Hatsan Mod 125 TH (**UPDATED**)

[Paul68]

Well, it arrived. I'm a magnet for Murphy's law.

I ordered the standard stock version. I recieved the thumbhole stock. Jao with American Arms called about 1 minute after I recieved it to speak with me about the gun. Apparently he did not recieve the standard stock models, and knowing folks were going nuts waiting, decided to send me a Thumbhole version in the hopes it would be acceptable. A couple things here before I go on about the gun, and go on I will.....

Although I did not feel good about purchasing an item that was not in stock under the impression that it was, Jao has put a lot of effort into appeasing disappointed customers. He is very concerned about the recent problems with these deliveries and is clearly putting a lot of effort into handling it. He is to be commended and IMO, this episode should not set a bad precedent for anyones first impression of him or his business. He deserves our continued business unless or until more problems arise. I think the guy is doing his best and is simply getting caught by some bad timing. He certainly cares, and doing business with him is a pleasure.



 Next, I do not like synthetic stocks. I like the thumbholes stocks even less. However, given Jao's sincere effort and hard work, I am willing to give it a chance. I had already planned on altering or replacing the standard synthetic stock, so I may just end with fewer options and going with a switch to wood. Given that the stock is an unexpected curve, I'll say little beyond mentioning its overall quality.

I am not mounting the scope until this gun has had 100 or so shots through it to calm it down, but initial impressions of the scope are that it closely matches the basic Centerpoint that comes with many low dollar Crosman guns. Very clear, decent crosshair size, and very basic.

All that said, the following is my honest first impressions with a couple pics thrown in.

I  am seriously underwhelmed. I feel like the kid expecting a pony who got a pogo stick with a plastic horse head on it at Christmas....


The gun LOOKS big. However, it really isn't such a monster. At first I thought it was huge, but a second look, then putting it next to my Beeman 1051, revealed it's maybe 1- 1/2 - 2 inches longer, and that's about it. It's long and thin, but not huge.

The rifle comes sealed in plastic, which is good and should be standard practice for AG manufacturers. Upon removing the plastic, I was greeted with a refugee from the Gulf Oil Spill. This thing, like most others I have read about, was literally dripping with oil. First order of business was to get a few pics of it straight from the box so others could see what to expect.

After the pics, I cleaned the rifle down and began inspection.

Besides the oil, there is a huge mess of red grease on the barrel lockup system. Far too much. Far more than would ever be needed during the rifles lifetime. This too was cleaned up.

First look impression

All of the plastic on this gun just plain looks cheap. The parting lines are pronounced, and like others there is a lot of casting flash. You will not mistake this for a high dollar rifle. The soft rubber butt pad helps and looks like it is in the wrong company with the stock. The stock does not feel sturdy, and I have to question the durability of the very thin bridge of stock material that makes up the top of the thumbhole. The lower portion of the grip is thin enough to allow easy manipulation of the trigger, but it is the only substantial portion of material connecting the front half of the stock to the rear, and appears too thin to handle the stress of cocking this gun for long. Most of the lines are straight and clean, but the cheek rest has several wobbles in the lines, and the edges along the cocking slot are too sharp to allow a comfortable rest for your palm.


The metal, well, it did not redeem the plastic.

 At first glance, the bluing is very dark and deep. Once the oil is removed, it quickly became clear that this metal was not prepped well before bluing. There is uneveness in the bluing, two outright glaring blemishes that are clearly the result of contaminants during the bluing process, and while the reciever bluing is borderline adequate, the barrel finish and bluing is poor. Running a finger along the barrel will quickly bring to mind a fine wood file, and pressing against it with a fingernail and scraping down its length actually removed material from my fingernail. Where the barrel meets the pivot block is a light ring where little bluing took place, making it look like the barrel is not fully inserted into the block. They blued this gun heavily, they just skimped on the prepwork, and it shows.

