THE BIG TEST - ON THE FIRING LINE THIS MONTH:HATSAN SPEEDFIRE

Dave Barham tests the new 10-shot break-barrel repeater from Hatsan

Is this going to be a recurring theme among break-barrel rifle manufacturers in the future? The list of mag-fed springer rifles seems to be slowly growing, with BSA’s Swarm concept fast approaching Gen 2 and now this little beauty from Hatsan.

I must admit, I was keen to get this rifle on my garden range for some fast-shooting plinking fun – I wasn’t disappointed.

MORE BUDGET RIFLES?

I have received quite a few letters and emails in recent months regarding the ‘Big Test’ featuring the odd sub£200 rifle review. It seems that quite a few of you are enjoying extended reviews of lower-priced rifles, as well as the usual high-enders. Well, this Speedfire is no exception to the rule, costing a mere £162.50!

Don’t worry though, we’ll be upping the ante over the next couple of months.

POLYMER STOCK

This Hatsan rifle features a moulded synthetic stock, which is ambidextrous. However, after checking their website I discovered that it’s also available in wood.

There’s adequate chequering mid stock, which is where the centre of balance is, as well as on the pistol grip. It feels almost rubber-like to the touch, but it isn’t.

Of course, all these plastic parts make for a lightweight rifle, and coming in a tad under 6.6lbs it’s ideal for younger shooters and for those who find wielding an 8lbs-plus rifle a bit too much to handle.

OPEN SIGHTS

This rifle comes fitted with fibreoptic open sights, again made from synthetic material, but you can also slap a scope on top.

The fitted sights are more than adequate, though, with the traditional, adjustable rear ‘iron sight’ complemented with a post at the front. I like how the front sight is ‘foldable’ You simply pull it up to use it, then pop it back down out of the way if you want to add a scope. The rear sight has two small green fibre-optic pins each side of the groove, whilst the front post is red.

The rear sight can be adjusted for both elevation and windage, and they are extremely easy to use. I’d go as far as to say that these open sights are some of the best I have seen on any rifle to date.