Hatsan Opinions on buying a cheap Hatsan springer and modifying it vs buying higher end Hatsan.

[Sawney Bean]

Poor H@t$ans. They really get the grief around here.

They are perfect beginner guns. Cheap and effective. They don't last long but they give a guy an opportunity to learn what makes an airgun tick. You dont have much invested and your learning curve is steep. When they break just toss them into the corner and buy another. You can break 4 of them for the price of an HW.

A Vortek kit for an HW95 cost more than a new H@t$an 95. And every H@t$an 95 I've owned has shot longer than my HW's before a spring failure. The HW rifles are in a class way above the H@t$an to be sure but they are not without their frustrations.

I probably won't buy another H@t$an springer. But I've bought 9 to date and loved every one of them. Broke 7 of them. Still shooting the hell out of 2. They are not bad guns for the price. They just aren't great guns. Probably not a rifle most fellows would consider for a project. They are however a great tool for learning what spring air rifles are all about.

I just look at them as budget guns that probably are going to need a little work right out of the box. The biggest frustration I feel with them is just the feeling that if they had spent 10% more they could have actually been quite good guns right out of the box.

 

[boresnake]

You can't polish a turd.

 

[Motorhead]

Poor H@t$ans. They really get the grief around here.

They are perfect beginner guns. Cheap and effective. They don't last long but they give a guy an opportunity to learn what makes an airgun tick. You dont have much invested and your learning curve is steep. When they break just toss them into the corner and buy another. You can break 4 of them for the price of an HW.

A Vortek kit for an HW95 cost more than a new H@t$an 95. And every H@t$an 95 I've owned has shot longer than my HW's before a spring failure. The HW rifles are in a class way above the H@t$an to be sure but they are not without their frustrations.

I probably won't buy another H@t$an springer. But I've bought 9 to date and loved every one of them. Broke 7 of them. Still shooting the hell out of 2. They are not bad guns for the price. They just aren't great guns. Probably not a rifle most fellows would consider for a project. They are however a great tool for learning what spring air rifles are all about.

That is a nice way to say ones wasting there money & supports the Buy Once / Cry Once mindset.
If a person knows they like shooting and by intent of purchase is not to be a Closet gun .... Then Dont buy a POS closet gun that its final resting place with be in the garbage can or sitting in a closet fubar & unused.

 

[Bedrock Bob]

I just look at them as budget guns that probably are going to need a little work right out of the box. The biggest frustration I feel with them is just the feeling that if they had spent 10% more they could have actually been quite good guns right out of the box.

Exactly. They are an excellent rifle poorly executed.

With a little more attention to detail and some machined steel trigger parts they would be a fine gun. I've praised every one of mine. They shot beautifully after I corrected the usual complaints.

All of mine have been scrapped because of part #109 in the trigger breaking that little loop off. A new trigger is $35 plus shipping. By the time you add a spring and seal to that you are only a few bucks short of a new rifle. The warranty work is good but they don't pay shipping anymore. So it's half the cost of a new one to ship it for repairs. Once that warranty expires they are virtually disposable.

I've sent a bunch back for replacement. Crooked front shrouds, barrels with ripped up rifling (like they used a broken button or something), triggers not locking... all just QC problems. But the ones I haven't returned are pretty solid rifles despite their obvious shortcomings. Sometimes you just have to shuffle through crappy ones before you get a good one.

The last one I bought was $99 shipped to my door. It's hard not to get your money's worth out of a deal like that.

 

[Bedrock Bob]

That is a nice way to say ones wasting there money & supports the Buy Once / Cry Once mindset.
If a person knows they like shooting and by intent of purchase is not to be a Closet gun .... Then Dont buy a POS closet gun that its final resting place with be in the garbage can or sitting in a closet fubar & unused.

No actually I didn't say that at all. To be clear that's not the "mindset I support" nor do I feel I am wasting my money.

But thanks for the opinion! It is always appreciated.

(That's a nice way of saying you are entitled to your opinion on the rifle but should keep your opinions of my "mindset" and how I spend my money to yourself)

 

[Motorhead]

No actually I didn't say that at all. To be clear that's not the "mindset I support" nor do I feel I am wasting my money.

But thanks for the opinion! It is always appreciated.

(That's a nice way of saying you are entitled to your opinion on the rifle but should keep your opinions of my "mindset" and how I spend my money to yourself)

Public forums roll like that ... don't want anyone else's values being noted ... don't share yours and all is smooth and no ones feathers get ruffled.

I have no intent in being rude or get into a peeing match ... spend your money how you wish.

