Budget .25 cal choices?

I have a Marauder .25 (1st gen, not the newer one), and I love it. That said, the shot count kinda stinks (though not a big deal if you're hunting with it). I've never owned a Hatsan PCP, but I did own one of their springers. The construction of that gun was bullet-proof (pun intended)! If their PCPs are constructed like their springers, then I would buy one without fear. I also understand that some of their line, if not all, utilize replaceable high pressure air tanks (carry an extra in you pack). They seem to have a higher shot count per fill, good velocity (Hatsan doesn't rate their guns using "hobby pellets," they rate using LEAD!), and I never hear anyone complaining about accuracy. MY only hesitation with Hatsan is their customer service. Not on their end, but for my part. If I have a problem with a new Hatsan, I will have to ship it back to them. If you live in a state that doesn't call air guns "firearms," you're good. I don't live anywhere near there, so my airguns have to be mailed from an FFL holder, and back to that FFL holder, which adds significant $$$ out of my pocket and hassle in my life. Crosman I can just have parts shipped and fix it myself. As a Crosman/Benjamin fan, and assuming you live somewhere without the ridiculous laws of my home state, I suggest strongly considering the Hatsan PCPs. Order form Pyramyd (GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE), and if you don't like it, exchange for the other. Either way, you know you want a .25, so any pellets you order won't be collecting dust on a shelf.

having owned two hatsan at44`s id say pure rubish as both had bent barels and stripped set screws all around , but i see most people have good feelings for their hatsans.

a friend of mine just last month got the new gen marunder in 25 with the syntetic stock , he added a 100 dollar regulator on it and ... just wow
its factory de-pinged , has a good stock with good cheekweld , fairly good trigger , and very good acuracy for the long range shots .

had i been in the market for a 25. hunter that dident have to be a bullpup , i`d no doubt gone for the maruder happy shooting

I purchased a second generation synthetic Marauder in 25 and have been very satisfied with the guns performance. I obtain 16 sots on a fill at an average velocity of 860 fps with an ES of 15 fps. In terms of accuracy, I have it sighted in at 100 yards and can easily obtain 2 to max 3 inch groups at that distance. It performs almost as well as my Daystate Airwolf which costs five times as much as the Marauder. My Marauder is very quiet, all one hears is the pellet hitting the target.

Is the Marauder tank easily removable? I have been considering the Marauder and a more expensive models like one of the FX or Daystate guns I am just not sure I want to spend the extra $$. If the Marauder tank removes I could see getting extra tanks as opposed to spending a bunch on HPA tanks. Sorry I don't mean to hijack your thread. If the tank doesn't remove then I need an external air source anyway and the only difference is the cost of the gun.

Mike

I haven't seen the QE versions, or indeed nay Hatsans produced in 2015, but I have seen around 40 AT44's and BT65's and consider them poorly manufactured. Barrels are generally good to very good, but the internals usually need at least an hour's work to make decent. Have spent a lot of time re-engineering a BT65 and love the result.

Apart from a few design issues, all the actual problems on the Hatsans came from poor workmanship and materials, also a carefree attitude to "quality control".

On a budget the M-rod is hard to beat. There is a gentleman named Kevin who often sales refurbs on the yellow at a killer price. I think they have some of the best triggers for the price point. If you want to get into tinkering there are some bottle kits and valves out for them that turns them into what ever you want.

Go for the Hatsan AT-44 Long QE in .25 cal! It rocks! have one and bang for the buck it is the best thing going.

I have AT44 22 cal long and standard 25 cal, both quiet energy models and I haven't had any problems with either. I have both of mines tuned, the 22 cal is regulated. I have it set to shoot 18 gr JSBs at 900 fps and it's very accurate by anyone's standard.

