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

[Bedrock Bob]

I’ve wondered myself about the gas ram 250. Trigger is my concern

I think they are kinda like the Cometa. I don't know first hand. You know a lot more about triggers than I do. I just jerk on them.

Things could be worse for sure. The Cometa works great. You learn a bit different trigger pull. I have no complaints. I can shoot dime size patterns at 25 off my knees with iron sights. So the trigger isn't holding me back much.

Of course I've heard the horror stories about them. If I get a bad one I'll deal with it then. So far so good.

I'd like to shoot a "two fifty" before I spent my two fifty. Thats probably not going to happen.

 

[The Lords Hand]

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

What makes them not last long and why not just repair them? I have a .25 95 i bought for iron sight shooting at 40'-75' that I like so much i just ordered a .22. What can't I repair on these? As to hw springs. If hatsan springs last longer couldn't you just put one in a hw? New to air rifle repairs but I've repaired airsoft aegs and springers. Thanks.

 

[Sawney Bean]

What makes them not last long and why not just repair them? I have a .25 95 i bought for iron sight shooting at 40'-75' that I like so much i just ordered a .22. What can't I repair on these? As to hw springs. If hatsan springs last longer couldn't you just put one in a hw? New to air rifle repairs but I've repaired airsoft aegs and springers. Thanks.

I think that Bedrock Bob is just speaking from a standpoint that applies to relatively few people. If you read his posts, he's shooting literally hundreds of shots per day and he treats Hatsan 95's as a disposable commodity and plans on wearing them out in a year or so, at which point he figures that they're cheaper to replace than to repair.

For a typical shooter who fires a few hundred shots through his rifle in a year, a Hatsan 95 will likely last a lifetime.

 

[The Lords Hand]

I usually shoot 50-100 daily. I'd still like to know what Bob thinks. I want something easy to work on with parts available at the lower end of whatever that spectrum is. Obviously it won't be cheap but I'd rather not spend hw money if I can.

 

[A.G.R]

I usually shoot 50-100 daily. I'd still like to know what Bob thinks. I want something easy to work on with parts available at the lower end of whatever that spectrum is. Obviously it won't be cheap but I'd rather not spend hw money if I can.

You get what you pay for. Get a R1 /HW 80 in .22 and you never will regret it. Money spent once is savings twice.
Hatsans are POORLY MADE AND WEAR VERY FAST.
I JUST CUT UP A CARNIVORE .30.
Scrap

 

[The Lords Hand]

You get what you pay for. Get a R1 /HW 80 in .22 and you never will regret it. Money spent once is savings twice.
Hatsans are POORLY MADE AND WEAR VERY FAST.
I JUST CUT UP A CARNIVORE .30.
Scrap

I have a hw 95 and a hw30 urban pro. I was specifically asking about something not in the hw price range. Bob said hw springs wear out faster than hatsan too. I hear Diana's are very easy to work on. I have 2 games. Ones 20+ years old. The other is a fusion mach 1. Both shoot great. Only problem is limited parts or you have to ship it. It would be nice if all these companies made all the parts available. Like airsoft. Like rc cars. Give me the part. Ill fix it. Seems like a stupid business model gate keeping parts just to get you to send it in which in the long run means I won't buy from those brands.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

I’ve been shooting and working on Hatsan’s for over a decade now. The quality has definitely gone down. They are the best inexpensive springer/ram for the money. I converted all my rams to springs. Easy to work on. Never had a spring break. Vortex rams all died. I line the piston with blister pack plastic to eliminate twang. Add longer trigger screws for more adjustment. Good shooters, solid construction, great 4-lever trigger, Walnut stock, and the shock absorber system does work to protect scopes. The downside is they are heavy and have erratic firing behavior. And the receiver steel is softer than the German springers. Not the barrel though. I converted many 95’s into carbines. Handy and fun to shoot. If you like heavier hard hitters and like to tinker then they are a bargain.

