WEBLEY VMX AIR RIFLES

[mikeyb]

Just out of curiosity, how do these compare to the 95? Similar power plant, or are there differences? I got a 95 in .22 cal on a clearance sale, and kinda like it- even though it might be TOO powerful and is a little harsh. Makes me wonder what else I’m missing out on from Hatsan.

I'm assuming you are referring to the Hatsan Mod95 and not the Weihrauch HW95. The Mod95 series is rated to be the same power as the Edge/Striker/VMX series, just a different configuration rifle. The compression tubes are the same diameter and they use the same piston seal, but the springs and pistons are not the same.

Mod95 improvements (IMO over the Edge series) include the SAS shock absorbing system, the Quattro trigger, and a fairly nice piece of Turkish Walnut stock (usually). The wood stock on the old Striker series was quite nice also, but I believe it was stained Beach. The Mod95 is slightly larger and heavier, but not by much.

These internal and external changes make the Mod95 a generally BETTER rifle, unless size and weight are critical criteria.

A properly tuned & lubed Mod95 coil spring shoots just as smooth and with the same power as the Vortex air spring version. Shot cycle should be a solid THUMP with no hint of spring vibration or twang. If a Mod95 has a harsh (hard piston slam) shot cycle, it either means the piston seal is bad* or the Vortex air spring pressure is too high.

If your Mod95 was a refurb, there is a good chance it could use a little tune-up work and maybe a new piston seal. Hatsans "refurbish" procedure is a quick & basic visual inspection followed by a quick functional test of a few shots over a chronograph. If the rifle doesn't show any GROSS physical or functional defects, it goes out to the "refurb" pile. I don't know how thoroughly they "repair" really defective/damaged rifles, but I suspect it's either a quick fix or off to the scrap parts bin.

* On refurbs the piston seals may be worn or abuse damaged; on new rifles sometimes a new seal gets nicked/damaged during factory assembly.

All of the refurbished Mod95s I've received needed some additional work before they could perform up to their potential. I've never purchased a new Mod95, but have had some less that perfect piston seals on other "new" Hatsan springers.

[SteveP-52]

  I am not sure which #95 you have. Is it spring, gas , QE ?? You really need to compare a standard spring 95 to a standard VMX.

This^^^. I remember your post in the German Gate about Hatsan 95 vs HW95. I got slammed for suggesting having your Model 95 tuned if it was a springer and still do, said by someone who owns (my Webley Tomahawks are just dressed up Model 95 springers) both rifles. Clip a couple coils, better spring guide, trigger tweaked and take it from an 18+ fpe gun to 15, maybe 16 fpe rifle and you'd have a real nice, smooth shooting rifle.

The VMX rifles are Hatsan built, have been since 2006, but Hatsan never built a .20 caliber with their name on it. The VMX is the same rifle as the Hatsan Striker/Edge/1000 series rifles, the only differences being cosmetic ones in the stocks and sights. mikeyb already spelled out the differences between them action and trigger wise and yes, the Striker stocks are Beech, not Walnut. While the triggers will never be anywhere as good as the Quattro, they're easy to work on (the whole rifle is) and for a .25 cent screw and a little time polishing and a little lube can be made better and make very good hunting rifles. All the ones I had would shoot under inch groups at 30 yards and my VMX rifles will shoot under a half inch if I do my part. 

[jason miller]

Thanks for the info, guys. Yes, I meant a Hatsan 95 and with the standard spring. And for some reason, I really enjoy shooting it with the open sights. I think it’s my most enjoyable air rifle to use. And although it isn’t exceptionally accurate with any of the pellets I’ve tried so far, it hasn’t been bad with any of them, either. I will say, though, that the shot cycle seems noticeably more calm when firing 11.75 grain GTO’s. They also rocket out at 900-910 FPS, though- probably a little too hot since you can see some spiraling when shooting out past ~35 yards and using a scope. Although they’re still reasonably accurate...

