Hatsan Mod95 Spring 22, another refurb story :-)

[mikeyb]

Another sad Hatsan Mod95 spring 22 refurb gets a new life.

I posted briefly about this rifle here

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=216583.msg156566856#msg156566856

but this is the backstory and more details about my tinkering.

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About 5 years ago I gifted my younger brother a factory refurbished Mod95 spring 22. It was a special Holiday deal at $80 with free shipping from HatsanUSA. I did not get any hands-on time with the rifle before he received it.

I'm in NY and he lives in NM so it was a direct ship from HatsanUSA. ( Of course I ordered another one for me  )

I was hoping to inspire an interest in air guns so we could shoot together during visits. My plan did not work. His interests lie elsewhere so he never shot it and the rifle sat in storage until recently when he asked if I wanted it back. Who? Me? I'm not addicted to springers! Yes, I'll take it :-(

Previous owners, refurb techs, and long storage were not kind to this rifle. Grease had turned into brown crust, barrel had some side wiggle, and Quattro was adjusted to not work reliably. Probably a VERY GOOD THING my brother never tried to shoot it!

This sad rifle needed work. I had to go inside ASAP.

-Lots of buggered fastener heads.
-The 3-hole end-plug was SO TIGHT it would NOT MOVE without a LARGE force ADDED to the spring force. I've seen this before in other springers. Some plastic end-plugs get molded a bit oversized with excess mold "flash". I carefully sand them down to a "snug" fit so that normal spring force can ease the plug out when the pins are removed.
-VERY dirty inside, lots of black/brown crusty grease(?).
-Factory tiny loose spring guide.

Breech and piston seals actually in good condition so no replacement necessary. "Factory" refurb was at least partially successful :-)

-Cleaned everything.
-Installed new custom SNUG steel spring guide 6.25" length. (https://michaeljbernard.wordpress.com/2023/02/18/2023_02_18_hatsan_mod95_vortex_to_coil_spring_conversion/)
-Relubed with good quality oil and tacky grease.
-Added 2x 0.004" shims under the steel pivot washers to remove barrel side wiggle.
-Oiled and re-adjusted Quattro back into "normal" range.
-Cleaned up many buggered fastener heads and chased some damaged threads.

Note: Please Please Please use tools PROPERLY SIZED for the fasteners at hand. I know these fasteners are softer steel than most wrenchers are used to but if you use the RIGHT SIZE TOOLS there will be no fastener damage! I've never buggered any of many hundreds of Hatsan fasteners, but I have had to clean up many dozens of them.

Rifle went back together easily.
-Swabbed bore but it was quite clean(?)

First 10 pellets just to burn off any excess lube. Then the next 10 logged over my chronograph at 30'.

Chronograph data:



This first 30' 10 shot group size was under 5/8" using open sights.

Update:

Had some little "shooty" free time this morning before heading in to work. Shot another 25 pellets at target over the chronograph.



First group of 12 were a little scattered at 3/4" which I'm pretty certain was mostly ME getting settled after a LARGE coffee.
Paused a couple minutes to log data (old school pen & paper, no wires or bluetooth) and add a new "dot" to target. Then fired another 13 pellets.
The second group was BETTER at just under 5/8" but it would have been 3/8" discounting my last shot which was a bit of a flyer. I KNEW it would be as I rushed the shot.
Again, pretty certain it was ME and not the rifle. Springers can be UNFORGIVING if everything about the hold, trigger-pull, and follow-through are not PERFECT!

There is a slight downward trend in the velocity as all the internal parts and the new spring guide get to know each other. Since this is still under 50 shots total I'm certain there is a little lube still burning off (dieseling) even though I can't see smoke or smell that wonderful "burnt oil" aroma.

Cocking the rifle is buttery smooth and the shot cycle is the single solid THUMP I like. There is an occasional "ping" which IMO is the cocking link, with its SAS loop, ringing like a tuning fork. If I tap the link the sound has the same frequency. I hear that ping on several of my other Hatsan rifles with the SAS system. On this rifle it is rare and subtle so I'm not bothered by it at all.

I'm glad I was able to get this rifle shooting the way it SHOULD :-)

Considering they have a real Turkish Walnut stock Mod95s are IMO one of the best bargain (~$125 or less) springers currently available. Sadly they may not shoot up to their potential without a little help.

[Nukall856]

mikeyb,
 
 Good to know you got the Mod95 Spring up and running good. 17.5FPE with EHD 14.66gr. good spread of 14-18 considering there are not many shots through after your tune. I like the Excite Hammers, good consistent fit and shape, my M34 does very good with those pellets.
 I have two rather new Mod95s in both 177 and 22. I have yet to Chronograph either of them. The SAS Ping, the Hatsan Ping, you are correct that the sound is from the SAS coil vibrating as it absorbs the vibration of the shot. The two Mod95s and the H125V .25 all sing a short song after each shot.
Excellent Work mikeyb,
Your write-ups and advice given are appreciated by many Airgunners including myself.

NVak