The muzzle break is best described as cheap looking. It's plastic, looks like it, and has little pieces of casting flash hanging from the business end. It is does not provide a comfortable grip when cocking, and simply seems too bulky and unwieldy on an already large gun.

The sights in my opinion are worthless. Design wise they are no worse than most. However, this gun's length comes from its very long reciever. With the rear sight mounted to the pivot block, it makes for a difficult to use arrangement. I found myself trying to "hunch up" on the reciever to get my eye as close to the rear sight as possible. It seems as though you are looking down a tunnel when trying to sight your target. This is definitely a gun that requires a scope. Thus, I am ignoring the sights and they will soon wind up in the extra parts bins.



Now for the mechanicals.

After cleaning everything, I decided I would forego tearing this down out of the box and lubing it, and go ahead and shoot it because I am honestly not sure if I will keep it.


Much ado has been made about the effort to cock these guns. Now that I have had the opportunity, I have to say that IMO this is overstated. While the cocking effort was heavy, it was far from difficult, and I did 25 quick shots cocking the gun with one hand without any discomfort. It is a heavy pull, in the neighborhood of 45-50lbs, so paying attention when cocking is a good idea. If it gets loose, something WILL get broken and hopefully not anything important. This is extra true when trying this gun for the first time. Remember all that oil mentioned earlier? Get ALL of it or you could wind up with a barrel getting loose during cocking.

The cocking action sounded like a wounded goose. The spring was noisy and I could easily hear the coils compressing. The first thing that came to mind during cocking and listening is that this thing is bone dry inside. No way of knowing without opening it, which I won't do until I know what I am going to do with it. The pivot is very very tight and grinds, and the locking system very heavy. You have to beat this gun like a rowdy drunk to open and close it. It does feel like it will smooth out with time and use though.

Shooting and Action

Pulling it to my shoulder was a pleasant surprise in that the thumbhole stock provides a nice shooting hold. The rifle felt good in the hand and fit to the shoulder well without any needed contortions of my elbows or wrists or unatural feelings. Sadly, the long cocking slot and sharp edges along it still made hefting the gun uncomfortable. Resting the stock on the palm instantly distracts you as you cannot help but notice acutely how uncomfortable it is. It digs into the palm, and the slot is so wide that it almost feels like your hand is going to be swallowed by it. No, I am not a little guy, but 6' and 195lbs.

The length of the reciever puts the barrel a long ways from the action, and it feels like it. The gun is barrel heavy and finding the center of balance is difficult.   

The trigger was not impressive. It feels good initially, and I like the geometry. However, it has rough movement and is in need of a good smoothing. There is a lot of side to side play as well and the pull length is moderately long. Trigger pull is average, and I would guess it around 5-6 lbs. I have yet to adjust it.

Firing the gun was disconcerting to say the least. This gun DEFINES the term "spring twang". The spring made so much noise, I at first thought it broke on the first shot. The cycle is extremely harsh, noisy, and SLOW. I could not believe how slow this things action was to get things moving. There is tons of recoil, and the gun jumps and twists bigtime when firing. Basically, it is loud, slow, and violent. I got the feeling of a lot of power wanting to get loose, but not having any idea where it was supposed to go. Shooting went something like this....

Sight in, give slight pull on trigger, check target and sighting, sharp pull on trigger...... TWAAANNNNGGGG!!!!SHLLLLLLUUTHUNNNNKKK!!!!

Since this gun is supposed to be all about power, I used my 55 gallon drum fire barrel as the target. Here is where disappointment REALLY set in. At this point I am glad I dont have a chrony, because I would likely already be boxing it back up.

On this fire barrel, my 1051 beeman with a tune and stock parts will put deep dents and punch occassional holes.

The hits from the 125 using the same CPHP's as the Beeman netted slightly less deep dents, with none penetrating all the way through. Granted the gun is not broken it, but not impressive.

Accuracy was actually decent, with 2 inch groups at 20 yrds using the open sights.


If ever a gun needed tuning, this is it.

