It's too bad they let all their competitors (AirForce and Hatsan) catch up. I wonder how much besides price has changed? Is it regulated? I'd rather have two perfectly the same unregulated shot than three regulated. A 250 bar fill with two shots is better than a 300 bar with three shots.
You're kidding right? I can't speak for Hatsan, but there are videos on YouTube of guys shooting the Texan back in 2017. The Hammer hadn't even been leaked out in 2017. The Texan was operational AND killing game then. Also, that Umarex isn't good for long range. The Texan's are excellent at 200+ yard shots. The only plus of the Umarex is it's regulated. There are aftermarket regs for the Texan, but AF has never regulated any of their rifles (which vexes the CRAP out of me since I own one). I own an aftermarket reg that works fine for what I use it for.
I know guys like the Umarex Gauntlet because of the price point. But it's a $300 PCP that's manufactured in China. It probably cost Umarex $30 to manufacture. It has very loose tolerances and I don't think they will hold up long term like a higher end PCP will. I don't think the Hammer is any different. Within 50 yards, it's a pile driver. No question. But beyond that, I don't think you stand a chance. If most of your hunting is within 50 yards, you will probably he happy.
But to say that Umarex let AF "catch up" is flat out wrong. It was Umarex that copied AF into the big bore world, as they saw the market and increased interest and popularity for the rifles.