RWS (Diana) Model 45 Disassembly, Part 1

I finally got around to opening up my RWS branded Diana Model 45. It’s the second one I own and was shooting slightly slower (730fps w/ 7.9gr. CPL) than the Original branded one (800fps w/ 7.9 CPL). You can see earlier aesthetic improvements/downgrades to the rifle here.


The rifle. I really need a larger workbench.


This was an unwelcome surprise. Sheared screw on the scope mount. It was shifting anyway and needs a stop so I’ll have to mess with it.


I punched out the dowel pin that retains the rear of the action (note, if you’re reading this and you don’t have a cross pin holding the action in, you don’t have an early model 45, you have the later one that is unlike this one.)


Two phillips head screws for the front action.


The action removed and inverted to show the trigger.


The cocking linkage.


Much better than welded ears for retaining the tube.


The safety pulled out to show the little interference bar. Compare position to the picture below.


The dowel pin that retains the action in the stock passes through the trigger assembly.


Mounted in the spring compressor.


I didn’t like that the force was applied to the end of the safety but what are you going to do?


Two pins removed.


Spring tension taken up and the trigger group removed. Things can start to fall out of the trigger group at this point so be observant.


I pushed the piston up as far as I could. Note the spring and guide on the bench, forgot to take a picture of them.


I need to remove the barrel to get the cocking linkage detached from the piston.


Lock washer.


That seems like an awfully thin pivot bolt…


Ah, there’s a sleeve that’s the actual pivot.


Which is a nice design as it avoids the screw being subjected to rotational forces and becoming too loose or tight.


The end of the linkage unhooks.

More to come.