PS... here's a pic of me leveling my Sidewinder scope, 6.5-20x42 AO. Like two peas I a pod... they go together .... lol

I have heard good and bad about Hatsan's. Just like Marauder's and Airforce, and FX and most other machined products. The shop the OP mentioned offers a full tune on refurbed guns, which could end up costing the same as a new gun. That would avoid the bent barrels and stripped screws that one poster mentioned. Just something to consider. Hatsan's don't have the popularity of a Marauder or Airforce, or even a Sumatra. So they won't have the aftermarket parts options and moddability that the 1st two do. But it does have a high power ceiling, although not quite as high as a Sumatra. Its definitely a good option though. Let us know how you choose, and how it goes =)

"JDShapp"I still have several months to do quite a bit of research on the Marauder or the AT44. If the performance I got today on my disco is anything like the Marauder then I'll do my best to grab one up if it falls in my price range. I was getting nickel size groups at 31.5yds with the Beeman FTS copper pellets I picked up a week ago. Either way for me its a waiting and saving game. Well at least until the 3 pecan trees I have begin dropping. Then it'll be an all out war with the squirrels, and this year I'm hoping to win.

Those nickel groups are better than average for the Disco. I have a Gen1 Marauder and love it. I have mine set for a low 800s shot string that works for me. The gun is very accurate and hits hard. Downside is a relatively low shot count due to a smallish air capacity and being unregulated. Another downside is the gun is a little heavy by the time you get it scoped. The Benji has a huge following with unending advice and accessories available. Crosman gets thumbs up for warranty service. And if you just cant decide, Benji is made in the USA.
I have been looking at the AT44 short in wood, but think I will wait and see if Crosman comes out with a proper 25 bull pup.

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"Gundog"Is the Marauder tank easily removable? I have been considering the Marauder and a more expensive models like one of the FX or Daystate guns I am just not sure I want to spend the extra $$. If the Marauder tank removes I could see getting extra tanks as opposed to spending a bunch on HPA tanks. Sorry I don't mean to hijack your thread. If the tank doesn't remove then I need an external air source anyway and the only difference is the cost of the gun.

Mike

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Mike,
I do not believe that the Marauder,s tanks are readily removable. I do know that the tank on my FX400 is removable but the one on the FX500 requires removing the barrel. Mine are the older versions with the steel tanks while the newer models come with CF tanks.
Tony

@Gundog. The Marauder lower tube, which includes the air storage, is a one piece unit. so if you want to make it into a bottle gun you have to cut off some of the cylinder’s front end. That can be done and you may be able to bring the price in for less than a Daystate or FX, but you will be starting to spend a lot for a Marauder. A stand alone, portable carbon fiber air tank may be a better use of that money. Most budget priced .25 PcPs have about 200 cc of air storage. That just seems to be the market. If you want high power or high shot count 500 cc is a lot better. Ron 

which version is better at44 qe or at44 qe long and whats the different??

The long version has a longer/larger air tube and longer barrel. It's more powerful with factory settings and get more shots.

"blackdiesel"The long version has a longer/larger air tube and longer barrel. It's more powerful with factory settings and get more shots.

I have been looking at the AT44 and sitting on the fence while I shoot my Gen1 .25 Marauder. My major issue with the AT44 QE Long is that it is ah, LONG with that moderator on the end of the bbl. That said those guns look to be powerful, accurate, and both the long and short have screw on air tubes so you can carry more air for $80 - $120 (Amazon price).
I live in a Pecan orchard/pasture converted to home sites so tree rats are also an issue for me. While you wait be ready with the credit card as I have seen refurb Marauders at and just under $400. And while you are hunting for a deal on your next gun you can be looking into how to charge it. Both the Hatsan and Marauder take a 3000 fill and I understand doing that with a hand pump is not fun.

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You can get an AT44 non-QE model and get a screw on LDC. But they are very loud without a suppressor. But Hatsans just like M-Rods are easy to tune to how you want them to shoot. On my 22 cal long it over powers the 18 gr JSB pellets so I added a regulator. I have it set so I get 40 shots at 900 fps. On my 25 cal short, I adjusted the hammer spring so I get 18 shots at 47 fps and a low extreme spread.