Dual nature of the cheap HAtsan AT44's.

[Ribbonstone]

One of the things I like most about the basic Hatsan AT 44 seriese is the cost of a 2nd detacable air cylinder (about $90 at this time):

https://www.airgundepot.com/hatsan-at44-aluminum-replacement-fill-cylinder-short.html

So...for about $90, could have double the shots at whatever tune you have....or (and this is likely more useful) one air tube set up for low practice power/noise and one for higher speed/energy.


The One I picked for this is an older/simple/ AT 44 PA (Pump) in .25.  Could have been any of the AT44's in any caliber, they all share the same tube/valve system, and even the longer tubed versions can take the $90 180cc "short" tube.




When out in the woods, no LDC:



LOW POWER TUBE:
Decided to dedicate one tube to low power.  Different striker spring tension setting/plugged ports/etc.  It's used, along with a pretty good LDC, when  practicing in civilized areas.  Not that 22.6 foot pounds is "nuthen".



FACTORY (about) POWER TUBE:

I still keep written notes (it's not too late to start that habit). Had not changed the striker weight or cut up the spring, had just adjusted the spring tension and pharted around with the valve stem/valve ports, so figured I could "back track" and get it back to about where it was set when I got it.

New air tube is likely different from the issue rerplacement one...it's the standard replacement 180cc tube sold for all of the AT44's, but there are varations in mass produced items.

Previous testing showed this rifle, for whatever reasons, liked  the 34gr. JSB's.  As nothing else has shown this much affection for the pellets, may as well use them up in the rifle that does.



So I finally got around to actually chrograophing a full string (well...a full "useful" string).

DSCN1103 by Robert Dean, on Flickr


WANT MORE POWER?

Certainly can crank it well above this energy level...and I have...but went back to near factory settings for the "hot" tube.

THE TWICE A YEAR CHANGE (which isn't a problem, as you should do take down/detail cleaning at least that often).

Will have to sight in when swapping tubes/removing the LDC.  This happens about every spring (when hunting season is over and I go from low power to factroy power, and screw on the LDC) and every fall (when I reverse the process). Nothing but featherted critters and targets to shoot from spring to fall, eating critters to shoot from fall to spring.


So...if you like to shoot...and like to hunt...can do both with an inexpensive HAtsan AT44, a $90 investment in a spare tube, and minimimal (reversable) tuning.

[Privateer]

 
I like how the link says aluminum replacement!
It is NOT aluminum and even states STEEL in the description.
Hatsan does NOT make an aluminum AT44 tube.
JSAR is making them in aluminum and I have a short and long on order.

But I do agree with everything you said. Notice I have a 'couple'.
 

[mackeral5]

I've always enjoyed your posts on this gun in particular.  Pump action guns are some of the coolest IMO...  Some day I may look for one.

[Ribbonstone]

If it hasn't died out yet, pretty sure the pump action PCP will shortly.  Not as many folks want a hunting PCP as they want something to shoot from a bench.

But if you are use to hunting with pump action 12ga., it will seem natural to you (better to convert the safety to manual rather than an automatic set).