.177 Hatsan MOD 25 SuperTACT QE
I’ve been eyeballing these for a few months, something about the handy size has quite the appeal to me. I’ve only had experience with a Hatsan once before, that was a Webley branded springer in .20 that I had high hopes for, but it arrived inoperable, and I couldn’t get it serviced by either Webley or Hatsan. As a matter of fact, I was told by Webley that I must have altered the rifle in some fashion and broke it myself! They wouldn’t even consider accepting a return, and Hatsan was not interested in helping either, even though I offered to pay for repairs.
That experience, along with a myriad of Hatsan build quality horror stories here and at other forums, had kept me from considering another of their springers until now. But there is an undeniable attraction in my mind for pistol carbines, and so I thought I would give this one a chance. I purchased it on eBay, and paid the few bucks extra for a Square Trade warranty. I figure if this one gives me trouble I have a more reliable policy to fall back on.
First off, I’m a bit surprised by the weight. It clearly is listed as 5.5 pounds, but somehow that didn’t register with me. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t excessively heavy, but it is very solid feeling in the hands. That solidness doesn’t extend to the buttstock assembly, as it exhibits a bit of wiggle, but it is fairly obvious that a shim of some sort will remove that issue quite easily.
A word or two about the buttstock. It is adjustable for length in a similar fashion to an AR carbine, but has a much longer range of adjustment. In fact, the last two settings are longer than I find comfortable (I’m 5’7” btw). I can use it at either of those lengths, but it fits Goldilocks just right for me a bit shorter. I’ve never, ever found any AR adjustable stock too long, so this was a bit unusual to me. The cheek piece as set does put my eye in the perfect position for using the iron sights, and overall, the feel/fit works great for me.
The cocking effort, even for a lower powered springer, was a bit stiff. Of course this can be attributed to the short barrel, as well as the fact that it is brand new. There are versions of this gun without the shroud that I imagine are even more difficult to cock, and I’ve seen a European version that is identical but has a longer barrel length, which presumably would lessen the cocking effort. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t hard to do, but you definitely know you are doing it, especially that last inch or so.
The cocking cycle isn’t rough, although I can detect some friction that will undoubtedly disappear with a good cleaning and lube job. That brings me to the brass tacks of the review, I suppose. The actual firing cycle is, predictably, a bit harsh, with more recoil than I had expected for a rifle that only makes 675 fps. It isn’t grinding or shaking, but again, I imagine a thorough cleaning and proper lube job would work wonders here.
I’ve yet to chronograph it, so I can’t actually report as to the real world velocities, but it is easily minute of coke can at 25 yards insofar as accuracy is concerned. Further testing for both accuracy and speed with come quite soon, but I didn’t have much time to do more than a quick assessment today. As to be expected, it is dieseling a bit initially, but that will likely settle down with a tin or two through it. I’m going to break it in with Premiers, and once it starts to smooth out, try some Hobbys and a few other pellets I have to hand. If things don’t go awry, I might consider a small scope down the road, the fiber optic sights while quite visible are a bit crude for any sort of precise paper punching.
There you have it, more to come soon.
Otony
Edited to add that there is one small disappointment. The grip actually has two rubber sides that are held on with screws. Those feel great, but the left side grip has a huge thumbrest for a right handed. Of course I’m a left handed, so that isn’t the most accommodating for me, but I seem to recall that there are maybe ambidextrous grips available? Or maybe left handed grips? In any case, worse come to worse, if necessary I will make a set that is a bit more user friendly.
I’ve been eyeballing these for a few months, something about the handy size has quite the appeal to me. I’ve only had experience with a Hatsan once before, that was a Webley branded springer in .20 that I had high hopes for, but it arrived inoperable, and I couldn’t get it serviced by either Webley or Hatsan. As a matter of fact, I was told by Webley that I must have altered the rifle in some fashion and broke it myself! They wouldn’t even consider accepting a return, and Hatsan was not interested in helping either, even though I offered to pay for repairs.
That experience, along with a myriad of Hatsan build quality horror stories here and at other forums, had kept me from considering another of their springers until now. But there is an undeniable attraction in my mind for pistol carbines, and so I thought I would give this one a chance. I purchased it on eBay, and paid the few bucks extra for a Square Trade warranty. I figure if this one gives me trouble I have a more reliable policy to fall back on.
First off, I’m a bit surprised by the weight. It clearly is listed as 5.5 pounds, but somehow that didn’t register with me. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t excessively heavy, but it is very solid feeling in the hands. That solidness doesn’t extend to the buttstock assembly, as it exhibits a bit of wiggle, but it is fairly obvious that a shim of some sort will remove that issue quite easily.
A word or two about the buttstock. It is adjustable for length in a similar fashion to an AR carbine, but has a much longer range of adjustment. In fact, the last two settings are longer than I find comfortable (I’m 5’7” btw). I can use it at either of those lengths, but it fits Goldilocks just right for me a bit shorter. I’ve never, ever found any AR adjustable stock too long, so this was a bit unusual to me. The cheek piece as set does put my eye in the perfect position for using the iron sights, and overall, the feel/fit works great for me.
The cocking effort, even for a lower powered springer, was a bit stiff. Of course this can be attributed to the short barrel, as well as the fact that it is brand new. There are versions of this gun without the shroud that I imagine are even more difficult to cock, and I’ve seen a European version that is identical but has a longer barrel length, which presumably would lessen the cocking effort. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t hard to do, but you definitely know you are doing it, especially that last inch or so.
The cocking cycle isn’t rough, although I can detect some friction that will undoubtedly disappear with a good cleaning and lube job. That brings me to the brass tacks of the review, I suppose. The actual firing cycle is, predictably, a bit harsh, with more recoil than I had expected for a rifle that only makes 675 fps. It isn’t grinding or shaking, but again, I imagine a thorough cleaning and proper lube job would work wonders here.
I’ve yet to chronograph it, so I can’t actually report as to the real world velocities, but it is easily minute of coke can at 25 yards insofar as accuracy is concerned. Further testing for both accuracy and speed with come quite soon, but I didn’t have much time to do more than a quick assessment today. As to be expected, it is dieseling a bit initially, but that will likely settle down with a tin or two through it. I’m going to break it in with Premiers, and once it starts to smooth out, try some Hobbys and a few other pellets I have to hand. If things don’t go awry, I might consider a small scope down the road, the fiber optic sights while quite visible are a bit crude for any sort of precise paper punching.
There you have it, more to come soon.
Otony
Edited to add that there is one small disappointment. The grip actually has two rubber sides that are held on with screws. Those feel great, but the left side grip has a huge thumbrest for a right handed. Of course I’m a left handed, so that isn’t the most accommodating for me, but I seem to recall that there are maybe ambidextrous grips available? Or maybe left handed grips? In any case, worse come to worse, if necessary I will make a set that is a bit more user friendly.
