Hatsan 125 - nitro piston or vortex?

[woodchuckc]

I've pretty much decided on picking up a Hatsan 125 gas piston rifle in 22 cal (primarily for hunting tree rats and pest control), but am undecided about whether to get the Nitro piston or Vortex version from Pyramyd Air.  Does anyone have any input as to the pros and cons of each?  I know the Vortex version has not been out for very long so the durability of that gas piston is a little bit of an unknown compared to the Nitro piston.
Thanks!

[SpringerForever]

Received my new to me remanufactured Vortex spring powered Hatsan Mod 125 .25 cal rifle 9/25/13 from HatsanUSA. Compared to my nitro spring powered Hatsan Mod 125 .25 cal rifle it's more powerful. 28+ FPE vs 26+ FPE for the JSB Exact King 25.39gr pellets.

The increased power of the Vortex might have more to do with pellet fit than anything else. The JSB Exact Kings fit so loosely in the nitro version that it's actually possible to flip them out of the breech if the barrel isn't closed properly. Contrast that with a very, very tight fit on the Vortex. The tightest of any of the Hatsan super magnums I've owned so far. My Walther Talon Magnum .22 (AKA Hatsan Mod 125) seems to support the pellet fit idea since its favored pellet, JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy, fit tightly. Not very, very tight as in the Vortex but only tight. Still ... sufficient for 28+ FPE with the JSBs.

The shot cycle also seems to be a bit 'sharper' on the Vortex. Could be due to the increased power.  But it still shoots nicer than a coil spring powered versions. I've had 2 coil spring powered Hatsan .22 super magnums to compare them to & I'll take the air/gas spring any day.

Can't address the durability of the Vortex. Yet. Ditto for the nitro version. I've only had that one since June '13 when I bought it used but the PO claimed only ~100 pellets thru it at the time. Still not enuf for a long-term durability test. Only time will tell.

Good luck with your selection.

[Cenoura]

Hi,
I had 3 ht125.
here in brazil the nitropiston are gasram and are mensured in kilograms.

the best tunning I've had was relieved piston and gasram (nitropiston) with 75 kilogram.
the gun had no vibration and low recoil e I can use a scope.

the relieved piston have 30% less weigth than normal piston.
or you buy it or you can do that taking material from the piston.