Hatsan Mod 95 Vortex Failure

[Thor760]

I have a Hatsan Mod 95 Vortex in .22 that I purchased new in Aug of 2024.  Today I was about to start plinking and I go to break the barrel and feel very slight resistance.  After loading a pellet and pulling the trigger I hear a faint noise like the gas ram is attempting to push forward.  The gun did not fire. 

My diagnosis is a failed gas ram.  The piston seal had also been honking prior to the failure as well.  The gun is out of warranty so having it repaired by Hatsan is not an option.

I know you can buy a probe to refill the Vortex unit but I don’t have a high pressure pump.  I would rather just replace the Vortex unit and the piston seal along with a clean, hone and re-lube with Super Moly Paste.

My question is where is the best place to buy a new Vortex piston and new piston seal?  A cursory search of the internet did not yield many results.  I assume Hatsan USA is the best?  Do I fill out a form?  Recommendations are appreciated.

[Blowpipe Sam]

For the piston seal your best bet is Hatsan USA.  Their CS is actually pretty decent.  Sometimes they have replacement Vortex rams to sell but most times they don’t.  Member Ronno6 rebuilds Vortex rams.  You might PM him.

Conversion to a spring power plant is possible and probably your best long-term option.  The parts are (sometimes) available from Hatsan.  Member MikeyB has several threads which can lead you through the intricacies of that.

Hope this helps.

[Thor760]

Captain Carter.  This was exactly what I needed.  Much appreciated

[H95Kidd]

I have a Hatsan Mod 95 Vortex in .22 that I purchased new in Aug of 2024.  Today I was about to start plinking and I go to break the barrel and feel very slight resistance.  After loading a pellet and pulling the trigger I hear a faint noise like the gas ram is attempting to push forward.  The gun did not fire. 

My diagnosis is a failed gas ram.  The piston seal had also been honking prior to the failure as well.  The gun is out of warranty so having it repaired by Hatsan is not an option.

I know you can buy a probe to refill the Vortex unit but I don’t have a high pressure pump.  I would rather just replace the Vortex unit and the piston seal along with a clean, hone and re-lube with Super Moly Paste.

My question is where is the best place to buy a new Vortex piston and new piston seal?  A cursory search of the internet did not yield many results.  I assume Hatsan USA is the best?  Do I fill out a form?  Recommendations are appreciated.

You bought this new in August 2024, and it's ALREADY out of warranty??? Perhaps you meant 2023. At any rate, these Vortex rams are kinda a hit/miss thing in terms of longevity. They seem to be all over the place in terms of shot count/time.  Mine "original" Vortex lasted several years, but had a low shot count when it did fail about a year or so ago. The replacement ram (got it from Hatsan USA) I installed is still going strong, just shot a groundhog with the 95 a few days ago. They are fairly easy to replace, but if you want a long term solution I would convert to a spring. Hatsan USA should be able to fix you up, whether you go for a new Vortex or convert to a spring is up to you. As has been mentioned, mikeyb is the go-to guy for info on the spring conversion. You may want to reach out to him if that is what you decide to do with the 95. 

[Thor760]

Correction.  The gun was purchased new in Aug of 2020.

[H95Kidd]

Correction.  The gun was purchased new in Aug of 2020.

CY2020? Now that makes a LOT more sense . So in the scheme of things as far as Hatsan Vortex gas rams go, four years does not seem TOO bad. Mine lasted a bit longer than that, but then the actual shot count was very low. Hopefully you got some USE (decent shot count) out of yours before it croaked. I'm not sure why the Hatsan rams seem to go bad with greater frequency than, say, the Gamo IGT rams. It must be the type of seals (in Hatsan's case, simple "O"-rings) used. Mercifully, it's not a difficult task to replace one, well, at least once you know what you are doing with the 95! My first (and ONLY one so far) Vortex replacement did not go very well (see my thread on this from about a year or so ago) but I'm confident the next one I do will go much quicker.

