Newbie Gas Ram Question

[DrozdGuy85]

Hello GTA'ers,

I bought a used Hatsan 135 QE Vortex in .25 about 2 years ago.  It has shot very well with no issues and I estimate it has 500-600 rounds through it.  I've read here on GTA that gas rams are prone to leaking and I fear mine recently has as well as the gun now cocks very easily and velocity is low

I have two questions. 

1) Although I store the gun inside my home, we had a power outage that lasted several days with inside temperatures dropping into the mid 20's.  It was after the power outage that the gun began cocking easily.  Will low temperatures cause gas rams to fail??

2) Can anyone give me a "guesstimate" as to how much it might cost to have Hatsan or a independent repair shop fix or replace the ram?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

-DrozdGuy85

[Yogi]

Have not heard of cold causing seal failure in gas rams.  It is considered better to store the gun with the gas ram facing down, ie. stem side down.
You should contact the vendor that sold you the gun and Hatsan USA, do they have Hatsan CA?  Otherwise there is an outfit in Poland that sells hatsan gas rams.  Some people replace with the Benjiman/Crossman NP2 gas ram.

-Y

[Leaded]

If you are handy and have (or can borrow) a pcp hand pump you can remove the stock and pump the gas ram back up to factory specs or even a little higher, you’ll also need a Hatsan fill probe (fitting that fits the gas ram fill port).

[mikeyb]

Used Hatsan springer over two years old does not have any warranty I'm aware of, but it can't hurt to ask the seller or the manufacturer.

To minimize the chance of air leaking out the shaft seal, try to store the rifle in a vertical position that points the shaft of the gas-spring DOWN. For the Vortex air-spring Hatsans I have the best storage to prevent shaft seal leakage would be muzzle-down.

The OTHER problem is leakage through the Vortex air-spring fill-port. That would be best prevented by storing the rifle muzzle-up.

Some Hatsan air-springs can be easily refilled by high pressure air using a HPA hand pump and a Hatsan PCP fill probe. I invested in a hand pump and probe ($40+$20) for my Hatsan Bullboss PCP, but it has been very useful for changing the pressure on the Vortex air-spring rifles I also have.

Some Vortex air spring rifles can be retrofitted with the very inexpensive Nitrogen gas springs from Crosman. It requires that you make a carefully sized bushing to properly center and preload the slightly different spring dimensions. I've done that on several Hatsan rifles and made that bushing using hand tools and a drill press.

[DrozdGuy85]

If you are handy and have (or can borrow) a pcp hand pump you can remove the stock and pump the gas ram back up to factory specs or even a little higher, you’ll also need a Hatsan fill probe (fitting that fits the gas ram fill port).

Does it have to be a hand pump?  I have an Air Venturi Nomad II compressor already....could I use that?

[Leaded]

I’ve never done it with anything but a hand pump but I guess it’s possible, it’s just a relatively small volume of air you’re  putting in there. I know some folks have filled the ram from a tank.

Edit: also if the ram leak turns out to be persistent you can buy a ram from HatsanUSA site, it’s about $40 or so. The 135 uses the type2 ram I believe.

[mikeyb]

If you are handy and have (or can borrow) a pcp hand pump you can remove the stock and pump the gas ram back up to factory specs or even a little higher, you’ll also need a Hatsan fill probe (fitting that fits the gas ram fill port).

Does it have to be a hand pump?  I have an Air Venturi Nomad II compressor already....could I use that?

I think the best option to cure a persistently leaky Vortex air spring is for Hatsan USA to sell you a direct replacement that fits your particular rifle. That option used to be difficult or impossible because they either would not sell one or were out of stock on those items.

Filling with a bottle or compressor is OK. You just need fine air control to fill the small volume to something around 125 bar. I DON'T recommend overfilling Vortex air springs above the factory fill pressure.

The Vortex air springs I've played with are rated to 160 bar MAX, but have a recommended fill of 125 bar. I experimented filling to 150 bar on a Mod95. The cocking effort became CRAZY high and the shot cycle was a super harsh cheek bruiser. Chrony results were a actually a few fps LESS than the factory 125 bar and the rifle felt like it would shake itself apart. I discharged the Vortex and carefully refilled to 125 bar. NICE solid thump shot cycle, cocking effort back to normal, and velocity/accuracy returned to what I expect from my Hatsans. I've learned that if I NEED more power the best solution is to get a larger more powerful rifle.

[DrozdGuy85]

I really appreciate all the replies and info!!! 
Now I'm afraid that I have to show my ignorance yet again lol.  Where are you finding a hand pump for a mere $40.00?
The least expensive pump I could find online at P.A. was $129.  Again, any info is greatly appreciated.

[Leaded]

I don’t know about 40 for a pump, maybe 50 or 60 on amazon or eBay.
When I said 40 I was talking about a replacement gas ram. You won’t see that on the HatsanUSA webpages, you need to fill out a customer service request to get pricing and order it.

[mikeyb]

I really appreciate all the replies and info!!! 
Now I'm afraid that I have to show my ignorance yet again lol.  Where are you finding a hand pump for a mere $40.00?
The least expensive pump I could find online at P.A. was $129.  Again, any info is greatly appreciated.

I paid ~$42 for my first one back in early 2018. That was off ebay from a US seller. Got a second one (ebay and Amazon US seller again) so I could leave it at a second shooting location. Second one was ~$43 ~$45 late 2019 (pre-pandemic). Post pandemic prices shot up and availability dropped drastically for awhile, but it appears to be making a comeback.

Simple search on ebay shows many in the $40-$50 range.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=PCP+hand+pump&_sacat=0&LH_ItemCondition=1000&LH_PrefLoc=1&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1

[DrozdGuy85]

For some reason I always think store specific such as P.A. etc.  Why I don't think of Ebay is beyond me 

THANK YOU for all the replies!!!  You all are a wealth of knowledge and have been a great help!!

[OleTomCat]

The gas rams are easily recharged, they use the same fill probe as the AT line of rifles and can be filled from any HP source.

[Phoebe]

So is it just a question of time before a vortex ram leaks down? What's the typical life expectancy?

[Leaded]

I’ve had 2
 One lasted ~30,000 shots recharged multiple times per week at the end.
New one about 10,000 shots and starting a slow leak, recharged twice but not bad probably from 130 to 150bar
I know the first was a leaking check valve, this one is much slower leak but my guess is the same.