I just finally got that stubborn retainer screw out the other day and got this thing apart. Man, that’s a long spring! I was thinking of just removing the ~1/8” spacer on the guide that sits behind the thrust washer and seeing how much that might calm it down in conjunction with either the JM seal I just received or the Vortek seal that’s scheduled to arrive tomorrow and obviously a little grease/moly.

If I hadn’t been able to get this thing apart, I was seriously planning on sending it to John in PA for a tune. Something about it is just pleasurable to shoot. Makes me wish I could try one of these VMX .20 gals you guys are fans of. Never had a .20, but always thought they were interesting. And this 95 being my first .22 and being so much fun has me even more curious.


Also, if you guys have any more tips/tricks/thoughts/suggestions on this 95 or similat Hatsans, I’m enjoying reading about it all.

[SteveP-52]

Thanks for the info, guys. Yes, I meant a Hatsan 95 and with the standard spring. And for some reason, I really enjoy shooting it with the open sights. I think it’s my most enjoyable air rifle to use. And although it isn’t exceptionally accurate with any of the pellets I’ve tried so far, it hasn’t been bad with any of them, either. I will say, though, that the shot cycle seems noticeably more calm when firing 11.75 grain GTO’s. They also rocket out at 900-910 FPS, though- probably a little too hot since you can see some spiraling when shooting out past ~35 yards and using a scope. Although they’re still reasonably accurate...

I just finally got that stubborn retainer screw out the other day and got this thing apart. Man, that’s a long spring! I was thinking of just removing the ~1/8” spacer on the guide that sits behind the thrust washer and seeing how much that might calm it down in conjunction with either the JM seal I just received or the Vortek seal that’s scheduled to arrive tomorrow and obviously a little grease/moly.

If I hadn’t been able to get this thing apart, I was seriously planning on sending it to John in PA for a tune. Something about it is just pleasurable to shoot. Makes me wish I could try one of these VMX .20 gals you guys are fans of. Never had a .20, but always thought they were interesting. And this 95 being my first .22 and being so much fun has me even more curious.

Also, if you guys have any more tips/tricks/thoughts/suggestions on this 95 or similat Hatsans, I’m enjoying reading about it all.

Start a new thread with everything you're doing to it, pellets you've tried and whatever else comes to mind. You'll get plenty of ideas and help

[larspawn]

Ugh. I guess this VMX madness was going on while I was on hiatus from airgunning or I’d surely have a half dozen in the collection! Argh.

[19Sheridan57]

  Sorry you missed the sale of the VMX , in .20. You may run across a used one.
  Their sales fluctuated at times. There was a scramble for those, then you could not find any, then a few more appeared, then you couldn't find one, etc., etc. I have a stable full of Sheridans but always thought of owning a TWANGER in .20. Only ones I saw were expensive German made , til the VMX appeared. A lot of them sold for $199, then they seemed hard to find for awhile. I found one at $140 , last one they had, & I thought I might get the sole survivor. Several months later, more were for sale & as low as $99 ! It doesn't matter, because I feel like mine was worth what I paid for it.
   You will hear complaints about not having many different choices of pellets in .20, & having to order the ammo. There are not many choices, but there are some fine pellets out of the few that are offered, & it seems like everyone finds the right pellet. Many of us have to order all our pellets anyway, since local stores only stock the cheapest, & worst quality. I order pellets for every caliber that own to get better quality ammo.

[larspawn]

Steve, I have a lifetime supply of .20!  Hoarded when Crosman discontinued.  Big stash of the Webley domes.  Feared I would run out of ammo for my AZ Rapid.

 Never seen a VMX for sale. With two JSB options I’d think you’d be ok. Found both JSB to be better than the H&N through the R1.

[19Sheridan57]

  The JSB Heavy shoots the best from mine.

[SteveP-52]

Only pellets mine don't shoot well are the Benji's. They do shoot, but the H&N, JSB and Polymags shoot better.

[19Sheridan57]

In most Sheridans I have owned, the Benji did shoot pretty accurately, but not as good as JSB’s
 The Benji has slightly more penetration, though.

[19Sheridan57]

  I should have added that the Benjamin/Sheridan pellets do not shoot very accurately from my VMX. The are"  acceptable " in my Sheridans , but I think the VMX has too much power for them to be accurate.

