Airgun Brand · Diana
Diana Airguns: brand guide and lineup
Researched by James · Updated September 26, 2026 · Editorial policy
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Founding date and ownership history come from Wikipedia's sourced Diana timeline, cross-checked against Diana's own official site, which independently claims over 125 years of German manufacturing without mentioning German Sport Guns by name. Current models and prices come from Pyramyd AIR's live Diana catalog. Full methodology & editorial policy →
Quick facts
| Founded | 1890, by Jakob Mayer and Josef Grammelspacher |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Rastatt, Germany |
| Where made | Rastatt, Germany, at the Mayer & Grammelspacher factory |
| Parent company / owner | German Sport Guns GmbH, since 2014 |
| Known for | German spring-piston break-barrels, underlevers and sidelevers; a smaller current PCP line |
| Typical price range | About $100-$1,035 depending on model |
| Warranty | Not consistently published for the US market; confirm terms with the importer or retailer at purchase |
What does Diana make?
Diana is a spring-piston heritage brand first: break-barrels, underlevers and sidelevers dominate the catalog, with the sidelever 54 Airking Pro standing out for genuinely competitive accuracy among spring guns. Diana has added a smaller PCP range (Stormrider, Bandit Tactical, XR200) alongside that springer core, but — like Gamo and unlike PCP specialists such as FX — spring-piston rifles remain the identity of the brand.
Current lineup
| Model | Type | Caliber | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-Forty / Two-Fifty | Break-barrel springer | .177, .22 | About $100-$125 | Budget first rifle or supervised youth shooting |
| Chaser | CO2 pistol/carbine kit | .177 | About $143 | An inexpensive plinking and pest-control CO2 option |
| Stormrider / Stormrider Gen2 | PCP, synthetic stock | .177, .22 | About $220-$250 | A budget PCP alternative to Diana's springers |
| Model 48 | Underlever springer | .177, .22 | About $495 | A classic mid-tier German underlever |
| 350 Magnum Premium / 460 Magnum | Break-barrel springer | .177, .22 | About $460 | More power in a traditional break-barrel |
| 54 Airking Pro | Sidelever springer, recoilless | .177, .22 | About $725-$815 | The most accurate spring-piston option in the lineup |
| Outlaw Gen2 | PCP | .177, .22 | About $590-$650 | A mid-tier PCP step up from the Stormrider |
| XR200 | PCP, premium | .177, .22 | About $1,035 | Diana's flagship PCP for buyers who want top-tier build quality |
Best Diana picks for hunting
- 54 Airking Pro — the pick if you want a springer's simplicity with hunting-grade accuracy; its recoilless sidelever action removes much of the artillery-hold sensitivity of a break-barrel.
- Stormrider — the budget PCP route if you'd rather skip springer technique entirely; see my break barrel vs. PCP vs. CO2 comparison for that trade-off.
Pros and cons
Good fit
- Buyers who want genuine German springer heritage and manufacturing
- Hunters who want a recoilless sidelever for spring-gun accuracy (54 Airking Pro)
- Shooters who want both springer and PCP options from one legacy brand
Look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a large, current PCP lineup — that's a small part of Diana's catalog
- Anyone who needs a clearly published US warranty term before buying
- Budget shoppers who don't need German manufacturing and just want the cheapest springer — see best break-barrel air rifles for wider options
How Diana compares
Against Weihrauch, both are century-plus German spring-piston makers frequently cross-shopped for premium underlevers and sidelevers; Weihrauch's Rekord trigger has the stronger individual reputation, while Diana counters with a broader current catalog that spans youth rifles through PCPs. Against Air Arms, Diana leans more on spring-piston heritage where Air Arms is now primarily known for PCP accuracy. Against Gamo, the two compete on legacy European springer credentials, with Gamo emphasizing its Swarm multi-shot magazine and Diana emphasizing traditional single-shot precision.
Verdict
Diana is a sound pick for anyone who wants proven German spring-piston engineering, from an inexpensive first rifle up through the genuinely accurate 54 Airking Pro. Its PCP range is smaller and less distinctive than the springer catalog, so if PCP is what you actually want, compare it against dedicated PCP brands before committing.
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FAQ
Is Diana a good airgun brand?
Yes — Diana is one of the oldest air rifle makers still operating, with over 130 years of German spring-piston heritage, and its current lineup spans budget youth break-barrels to premium sidelever springers and PCPs like the XR200. Quality is generally strong across the range, though its entry-level rifles (Two-Forty, Two-Fifty) are basic compared to its flagship models.
Where are Diana air rifles made?
In Rastatt, Germany, where the Mayer & Grammelspacher factory has operated in some form since the company's founding in 1890. Diana's own site describes over 125 years of continuous German manufacturing.
Who owns Diana airguns?
Diana (Mayer & Grammelspacher) has been owned by German Sport Guns GmbH since 2014, following an earlier period (1945-1984) under British ownership when the company briefly lost the rights to its own "Diana" name. The Rastatt factory and the Mayer & Grammelspacher name have continued under German Sport Guns.
What is the best Diana model for hunting?
The Model 54 Airking Pro, a recoilless sidelever springer with genuinely good accuracy for a spring gun, or the Stormrider/Stormrider Gen2 if you want a budget PCP instead of a springer. For a traditional underlever, the Model 48 is Diana's classic mid-tier pick.
Is Diana good for a first air rifle?
The entry Two-Forty and Two-Fifty break-barrels are inexpensive, simple .177/.22 springers reasonable for a first rifle or a youth shooter under supervision, though they're basic compared to Diana's flagship models. For a first PCP instead, the Stormrider is a budget option; see my first PCP buyer's guide for the full picture of what a first PCP setup costs.
Does Diana make PCP air rifles, or only springers?
Both. Diana is best known for spring-piston break-barrels, underlevers and sidelevers, but its current catalog also includes PCP models — the budget Stormrider and Bandit Tactical, and the premium XR200.
What is Diana's US warranty?
Diana doesn't publish one consistent US warranty term the way some competitors do; terms can vary by importer and retailer, so confirm coverage with the seller before buying rather than assuming a specific length.
How does Diana compare to Weihrauch?
Both are legendary German spring-piston makers with roots going back over a century, and both are often cross-shopped for premium underlevers and sidelevers. Weihrauch's Rekord trigger has the stronger individual reputation; Diana counters with a wider current catalog spanning youth rifles through PCPs.
