Just Pulled The Trigger...

[Silverback]

and wondering if I did the right thing.  Any input on .22 vs .25 and springer vs npss?

How I ended up here: yesterday I decided that I really want a new rifle, started thinking TX200, then gamo CFR (really wanted a CFX but couldn't find one), then Whisper Fusion, briefly considered a Benjamin Marauder and then looking at reviews ran across something I didn't even consider, the Hatsan 125 Sniper.  A springer that seemed to get great reviews with the powered of a PCP... HUH...

OK... debate time:
- cammo or black... that wasn't too hard, I really liked the mossy oak but it didn't go with anything else... Black
- .22 or .25- seems like all the great reviews are for the .25, but everything that I have is .22.  My thought process went they should have the same energy leaving the muzzle, so the .22 should just be accurate out to a longer range, am I correct?  It seems like if the only difference is the barrel I should be able to get a very similar impact to a .25 shooting a heavy .22, I hope I'm right there.  I ordered a .22
- this is the big one: I was originally set on the springer.  Last second I clicked on the NPSS.  Argh!  So cost wasn't really an issue, I know that the NPSS will be smoother, should be easier to shoot accurately (I have a b30-1 springer and a Benjamin NPS, I like the B30-1 better in every way except that I end up shooting the NPS more often because it's smoother with it's nitropiston).  But here is my debate: I hope that I didn't just pay $100 more for less power.

[Mod90]

Dude, no worries man. It's a Hatsan, they're built with power and accuracy in mind. That being said, if you shoot the heavy 22 the energy should be close to shooting a light 25, so I think you should be ok ME wise anyway.

[Paul68]

The gas piston converted 125's tend to lose a little bit of power, not enough for you to notice in real world use.

The 25 Cal makes better use of the power produced by the 125. 25 cal usually produces about 2-3 more FPE than 22 cal. That said, 22 cal is a good all around caliber for those guns and give you plenty of knock down power with a better trajectory at longer ranges.

[Bryan Heimann]

I prefer the .25, and I like the spring version for the power.  The ram has it's advantages though, and I might convert mine to NP.  In your shoes I'd have picked the NP .22 as well.  It will shoot good and flat, and it will probably kill just as good as the .25.

[Silverback]

So far your replies look good (though I would love to know who voted in the pole that I should have gone with something else, well more importantly, with what?).

Based on the fact that _every_ review that I saw said something like "nice rifle, the scope not worthy" I ran out during lunch and picked up a CenterPoint 4-16x40 AO Adventure Class Rifle Scope, Illuminated Mil-Dot Reticle for it for $67 at Wallmart.  It looks _really_ nice for the price, and I'm suprised that it came with flip up covers, rings and everything you need to mount it.  If I don't like it I can always return it.

[Paul68]

In most cases I advise folks not to get the 125 unless they are willing to work on it a lot.

Since you got the NP converted version though, your chances of getting a good rifle are a lot better since they have to open the gun up to make the conversion. They SHOULD be able to spot any serious problems or defects during the process and address them, which means a better end product for you. Hatsans have some common issues, and that's probably why someone suggested something else.

The CP 4x16 is a pretty decent scope. Have used one on my past Hatsans and currently use it on my AR2000 jet, another uber magnum. Has stood up to the abuse very well and gives a very good sight picture.

[Silverback]

In most cases I advise folks not to get the 125 unless they are willing to work on it a lot.

Is there detailed info about this somewhere?  I used to do custom fab for a speed shop, so I have (and more importantly, know how to use) a bridgport (mill), lathe, mig/tig...  If I can figure out what to do, I can probably do it.

Also I'm assuming that I want to clean out the bore on this thing when it comes?

[Paul68]

There are some reviews on the 125's in the review gate worth checking. And yeah, you'll definitely need to clean the bore.

[WHITEFANG]

I have owned both. The npss is a fine gun but does not rank any where close to the 125. My first style of a now hatsan, was the Walther with the gas ram. Great gun and power. Then came the 125. Had several models of those. The 125 TH .25 was my choice over all the rest. Then came the beast, 135. both in .22 and .25. All were strong and accurate. Much more gun for the $$ than the NPSS. THE NPSS is more compac and much lighter than the 125. The 135 is much more gun and weighs more than the 125. Once again I still make claim to the 135 TH I have as being the best of both guns. 125TH stock and the 135 power plant.

FANG

[Silverback]

Fang,  I think  you misunderstood, PyramidAir sells a NPSS converted 125 sniper, which is what I ordered.

huh, I ran across reviews that say that PyramidAir includes the original spring with it... if that's the case that's cool, if I decide to play with it I can swap the spring in if I want...