 

[Slugy]

As a general rule avoid everything from cheapest models like
hatsan Zada being the lowest end of quality springers. Something like model 125,130 sniper being their high end springers. Difference however with pcp is that even lowest end hatsan pcps will give you some like 30-40ft/lbs on every shot while top quality Hatsan springers will give you only 20 ft/lbs. But buying some of the latest 2024-2025 pcps will most likeley give you a fair precision with slugs also not only pellets which will slightly extended the range up to 100 yards and the power at distance. Something like hatsan flashpup will gives slightly bigger airtank compared to older model hatsan flash. And by many reports is fearly accurate with slugs and if you disasseble it to polish the internals for smoother cocking and operation will even improve things with slightly more power and possibly even accuracy if you polish probe, spring ends, trigger bits and barrel air vent at angle so air is pointed to travel slighty towards the direction of travel of the projectiles towrds the muzzle. In other words give it some love rather than pure explotation, like everything in life.

 

[The Lords Hand]

I’ve been shooting and working on Hatsan’s for over a decade now. The quality has definitely gone down. They are the best inexpensive springer/ram for the money. I converted all my rams to springs. Easy to work on. Never had a spring break. Vortex rams all died. I line the piston with blister pack plastic to eliminate twang. Add longer trigger screws for more adjustment. Good shooters, solid construction, great 4-lever trigger, Walnut stock, and the shock absorber system does work to protect scopes. The downside is they are heavy and have erratic firing behavior. And the receiver steel is softer than the German springers. Not the barrel though. I converted many 95’s into carbines. Handy and fun to shoot. If you like heavier hard hitters and like to tinker then they are a bargain.View attachment 593630

Perfect. Thanks. Great to hear. I have my hw95 for range but most my shooting is 75' or less. And when I shot my hatsan 95 .25 I loved it. Just felt great in my hands compared to alot of my other air rifles. I dont mind heavy. And I really don't get it. All I see is people always saying stuff is too heavy. Im a 150lbs. LEAN. Shot for over a hour yesterday. Felt it in my shoulder but 40lb cocking weight spread out over should,arm,core isn't even a workout. It's barely a warm up. Are people really that out of shape? Back to the 95. I like the heavy wood stock. I would think that would lend to accuracy. No frills gun. The only thing I would like to have seen a little better quality was the actual trigger blade and the sights. Not using the scope on the .25 I have or the .22 I ordered. Maybe get 2 .177. One scoped one not. Air guns just like rc. I have a bunch. But when i find one I like I want several of that model for different setups/usage. Looks like its the 95 for me. Ill be back with repairs questions at some point.

 

[The Lords Hand]

As a general rule avoid everything from cheapest models like
hatsan Zada being the lowest end of quality springers. Something like model 125,130 sniper being their high end springers. Difference however with pcp is that even lowest end hatsan pcps will give you some like 30-40ft/lbs on every shot while top quality Hatsan springers will give you only 20 ft/lbs. But buying some of the latest 2024-2025 pcps will most likeley give you a fair precision with slugs also not only pellets which will slightly extended the range up to 100 yards and the power at distance. Something like hatsan flashpup will gives slightly bigger airtank compared to older model hatsan flash. And by many reports is fearly accurate with slugs and if you disasseble it to polish the internals for smoother cocking and operation will even improve things with slightly more power and possibly even accuracy if you polish probe, spring ends, trigger bits and barrel air vent at angle so air is pointed to travel slighty towards the direction of travel of the projectiles towrds the muzzle. In other words give it some love rather than pure explotation, like everything in life.

Mainly a springer guy. Couple gas rams. Not against pcp. The accuracy is undeniable. But the initial buy in, if I got one I would get a good compressor with whatever gun I bought, is high.
And there's just something about a unruly springer. Real fun when you give one to someone whose good with powder and confident they can do the same with one. Fun to watch. And most real shooters figure it out pretty quick. Pcps will be after I give in and drop 1000 on the left handed walnut tx2000. Thanks.

 

[Moe M.]

