Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Air Guns WTB RWS Diana 52 22cal air rifle

I am ignorant about air rifles, other than years ago I had an Anschutz side lever in .177 and really liked it.

Looking for a side lever air rifle.
I really like the looks of the model 52 from RWS Diana in 22 cal.
I’m not sure if this model has been discontinued, and if so, what is comparable.

Thanks for any information or leads.
Bill

I believe the 48 isn't sold in the U.S. anymore. I see Diana still lists the 48 on their German site, but I'm not sure if the site is up to date.

Is the model 48 really similar to the 52, except for the 52 has a Monte Carlo stock??

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/975057520

But it's .177

Yep I saw that.
And it’s only 40-some miles away. 👍👍

Thanks for the help and info.

I ordered a RWS 48 in 22cal from AirGun Depot.

It looks like it will do nicely.

Thanks again
Bill

You'll do fine with the 48.

I had a 52 in 22 for many years and it's a 48 with a slightly longer, nicer stock. I gifted it to a buddy before I moved east.

The internals are the same 48-52.

The 54 is a different animal with the recoil compensating, sliding action.

If I'm remembering correctly the 52 was discontinued a few years ago, it was so close to the 48 it didn't make $ sense to keep both in the line...

I've had a 48/52 in 177 as well as 22. I feel it's a bit overpowered for 177, but makes a fantastic 22 hunting rifle.

Bill,
I own many spring piston rifles, and have only sold a few. One of those few was an RWS 54. Look at the dimensions before deciding, as it is a big, heavy gun. Shoots great, accurate, et al, but was no fun to carry in the woods so I sold it. It's most efficient in a .22 cal.

The 48 arrived safe and sound.

I had to try it.
I unboxed it, loaded a pellet and shot at the steel door of a grain bin 60 yards distant to gauge the time lag between the shot and the “ping” of the pellet.

The time lag seemed very short to me.
Went down to see what terminal effect the pellet had on the steel door.

The pellet didn’t bounce off the door, it was embedded in the steel.

Holy crap!!!!
This is powerful!!!

And yes, it is heavy.
Going to be fun. 👍👍

How is the trigger on the new 48? I know they’ve had a couple different versions over the years and wasn’t sure how they are now. I have an older .177 model 52 and would like to have a .22 cal 48/52/54 to go with it. The 52 is great, no complaints other than it isn’t a .22.

I’m still in playing around and familiarization mode. I think the trigger is fine. But I am no authority.

It just makes me smile, and that’s enough for me.

Bill, if the new ones are using a T-06 trigger (it will probably be marked on the top of the compression tube) you have one of the very best and most adjustable triggers available.

I have a 48, they are especially good rifles. Keep it in your family.