I'll have better pictures and some accuracy testing once I get more time to work with this gun. This review is born of all of a bout 2 hours working with the gun and some quick shots with my phone cam, which isn't nearly enough time to do ANY gun justice. I will say, first impressions are usually lasting impressions, and I hope this one decides it want's to show another side of itself with more use.



 
 

[huklbery]

Sounds like the plastic Hatsan "Magnum" something I shot last year, it shot like a rabid dog too.  I can see in the wood 95's and shark fin plastic AT44's I have the same manufacture characteristics, but they where nothing like that rifle's shot cycle.  I think I will stay away from Hatsan's "magnum" spring powerplants for now.

Mark

[sawtoothscream]

hmmm. Getting worried now. really hope mine doesnt have alot of problems. guess Ill find out tomorrow.   

[Charles Outdoors]

 Nice review and seems pretty close to my impressions with the exception of power. I chronyed mine after the 1st few shots and randomly checked it with 10 shot strings till I had about 400 pellets through it. 930's where pretty common with CPHP's but would see as low as 870 and as high as 950.
 Now I know why the iron sights look so good to me, lol.  With my glasses on I can't see up close very well. There far enough way I can see them clearly .
 The bluing on my receiver was great. Just the barrel sucked.
 BTW, that stock scratches real easy too. Was wiping mine down today and found scratches I don't even know where came from.
 

[DeathMetalMax]

I know with my 125TH .22 The Spring was loud and the recoil was harsh. Breaking the barrel DOES smooth out really fast though as well as the loud twang of the spring. Mine is much more tame now that I've run over 200 25.54 grain JSB Jumbo Monsters through it. I think they ship the guns with an extremely stiff spring that really just needs to be broken in. Even the recoil seems to be settling down a little on my 125th. Power with my gun is not a disapointment. I had 3/4 inch ply wood penetration at a little over 10 yards which I think is plenty powerful for an airgun, a springer especially considering my Storm XT at that range could only manage to put the pellets in the board with the skirts sticking out. I have noticed that the seem of the stock is slightly uneven at certain points but really is so miniscule, at least for me, that I don't even notice it. I think the gun looks Bad ***, cheap........ somewhat, IMO not really. The muzzle brake I think looks better than most guns I've seen with them for the price and it actually has truglo sights unlike a lot of guns with muzzle brakes. I personally love using open sights and the sights on the 125th IMO kick ***. Alot better than my friend's Beeman RS2's sights, the front sight is rotated to the left on the end of the barrel, as well as the rear sight blade gets pulled forward and back depending which way you turn the windage dial, talk about cheap. I don't know, personally I'm impressed with the 125th mostly because its so dead on accurate. With my gun I've been able to just slowly drop the reticle on my target and pull the trigger with out having to really worry too much about follow through. The pellet goes where the reticle is pointed when you pull the trigger, assuming your scope isn't junk and you got it sighted in.

[sawtoothscream]

do you guys think its safe to shoot crosman CHP 14.3gr out of them? 

[Nicholas440]

Nice detailed review  Paul..   I'm sorry it was not up to your expectations.  Like you I am not a fan of thumhole stocks, I don't like them at all and would not have one. I also prefer wood to plastic but thats personal choice.   I'm very surprised that your gun didn't  punch holes in that 55 gal drum,  seeing how that gun is touted as a  magnum you think it would blow holes in it.

You're the second person who mentioned the oozing of oil all over right out of the plastic bag,  and I guess I got a real cream puff when I got my 135,  I had no ooze of oil whatever anywhere, and my bluing is amazingly beautiful, and dark, and even with not a single blemish anywhere.  I did however have the glob of red grease on the pivot mechanism that you mentioned.

The strange spring noises when you cocked your gun and the twangy spring sounds when you shot it are also absent in my 135,  I was expecting you to say that thing unleashed a  bone chilling "crack"  when it went off like that of a .22 magnum rimfire and not just a  "twang"  sound.     How does your Beeman sound when you shoot it?  Does it  have a more pop like sound?   

