Diana Model 56 .177 Beech Recoiless Thumbhole

Diana Model 56

A totally recoilless air rifle, the RWS/Diana Model 56 uses a "floating action", to achieve its maximum accuracy. When this magnum air rifle is fired, the action slides rearward in the stock, absorbing the recoil, and permitting the pellet to exit the barrel before any of the spring vibration affects its travel. Other features include adjustable trigger, adjustable rear sight, Monte Carlo stock, auto safety, and checkering in the grip and forearm. For maximum accuracy with an air rifle there's no better than the RWS 54/56. Available in .177 and .22 calibers.

Technical Data for the RWS Model 56:

Total Weight	11 lbs
Overall Length	44.75"
Stock	Ambidextrous Thumbhole
Sights	Iron Sights and Scope Rail
ailMounting Method	11mm Dovetail
Caliber	.177, .22
Cocking Method	Side Lever
Cocking Effort	Hard
Recoil Rating	Heavy
Power Plant	Spring Piston
Shot Capacity	Single Shot

Caliber	Velocity fps	Muzzle Energy
.177	818-1074	13-18 fpe

Our Take - Model 56 Air Rifle

Velocity Test Results for the RWS Model 56

Straight Shooters Use Score
Plinking	Target Shooting	Pest Control	Hunting
4	4	5	5

The RWS 56's recoilless mechanism eliminates virtually all feeling of recoil, yet the pellet slams home in the trap with great force. It is a very unusual feeling to hear the loud slam of a hard hitting pellet yet feel almost nothing when pulling the trigger. In fact, a person gets very spoiled by the recoilless mechanism very quickly. The lack of felt recoil allows the average shooter to achieve better shooting results more quickly than the 48 and 52 versions. It doesn't make the gun any more inherently accurate, but without recoil to contend with, the average shooter is able to stay on target much easier.

Don't forget, however, that the recoil is still there…it just isn't being transmitted to the shooter. It is still necessary to mount a very tough scope like the Bushnell Elite series on this gun because the recoilless mechanism does not protect the scope from feeling the full spring movement. And with the power of these guns, a weak scope can end up broken very quickly. Is the recoilless mechanism worth the extra money? In our opinion, yes it is.

In summary, I would have to describe the 56 as a very fun gun to shoot. It has excellent accuracy and great power. A shooter could sit at a benchrest and shoot this thing all day long. The .177 version is a great plinking gun and the .22 a good choice for hunting and pest control. We did find that the .177 performs better with heavier pellets like the Crosman Premier, Beeman Kodiak, JSB Heavy and Logun Penetrators. The heavy pellets won't get overpowered by the gun as is the case with the medium and lighter weight pellets.

177 Caliber Pellets

Pellet Name	Pellet Weight (grains)		Ratings at the Muzzle		Ratings at 10 Yards		Ratings at 25 Yards		Ratings at 50 Yards		Ballistic Coefficient
Name	Advertised	Tested	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft lbs)	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft lbs)	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft lbs)	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft lbs)	Average Energy
Hobby	6.90	7.00	1059	17	876	12	710	8	511	4	.009
R10 Lite	7.00	7.00	1076	18	899	13	740	9	551	5	.010
Meisterkugeln Pistol	7.00	7.00	1080	18	901	13	741	9	552	5	.010
Silver Bear	7.10	7.40	1052	18	872	13	707	8	510	4	.009
Super-H-Point	7.40	7.20	1062	18	892	13	735	9	547	5	.010
H&N Match HS	7.70	7.40	1061	19	891	13	734	9	547	5	.010
Napier ProHunter	7.72	7.90	1037	19	928	15	814	12	673	8	.016
JSB Express	7.90	7.80	1014	17	887	14	763	10	607	6	.013
Premier Lite	7.90	7.90	1016	18	908	14	793	11	649	7	.015
Bearcub	8.09	7.60	1042	18	867	13	703	8	507	4	.009
JSB Predators	8.10	8.10	990	18	884	14	768	11	621	7	.014
R10 Heavy	8.20	8.20	984	18	846	13	702	9	523	5	.010
H&N Match	8.20	8.20	992	18	862	14	725	10	555	6	.011
SuperDome	8.30	8.20	990	18	860	13	724	10	554	6	.011
SuperPoint	8.30	8.30	974	17	827	13	675	8	486	4	.009
Meisterlugeln	8.30	8.20	975	17	828	12	675	8	486	4	.009
JSB Exact	8.44	8.50	958	17	884	15	796	12	679	9	.019
FTS	8.60	8.50	964	18	865	14	754	11	610	7	.014
Silver Sting	8.61	8.00	1005	18	846	13	689	8	496	4	.009
FTS Double Gold	8.70	8.70	956	18	853	14	737	11	588	7	.013
Crow Magnum	8.80	8.70	969	18	855	14	730	10	571	6	.012
Super Mag	9.50	9.30	883	16	774	12	647	9	482	5	.010
Goldenrod Lead Free	9.50	8.70	971	18	856	14	731	10	572	6	.012
JSB Exact Heavy	10.33	10.30	903	19	847	16	776	14	677	10	.022
Premier Heavy	10.50	10.50	862	17	814	15	750	13	659	10	.023
Kodiak Match	10.60	10.30	886	18	810	15	716	12	589	8	.015
Kodiak	10.60	10.30	903	19	824	16	728	12	598	8	.015
Kodiak Double Gold	10.62	10.40	850	17	784	14	700	11	582	8	.016
Silver Arrow	11.50	11.80	789	16	706	13	602	9	459	6	.011

.22 Caliber Pellets

Pellet Name	Pellet Weight (grains)		Ratings at the Muzzle		Ratings at 10 Yards		Ratings at 25 Yards		Ratings at 50 Yards		Ballistic Coefficient
Name	Advertised	Tested	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft lbs)	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft lbs)	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft lbs)	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft lbs)	Average Energy
Meisterkugeln	13.90	14.20	833	22	735	17	616	12	457	7	.010
Super H Point	13.90	14.40	823	22	717	16	590	11	422	6	.009
Crosman Premier	14.30	14.30	826	22	773	19	702	16	602	12	.019
JSB Express	14.30	14.30	779	19	737	17	679	15	595	11	.022
SuperDome	14.50	14.40	813	21	709	16	583	11	418	6	.009
SuperPoint	14.50	14.40	803	21	701	16	576	11	413	5	.009
FTS	14.60	14.70	814	22	756	19	681	15	573	11	.017
FTS Double Gold	14.72	14.80	785	20	731	18	658	14	554	10	.017
Napier ProHunter	15.40	15.10	808	22	754	19	682	16	580	11	.018
Silver Sting	15.74	15.90	769	21	696	17	601	13	469	8	.012
JSB Exact	15.90	15.90	781	22	740	19	685	17	603	13	.023
JSB Predator	16.20	16.20	775	22	724	19	656	15	558	11	.018
LR Missiles Lead Free	16.60	16.80	777	23	708	19	618	14	492	9	.013
Silver Arrow	17.10	17.60	734	21	652	17	547	12	404	6	.010
JSB Exact Heavy	18.00	18.10	740	22	705	20	657	17	584	14	.025
Crow Magnum	18.20	18.00	707	20	650	17	573	13	463	9	.014
Kodiak	21.10	21.10	646	20	615	18	572	15	505	12	.024
Kodiak Double Gold	21.12	21.30	621	18	591	17	549	14	485	11	.024
JSB Exact Monster	25.40	25.30	576	19	552	17	518	15	466	12	.028