by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Hatsan Sortie precharged pistol.
This report covers:
- Three magazines
- Filling
- RWS Superdome
- Loading
- H&N Field Target Trophy (5.55mm)
- Hand pump
- JSB Exact RS
- Discharge sound
- Is this a semiautomatic?
- Trigger
- Evaluation so far
Today we look at the power of the new Hatsan Sortie semiautomatic air pistol. I told you in Part 1 that it is a 12 foot-pound gun, so the discharge sound shouldn’t be too great, but we will find out today.
Three magazines
I didn’t show you the stuff that comes with the gun in Part 1, so let’s look at it now. First and foremost, there are three magazines in the box with the pistol. That’s very generous of Hatsan, and the two extras save you about 50 dollars! You also get a fill probe and a set of o-rings and a seal for the gun.
The Sortie comes with 3 magazines, a probe and a set of seals.
There is also a Hatsan probe to fill the gun, but if you are already into PCPs I recommend you consider getting an adaptor from Pyramyd Air into which your probe is screwed. That saves you lots of time. It also fits the probes from other airguns and saves you from having to change adaptors to fill certain airguns.
Pyramyd AIR sells the black Foster adaptor that your probe screws into. Then you don’t have to waste time changing adaptors on your hose.
Filling
The reservoir volume is 62 cc, so the air charge is small. That makes this pistol a perfect candidate for a hand pump. The Sortie takes a fill to 200 bar, which is 2,900 psi, so I will fill it with an Air Venturi G6 pump and let you know how it goes.
Hatsan put a plug in the port for the fill probe to keep the gun clean between fills. Remember to put it back after you fill.
A plug in the fill port keeps dirt out between fillings.
The Sortie arrived with a partial fill to keep the valves shut. I filled it from a tank for the first set of shooting. I filled to 3,000 psi, because some pressure is lost in the line bleed and more goes from the heat of compression.
RWS Superdome
The first pellet I tried was the venerable RWS Superdome . Ten of them averaged 681 f.p.s. That’s 14.94 foot pounds at the muzzle, so this Sortie is hotter than advertised. They ranged from 674 to 687 f.p.s., so a spread of 13 f.p.s.
Loading
I should mention that the magazine loads from the back. Each pellet is inserted into the magazine tail-first, which feels odd and does slow the loading a little. Once I got used to it, it was okay, but it isn’t my favorite feature.
H&N Field Target Trophy (5.55mm)
Next I loaded 10 H&N Field Target Trophy pellets. These have a 5.55mm head, so they are big! They averaged 658 f.p.s., but the Sortie came off the power band after the 5th shot in this second string, which was the 15th shot following the fill. Let me show you all the velocities, so you can see what I saw.
Shot…….. Velocity
1…………….671
2…………….672
3…………….661
4…………….665
5…………….666
6…………….654 — off the power curve
7…………….652
8…………….646
9…………….643
10……………646
At the average velocity the FTT generated 14.1 foot-pounds. The spread went from 643 to 672 f.p.s., so 29 f.p.s.
All the velocities in this string are good enough for accuracy, so I will say the Sortie has a shot count of at least 20 per fill. Given the small reservoir, that’s very good.
At the end of this string I saw that the onboard pressure gauge was at the bottom of the green. That indicates it’s time for a refill.
When the second string was finished, the gauge read like this.
Hand pump
I refilled the pistol using an Air Venturi G6 hand pump. It took a few strokes to fill to the pressure that was in the reservoir. The pump gauge said that was 1800 psi. Then 60 more strokes to fill to 3,000. I’m 70 years old and it’s easy for me, so judge for yourself if you want to fill with a hand pump.
JSB Exact RS
The final pellet I tested was the JSB Exact RS dome. Given the power of the Sortie, this was the first pellet I thought of using. Ten averaged 690 f.p.s. with a 17 f.p.s. spread from 680 to 697 f.p.s. At the average velocity the RS pellet generated 14.2 foot pounds at the muzzle.