The 125 is a nice looking gun from the photos I have seen,  but I think  had I  experienced the disappointments with it as you have done,  I would have boxed it up and sent it back  asap,  I wouldnt have bothered to even clean it up or shoot it.

Maybe  Jao  thought you would like that type of gun,  but I think he should have notified you before you got it that they were thumbhole stocks and not in wood.   Could have saved you some disapointment.   

Hope it works out ..   

Nick,

[Mike 4888blues]

  Hi Paul, Please be sure to continue on and let us know what ever you decide to do .

 Now I was promised a sniper .22 in camo -standard stock. and It sure would be nice to actually get what I wanted and talked over the phone with Joao.

 Before this review was written of Paul's, I seriously had doubts that when my delivery comes next week, that it would be what I expected, I call that my spider senses lol, it was the reason I called  when i thought my purchase  was wrong to begin with, and I was right it was wrong, but joao corrected the order.

 That remains to be seen, If i am wrong then i will be the more happier to get what I specifically asked for, if i am right  then I will have to see if I am willing to keep it.

I can almost understand Joao from American Arms  predicament, I fully believe he is doing all he can and trying his best, I felt that impression when we talked on the phone, he fixed my order from a black sniper to a camo sniper, regular stock mind you, and gave me a deal  because I felt the website was confusing, I appreciated that very much


I would say to joao about shipping a different item under any circumstance  with good will intentions is not, repeat not good . I don't know anything about Joao, what his back ground is, or anything, but here in the usa a buyer would rather have 110 percent honesty and be told  straight out "Sir we are sorry"  but we were not able to ship your order, apparently we did not receive  what we were expecting. and so on along those lines.

Honesty is the best policy, I can understand joao attempt to hopefully keep a customer happy with a delivery of something, but that basically my friend is only a double disappointment, a double disappointment. "we don't do things like that, it is not the way to do business,no matter how the good  the intent may of been.

A business transactions, is  a action of good faith, a customer is believing that the company is true to there word and there product.
 A company who deals with other company's Believes they will receive what they ordered
You as a company would not like it, if they shipped your company a bunch of other items in there product line hoping you will be happy with that instead of what you ordered.
That's type of business dealing looks like the old bait and switch routine and no one likes it.
 
 I hope in the future,American arms, would just be honest , and straight forward with your customers ,they will know you are sincere, and they may just go ahead  and purchase another item before a refund is giving. that is the correct way the best way.

Also No one liked the
                                            Available now!!
Due the high demand and limited supplies we are accepting orders now.

 That my friend is another bad decision and a deception to your customers making us think the item is available now hurry while the supply's last

Is it a ethic situation where one see things a little differently then how a usa person would  think ? i don't know, but somethings wrong there,  just fix it, I  sincerly apoligise if that sounded bad.

 I want to say thank you for trying my friend, I am pulling for you, and your company and i truly wish you the best.

I hope to keep buying from American Arms, hey give us the truth and a good straight deal that's all any one wants, that's all anyone can ask for! Right?  am i right?  you bet.

  Now about the hatsan rifles.
 
A explanation for over saturated oiled rifles, would be some one on the product line is purposefully messing things up/ and if not then  some one is not over seeing there production line
 that's a issue between management and its workers we know its a family run business  but we also know it only takes one disgruntle employee.[/b][/size]

I see issue here with hatsan rifles at least  with this model,  it does not make sense but it is  what it is , I certainly do not understand any product designed, then manufactured then tested  then approved with out resolving some appearance issues.
 Hatsan company has  the biggest opportunity to of taken the air gun industry by storm in my honest opinion,and yet they have created there own problems by not being on top of the product they set out to sell so that's in itself is mind boggling
 Because we all know that hatsan arms  came  about to create a company with better design, better product line, with many innovative designs to choose from.

 the bluing issue  was not the case with my model 95

I am honestly pulling for hatsan arms, they better get on the ball and straighten out the reason the bluing processed  failed, no matter what the reason  fix the problem, and don't allow or let it happen again.
 Some one  was not doing there job, you can bet they never intended that to happen but obviously it did!

