Review of Hatsan 95 Spring rifle in .25

[RecurveBoy]

I have had my Hatsan model 95 standard for about a year now, so i figured its time to give it an honest review, after shooting about 1500 pellets through it, and taking some game. I would like to go over things i like about it, things i dont like, accuracy, percieved quality, user ergonomics and things like that.

Initial impressions-
     
      When first receiving the gun several months ago (through AirgunDepot), my initial thoughts were that the airgun felt solid, seemed well made, and was very hefty. It was nothing like a Crosman 1000 quest i tried briefly, and a ruger .22 model i also tried (i was not happy with either and returned them the next day).

Upon shooting the airgun for the first day, I noticed it had quite a bit of power, and hit water filled botles with authority. I didnotice though, that all my shots were striking several inches to the right. Good thing the Hatsan has adjustable rear sight, because after some examination, i realized my barrel was not square or perfectly inline with the receiver of the rifle. It really bothers me, but since i was able to dial the iron sighta in, i can deal with it.


Shooting/Accuracy-

        This guns accuracy has surprised me (with certain pellets), and especially at extended ranges such as 50yds. I shoot the rifle using its iron sights, they are not the nicest most precise sights, but neither are my eyes, and they do fine for me out to about 50yds which is my maximum range distance in my neighbors backyard. I have tried basically every pellet available, and have found that the most accurate and consistant out of this particular  rifle is the JSB exact diabolo 25gr. These by far are more consistant than any other brand or model of pellet i have tried. Anything from H&N is inconsistant, and fits the breech with variance, but most fit loosely, and accuracy suffers. The 3rd best shooting pellet would be the H&Ncoppa-spitzkugel, these pointed heavy weight pellets hit very hard and with decent accuracy out to about 25yds. Beingpointed and heavy, i would assume they have the greatest penetration on game, yet i find myself only purchasing the JSB's anymore because they shoot so good.

 At 50yds and iron sights i can hit a powerade bottle every shot, and being fillwd with water, the pellet enters one side and is resting at the bottom of the bottle. I can also somtimes hit walnuts at this distance, although if i miss, it is because i did something wrong. At 20yds, shooting at a paper bullseye, i can routinely get 4 JSBs in one hole, the size of 2 pellets. This gun is very accurate with pellets it likes, and with a scope, i am sure i could make headshots on squirrel/rabbit at 75 yds or under.

Hunting Performance-

       I have legally taken about 6 squirrels with this air rifle, only 2 shots were headshots, the rest were heart/lung/vitals. Yhe headshots being taken at close range where i was confident in the brain shot. When squirrels are hit in the head with the JSB .25 exact diabolo (25grs), they drop to ground, flop around and kick for about 10 seconds then decease. When hit in the lungs, sometimes they run about 15-20ft and die immediatetly, sometimes they stop right there and drop dead in their tracks. With iron sights i am confident to take a squirrel/rabbit out to 50yds, and to me this Hatsan is an invaluable hunting tool.


Overall-
 
     For the $150 i paid, i am very happy with the airgun, it is well made, powerful, sturdy, and accurate. It is not quiet, but not loud either, the only thing i am not happy about is the barrel being out of square, i wish i could fix this somehow. The gun has a nice adjustable trigger, and i feel it will last me for many years, and provide for manu small game meals, while havingenough power to reliably and humanely take small game. I will do a chrony test as soon as i can get out to my dads, will test the JSB 25gr and 34gr pellets.

[Big Rick]

Nice write up on the 95. I love mine (95QE) and can`t wait for squirrel season to open on 9/15. I am hoping it will shoot the Predator Polymags once it`s broken in. Right now the Vortex Supremes are the only pellet that preforms. The Predators and Crow Magnums are all high.

I`ll be watching for your chrony numbers. I don`t have or know anyone with one so I never have any idea how my guns are doing, but I`ll get one at some point.

[N.E.Dan]

Great write up and your patience is commendable. You should read the post Barrel bending 101 and the link within by BB Pelletier. It's intimidating but easy to bend a barrel. I just had to do mine and it worked fine. I have an Edge Vortex so it's the same action. I didn't even have to remove mine from the stock. You'll be happy.

[RecurveBoy]

Great write up and your patience is commendable. You should read the post Barrel bending 101 and the link within by BB Pelletier. It's intimidating but easy to bend a barrel. I just had to do mine and it worked fine. I have an Edge Vortex so it's the same action. I didn't even have to remove mine from the stock. You'll be happy.

Thanks for the kind words.
My barrel doesnt need bent, i dont think, it is straight, it is just not straight relative to the reciever. Like it needs to be shimmed in the back

[ShadowShot]

Thanks for the write up and review. I am looking very hard at this and the 125 rifle. Ive managed to keep myself talked out of it so far.

How did the squirrel hunts go? I'm looking to put them down in there tracks. I have even considered the 135 .30 Carnivore.
I know its a bit much for tree rats but with head or vital shots, I bet they drop like a rock.

[SteveP-52]

I have the Model 95 .25 Vortex version and with H&N Crow Magnums (or JSB King 25.39gr), which at least in mine shoot very accurately and do nasty things to squirrels, I've had no problem taking squirrels out to 30 yards and even at that range have had a few passthroughs so I wouldn't hesitate to take a shot farther out if need be. That same rifle at 20ish yards and a headshot with a Crow Mag also took out the raccoon that was the reason I originally bought it.
Nice rifles and will definitely do the job IMO.

[anti-squirrel]

Another 95 in .25; but mine's a Vortex QE.

I'll run it across the Chrony when it stops raining sometime this week- maybe.  You can assume the coil-spring versions shoot alittle faster.  However, mine has had zero POI shift  from 90* F down to 14* F... Though I was outside only about 10 minutes before my fingers got too cold to load Polymags without dropping.

Speaking of loading- mine does okay with Crow Magnums and Vortex 19.91, and is very accurate with Polymags.  I've done some testing with Air Arms Diabolo 25.64 grain domes, but no paper punching since it has been raining every time I take it outside.