Discharge sound
No doubt about it — the Sortie is not silenced in any way. It makes a solid 4-level bang on the 5-point Pyramyd AIR noise scale. It won’t deafen you, but everyone will know something has happened when you shoot.
Is this a semiautomatic?
One question I had before the test was whether the Sortie is a true semiautomatic pistol, and not just a double action revolver? I’m pleased to tell you that it is really a semiautomatic. You’re getting what you’re paying for. However, the trigger needs to be understood.
Trigger
The Sortie trigger is two stage. However, stage two has a lot of travel, almost like a single stage trigger. Stage two breaks at 3 lbs. 14 oz., so the pull isn’t too heavy. It’s something you will get used to.
Evaluation so far
So far, so good, I think. This is a brand new air pistol to me and I am learning to understand it, but I think Hatsan has put a lot of value into this package. Accuracy is next and you will remember that I plan to shoot with open sights first.
Tom, this magazine looks like the FX style magazine. You don’t necessarily need to load all pellets from the back.
Turn the clear cover counterclockwise to the stop, drop in the first pellet from the back, skirt first. Then flip the magazine over. By turning the clear cover clockwise now, you can drop in the other pellets one by one head first. The spring load of the rotor should hold the first pellet in place, but you can put your finger over the exit hole to be sure it doesn’t fall out while loading the others.
This should speed up the process a bit.
Papa Schultz,
Welcome to the blog.
So far I was just doing what I saw in the rifle manual. I will try your way. Thanks.
B.B.
BB
I do believe Papa S is correct. I still have one of the .22 caliber FX Monsoon magazines. And it loads as he is saying and looks identical.
Also I looked at the FX Monsoon closer and the breech block is very similar to the Hatsan Barrage. The bolt looks identical to the Monsoon. And I bet if you was to take the cover off the breech on the left side it would have the same little bent rod sticking out vertically that bumps when firing.
The Barrage has a bottle instead of air resivoir tube. But the shroud on the Barrage even looks like the one on the Monsoon. Which by the way is quiet when shooting the Monsoon. And in the discription of the Barrage it does say the shroud does silence the gun.
I’m thinking Hatsan is in cahoots with FX. If so the $999 Barrage is a bargain compared to the FX Monsoon or FX Revolution of $1700-$1900 roughly.
Now if the Barrage has a smooth twist barrel then I say it is a given then.
Here is 4 pictures of the FX Monsoon magazine I have of some positions loading it. And it is from my first one. The mags we’re black. The second Monsoon I had. It had the gray magazine.
Step 2
Step 3
And so on.
B.B.
Is the trigger a PCP variant of the Quattro Trigger?
Thanks,
-Y
Yogi,
I don’t know.
B.B.
I like Hatsan from the standpoint that they are firmly planted in my head as an innovator. I do not own any, but from past articles and offerings, innovation sticks. 3 mags is generous and Hatsan is to be admired for that.
What an odd looking needle on that gauge! It reminds me of a thermostat coil or a bi-metal coil spring like found on an automatic choke,.. (which I always replaced with a manual),.. back in the day. 😉 At any rate, odd.
The front sight in the fill port picture appears to have a bit of metal or plastic flash. That would speak to a finish/aesthetic issue. I never like to see that. All in all, looking good and looking forwards to the accuracy phase of the testing.
Good Day to one and all,…. Chris
Chris,
I had a few quality control issues with my Webley Tomahawk. If I had paid the full retail price for it I would have sent it back, but since it was practically free it was hard to complain. Fortunately, most of the issues were cosmetic as this front sight. It does give one pause though. What other issue was looked over?
RR,
A U.S. based parts supplier and service center would be the icing on the cake. And when I say “parts”,.. I mean,.. I call in, they send it to me and I install it.
Chris,
That would indeed be nice. I would like to get my hands on an adjustable Vortex gas spring.
RidgeRunner,
Can you kindly examine the trigger of your Tomahawk? I believe they are starting to cut costs using pot metal for the trigger instead of steel. I have seen two triggers of recent manufacture fail already. One during normal use and the other when the guy holding the rifle dry fired it.
