diana p5 magnum review

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Average Ratings

Value for Money	8.1/10
Reviewer Rating	8/10
Overall Rating	8.1/10

81% Recommended21 out of 26 Reviews

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Review of Diana P5 Magnum

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By N Carson on 24th Mar 2004

N Carson's Ratings

Value for money	8/10
Overall value	9/10
N Carson's recommendation

Good Points

Accurate,
Smooth cocking and loading,
Nice styling,
Precise build quality.

Bad Points

Velocity is overstated.
The gun could be several inches shorter for quicker handling (shorter muzzle sleeve maybe).
They should make a version with a left-hand grip and corresponding left-hand finger-safety.

General Comments

I agree with other reviewers who question the power-rating of the Diana P5 Magnum gun. I doubt the P5 Magnum is the most powerful (spring piston) pistol available. My Beeman P1, rated at 600 FPS in .177, packs noticeably more punch based on penetration tests with wood, cans, old books and general trajectory observations. The fact that the P5 is quieter attests to same; less pressure being forced down the barrel.

Lacking a chrono, I don't have specifics, but it appears that the P5 Magnum (aka RWS 5G Magnum) has about 80-90% of the Beeman P1's power. This conclusion is based on a P5 with about 100 rounds through it, so unless something drastic happens after further break-in, the "700 FPS" figure is misleading. They should rate it with pellets commonly used, not super-lights.

However, I think it's a fine gun and, by design, more accurate than the P1. It's also easier to cock and load than the P1 and the sleek styling adds to the enjoyment.

6 Comments on Review by N Carson for Diana P5 Magnum

1. N Carson on 30th Mar 2004

   Addendum to my review: After a thorough break-in I don't find the P5 Magnum to be more accurate than the Beeman P1 by any means. I was assuming the longer distance between front and rear sights would make that so, but I have trouble getting good groups since I can't prevent the gun from flinching. I am somewhat disappointed with the P5 now. It jumps around too much to permit a steady hold after pulling the trigger, which is critical to airgun accuracy because the pellet lingers in the barrel longer than a firearm bullet. Unless mine is a lemon, the P5 needs more refinement to live up to it's full accuracy potential.

2. wertyq on 30th Mar 2004

   Geez Louise! easier to cock the RWS than the Beeman?! I didn't think you could build much more cocking effort into a gun than the P5 has! :)

3. N Carson on 14th Apr 2004

   After further comparison I do agree that the P5 is harder to cock than the P1.

4. shoot2kill on 12th Feb 2006

   Concerning the following statement; "The fact that the P5 is quieter attests to same; less pressure being forced down the barrel." Noise comes from the release of non-transferred energy or the air escaping the muzzle after the projectile has left the barrel (wasted energy). Moderators and silencers work on this principle. The P5 is quiet because of a longer barrel providing greater time for the energy to transfer into something else... hopefully the pellet and less hopefully friction. In addition, the added muzzle break acts as a moderator. A P5 with a clean bore, broken in and properly lubed will produce greater FPE than the P1 in same shape. The key is selecting the proper pellet weight and size for each, and not worrying about fps. In addition to this comment, the longer barrel is going to out perform the shorter barrel in accuracy, and there is a correlation to this statement being true. From your added comments about the lack of accuracy, I'd say you have a bad gun or maybe you need to clean the bore. My RWS 350 rifle had rust and soot in there... just shipped raw off the line. It made groups go wild until I realized something major was happening. Some simple-green cleaner and patches made all the difference.

5. N Carson on 2nd Mar 2006

   RE comments from shoot2kill: The barrels of the Beeman and Diana are actually both 7", just configured differently. The Beeman breech is toward the rear of the pistol and it's cocked with the mechanical advantage of a forward lever. I don't think you have compared both guns in person. The Beeman spring is considerably stronger, which gives more power in any pellet weight (guns aren't that finicky!) That's why the report is louder, too. After reviewing specs, it's clear that the typical Diana velocity is about 500 FPS to the Beeman's 600 FPS, which was borne out in my penetration tests. The longer sight picture of the Diana gives a theoretical accuracy advantage but the Beeman sights are "locked in" with the barrel while the Diana's are mounted on the receiver behind the pivot. I could never get much accuracy from it, though I never fully broke it in.

6. theshootist on 30th May 2007

   P5 or P1? I'm an avid air gunner and love the high powers' for their accuracy and distance. I target shoot and hunt small game currently. I'm Vexed. Someone make up my mind for me. FPS really isn't the main concern. Durability, accuracy and stability are my big 3 requirements.Please help. Need comments from both sides of the fence.Thanks- theshootist

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