by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Hatsan SpeedFire Vortex breakbarrel repeater.
This report covers:
- Hatsan response
- Good data
- Velocity Baracuda Hunter Extreme
- String two
- String three
- Discussion
- Vortex Supreme
- Air Arms Field
- Newboy Junior
- Firing cycle
- Cocking effort
- Trigger pull
- Summary
Today we resume our look at the .22-caliber Hatsan Speedfire Vortex multi-shot rifle. In Part 2 I got some velocities that seemed far too low, so I assumed the rifle was damaged in some way. I returned it to Hatsan and asked them to look at it and, if possible, please repair it so I could resume the test with the same rifle.
Daniel Settle of Hatsan got back with me and here is what he said.
Hatsan response
Tom,
We took some time to test out your sample SpeedFire this afternoon. This was tested “as-is” out of the box – original gun, original magazines. We did experience a larger extreme spread with one magazine (41) versus the other (23) with our Vortex Supreme pellets. The “bad” magazine had some damage around the pellet exit opening on the muzzle side of the body. I expect this might be interfering with and damaging the pellet skirts as they are pushed through.
I took a close look at the pellets you provided. The skirts of the Falcons were mostly distorted or dented. Out of 20 that I poured out into my hand, I found only 4 that still looked good. The Kodiaks all looked pretty good, though. I suspect that the extremely thin skirts on the Falcons are being damaged when pushed through the magazine, causing even more inconsistencies with sealing and power output. I recommend a pellet with a more sturdy skirt for use in this gun. Anything from H&N except the Sniper series should have a tough enough skirt to work well with the SpeedFire. The JSB 15.89 and 18.13 should also be good ones, but I didn’t have any here to test.
I am not sure why we saw such significant differences with the Kodiak and Baracuda performance compared to how the Kodiaks performed for you. We did not see the low velocities that you indicate in your blog page, even with the Kodiak pellets you sent along with the rifle. Our velocities with the Falcon, however, were on par with yours – somewhat negating my thoughts of your chronograph being off.
With the “good” magazine, We tested a handful of pellet types from our inventory as well as the pellets you sent. Each was fired for 10-shots.
Vortex Supreme (14.66gr)
High – 769
Low – 746
Avg – 761.9
High PWR – 19.3 FPE
Avg PWR – 18.9 FPE
Baracuda Hunter Extreme (18.52gr)
High – 667
Low – 647
Avg – 658.5
High PWR – 18.3 FPE
Avg PWR – 17.8 FPE
Baracuda (21.14gr)
High – 629
Low – 608
Avg – 622.4
High PWR – 18.6 FPE
Avg PWR – 18.2 FPE
Vortex Express (13.12gr)
High – 808
Low – 792
Avg – 801.5
High PWR – 19.0 FPE
Avg PWR – 18.7 FPE
Beeman Kodiak (21.14gr)
High – 628
Low – 613
Avg – 620.9
High PWR – 18.5 FPE
Avg PWR – 18.1 FPE
Air Arms Falcon (13.43gr)
High – 746
Low – 650
Avg – 706
High PWR – 16.6 FPE
Avg PWR – 14.9 FPE
Shot data from “bad” magazine and our Vortex Supreme pellets.
High – 768
Low – 727
Avg – 751.2
High PWR – 19.2 FPE
Avg PWR – 18.4 FPE
What would you like for us to do at this point, Tom? Do you want this gun back (with a new magazine to replace the bad one)? Would you like for me to send any of the pellets that I tested?
Good data
Okay, that was very thorough and I now know that pellets with thin skirts are to be avoided. That may hold for all repeating spring rifles, so I will remain cautious when I test other guns.
I asked them to return the exact rifle I had been testing, so we will resume where we left off in Part 2. They included two magazines that should be good. I will test velocity again, with different pellets. Hatsan sent me a tin of Baracuda Hunter Extremes they say work well in the SpeedFire and a tin of their own Vortex Supreme domes that Pyramyd AIR doesn’t currently stock. I’ll test both of them, plus two other pellets of my choice, based on what they told me. Let’s get started!
Velocity Baracuda Hunter Extreme
First to be tested was the H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme. Here is string one.
Shot…..Vel.