Siraniko
Siraniko
You are right. I had the trigger on my hatsan 125 fail in a similar way, but it broke in half across the second hole. I tried to get one cast out of aluminum & brass but didn’t work. Finally got an entire trigger unit from a Belgium seller through my cousin in France and fitted the new blade which seems to be of better metal. Then I saw a Russian seller on eBay selling a trigger blade in stainless steel ( quattro trigger identical to your picture).I bought it for insurance & its good quality & exact specs. He’s still on eBay cost $35. But pity a reputed manufacturer would cut corners in the trigger blade of all places as its dangerous. My trigger failed just as I cocked my gun and I had some difficulty discharging it by pressing on the stub with a screwdriver after loading a pellet & pointing at a safe target!!
Errol
Errol,
Why didn’t the brass and aluminum triggers work. I’m very curious as that I was thinking of using those materials to replace the broken trigger. The other alternative is a plastic casting using the materials they are using for dentures.
Siraniko
Siraniko
I couldn’t get a perfect blade done. It’s a process called sand casting where a cast of the original trigger blade is taken in a sand box and molten metal is poured in to fill out the shape of the trigger. The final product is a crude but fairly accurate version of the original. Then it’s filed and polished up to get a finsh. But it was not good enough. Also, they just couldn’t drill the various holes correctly for the trigger adjustment screws, cross pin and nylon insert for tensioning the adjustment screws. I think the perfect fit & finish of the original and the ones I bought online are from injection moulding which is only done for quantity due to the cost. But I’m glad I could buy perfect copies of very high quality. Just didn’t want to take chances with a trigger of all things!Just my opinion.
Errol
Errol,
Thanks for the input. I will have to pay attention to the material of the triggers and to the workmanship if/when I have a replacement made. Like you I foresee difficulty in getting a replacement from overseas.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
Check into the (lost wax method) of casting. From what little I understand, the method is used for glass. I knew an artist that did lost wax castings,.. of say a frog. The end result was a glass frog that was an exact duplicate of the living frog. That is about as much as I remember, but the detail was 100% perfect.
Chris
Chris
One of the fastest .40 size racing engines for the RC pylon planes was made by Nelson. They used the lost mold casting for the engine block or case however you want to call it.
But it made for a nice smooth surface. I had a couple of those engine’s back I think in the early to mid 90’s. Very high quality engines.
Strum Ruger Company sort of pioneered that method of casting to form very precise semi auto pistol frames that required very little ( if any) finish machining.
Siraniko
I also have all the other trigger parts & casing from the Belgian unit which is also good quality & perfect fit, in case they’re needed.The gun itself is performing very well after a good lube tune!
Errol
Siraniko,
Mine has the gold trigger. I do not know what metal it is, but I would guess anodized aluminum.
BB,
Hatsan has become a company not afraid to step out with new innovation and technology. They are quickly becoming a leader in today’s market. They have come a long way in a few short years.
I’m trying to decide if the included seal kit Is a good thing for future security, or an indication that this is going to be a routine maintenance need… I like having spare parts (I’ve got a couple kits for my Hill pump) but am not sure how to interpret this.
Hiveseeker
I look at it as it’s nice they gave some back up parts.
Sooner or later something can dail on whatever it may be that you have. You know what I mean.
Suppose to say sooner or later something can (fail).
Not dail.
A friend sent me this story to me and I thought it was so cute I would share it with you all. Very funny.
Conceal Carry
In the afternoon, I went over to the local Bass Pro Shop to get a 9mm
handgun for home/personal protection. When I was ready to pay for the pistol
and ammo, the cashier said, “Strip down, facing me.”
Making a mental note to complain to the NRA about the gun control wackos
running amok, I did just as she had instructed.
When the hysterical shrieking and alarms finally subsided, I found out she
was referring to how I should place my credit card in the card reader!
As a senior citizen, I do not get flustered often, but this time it took me
a while to get my pants back on.
I’ve been asked to shop elsewhere in the future.
They need to make their instructions to seniors a little more clear. I still
don’t think I looked that bad! Just need to wear underwear more often.
Geo791,
Hahahahaha!