We talked about diamonds in the  ruff with other rifles as air gunners do, and I firmly believe no matter how you see it, that the hatsan magnums with a little tlc can be made into a rifle you would never want to be with out.
 some complain about the trigger, when with a little adjusting and longer screws you would think you were dreaming how sweet it fired, some complain about the wiggle, when all it is is a different design,  it floats sort of it is a trigger that's like magic  waiting to happen.

I say those who have eyes to see, are able to see, those who don't have eyes to see, don't realize what they have.

 Hatsan magnums are not a diamond in the rough,  they are above that! a little tweaking, and a standard tune and you are there my friend

Hope they fix the synthetic stock issue with sharp lines I hope they get back on track with the  bluing issue.
 I know I for one will be buying and thoroughly enjoying my hatsan air rifles
 
Folks no harm intended, and no foul ,lets continue to be a family, lets try to look over our faults and strive, to be honest with each other, and try to be committed to our members as well as our air rifle company's we buy from, I am  pretty sure American  arms desires to do right by its customers

I am Mike e and I approve this message! now smile 

[Lambchops]

The shot cycle you described sounds just like my WFH.

[DeathMetalMax]

do you guys think its safe to shoot crosman CHP 14.3gr out of them?

No Problem. I started using 18 some odd grain jsb exact jumbo heavies and they shoot great. less than a quarter of a second between pulling the trigger and impact at 30yards. CORRECTION! I finally was able to measure my shooting range out back and that 30 yards turned out to be 50+ yards. Also the 18.13 grain JSB's chronied an average of 833 fps with 29 fpe muzzle energy.

[microsalmo]

Great review Paul, thanks.

For a some counterpoints on the Hatsan 125TH in .25 cal., check out my two reviews in the Turhish Gate... Part I and Part II.   Aesthetics aside, mine has been nothing short of amazing after just 70 shots through it.

[Paul68]

Nice detailed review  Paul..   I'm sorry it was not up to your expectations.  Like you I am not a fan of thumhole stocks, I don't like them at all and would not have one. I also prefer wood to plastic but thats personal choice.   I'm very surprised that your gun didn't  punch holes in that 55 gal drum,  seeing how that gun is touted as a  magnum you think it would blow holes in it.

You're the second person who mentioned the oozing of oil all over right out of the plastic bag,  and I guess I got a real cream puff when I got my 135,  I had no ooze of oil whatever anywhere, and my bluing is amazingly beautiful, and dark, and even with not a single blemish anywhere.  I did however have the glob of red grease on the pivot mechanism that you mentioned.

The strange spring noises when you cocked your gun and the twangy spring sounds when you shot it are also absent in my 135,  I was expecting you to say that thing unleashed a  bone chilling "crack"  when it went off like that of a .22 magnum rimfire and not just a  "twang"  sound.     How does your Beeman sound when you shoot it?  Does it  have a more pop like sound?   

The 125 is a nice looking gun from the photos I have seen,  but I think  had I  experienced the disappointments with it as you have done,  I would have boxed it up and sent it back  asap,  I wouldnt have bothered to even clean it up or shoot it.

Maybe  Jao  thought you would like that type of gun,  but I think he should have notified you before you got it that they were thumbhole stocks and not in wood.   Could have saved you some disapointment.   

Hope it works out ..   

Nick,

Thanks for the replies folks. While this may sound like a harsh review, I am striving to give a true to life, blow by blow account of my experience and nothing more. I try to make clear what is opinion and preference, and what is just plain reality with this particular gun. Believe me, I was thinking quite a bit about all the glowing reviews while inspecting this thing and wonder if I got a lemon, or if I just need to put more pellets through.