This is not putting a dog in this hunt, it's not an indictment of Hatsan Rifles, it's simply my experience and observations of my Hatsan mod. 95 .22 cal. springer.
I purchased mine about six years ago, I had a couple of friends who bought the Vortex gas ram models about the same time, theirs failed within a few months of purchase, mine is still going strong and still looking great, I've read stories of the finish wearing off and soft wood marring easily, and also of bluing flaking off, mine is still fine and I don't baby my guns, nor do I abuse them.
My mod. 95 is very accurate, it's also easy to cock, and it's not very pellet picky, the trigger takes some getting used to but once mastered it's satisfactory enough for accurate fire, so what's not to like ?
I don't dislike my Hatsan mod. 95, but it's far from my favorite, nor does it get the volume of attention that my other air rifles get, if I had to give a reason why I still own it I'd have to say that unlike my other air rifles that I enjoy shooting, I keep the Hatsan because it challenges me, would I buy another Hatsan, probably not, there are better budget friendly air guns, I know, I have a handful that are all around better and easier to carry and shoot, are more powerful and much more consistently accurate, so with all my stated attributes why am I seemingly negative towards my Hatsan ?
Well, it's not so much about the important positives that my Hatsan mod. 95 displays, it's more about all the little things that detract from enjoying this rifle for a day or just a couple of hours at the range or in the squirrel woods, for starters Hatsan's are heavy (over 10.5 lbs. with a scope), not a rifle you'd want to carry around on a days small game hunt, it's also not balanced very well, a good long gun should be comfortable, like an extension of your body, Hatsan's are very hold sensitive, the artillery hold is almost a must for proper shot placement.
Hatsan's have an exceptionally harsh shot cycle, so if you do everything right, when you squeeze the trigger ever so gently, that shot cycle is going to set loose a violent double ended recoil as well as real felt vibrations down the barrel which is not really conducive to consistent accuracy.
So, bottom line, if you like being challenged a Hatsan may be in your future, but if you are looking to own an easy shooting, accurate and powerful air gun that's a pleasure to carry with a smooth shooting cycle, one that is just plain comfortable to hold, there are better rifles than a Hatsan.
Lastly, and a huge con is customer support, customer service, and parts availability, Hatsan doesn't have any.

 

[The Lords Hand]

This is not putting a dog in this hunt, it's not an indictment of Hatsan Rifles, it's simply my experience and observations of my Hatsan mod. 95 .22 cal. springer.
I purchased mine about six years ago, I had a couple of friends who bought the Vortex gas ram models about the same time, theirs failed within a few months of purchase, mine is still going strong and still looking great, I've read stories of the finish wearing off and soft wood marring easily, and also of bluing flaking off, mine is still fine and I don't baby my guns, nor do I abuse them.
My mod. 95 is very accurate, it's also easy to cock, and it's not very pellet picky, the trigger takes some getting used to but once mastered it's satisfactory enough for accurate fire, so what's not to like ?
I don't dislike my Hatsan mod. 95, but it's far from my favorite, nor does it get the volume of attention that my other air rifles get, if I had to give a reason why I still own it I'd have to say that unlike my other air rifles that I enjoy shooting, I keep the Hatsan because it challenges me, would I buy another Hatsan, probably not, there are better budget friendly air guns, I know, I have a handful that are all around better and easier to carry and shoot, are more powerful and much more consistently accurate, so with all my stated attributes why am I seemingly negative towards my Hatsan ?
Well, it's not so much about the important positives that my Hatsan mod. 95 displays, it's more about all the little things that detract from enjoying this rifle for a day or just a couple of hours at the range or in the squirrel woods, for starters Hatsan's are heavy (over 10.5 lbs. with a scope), not a rifle you'd want to carry around on a days small game hunt, it's also not balanced very well, a good long gun should be comfortable, like an extension of your body, Hatsan's are very hold sensitive, the artillery hold is almost a must for proper shot placement.
Hatsan's have an exceptionally harsh shot cycle, so if you do everything right, when you squeeze the trigger ever so gently, that shot cycle is going to set loose a violent double ended recoil as well as real felt vibrations down the barrel which is not really conducive to consistent accuracy.
So, bottom line, if you like being challenged a Hatsan may be in your future, but if you are looking to own an easy shooting, accurate and powerful air gun that's a pleasure to carry with a smooth shooting cycle, one that is just plain comfortable to hold, there are better rifles than a Hatsan.
Lastly, and a huge con is customer support, customer service, and parts availability, Hatsan doesn't have any.

Most your negatives are part of the positives for me. Big and heavy. Great. Has some kick. Great. Im shooting these at 75' or less. So far not trouble being very accurate for my plinking. I wanted a basic, well built, durable, and relatively cheap rifle in multiple calibers so when its time to work on them it'll be easier to have a box of parts and a good knowledge base of. These seem to fit the bill. I have a hw 95 for range which is much smoother. And a hw 30 urban pro thats insanely accurate. For everyday use I like cheaper ones that I won't be to upset about if I mess them up. Thanks for you info on this.