1………671
2………654
3………647
4………657
5………657
6………669
7………675
8………684
9………671
10.…….676
The average velocity is 666 f.p.s., and at that speed the 18.52 grain pellet generates 18.25 foot-pounds at the muzzle. The spread is 37 f.p.s., from 647 to 684 f.p.s.
This string is not tight, so I shot a second one that I will lay next to the first. Then you can see shot-to-shot what is happening.
String two
String1 String 2
Shot…..Vel. Shot……..Vel
1………671 1………..663
2………654 2………..655
3………647 3………..656
4………657 4………..660
5………657 5………..683
6………669 6………..674
7………675 7………..664
8………684 8………..675
9………671 9………..677
10.…….676. 10……….673
The average for string 2 was 668 f.p.s. The spread was 28 f.p.s. — from 655 to 683 f.p.s. At the average velocity the pellet generates 18.35 foot-pounds for this string.
I wondered if the rifle mechanism was warming up as I shot. Or, are some chambers in the magazine different in some way, resulting in lower or higher velocity? Close correlation between the two strings would show that, but I’m not seeing it. I do see a slight tendency for the rifle to shoot faster as the shots add up, so perhaps is is warming up a little.
I will try one more thing. They sent me two magazines, so I’ll use the other one with the same pellet. I’ll post it next to strings one and two for comparison.
String three
String1 String 2 String 3 new mag
Shot…..Vel. Shot……..Vel Shot………Vel
1………671 1………..663 1…………659
2………654 2………..655 2…………660
3………647 3………..656 3…………669
4………657 4………..660 4…………656
5………657 5………..683 5…………668
6………669 6………..674 6…………678
7………675 7………..664 7…………676
8………684 8………..675 8…………684
9………671 9………..677 9…………681
10.…….676. 10……….673 10…………676
The average for string 3 with the second magazine was 671 f.p.s. the spread was 28 f.p.s. At the average velocity the muzzle energy this time was 18.52 foot-pounds. The output of this magazine is very close to the first mag, though it is a trifle faster.
Discussion
There is more variation in velocity with the SpeedFire than we might see in a single shot rifle that’s running well. It’s large but not excessive.
My results paralleled those of Hatsan who tested this same rifle and pellet. That gives us confidence in them (and that our two chronographs are in agreement).
I don’t think the individual chambers in the mag influence velocity. But the gun does seem to warm up as it goes. And I have to note that is so much faster to fire 10 shots with a repeating breakbarrel rifle because I don’t have to load each pellet. I used the second magazine for the remainder of the test.
Let’s now look at Hatsan’s Vortex Supreme pellet.
Vortex Supreme
The Vortex Supreme is made in Germany and weighs the same 14.66-grains as the H&N Field Target Trophy. It’s a domed pellet. How did it do?
The average for the Vortex Supreme was 766 f.p.s. The spread was 50 f.p.s., from 729 to 779 f.p.s., but the 729 number was an anomaly. The next-slowest pellet went 754 f.p.s. At the average velocity the Vortex Extreme produced 19.11 foot-pounds at the muzzle. That’s close to the 19.3 foot-pounds that Hatsan reported as the highest they saw. And, I am reporting energy based on the average. My highest energy with this pellet was 19.76 foot-pounds.
Air Arms Field
Next up was the Air Arms Field pellet — a 16-grain dome. I chose it because JSB makes it for Air Arms and it is close to the JSB Exact Jumbo. They averaged 666 f.p.s., but the spread was huge — 105 f.p.s. After shooting the string I examined the skirt of a pellet and found they were thin. I thought the 16-grain weight was a guarantee of a thicker skirt, but apparently not. At the average velocity these pellets generated 15.76 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. I don’t think these are right for the SpeedFire.
Newboy Junior
The final pellet I tried was the Skenco NewBoy Junior. This dome weighs 20.3 grains and this may be the first time I have tried it in a test. Ten shots averaged 636 f.p.s. with a spread of 22 f.p.s. That makes this pellet the most consistent in my test of the SpeedFire.
At the average velocity this pellet generated 18.24 foot-pounds at the muzzle. That’s in line with the better pellets for this rifle.
