Diana 48
Mayer & Grammelspacher GmbH (Diana) · Rifle · In Production · 1990
Also known as: RWS Model 48, RWS Diana 48, Diana Model 48
Overview
The Diana 48 is a German side-lever, spring-piston air rifle manufactured by Mayer & Grammelspacher (Diana) of Rastatt, Germany. A single-shot, fixed-barrel rifle offered in .22 (5.5mm), .177 (4.5mm) and .25 (6.35mm), it is cocked by a side lever mounted on the right of the receiver that opens a sliding breech for direct pellet loading. Unlike the recoilless sledge-action Diana 54, the 48 uses a rigidly fixed action, delivering high muzzle velocity and power in a heavy, stable beech-stocked package prized for accuracy in field-target shooting and small-game hunting. It shares its powerplant with the sporter-stocked Diana 52 and the recoilless Diana 54.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3856 g (136.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1070 mm (42.13") |
| Barrel Length | 432 mm (17.01") |
| Action Type | Lever Action |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 14.7 N (3.3 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 274 m/s (899 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 30 J (22 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .22 Air (5.5mm) · primary — also known as .22 caliber, 5.5mm, .22 pellet
- .177 Air (4.5mm) — also known as .177 caliber, 4.5mm, .177 pellet
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Automatic Safety, Anti Beartrap
- Features: Side Lever Cocking, Fixed Barrel, Sliding Breech Loading, Two Stage Adjustable Trigger, Beech Stock, Rubber Butt Pad, 11mm Dovetail Scope Rail, Adjustable Open Sights
Production
Production years: 1990–present
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Notes
Marketed in North America under the RWS brand as the RWS Model 48. Muzzle velocity and energy vary by market and caliber: roughly 1100 fps in .177, 900 fps in .22 and 800 fps in .25 in full-power export trim, and lower in energy-restricted markets. Cocking effort is around 39 lbf, making it a full-size adult air rifle.
Background
Diana, founded in 1890 in Rastatt, Germany, is one of the oldest airgun makers in the world. Introduced around 1990, the fixed-action 48 and its stablemates the 52 and recoilless 54 became benchmarks for powerful, accurate spring-piston rifles, widely sold in the United States under the RWS badge and long favored by field-target competitors and small-game hunters.