 

[oOmpH]

I have a hw 95 for range which is much smoother. And a hw 30 urban pro thats insanely accurate. For everyday use I like cheaper ones that I won't be to upset about if I mess them up.

That’s like having a showpiece Corvette, a sport bike, but grabbing the clapped-out Civic for grocery runs because you don’t mind if the shopping cart dings the door. Nothing wrong with that but I think the HW95 or HW30 are perfect everyday rifles. They’d need some serious abuse to break, and I don’t mind a scratch or ding on the rather dull stocks, since they’re by no means exhibition pieces, are they? I’d feel guilty treating them as delicate.

 

[The Lords Hand]

That’s like having a showpiece Corvette, a sport bike, but grabbing the clapped-out Civic for grocery runs because you don’t mind if the shopping cart dings the door. Nothing wrong with that but I think the HW95 or HW30 are perfect everyday rifles. They’d need some serious abuse to break, and I don’t mind a scratch or ding on the rather dull stocks, since they’re by no means exhibition pieces, are they? I’d feel guilty treating them as delicate.

True. But my daily use ones are left in garage and exposed to minnesota summers. Lots of humidity. Wet dog shaking off water. All sorts of stuff. And never really cleaned. The hws get taken out of a cabinet, rifle bag, shot, maybe rubbed with oil, and put away.

 

[Gerry52]

Everyone's a Hatsan hatter. Or for that mater anything other than the more expensive counter parts. One of the reasons I'm pretty much done posting on this forum. At least as much as I used too. If your not into top of the line elite guns why bother. You will be told yours are junk and to invest into etc.... GTA is a much better place to discuss anything about any gun not made in Europe.

I spent the 1st 2 years of shooting & learning about airguns with Hatsan. I learned a lot & became pretty proficient with them. I'm not a hater of Hatsans but just far more pragmatic about them after experience with other manufacturers. The difference in build quality is undeniable but I still wouldn't change my path even if I could. They taught me a lot.

 

[The Lords Hand]

Every airgun I have ever had needed work at some point. Most have had faults that needed warranty repair or replacement. Just QC issues.

There is a lot going on inside a springer. It's a bear trap in a pipe. It's juggling all that force back and forth. Lots of moving parts. The parts that don't move shake. It's difficult engineering to begin with.

Mix that with staffing and facilities issues, international supply lines, retailers... A lot can go wrong. It's a wonder any airgun will shoot.

I don't know how H@t$an can sell a gun for $129. I don't know why HW can't make a good one for $600. There is a huge disparity there. Some middle ground would be nice.

So far the Cometa is groovy. I like it. It shoots dandy. I have shot it almost 5000 shots and zero problems. I think it fits in that halfway point between a Hatsan and an HW very nicely.

Those Dianese "two fiftys" look interesting too. I'm going to give gas rams a try for a while. I've got plenty of springs to play with.

Got a two fifty. Its eh. Underpowered for me. Not a big issue. The big issue is the iron sights. I have to jam my cheek on it to line up the iron sights. Really uncomfortable for me. Svope it will be fine but I bought it to shoot iron sights not scope. Ill take the 95 over it.

 

[The Lords Hand]

Everyone's a Hatsan hatter. Or for that mater anything other than the more expensive counter parts. One of the reasons I'm pretty much done posting on this forum. At least as much as I used too. If your not into top of the line elite guns why bother. You will be told yours are junk and to invest into etc.... GTA is a much better place to discuss anything about any gun not made in Europe.

Same in the rc world. If you didn't buy the most expensive build your own kit then its all poop. Bunch of snobby elitists who if you met in real life you'd want nothing to do with. They are so caught up in having whatever is considered to be the best they can't even comprehend something else being good. Let alone have fun with it. I can have fun with cheap stuff as much as expensive.

 

[3Crows]

You cannot make a sow's ear into a silk purse.

 

[3Crows]

Same in the rc world. If you didn't buy the most expensive build your own kit then its all poop. Bunch of snobby elitists who if you met in real life you'd want nothing to do with.

I no longer do RC or control line but from childhood until now, I prefer to build my own. But, all of the old time kit makers are gone, Goldberg, Midwest, Sig, Great Planes and not only that but plans building from old RCM plans is difficult because all of the components and balsa are NLA. Is RC dead? Supplanted by air guns!

 

[The Lords Hand]

You cannot make a sow's ear into a silk purse.

But you can have a whole lotta fun with a sows ear