Firing cycle
The rifle doesn’t vibrate much when it shoots, but there is noticeable forward recoil. That made testing the trigger pull a challenge. The discharge sound is on the loud side — perhaps a 3.7 on the Pyramyd AIR 5-point scale.
Cocking effort
The test rifle cocked with 28 lbs. of effort. I noted that the cocking stroke was very even and smooth.
Trigger pull
The trigger broke with 3 lbs. 12 oz. pressure. I adjusted it by the manual and found that the screw that lightens the pull was adjusted as light as it would go. I tried it a second time and it fired at the same pull weight.
Summary
I have learned something in this test. Give repeating spring rifles a chance to perform, because they may be picky about the pellets they prefer. And thicker skirts are probably better.
The Hatsan SpeedFIre is performing exactly as it should, now that BB has been educated. I will begin the accuracy test next and will start with the open sights that come on the gun. That may help me find the best pellets for the scoped test.
B.B.
I think Hatsan gave you special treatment. Smart from their point of view.
On the forums all you read about is NON-exsistnt customer service from Hatsan. Fill out a form and do not bother us, seems to be their service motto.
Glad you had a different experience.
-Yogi
Yogi
I had the drop safety break on my Hatsan 95 Vortex in .25 cal back in November 2017. The airgun was out of warranty. I received excellent customer service through email communication. 6 interactions in all and they were very responsive and thorough. $10 for parts and labor, $30 shipping.
John
Yogi
I had the drop safety break on my Hatsan 95 Vortex in .25 cal back in November 2017. The airgun was out of warranty. I received excellent customer service through email communication. 6 interactions in all and they were very responsive and thorough. $10 for parts and labor, $30 shipping.
John
Yogi,
I have returned 2 rifles to Hatsan. A mod 95, 25 cal, that would not shoot accurately. And an Edge Vortex, 25 cal, that suddenly lost piston power.
I sent the rifles (different times) with explanation and return ok from Hatsan. Never heard anything from them until the guns were returned.
The 95 was replaced because they couldn’t get any accuracy out of the one I returned. They did send a chrono report (for different pellets they shot) with the replacement and a target shot spread with that gun. (no target).
Received the Edge, working properly, with no explanation or documentation.
Personally, I would have loved to get an e-mail saying they received the guns for repair. That’s been my experience with returns to Hatsan.
I do like their products and will continue to buy Hatsan’s products.
P.S.
Yes, B.B. did get excellent service from Hatsan, but then I would expect that for him. He is testing and reporting to thousands of potential buyers. That is something I wouldn’t expect for me.
Brassman
Brassman
I like their products too. And had issues too as far as their communication is concerned.
It’s like your wondering what’s going on. Your guns not working and you want it up and going again. A simple return email in a timely matter would probably be the answer. At least your informed then.
But yes I will buy their products. I just hope they read the forums and blogs and learn.
Communication is everything. And the simpler it can happen the better.
Wow I just thought of something. Those little pop ups that Pyramyd AIR has is a good thing. The one where you can chat with someone from PA. I have used it in the past. And it’s real time talking. What is more instant than that. Other than making a phone call. That’s how businesses should operate.
Brassman,
I have a Hatsan 95 Vortex, which I really like. Their service for extra seals and stock screws went fine.
Just reporting what I see on other forums. And yes, the squeaky wheel is the one you hear!
As an example, what is the point of having a telephone that you never answer? I think that you had to return 2 guns, out of how many purchases? , it part of the problem!
-Y
B.B.,
Maybe you should revise the order of pellet testing in new spring piston rifles. Instead of randomly getting whichever tin comes to hand you might want to look into doing it by order of weight. Starting from the heaviest finishing with the lightest. It does make sense to avoid thin skirted pellets in repeaters as that the probe’s nose will be pushing the pellets from the magazine into the chamber. This is unlike that of PCPs with a thin probe supporting the base. I imagine the probe nose in repeating spring piston airguns will be pushing on the base itself allowing the skirt to be deformed on its way to the chamber.
Siraniko
PS: Section Summary Second paragraph, First sentence, “The Hatsan SpeedFIre (Speedfire) is performing exactly as it should, now that BB has been educated.