 

[A.G.R]

Public forums roll like that ... don't want anyone else's values being noted ... don't share yours and all is smooth and no ones feathers get ruffled.

I have no intent in being rude or get into a peeing match ... spend your money how you wish.

If I may quote the ever humorous ,Bedrock Bob.
It’s called a “ high arcing urination “.

 

[Bedrock Bob]

Public forums roll like that ... don't want anyone else's values being noted ... don't share yours and all is smooth and no ones feathers get ruffled.

I have no intent in being rude or get into a peeing match ... spend your money how you wish.

You are an expert on the topic and your opinions are always valued. I respect them 100% and on this topic we don't disagree.

Please don't point comments at me personally and no fur will fly. If you can find that much room for me in all that airgun experience you have amassed it would be much appreciated.

Yes public forums are like that. As people who share a common interest we should set the bar a little higher than that. I will always try to do that with you because I respect your knowledge and experience. Please try to find some reason important enough to extend that same courtesy to me.

 

[Bedrock Bob]

If I may quote the ever humorous ,Bedrock Bob.
It’s called a “ high arcing urination “.

In my defense....

You were so excited about that magnificent spring compressor of yours it was comical. I had to inject a little snark into the musky air. You were spraying it everywhere. I felt like taking a shower.

....it IS a cool compressor though. Really nice!

 

[Josh1973]

You can't polish a turd.

I am all for others opinions positive or negative. Even against me. But I have some differing views.
Even Hatsan and budget air rifles have a place and are often the deciding factor in whether or not a person decides to upgrade to a more expensive model.
Starting to think I had better find another forum since I actually bought a Hatsan to start out with.
And it fit my present budget to see if I want to take this air gun hobby more serious or not.

 

[Bedrock Bob]

It's a bit of a Bratwurst Festival around here when talking about budget rifles. Don't let that dissuade you. The H@t$an is a great rifle and you will learn a bunch from it.

There are a bunch of sweet airguns posted here. And a bunch of guys that are really into the fancy stuff. High dollar and rare airguns. No doubt some of them can really shoot those fine airguns. Its only natural that there is some bias against the lesser quality hardware.

It's like fishing in a little aluminum boat trying to set trotlines with a bunch of fancy ski boats showing off. You just have to bait your hooks and ignore them sometimes.

There is a lot to be learned here. Both by the novices and the experts. Don't let the opinions bother you too much. They are all based in good experience.

It's about having fun and shooting holes in stuff. That H@t$an will do that just fine and give you your money's worth for sure.

 

[A.G.R]

It's a bit of a Bratwurst Festival around here when talking about budget rifles. Don't let that dissuade you. The H@t$an is a great rifle and you will learn a bunch from it.

There are a bunch of sweet airguns posted here. And a bunch of guys that are really into the fancy stuff. No doubt some of them can really shoot those fine airguns. Its only natural that there is some bias against the lesser quality hardware.

There is a lot to be learned here. Both by the novices and the experts. Don't let the opinions bother you too much. They are all based in good experience.

It's about having fun and shooting holes in stuff. That H@t$an will do that just fine and give you your money's worth for sure.

I sure hope my Quattro don’t fail because it’s as good as any REKORD after tweaking it my style.
it’s smooth as silk first stage and crisp 1 lb break like glass no creep

Replaced both screws and used a tad lighter spring in rear. It’s safe as hell won’t fire if I slam the butt pad down ( I tried with no pellet ,knowing I could fix if dry fire and disaster struck..) Remember , , induced intelligence is a thing.

I got to work on how to tame the shot a bit , the piston could be used as a training club to tame Bigfoot..

 

[Josh1973]

It's a bit of a Bratwurst Festival around here when talking about budget rifles. Don't let that dissuade you. The H@t$an is a great rifle and you will learn a bunch from it.

There are a bunch of sweet airguns posted here. And a bunch of guys that are really into the fancy stuff. High dollar and rare airguns. No doubt some of them can really shoot those fine airguns. Its only natural that there is some bias against the lesser quality hardware.

It's like fishing in a little aluminum boat trying to set trotlines with a bunch of fancy ski boats showing off. You just have to bait your hooks and ignore them sometimes.

There is a lot to be learned here. Both by the novices and the experts. Don't let the opinions bother you too much. They are all based in good experience.

It's about having fun and shooting holes in stuff. That H@t$an will do that just fine and give you your money's worth for sure.