[19Sheridan57]

  I finally made some minor adjustments to my VMX, yesterday. I had put a nicer, new scope on it awhile back, but the elevation adjustment bottomed out before I could zero the scope. It was shooting about 1 1/2" low at 25 yards, & I was just remembering to compensate for that . It didn't take 10 shots before it was producing acceptable accuracy ! With the coyotes sneaking around here, I didn't want to take a chance & miss a shot , due to my forgetfulness. They come around & try to attack the calves after they are born, & it is about time for several cows to give birth.

[SteveP-52]

Went back to the start of this thread and actually kind of surprised more owners haven't chimed in knowing there's more than just myself and the 2 others who've posted that bought VMX .20's during that sell-off. Also admit to a bit of jealousy that you can shoot as mine are sitting idle until the shoulder heals and I can finally shoot again...lol.

I may not have a lifetime supply but I've slowly doing inventory on the pellet stash to find I have give or take 7500 in 8 different kinds just in .20 so I should be set for a bit when I can:

[avator]

I bought one during the sell off. I'm one of those guys that can't leave well enough alone. I was into chopping barrels at the time and making carbines for woods rides and such. I liked the drab green stock of the VMX an knew I wanted that on the build.
Another member didn't get in on the sale and wanted one. I also found a stockpile of the Striker 1000 at my local pawn shop and bought a couple at $50.
I put the VMX action in the Striker stock and sold it to the other member.
I then chopped the barrel of the Striker and put it in the drab green VMX stock. This thing looks like it came as an accessory on my Honda Rancher atv. It's a great grab and go utility gun.

[19Sheridan57]

   Hey Steve, I think you have more pellets than I do ! NOT FAIR !!
   I noticed last week that my supply of JSB Diabolo 13.73 are getting low. Those are what I usually shoot is all my Sheridans. I shoot the Heavy's in the VMX. The heavier pellet seems to calm it's " temper " down a little , making it have less twang , a slower speed, & thus shoot more accurately. I am not as good a shot as I used to be, though. I have weak shoulders , especially my right shoulder, so I try to not shoot it over about 20 times. It is hard to cock & the recoil on my right should will make it start to hurt. It is a little sore this morning. I fell off my bike about 15 years ago & fully dislocated that shoulder.

[SteveP-52]

The Air Venturi Tune-in-a-Tube would help with the twang and not require any more than taking the action out of the stock and getting some on the spring through the cocking slot. As for the shoulder, I'll find out in a couple months how completely tearing the bicep muscle is going to mess with my shooting...lol.

[Kmanca1]

So.......
The early versions had a two piece linkage.  later versions have a single piece?
I wonder if I were to go to Hatsan and buy a new EDGE linkage if that would fit?

[SteveP-52]

So.......
The early versions had a two piece linkage.  later versions have a single piece?
I wonder if I were to go to Hatsan and buy a new EDGE linkage if that would fit?

Correct. All 3 of mine are the older version 2 piece cocking arms. The older versions also have about a 1/4" longer piston in them, which I got to find out doing the Vortex gas ram conversion on one. Ended up having to also use the piston from the donor gun to get the gas ram to fit. Other thing is the barrel blocks are different. You can see the difference in the below pic. The 1000X on the left was the donor gun I swiped the gas ram out of. You'll have to figure out a way around that to make one work.

[RBQChicken]

I then chopped the barrel of the Striker and put it in the drab green VMX stock.

That looks like it might be a bugra to cock. Is it?

I bet with that short barrel you got rid of any hold-sensitivity it may have had.

[avator]

I then chopped the barrel of the Striker and put it in the drab green VMX stock.

That looks like it might be a bugra to cock. Is it?

I bet with that short barrel you got rid of any hold-sensitivity it may have had.

It's not too bad Randy... I can't remember the exact details but I detuned it by clipping a couple coils off of the spring.. It's probably one of those guns I will keep when I start lightening the load. Like I said, it's like an accessory for the Rancher.