Siraniko,
PCP magazines that operate similar to the Theoben design, ie – FX, Crosman, etc., can all damage thin skirted pellets with rotational spring pressure and feeding through the magazine.
RR
Think that being scraped around the inside of the magazine casing as it indexes doesn’t do the pellets any good and I wonder if the pellet is being “tipped” off axis as it is being loaded into the chamber.
This is another reason I prefer the magazines on my HW100 rifles – they are not spring-loaded.
Hank,
The Daystate / Brocock magazines are awesome also. Though they are spring loaded, no pressure is put on the pellets. Everyone whines about the price, but how many magazines do you need? You are not in a firefight except maybe in your head. I wish my HM1000X magazine was like these.
Hank
That’s a issue with mags. Learning how to load the next shot with a mag or clip is a big deal. Smooth and gentle is the trick.
That’s why when I get a good reliable semi-auto gun that shoots accurately I’m a happy camper. And my Hatsan Bullmaster is just that with of course the right pellet when I’m after pinpoint accuracy.
So saying that. Maybe the way you close the barrel on this Hatsan SpeedFire makes a difference in how it chronys and how accurate it is. That is something I would definitely be aware of with this gun.
BB
You mentioned that a blog on the Springfield Armory M1 Carbine BB Rifle was close at hand.
If it retains the same operating system as the airsoft version I may have converted it to an “M2″… full-auto. I got the hammer to follow the bolt but have not tried it out for operation yet. Absolutely nothing has been modified on the rifle too.
It cocks and releases the hammer normally on the first shot and continues to cycle as long as the trigger is pulled.
I’ll comment more when you get around to it. Should have it tested by then.
Also I mounted the black solid aluminum weaver King Arms US M1 Carbine Forward Optic Mount. Very solid, mounts with two screws and fore and aft tangs. Should be great for scout scopes and optics. May even work with extremely offset mounts and long eye relief scopes ? This particular weaver rail mount has no ventilation holes.
Bob M
Bob,
That would be of interest.
B.B.
BB
You mentioned that a blog on the Springfield Armory M1 Carbine BB Rifle was close at hand.
If it retains the same operating system as the airsoft version I may have converted it to an “M2″… full-auto. I got the hammer to follow the bolt but have not tried it out for operation yet. Absolutely nothing has been modified on the rifle too.
It cocks and releases the hammer normally on the first shot and continues to cycle as long as the trigger is pulled.
I’ll comment more when you get around to it. Should have it tested by then.
Also I mounted the black solid aluminum weaver King Arms US M1 Carbine Forward Optic Mount. Very solid, mounts with two screws and fore and aft tangs. Should be great for scout scopes and optics. May even work with extremely offset mounts and long eye relief scopes ? This particular weaver rail mount has no ventilation holes.
Bob M
B.B.,
A very nice surprise? that Hatsan responded as well as they did. Impressive. Yogi seems to have seen info. that this is not the normal. Good for you and maybe a good time for Hatsan to take another/first? look at their customer service. A non or poor customer service reputation would sour me off of the (entire) Hatsan line, regardless of gun type.
The variance in fps seems larger than normal. It has been awhile since I payed any close attention to springer/gas ram spreads. At least a sub-10 I thought was desired.
All in all, an interesting rifle and feed concept. Looking forwards to the rest of the testing.
Good Day to you and to all,…….. Chris
Chris
Hatsan has been good off and on. Emial is about the only way to get anywhere. I have had fast response and slow response from them. And I mean slow like up to 5 days. To me that’s rediculous.
I’ll take Crosman customer service over Hatsan any day. It’s like night and day difference between the two company’s.
Just saying it the way I have seen it. It is what it is.
BB,
Siraniko brings to my mind an interesting thought.
Why is it that most PCP air rifles are more accurate when using a single shot mode such as a feed tray versus a magazine? Is it due to possible pellet deformation or something else? Could it possibly be psychological? “I have one shot.” I ask that question because that is how I was raised.
RR
Alot of things.
Here’s one for ya. My Hatsan Bullmaster shoots great with JSB 10.34 pellets. And I really do mean that. It gets 50 yard groups as good as my other known good shooting pcp’s. And the kicker it’s a spring fed rotary type mag like alot of pcp guns use.
