once you start to shoot it you do not notice the weight--fun takes over. I was surprised with the accuracy. It was exceptional. You will not be sorry if you order one. I did put a scope on it, I know alot of folks do not because it takes away from the nostalgia of the Mauser, but aging eyes dictated that I should. Sorry historians.

Cons
none as of yet

This is not a beginners air gun.A person should have a good sense of firearms mechanics,/understanding,trigger control.That said its heavy,that contributes to the exellent function.I have a .22Cal and its deadly accurate,not for a child,With a set of shooting sticks it will be alot of fun!

Pros
wood to metal finish,good trigger, well made as it should be for price.accurate.

Cons
Heavy,You will have to work/rifle knowlege to get used to where the lever engages,cocks the underlever and releases tension on the cocking piston,not for a child!Requires a "feel"Could use a pellet catch under loading port,

This is a very well made gun. It is too HEAVY for me but very accurate, easy to pump, and I can accept the weight because I like real wood and all metal parts. I have the .22 caliber.

Pros
Real wood and all metal Easy to pump and sight in

Cons
Heavy