AEA Aea terminator

[DownRangeDinger]

This is the number one reason to pass on everything AEA offers. Even if they make a terrific airgun, you probably won't be able to buy parts or get support for it in the near future.

Do you have any experience dealing with Hatsan product line or know any downsides to the company in general?

Since AEA seems to be off the table I’m considering maybe a Hatsan Blitz 777 in .30 (if it can accept suppressor). Since I’m going to have to likely get a .30 cal anyway if I want a semi auto. It says the new Blitz 777 .30 has 26” barrel, 16 round mag, select fire between semi and full auto for $1000. Only thing is that it seems to max out at 59 fpe in .30.

It would seem to meet my most immediate needs of gopher killing and plinking (plus the occasional satisfying full auto mag dump) if it can be suppressed. I’d just buy suppressed bigger bore high energy delivery rifle with a side lever action down the line if I felt I really needed one with that power.

Thanks

 

[Perle]

I’d do an Aea before the hatsan.

 

[DownRangeDinger]

I’d do an Aea before the hatsan.

Do you say that based on personal customer service experience or known general build quality issues across any/all product lines? Or any other particulars? I’m genuinely curious. They just seem more in AEA price tier which aligns with my budget. Thanks.

 

[RWC123]

A buddy of mine has a two AEA guns that he comes over to my property to shoot. I have never personally shot Hatsan products, however reading through Airgun Nation over the years, I would say the general consensus is that Hatsan is at the bottom of the Turkish guns and that AEA is slightly better than the Turkish guns. Are you attached to a semi-auto? I would say for what you are looking to do a .25 would be your best option if you have neighbors close and that if you must go up in caliber, .30 would be max. .357 is extreme overkill, and you will find that you spend more time pumping air than you do shooting. I have have a AGT Vulcan 3 .30 and I would say for the price it is a pretty powerful gun for a reasonable price. Remember with airguns accuracy is key. Features like semi-auto is cool, but pinpoint accuracy is more important.

 

[Sicumj]

I have three AEA's. A 22 cal SS, a 25 cal Backpacker and a 30 ca Terminator. Other than the valve pins, and mags on the HP models they have been trouble free. Many aftermarket mags and pins can eliminate those issues. I shoot one every day. Claims that the gun can go off on its own IMO are suspect. I've worked on many of them and when the sear fails it simply will not cock on semiauto mode, but will hand cock.

The Terminator is practically bullet proof. I was told by Bin once that they do not break. I have had this one for 2 years. Shoots around 100 ft lbs. I accidently put a couple rounds through a 3" limb at 50 yards. They limb broke off. It shoots. The mags have been good. They have an aluminum housing and are made better than the HP series.

 

[uladz]

I own several AEA by now. One has a slow leak, another dumped all air and needs poppet replacement now (widely known issue). Other than that, I did not have too many issues. Challenger Pro was particularly good, I think it's one of the best AEA released so far. I actually have two Challenger Pro in 22 and 25 . HP Max work file, it's a bolt action, so it's sort of bullet-proof. I had cycling issues with .22 SS though, trying to fix it by polishing internal parts and modifying mags, so it works fine now too with a few caveats. Also, I will have 30 cal Carbine in my hands soon too, I heard the larger cal semi-auto AEA cycle better, will verify. What else... Ah, SF 22 is actually pretty good, and I love that you can switch between semi and single, unique feature. In general, I think that they are worth the price if you are ready to put your time and effort into them to fix various things. Once you get it running smoothly, it's a great platform!