[WHITEFANG]

Be hide times?  Got you. SORRY.. Did not realize that's how they advertised it now. 125 gas rammed. Not the REMINGTON GUN VERSION that was called the NPSS= Same power plant!
REALLY POWERED BY CROSMAN!!! Nitro powered short stroke.
An others! So I vote by my stock in crosman? YES YOU WILL LIKE. YES THEY SEND THE FACTORY SPRING AND GUIDE WITH IT. Yes you can convert to spring.
SORRY FOR THE CONFUSSION so I will throw out = VORTEX

OLD SCHOOL
FANG

[Privateer]

In most cases I advise folks not to get the 125 unless they are willing to work on it a lot.

Since you got the NP converted version though, your chances of getting a good rifle are a lot better since they have to open the gun up to make the conversion. They SHOULD be able to spot any serious problems or defects during the process and address them, which means a better end product for you. Hatsans have some common issues, and that's probably why someone suggested something else.

I just took apart the 125 NP I have.
They don't change the piston seal when they do the conversion so there's a lot of metal shavings in mine and the seal is nicked.
I expected that from other posts so had a seal ordered in 'just in case'.
It was also so greasy and oily it kept making a mess!
Still fired great but as I bought it used I'd planned to take it apart anyway.

[Paul68]

In most cases I advise folks not to get the 125 unless they are willing to work on it a lot.

Since you got the NP converted version though, your chances of getting a good rifle are a lot better since they have to open the gun up to make the conversion. They SHOULD be able to spot any serious problems or defects during the process and address them, which means a better end product for you. Hatsans have some common issues, and that's probably why someone suggested something else.

I just took apart the 125 NP I have.
They don't change the piston seal when they do the conversion so there's a lot of metal shavings in mine and the seal is nicked.
I expected that from other posts so had a seal ordered in 'just in case'.
It was also so greasy and oily it kept making a mess!
Still fired great but as I bought it used I'd planned to take it apart anyway.

Man, that's unfortunate. I was hoping that since PA had to break the rifle down to install the NP they'd catch things like shavings and nicked seals. Guess they don't even remove the piston.

[Privateer]

Man, that's unfortunate. I was hoping that since PA had to break the rifle down to install the NP they'd catch things like shavings and nicked seals. Guess they don't even remove the piston.

They pull the spring and top hat and put the NP in and close it back up.

[WHITEFANG]

So you basically got greased.. No tophat just spring washer.
Amazing what you pay for $30 NPSS when the XL1500 ram can be made to fit.
Correct, all they do is remove the stock/ trigger and spring and put it back together.

[GunnerAl]

You overlooked a TX200 for a Hatsan 125, why is that..??

Surely the answer is not to do with power alone, or you would have gone for a Hatsan 135 and raised the bar a notch or two and I know the answer is not to do with cost, as you state something like "cost wasn't an issue", so why not a TX200..??

I don't own one myself,, I would love one but don't own one, yet. I do have some Hatsans, in the form of Webley (same thing) but I am positive that a TX200 is better than anything Hatsan has on offer, as an out of the box item. It may not have the outright power of the 125 but I'm sure it has more than an edge over a 125 in just about every other aspect, except cost of course...

Just curious...

[Silverback]

Why?  I don't know if I can explain.  This is the second, maybe the third time that I've been wanting to buy something, a TX200 was somewhere on the short list and I got something else.  The first time was easy, I just wasn't sure that was going to get enough enjoyment out of the gun to spend that kind of money, so I ended up going _a lot_ cheaper.  The second (the maybe time), I thought about it but wanted a nitro piston gun a lot more than I wanted _that kind_ of quality (and I'm not sure how much I was really considering the TX200.

This time... I don't know, when it came down to it I wanted a sledghammer for the job more than I wanted a scalpel (I know, but that's about as close as I can come to explaining).  Maybe it's not really my style, like when I was in the market for a Corvette I came home with a limited edition Trans Am, and sunk the difference in parts which I spent making it a much better performer than the Vette would have been, and since _I_ did the work adding them it was more "mine" (the work was more important than the parts...).

That said, it _finally_ got here and I'm happy so far.  I've only fired a few shots through it so far but it's a BEAST.  I have a few large rifles and this won't fit in any of their cases.  I'm 6'4" 240# and this thing still looks like a big rifle in my hands.  I doubt that 99% of the population could cock this thing with one hand, heck, I'm pretty sure that less than 50% could cock this thing with 2 hands.  I'm sure my wife couldn't cock it, and I'm pretty sure my dad couldn't.  It has a solid, but very smooth kick.  Seems accurate shooting with the open sights.  So far I like it, it's a nicer rifle than I expected with some of what has been said about their fit/finish issues.

I'll try to remember to post more after I've had some time to play with it (probably after this weekend)