Thanks for that mental image!
Siraniko
Fyi Pyramyd, the pic/link of the fill probe adapter takes you to the gun, not the adapter. At the bottom of that webpage, the list of Recommended Assessories does not include the adaptor.
John,
All the pics are linked to the gun. That’s thew way we do it.
B.B.
Got it
Coduece
Cool. And you know I can’t remember 100% but I do believe my HW50s I had didn’t have the fancy work on the stock. And it had a nice tiger striping to the grain. Real nice wood in other words from a factory out of the box stock. But the stock on it was smooth like my HW30s I have now. I don’t know if I have a picture of the HW50s that I kind find right now. But had it 4-5 years ago. I said after I let it go that I wish I would of kept the stock and bought another one and put on it. But didn’t. Maybe the stocks were different back then on the one I had. I sure don’t remember the Weirauch writing on the 50 I had.
But what do you think so far about yours? You shoot it yet. Definitely ain’t like your Crosman no is it. And you cut off the chocolate butt pad in your picture. I think that’s a feature that’s nice on the Weirauch’s.
Here’s a picture of the 30 I have now so you can see what I mean about no fancy stuff on the stock and how the butt pad adds to the looks of the gun
That’s nice I’m used to smooth stocks so this checkering is a little different. So far where ever I point the gun that’s where the pellets go. The trigger is phenomenal compared to the Crosman. It just feels so good to hold and shoot and I thought the stock looked a little clunky in the pictures well it’s not.
Coduece
The 50 and 30 were both nice balanced guns when held.
And yep sounds like that’s a yes to me about you liking your new 50. 🙂
What pellets you shoot so far out of it.?
And keep a eye on the screws that hold the stock onto the action. And also the barrel breech side screws. They will loosen as you break it in.
I used blue Loctite on mine and tightened everything up. Have not came loose yet. And breech will stay in place after cocking where ever I put it. If you don’t add the Loctite the breech will try to come away from the seal in the breech. They will loosen up after cocking a bunch of times. Yes even with the ball locked.
So if acurracy goes make sure it’s all tight.
It’s awesome, and yes i already had to tighten all the stock screws after around 50 shots. Been playing with the globe sights will mount a scope tomorrow, and take some chrony readings. I’ve been shooting JSBJumbos and H&N ftt with the edge so far going to the H&N pellets.
Coduece
Nice. You know you have to post some pictures of targets sometime soon.
And what would be cool is if you tell or show your hold you end up using.
Coduece,
I am happy for you. It is always nice when Christmas comes early. 🙂 Enjoy!
Thanks Chris, this gun seems very easy to shoot,it reminds me of my disco, which reminds me of my 10/22 as far as handling and feel. It seems to point pretty well with what few offhand shots I’ve taken. And I like the twang of the spring way better than clunk of the gas ram.
Here is something that I ran across at HAM,.. for those of you that bench rest in variable wind conditions. (GF1) First I have ever heard of it or seen it. Interesting to say the least.
https://hardairmagazine.com/news/now-theres-new-windmeister-jr-t2/
Chris
I like that. But remember most of my bench resting is done from the breezeway.
And I haven’t mentioned but the house is L shaped. So there is probably 25′ at least or more of the house blocking the wind from the right.
So. Would have to put the meter out somewhere in the yard and probably look through my scope to see it.
Right now I can see my wind flags out of my off eye when I shoot. Don’t know how well it would work for me.
GGF1,
From what I gather,… it is for wind (at) target. I will look into it more this weekend. I just thought that it would be ideal for you. Take some of the guess work out if you will. Then again, you shoot enough that most of the guesswork has already been accounted for. Maybe for others? I do like the concept and theory of it. I am always a sucker for anything that quantifies data.
Chris
Ok make sure you let us know what you find out about it.
And I have used wind flags for along time. Even back in the 70’s on up with RC air planes and shooting too. Believe it or not at the dragstrip even.
Once you get use to how they react it’s pretty easy actually for me to tell when shooting conditions are not ideal.
But for sure wind monitoring is very important when shooting.