Correct you are. I was just jaw jacking a bit of tongue in cheek. I get wanting far nicer rifles.
I collected a few pocket knives in my time that ran me $250 to $500.
I love high end stuff. Wish could afford far more of it.
I am of the opinion that everyone should just buy both a entry level air rifle.
And at least a mid-high grade $500 on up air rifle.
That way you got one to practice tinkering with and replacing or modifying stuff and learning some skills.
And it would be for guests to play with.
I want this one. In a .30 Caliber.
That unfortunately runs $1000 and out of my league.
But I am thankful for what I have.

 

[Shuggoth]

My experience with Hatsan guns is isolated to a 95 as well as a couple of the hatsan versions of the Webley Tomahawk and Longbow. The 95 (gas ram) and the Tomahawks have been decent guns and my Longbow after a lot of work is a very nice shooting gun. The barrels really are the weak link, but if you get a good one they shoot well and for the price are a good deal.

 

[JamesD.]

Well, You know I can understand the counterpoints for buy once cry once and so forth.
And I can also understand

I get what you are saying. But I can also understand some of the hate other members could have over Hatsan.
I do get the logic of buy once cry once. And I also get my logic. That I am not want to put more in a break barrel pellet rifle than $200 to $300 due to financial difficulty.
I mean I can post on GTA as well. And to be honest.
At the end of the day. I will buy what I want and not tell anyone I bought a Hatsan lol.
Or I may take their advice and save up for a Diana or something used on the secondary
market.
I really don't see anyone's comment so far being a hater of Hatsan. But just saying if you can swing it financially.
Spend more and get something better.
However, I see your point as well. I try to look at things from both sides and not have tunnel vision.

Look up the Cometa USC 400 Fenix if you don’t want to go over $300. I have one tuned in .25 and it’s pretty good for what it is.
It’s not my HW95 .25 or RWS 52 .25 but it’s a truck, beater gun in my opinion but still ok. Hatsan can be refined but unless you are a machinist/tuner I have been spoiled by the higher end stuff. No doubt I have seen BAM 40’s or Ruger tuned springers that can shoot with upgrade trigger blade and sear, Vortek and seal, etc. but you end up spending more.
I don’t even want out of box HW, AA or RWS because once you shoot a fitted buttoned piston seal your done for on out of the box stuff.

 

[Sawney Bean]

Correct you are. I was just jaw jacking a bit of tongue in cheek. I get wanting far nicer rifles.
I collected a few pocket knives in my time that ran me $250 to $500.
I love high end stuff. Wish could afford far more of it.
I am of the opinion that everyone should just buy both a entry level air rifle.
And at least a mid-high grade $500 on up air rifle.
That way you got one to practice tinkering with and replacing or modifying stuff and learning some skills.
And it would be for guests to play with.
I want this one. In a .30 Caliber.
That unfortunately runs $1000 and out of my league.
But I am thankful for what I have.

View attachment 507782

I wouldn’t ever recommend that anyone start out in airguns with a .30. It’s not just that they’re more expensive to shoot, but that they use so much more air per shot and you’re getting into that area where a powder burner can do the same job for a lot less money.

A Hatsan 135 is somewhat of an exception to that as it’s a springer and the only thing more expensive about it are the pellets, but even there, a lower powered gun in .22 or .177 would be a better choice for a first gun. I really enjoy shooting powerful spring guns, but lower powered spring guns are simply more accurate and easier to shoot.

 

[Bedrock Bob]

I sure hope my Quattro don’t fail because it’s as good as any REKORD after tweaking it my style.
it’s smooth as silk first stage and crisp 1 lb break like glass no creep

Replaced both screws and used a tad lighter spring in rear. It’s safe as hell won’t fire if I slam the butt pad down ( I tried with no pellet ,knowing I could fix if dry fire and disaster struck..) Remember , , induced intelligence is a thing.

I got to work on how to tame the shot a bit , the piston could be used as a training club to tame Bigfoot..

I'm with you there. The trigger is good.

I take a different approach. Instead of longer screws I just file a bit off the trigger housing under the first stage screw. Ì file and do a static test until the screws are tight and the trigger is right.

I'm an offhand guy. I'm a plinker. I get all excited when things start flying. If a trigger is under 1.5 lbs. shots start going off without my permission. So the Quattro has always been just great without polishing anything. Some have had a stiff spring and that's easy. (I think they put a rear sight spring in a couple). They break good. With a little more work they could get really good

There's some lateral slack. It's easily fixable. I don't let it bother me.

Part #109 is the only problem. It breaks where it goes around the pin. Die cast crap. It's fine for everything else but that casting is too thin around the pin. It snaps off. They don't sell trigger parts. $35 trigger and $25 shipping. That's half the cost of a new gun delivered to your Airstream trailer in the Wagon Wheel mobile court.