Nick...


I too was expecting a first shot detonation, and this is the first new rifle that didn't produce one. This in conjunction with the noisy action strongly suggests there is very little internal lube. My Beeman, Storm, and Ruger all produced detonation on the first shot. All were twangy, but nothing like this, and now are very smooth and powerful shooters after tuning.

I don't know what it is about thumbhole stocks. They give me visions of some guy in sandals and a turban running around screaming (yeeyeeyeeyeeyeeyee!!!!) and firing shots into the air every time I see one lol. I don't even like synthetic, but was planning on some finish and coloration mods that would have hopefully made it more aesthetically pleasing, and if that didn't work, just put it into wood. I have to admit, if it were not for the large and uncomfortable shelf produced by the cocking slot, this thumbhole stock would PERFORM quite well for me. I just think it's butt ugly is all. That and it could use a little better finishing.


Regarding Jao, I get the impression of someone trying desperately to make the best of a bad situation. Between Hatsan, his shipping company, and the out of the ordinary high demand for these rifles, I think he probably feels like he's stepped in a yellow jackets nest. I agree about being notified prior to shipping an "equivelent" product. However, it is not all that unusual for companies to do what he did, and many state outright they reserve the right to do so. I don't agree with it, but it is what it is.

In this case, I already knew I would not be a fan of the stock, so dealing with a thumbhole just isn't a deal breaker for me. In all honesty, had I been notified that my exact order would not be available for another couple weeks, I would have refunded and just got my Mach 12.5 like I originally planned.

This gun obviously has a ton of power trying to bust loose. If it can produce the accuracy, or at least show the potential, I'll keep it and work it into something sweet. Alas, it is pouring rain today, so I may have to wait to find out. 

[Ray]

Yes, Thats why I been holding back on buying one.Waiting for all the reviews to start coming in.Nothing worse than buying a NEW gun thats not up to pare and have to rebuild it or send it back.

Sounds like the plastic Hatsan "Magnum" something I shot last year, it shot like a rabid dog too.  I can see in the wood 95's and shark fin plastic AT44's I have the same manufacture characteristics, but they where nothing like that rifle's shot cycle.  I think I will stay away from Hatsan's "magnum" spring powerplants for now.

Mark

[Paul68]

Just a quick update because I got a little bit of the warm fuzzies (finally)

After about 60 shots, the cycle has smoothed a little bit. Still very twangy, but speeding up and losing much of the twist. Still needs to be beaten into submission when cocking.

The real news is, whatever else this thing might be, it is ACCURATE. Mounted the scope. Sighting in at ten yards after a good barrel cleaning took about 10 minutes. Started out very low.

Once trailed to center, it began one holing, consistently with 18 gr Kodiaks.

Moved out to twenty yards, 3/4" groups.

This is from a kneeling position resting my hand on the back of a chair. This is promising enough to break out the bench.

It is also now at 20 yrds consistently putting severe dents with splitting in the 55 gal barrel, with some full penetrations.

More to come. Same Bat Time, same Bat Channel

[sawtoothscream]

glad to hear its starting to show good results.   

[Mike 4888blues]

 Well That is excellent news the hatsan we have herd so many rave about, showing what its made of.
 You see they have designed a good powerful air rifle and like any rifle, it needs its break in period.
 I'll shoot a new rifle just enough to know it works then
  I tear mine down and have a look over the internals then do the typical all points tune
 then I will go about breaking it in.

I do that because I can, I enjoy it, and knowing what it looks like under the hood.
usually I will pre order a jm seal for a rifle i ordered.

 I want to order another Hatsan the 85X sniper in camo .22 that will have to be a special order,  providing the price is good, I have the beeman ram which is cool too, that would keep me  satisfied if the 85 x sniper .22  is not priced right.
 