[dw]

I've had three vortex pistons go bad; two of these were under warranty. I think the failure rate no matter what the type of vortex is going to be 100% within5 or 6 years. Just have to get used to replacing them. My first replacement took a lot longer than I was expecting but for sure will be faster next time.

[Thor760]

I certainly appreciate all of the info.  I filled out the form on Hatsans website and was surprised to get a response back within an hour.  Seal and gas ram plus shipping is around $54 and they are available.  They offered $90 for repair including shipping but I am very particular and want to hone the internals and apply the correct amount of lube and carefully install the new seal. 

[Blowpipe Sam]

At that price get two!  Well at least get a couple of piston seals and get a couple of extra breech seals if they have them in stock.  You’ll be set for life!

[Thor760]

At that price get two!  Well at least get a couple of piston seals and get a couple of extra breech seals if they have them in stock.  You’ll be set for life!

My thoughts exactly!

[Phoebe]

What I enjoy most about springers is the elegant simplicity and ease of maintenance, so here's another vote for a spring conversion.

Think about how many times you've heard a R9 owner say "gee, if only this thing came with a gas cylinder."

[Whirligig]

Can anyone tell me if recharging weak Hatsan Vortex gas pistons (specifically for Hatsan 95 and 135 Vortex air rifles) is something that can be done at home?

If so, could someone provide a list of what I need (pump, hose, adapters, etc.) and where to order them from?

Thanks!

-W

[splitbeing]

Some of the hatsan rams have a fill port that takes the same fill probe as the hatsan guns. I've pumped them up, but never released any of the pressure and am not sure if you can easily.

If you have a hatsan pcp and a way to fill it, you already have what you need.  If not, standard paintball probes available cheap will work along with a hand pump or compressor. Be careful, they can fill quick.

[Whirligig]

Some of the hatsan rams have a fill port that takes the same fill probe as the hatsan guns. I've pumped them up, but never released any of the pressure and am not sure if you can easily.

If you have a hatsan pcp and a way to fill it, you already have what you need.  If not, standard paintball probes available cheap will work along with a hand pump or compressor. Be careful, they can fill quick.

Thanks!

I'm not trying to get out of doing the Googling, but if you could point me to a good quality, yet affordable, probe and hand pump, preferably on Amazon, I would greatly appreciate it. I just don't know exactly what I'm going to need.

Thanks again!

-W

[splitbeing]

Amazon won't let me copy links but here are the items to cut and paste into amazon or google

9.99$ probe:

Paintball Airsoft PCP Air Gun Rifle Quick Fill Probe, Replacement Charging Probe Adaptor for evanix, Logun, Webley, FX Hatsan 9mm OD for Filling Hole

45$ pump:

BestEquip Airgun PCP Pump 4500PSI High Pressure Hand Pump 3 Stage Pump Chamber PCP Air Pump

[Whirligig]

Amazon won't let me copy links but here are the items to cut and paste into amazon or google

9.99$ probe:

Paintball Airsoft PCP Air Gun Rifle Quick Fill Probe, Replacement Charging Probe Adaptor for evanix, Logun, Webley, FX Hatsan 9mm OD for Filling Hole

45$ pump:

BestEquip Airgun PCP Pump 4500PSI High Pressure Hand Pump 3 Stage Pump Chamber PCP Air Pump

Thanks!

-W

[Back_Roads]

 I would check the guns internals first to make sure it has the fill port.

[dw]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but it seems to me all of the Vortex pistons should have fill ports...though the newer ones don't have bleed screws if you overfill and need to decompress them.

[Whirligig]

I would check the guns internals first to make sure it has the fill port.

That probably would have been a good idea...

Do you know where to look for the fill port and the process for adding air?

Thanks,

-Whirly

[Whirligig]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but it seems to me all of the Vortex pistons should have fill ports...though the newer ones don't have bleed screws if you overfill and need to decompress them.

This was my understanding as well.

-W