Hatsan 125 Sniper

I have little experience with Hatsans, some folks love them, the ones I've handled and shot did not impress me. I had a BSA lightning in .22 (assembled in Spain) and liked it a lot, I just didn't favor it over my Beeman R9, and sold it raise funds for the toy chest. Mine was a little twangy but very accurate, not mention light and powerful. If you can find one of the earlier UK versions they are the most highly regarded. BSA was bought out by Gamo and for a while the guns were assembled at the Gamo factory using BSA UK parts, not sure what the situation is now. You may need special rings for your scope as some of them have 13mm dovetails instead of the usual 11mm or 3/8".I'd vote for the BSA hands down!


It's the third from the top, very nice with a 3-9x32 scope!

Howdy Gene! I'm going to give a little perspective from the other side of the coin, having owned a Hatsan but not a BSA. My Hatsan is the 155 (walnut stock, underlever, uses the same piston plant as the 125 Vortex models. The corresponding underlever in synthetic is the 150, and there is a "Sniper" version) in .177 and I love it. I've had no problems at all, but there are things you should know if you opt to go this route. First, Hatsan tests their maximum velocities with medium-weight lead pellets, so you are more likely to get the advertised velocity. This also means you need to buy heavier pellets; anything under 10 grains goes supersonic in the 155, even after about a thousand shots. Second, the gun tends to be very heavy, although that's likely due to the walnut stock. Third, the "Weaver" rails are not standard Weaver rails, and work much better with 11 mm dovetail mounts. Finally, the included fiber optic open sights are a bit chunky for precision aiming, although fine for plinking. This may be more or less important to you (depending on whether you prefer a scoped platform), but I like having usable open sights as a backup. They aren't great, but usable.
The triggers (In models that offer the Quattro trigger) are very good out of the box, and adjustable to taste. Mine is cranked down to almost a hair trigger, and they can be adjusted for weight and length of pull. I would opt for the Vortex gas-ram powerplant, but that's me. It isn't whisper quiet, but the 155 has no suppressor either. It isn't .22 rimfire loud, but it gives a good kick and a shout.
I personally prefer the price point that Hatsan tends to stay around, and I think you get much more than you pay for. For reasons of aesthetics, I prefer wood, but that's very subjective. If you do opt to go for wood and still want a sound suppressor, investigate the QE ("Quiet Energy") line; essentially the same guns with suppressors attached. The wood version of the 125 is the 135; I have one in .22 on order myself.
Either options are great guns for moderately serious shooters; I think the only real difference is the price.

Well, that puts you in the same boat as me, I would say. I hunt rabbits (and have eliminated feral cats) with my Hatsan, as well as idly slinging lead in my basement 20-meter range. 
Having done some research on the BSA Lightning, they look very similar, save the price point and a few features. One way or the other, if you are going for a scoped rifle (which the BSA would have to be due to lack of open sights), I would go with an underlever; breakbarrels reset in a slightly different position each time, just enough to frustrate an individual looking for pinpoint groups. The BSA actually reminds me a bit of my Gamo Silent Cat, being a synthetic-stock spring-piston breakbarrel with integral silencer. Works great for your purposes, although for the price I would definitely go for a Hatsan 125. My Silent Cat has a UTG red dot sight; seems not to be affected as much by breakbarrel mechanics. I would opt for a gas-ram underlever if you are wanting to hunt at long range, since metal springs can be fatigued by being cocked for long periods of time and underlevers tends to deliver much tighter groups with scopes (in my experience ONLY). Be aware, underlevers from any maker will tend to be heavier, since they just have more metal pieces. BSA also offers gas ram and underlever guns, so it ultimately comes down to your gut feeling. All I can say is my choice would be Hatsan.
For really serious shooters, PCP is the way to go. In that case, It would be either a Hatsan Galatian (wood stock again) or an Eun Jin Sumatra 2500. But I guess I'm not serious enough to take that plunge just yet.

I just bought the model 125 TH 25 cal. gas piston same gun as the sniper minus the moderator.Kept it for 3 weeks then I sent it back and got the disco in 22 cal.I sent back the Hatsan because it's Heavy very hold senative accuracy good to 30 yards .My other springer is a 177 gamo whisper it gives me 1/2 groups at 25 yards.Save your pennies and buy a disco you won't regret it

My BSA was pushing JSB 14.3s at 685 fps. and weighed about 6.5 lbs without a scope. Short and handy though a bit of effort to cock due to short barrel. if it had been tuned, I'd probably still have it! It also seemed pretty forgiving of your hold. My advice AND a couple bucks is good for a cup of coffee in some places!

I had the spring powered Sniper 125 in .25 cal. In less than three tins of pellets, it blew a seal. Also, the holes in the stock where the two post of the cheek rest went into, broke. The cheek rest wouldn't stay in place. Hatsan was johnny on the spot warranty wise and replaced the gun. It also kicked liked a mule and killed a Centerpoint scope. The Sniper is heavy and hard to shoot accurately in a consistent manner. Without a doubt, I will be sticking with PCP rifles. 

BSA all the way, makes anyone a sharp shot!

had a buddy buy a sniper, failed before breakin, returned it for another one, heavy gun, scope killer...now it sits in the safe, I own 2 BSA R10's nothing can touch them in their prce range, as accurate as guns twice their price..

Well i had a sniper 125 in 25.wasnt bad.the stock broke.hatsan replacd it.since than.ive had many air rifles.me personally I would get a hw97 or a beeman r9.but if you get into pcps.whic i did.i wont go back.the discovery Is a great gun.to start.i have a mrod 25 bull pup with a war vavle kit.just amazg.take care.alex