 

[huklbery]

Well That is excellent news the hatsan we have herd so many rave about, showing what its made of.
 You see they have designed a good powerful air rifle and like any rifle, it needs its break in period.
 I'll shoot a new rifle just enough to know it works then
  I tear mine down and have a look over the internals then do the typical all points tune
 then I will go about breaking it in.

I do that because I can, I enjoy it, and knowing what it looks like under the hood.
usually I will pre order a jm seal for my rifle i ordered, but this time I am  waiting because  after my deliver comes, i may try to place a  order in  for a model no one stocks
 I can wait then  order two jm seals

For my 95, I turned the JM seal ID's to match the Hatsan seal rather than modify the Hatsan piston to the JM seal.  Half of one, a dozen of the other though in general I prefer to keep as close to stock as possible.  If nothing else the poor sap that inherits the rifle when I go &*%^& up will not have as much trouble keeping it working with it that way.

Mark

[Mike 4888blues]

 Hi Mark.
 I wound up modding the piston seals button on  my mod 95, I would of loved to be able to mod just the seal. I wonder why gene did not do the same as you.
  you have a metal lathe mark?

 Man If my father law was still alive he probably would of taught me how  to use his metal lathes and probably would of  given  it to me when he got older, his at home  work shop had everything including a rolling cutting torch lol he was a great man built his home and his  fathers  too by him self mind  you they don't make people like that anymore wheww


 

[huklbery]

Hi Mark.
 I wound up modding the piston seals button on  my mod 95, I would of loved to be able to mod just the seal. I wonder why gene did not do the same as you.
  you have a metal lathe mark?

 Man If my father law was still alive he probably would of taught me how  to use his metal lathes and probably would of  given  it to me when he got older, his at home  work shop had everything including a rolling cutting torch lol he was a great man built his home and his  fathers  too by him self mind  you they don't make people like that anymore wheww


 

A couple, I like to keep my hand in machining though its been 20+ years since I made my living in it.

https://picasaweb.google.com/105582855711747336970/Hatsan95GasSpring3182012?authkey=Gv1sRgCP28oZ_h8e2jpAE#5723917345055073490

Air rifles are a great hobbiest way to get into machining, if you watch craigs list you can often find a decent small lathe close at hand.  Be warned though the tooling will quickly add up to as much or more than the original machine over time. 

Mark

[Mike 4888blues]

Hi Mark.
 I wound up modding the piston seals button on  my mod 95, I would of loved to be able to mod just the seal. I wonder why gene did not do the same as you.
  you have a metal lathe mark?

 Man If my father law was still alive he probably would of taught me how  to use his metal lathes and probably would of  given  it to me when he got older, his at home  work shop had everything including a rolling cutting torch lol he was a great man built his home and his  fathers  too by him self mind  you they don't make people like that anymore wheww


 

A couple, I like to keep my hand in machining though its been 20+ years since I made my living in it.

https://picasaweb.google.com/105582855711747336970/Hatsan95GasSpring3182012?authkey=Gv1sRgCP28oZ_h8e2jpAE#5723917345055073490

Air rifles are a great hobbiest way to get into machining, if you watch craigs list you can often find a decent small lathe close at hand.  Be warned though the tooling will quickly add up to as much or more than the original machine over time. 

Mark

 Just looking at that lathe gets my heart pumping it should of been part of  my arsenal of tools in my life, I am 55 now  and don't see the need to buy one, because I don't see where i would get the knolage to really know what i can do  with one. but man, believe  me its in my bones mark.

 I been a commercial , industrial and residential plumber  for over 33 yrs, I know hand tools. I am home with most tools, form cut off gas powerd saws to cuting torches,  to lifts to jack hammers to core drills you name it.lol
 but the cool metal lathe aww i missed the boat / but its  ok I enjoy seeing others  do there thing with there lathes, i don't know the 1st thing about them, sadly i never had opportunity to be  around them.

if  money was not a issue, i may of looked into buying one, but now days I am spending smart.
 The air rifle hobby  i love, the tuning the whole bit/ yeah  give people a chance  to tinker love it.