HATSAN GLADIUS Owners

I have a .25 Long.

When I first discovered bullpups I wasn't interested in the least. I was shopping for a Sumatra or an Mrod or AT44 Hatsan. I had a chance to shoot all of those and then I shot a Cricket bullpup and man what a difference. I know the Cricket is a higher quality item than a stock version of the other 3 but it felt really, really good having the gun so close in and keeping the weight closer to me. So I changed my mind right there; I wanted a bullpup and I just had to wait until I could afford one. 

Here is my initial review of mine and I'll follow up below with what I learned w/a few hundred pellets after the video:


When I tuned the gun I did it on power setting 6. I've since learned I should have done it on power setting 4 and I've yet to do that. The gun is very accurate; I've hit a target as far as 103 yards. It is very possible to double feed if you don't pull all the way back on the cocking arm. The first half of the pull cycles a new pellet in, the last 1/5th of the pull actually cocks the gun. I've only double fed it when I was cocking really fast to shoot chrony numbers, not even aiming, just shooting as fast as I could. I didn't fully cock a few times.

The case, fully loaded w/gun, scope, pellets, bipod, etc is quite heavy close to 30 lbs or more. You would not want to hike that into any measurable distance in the woods. Leave it in the car. 

I'm not sure why this isn't showing up in other reviews and I'll admit I'm quite ignorant when it comes to how these guns actually function but whatever mechanism is used to achieve slower velocities on the power level settings does NOT save you any air in my experience. I also have a .25 so it uses a good bit of air any way but in my time with the gun, about 400 rounds, tuning at power level 6, I can get 2 mags at optimum power and that's about true at every power level setting. It could be once I tune at power level 4 that will change. 

Do I like it? Yes. Would I buy it again? Yes. 

I have a 25 short. 

It is my first PCP and I love it except for the weight. I like the balance of it and its length makes it so nice to nice to handle. I also have a 22 RWS springer. I use the Gladius mainly for hunting. I've shot approximately 1500 shots through it with no problems. I think I double loaded it once. I'm mostly hunting rock chucks and ground squirrels. It is deadly out to 100 yds. I'm glad that I got the 25. It carries much better in wind and has great "knock down power".

It would be nice if it was lighter. At almost twice the cost for a similar bull pup, the Gladius is a great gun.

I have one in .177 and soo far very impressed.i haven't had very much trigger time but I actually enjoy the gladius much more than the edgun r3m or cricket carbine I used to have.i just feel if I accidently drop or bump into something with the gladius I won't be marring up nice wood.i recently got me a chronograph to dial her in.

"billydjann"Ok.... I am interested in the Hatsan Gladius..... 
This gun is priced good enough for me to try... I never have used a Bullpup so I do not want to invest a lot into one...

To you Gladius owners ...... please advise how you like this gun.
I am interested in how it shoots from 10 yards to 40... ( I never shoot any squirrels past the 40 yard mark)
Chances are I will also be plinking from bags as
well.... and yes I have seen all reviews but I want to hear from actual owners
Tell me the good and the bad.......

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You've probably seen already but they have a bunch of user reviews on the PA site. If you buy from there, they allow you to return it if it's not for you, so you would only risk the shipping fees. 

BTW, I think you should also check out the JKhan Krosa bullpups. They are in a similar price range and they are a lot of air gun for the money. The stocks aren't adjustable like the Gladius but those adjustable features are what makes it so heavy. I know you said you'll be using it from a rest but if you ever plan on carrying it anywhere, it will make a big difference.

If saving a little cash is important, the Bullboss is also worth adding to the shortlist. 

Whichever one you buy, I would suggest adding the regulator option.

I bought a .22 long when Midway had them <$600, but I haven't got it set up and dialed in yet. I put a Hawke 4-16 x 50 scope on it, and last time I shot it, I was moving the scope farther forward. I have only shot it at 20yd in my yard, and seems good so far. I can shoot all 4 mags (40 shots) at power 1, and get 2mags (20 shots) plus maybe a few more at power 6. So far I have only used 18.1gr jsb, but just received 3 other 20+gr pellets to try.
My thoughts so far:
Very heavy...will have to see when I take it hunting in the field.
Well balanced and mechanically nice. I love Hatsan's magazine system and the forward positioned side lever cocking.
I have long arms and the adjustable butt piece was nice.
The Weaver high rings I used mounted the scope pretty low (eyepiece a few mm above the rail) and I may have to go to higher rings as I have the cheek piece adjusted as low as possible and it is still not positioned as I like.
Nice and quiet!