I've threatened to sit down with a drill and a file and make me the replacement part. It's really no big deal. If it was steel you would need a chubbier spring to reset it. You could do it in a couple hours.

The stamped trigger housings widen at the front. Right where part #109 sits. I pinch them tight with pliers every so often. I'm not sure what torqes that part. Maybe cocking them hard to the stop. My son shoots like a train running and his rifle spreads the trigger housing out fast. Mine do too but it takes more shots.

You could weld a little strap between the open sides of that housing and cure that. And whittle a new "part #109" out of some steel and the Quattro would be bullet proof.

 

[Josh1973]

I wouldn’t ever recommend that anyone start out in airguns with a .30. It’s not just that they’re more expensive to shoot, but that they use so much more air per shot and you’re getting into that area where a powder burner can do the same job for a lot less money.

A Hatsan is somewhat of an exception to that as it’s a springer and the only thing more expensive about it are the pellets, but even there, a lower powered gun in .22 or .177 would be a better choice for a first gun. I really enjoy shooting powerful spring guns, but lower powered spring guns are simply more accurate and easier to shoot.

Right now I ordered a cheap Hatsan Zada. I did .25 caliber.
My primary reason is I been spotting critters in my urban full of rabies or suffering.
And I need something by tomorrow on Amazon. My area is not exactly friendly to even air guns.
Thankfully it is tolorated as long as you go a bit in a secluded wooded area to practice.

I spotted a pretty rare solid albino large male skunk with rabies. I seen it alive and it was gone mad and eating it's own hair and foaming at the mouth.
I found him dead today and full of flies. I bagged him up from the walk trail in four kitchen bags.
Carried him about a quarter of a mile to the 10 foot tall construction site bin.
I won't have to worry about peoples pets or kids getting near it and spreading ravies or other illness to humans.
I am going to save up or finance a mid grade break barrel in the $300 to $500 range at some point in the next few months.
Perhaps find a used higher end air rifle for sale.

 

[Josh1973]

Though I'm NOT into springers most of us here have found (by trial & error) that we should have invested the time, cost & frustration of modding a mediocre gun into buying a better gun in the 1st place! Good luck with whatever you decide.

I been thinking about buying a good $300 - 500 break barrel for hunting.
I ordered a budget Hatsan for $124 and keep it for experimenting and modifying with.
And general plinking. From Amazoon with arrival by tomorrow.
The cheaper Hatsan Zada I ordered will be looked at as a dispposable air rifle.
With the possibility of rebuild if I ever want to try it as I enjoy doing projects sometimes.
I will buy 2 or 3 spare springs. A few breech seals.
I will keep my higher end air rifle when I buy it if I like my initial experience with the Hatsan Zada.
I may even do either a .30 PCP or break barrel.
I choose .30 as a good starter big bore as I know big bore shooting can cost much more than .25 just to plink rabid critters
And end their suffering.
I am leaning to Diana or a used Airforce Airguns. Or something else.IDK

 

[Josh1973]

I'm with you there. The trigger is good.

I take a different approach. Instead of longer screws I just file a bit off the trigger housing under the first stage screw. Ì file and do a static test until the screws are tight and the trigger is right.

I'm an offhand guy. I'm a plinker. I get all excited when things start flying. If a trigger is under 1.5 lbs. shots start going off without my permission. So the Quattro has always been just great without polishing anything. Some have had a stiff spring and that's easy. (I think they put a rear sight spring in a couple). They break good. With a little more work they could get really good

There's some lateral slack. It's easily fixable. I don't let it bother me.

Part #109 is the only problem. It breaks where it goes around the pin. Die cast crap. It's fine for everything else but that casting is too thin around the pin. It snaps off. They don't sell trigger parts. $35 trigger and $25 shipping. That's half the cost of a new gun delivered to your Airstream trailer in the Wagon Wheel mobile court.

I've threatened to sit down with a drill and a file and make me the replacement part. It's really no big deal. If it was steel you would need a chubbier spring to reset it. You could do it in a couple hours.

The stamped trigger housings widen at the front. Right where part #109 sits. I pinch them tight with pliers every so often. I'm not sure what torqes that part. Maybe cocking them hard to the stop. My son shoots like a train running and his rifle spreads the trigger housing out fast. Mine do too but it takes more shots.

You could weld a little strap between the open sides of that housing and cure that. And whittle a new "part #109" out of some steel and the Quattro would be bullet proof.

Hell yeah! I whittled many steel parts with nothing but a file, Stone, and sand paper.
I did not have the option of throwing away stuff as a kid when it broke.
I can always fix something up on a break barrel. Which is why I choose a break barrel for small game over a PCP.
Easier to work on. Even in a shack or field.