Fun In The Sun For Under A Ton!

Dave Barham tests the new break-barrel springer from Hatsan that costs less than a night out!

- Dave Barham

Well, what can I say? I made a classic ‘schoolboy error’ this month regarding the ‘Big Test’. Note to self, always read the instruction manual …

I was supposed to be reviewing a CO2 rifle from Umarex, and like an idiot I simply assumed that it would take 2x12g CO2 canisters. As it turns out it requires a rather more specialist 86g canister, and with the postal service being a bit ‘hit and miss’ right now, I didn’t fancy my chances of getting a couple delivered in time for a proper test, so I’ve done the old ‘switcheroo’ trick and replaced it with another rifle this month – you’ll have to wait until the August issue for the Umarex review.

AN AIR GUNNER FIRST?

As I sit here tapping away at my keyboard, the only thing I can think about is ‘Is this a first for Air Gunner – a Big Test review of an ultra-low budget rifle?’

Would I normally dedicate four pages to a rifle that costs just £61, possibly not, but at this point in time my hand has been forced due to lockdown. At the end of the day, a rifle is a rifle is a rifle. Some are better than others, but they’re all designed to do a similar job, and this little gem from Hatsan is no exception to the rule.

PLASTIC PARTS

As you would expect from such a low-priced rifle, the Hatsan features a moulded synthetic stock, which is ambidextrous. However, it doesn’t look or feel cheap, in fact it’s as good as many other higher priced synthetic stocks I have handled. There’s adequate chequering on the fore end of the stock, as well as the pistol grip, and the whole thing feels really nicely balanced.