This site is awesome and I love the info and conversation here but if you look at most of the PCP ownership here you'll see it's typically higher end stuff, at least higher end than Hatsan. In short, you won't find much feedback and info on Kia's on a Porsche/Ferrari forum. That said, there is a fair amount of Mrod and Prod hotrodding discussion here. 

I have .22 long version. Could you please tell me which pellet is more suitable for hunting approx 50-70 yards (small birds)?

I have a .22 long as well. As noted, they are relatively heavy but in general seem well made. Mine is plenty accurate for small pesting and shoots Barracuda Match pellets well (those were advised on a youtube video review and do shoot well. A few things I would note to Gladius owners-

1)the stock should be removed and the entire mechanism cleaned. Lots of grungy grease and oil inside the stock and on the mechanism.

2)the safety mechanism has a relatively sharp stamped metal bar that was touching the air cylinder on mine. Long term that could abrade the air cylinder and possibly cause a weak spot. I recommend relieving and smoothing that area with a dremel. It will be easy to see with the stock off if yours is that way also. If you look closely at how the auto safety works you can simply bend the engaging tab to eliminate auto safety setting and still allow it to be returned to function if desired. I did that and much prefer it that way.

3)the screws attaching the scope mount rail penetrated through the ring members and pressed on the barrel shroud on mine. The screws would appear to tighten but the rail would not be sitting tightly on the top of the two barrel/air tube rings until the screws were tightened enough to push the shroud down against the bottom of the ring. This could be by design but it seems that a free floating barrel is preferred in many cases. I shortened those screws about an eighth of an inch to eliminate that pressure.

4)the trigger can be improved dramatically. I put a lighter spring under the trigger along with some sear modification and polishing and have a very nice relatively light distinct 2 stage trigger now that is completely safe to impact. There is some slop in the pivoting mechanism for the trigger that probably can be eliminated as well and I will probably make another pivot bar and use an RC car bearing to try to eliminate that remaining slop.

Overall it seems to be a good PCP for the money.

My first bullpup was a Hatsan Gladius short in .25. I loved it for the year I had it then I discovered Fx in the form of a used .25 Impact. The Gladius was heavy as others have stated but shouldered awesome, really quiet stock and was very accurate (.5" @ 40 yards). I probably might buy again(used) but would have to be at a much lower price (<$400).

I have a Hatsan Gladius Short in .22 cal. Love it!



JSB 18 grain and Crosman 14 grain pellets are what I use right now, and it likes both.
I shoot indoors at about 10 yards - Until NY warms up and I can go back outside again..
The Gladius stacks pellets on top of pellets over and over and over again.
It's a tank, but, I'm shooting off a bench, so no worries. 
If I want lighter, I bust out my Puncher Breaker.

Here are a few pics of my 'groupings'.







Sam -

I have a .25 long for sale in the classifieds. Haven’t shot it much. Is powerful & heavy. I’d definitely use a sling, bipod, sled or stick. Am selling to finance Pitbulling my bulldog. I have 3 other .25s to cover needs. 

My Gladius Long 0.22 shots o.k in accuracy, but it is a very weak pcp. I`m not able to get more than 220 m/s with H&N barracuda match

I have .22 long version. Could you please tell me which pellet is more suitable for hunting approx 50-70 yards (small birds)?

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Unless you are sorting pellets, weighing them, szing, rolling, etc. just get JSB 18.1's, Barracuda Match 21.1 grain 5.50-5.55 are available. I think 5.53's are great in about anything. You can try the heavy JSB 25.43 or 33.95 as that rifle can definitely handle them very well. You asked about small birds at 70 yards. You'll have to test a variety and see what's most accurate in your particular rifle as it is set. If you don't have a chronograph or know how to measure speed by 2 POI & a ballistics calculator like Chairgun, then just start with the mid to heavy pellets. I doubt it would like CPHP'S but you never know. I had a AZ Rapid that preferred them over anything out to 100 yards. After that, JSB'S totally did better.

My fault on recommending anything over the 18.1's. Try JSB 15's, Predator Polymag 16 grains, and JSB 18.1's

You can even try the CPHP'S for that rifle. I was thinking of the higher powered Hatsan Hercules. That one confuses me as the bullpup version produces more power than the long gun version.

Own a 22 long likes the jsb 15.89 can repeatedly hit 1.5” resettable targets with ease. Good hunting rig as weight is not a problem for me. Would buy again

@kzz1kaw: Can repeatedly hit 1.5" resettable Targets with ease. Good, but big question about distance ... 10 Yards or 23454231 Yards ?

Good question

I have .22 long version. Could you please tell me which pellet is more suitable for hunting approx 50-70 yards (small birds)?

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Have the 22 long mine shoots aa 16 gr or jsb 15.89 1/2 groups at 50 need to try different pellets because not every gun likes the same pellet