So the question is why is this semi-auto so accurate with that type of mag. And that type of semi-auto action?
GF1,
No clue here. Lucky I guess.
My HM1000X uses a Theoben type magazine and shoots pretty good also.
RR
Right.
B.B.,
As others have noted, Hatsan is to be commended for how much effort they put into testing and analyzing the air rifle’s performance issue. The response I received from a huge manufacturer when they sent my air rifle back was essentially, “Nope. Your ______ _______ air rifle is performing as it should. All powerful spring air rifles vibrate and twang.” “Powerful”? It generates roughly 14 foot-pounds.
The attention to detail in your case might (or might not) be the result of “When The Godfather of Airguns makes a request, it is an offer we can’t refuse.” ;^)
Michael
Michael,
I know it seems that way, and it probably is to some extent, because they know I have a lot of readers watching. But I still wanted you guys to know the effort they went to for this test.
B.B.
B.B.,
Definitely. And they might very well provide that much effort and time into helping a regular customer. After all, we read this week how Ruger insisted on fixing (for free) a gun that was purchased used. Hatsan might have a similar pride in their products and have excellent customer service.
There are some manufacturers out there that still “get it.”
Michael
BB
Sorry Hatsan needs to wake up as far as customer service goes. They make great products. I love them. But things fail. It’s how that’s handled when it comes up is the point. And while I’m at it Umarex needs some (tuning) also when it comes to customer service. And again I like their products too. But really both Hatsan and Umarex need to step up the ball game with customer relations.
And I wasn’t going to say anything about how they responded to your situation. Figured I would just let it slide by. But since others have brought it up. It is kind of obvious what way it went. In a way you can tell they don’t want to hear that something might be wrong by reading through their response.
Makes me feel that drooper vibe that Diana doesn’t want to believe exists as you have said. It makes me feel like they are too wrapped up in theirselfs. They as in Hatsan and Umarex.
They really need to step back and look and make some changes in customer relations anyway. Us air gunners have come a long way. And we are paying a pretty penny for our guns. We just want them to work without going through a bunch of bull. Just that simple. Again look at Crosman.
Something came to mind today. Thought about if I should bring it up or not. But it actually has been.
A list of the most sold guns. The biggest amount sold to the least amount.
Seriously though. What is the top best selling air guns PA sells. And I’m talking any power plant. And then down to the less sold. And 20 to 30 guns is fine.
I think that’s a fair question.
PA is a privately held company. They have NO responsibility to report sales numbers.
As an example, Rolex Watches(also privately held) will not let a publicly held retailer(who would have to report sale figures) sell their watches.
I once asked Edith(who had great contacts with PA) a similar question and the response was a very polite, “none of your business”.
-Y
Yogi read my response to BB.
GF1,
You think that’s fair, huh? And exactly how much money do you have in each of your bank accounts right now?
Seriously, no retailer or manufacturer is going to release that sort of data, beyond saying something like — “That’s our biggest seller.” You see, if those numbers were published, other companies would gain a lot of insight into what goes on behind closed doors. No company will let that be known.
Now with something like automobiles, where registrations are involved, there is some insight into those data. But if a company doesn’t have to share they aren’t going to share.
B.B.
BB
Well let me rephrase that.
Why do they make it to the list of most bought air guns.
Next question is why are they being sold the most?
Because they hear that a manufacturer has a good customer relations? A good review?
PA puts out most popular lists all the time. So don’t know what you and Yogi are talking about. I want to know why those guns make it is where I failed to bring the point across in my comment..
B.B.
If they would make the magazines out of metal, or really hard plastic, the problem disappears. In this case, a penny saved is a dollar lost in correcting the problem. Hatsan needs better QC to prevent these problems in the first place.
-Y
Yogi
Alot of manufacturers make them out of plastic and the guns are accurate.
And tell me what you mean by Hatsan needs better quality control and why.
BB
Something went wrong with the double entry on the M1 Carbine comments. I deleted the second entry within the correction time frame, but it has obviously popped up again.
I asked Hatsan if the Barrage air tank could be swapped out for any other slimmer tank they had and was answered in a reasonable amount of time. Unfortunately the answer was no. However all that does is present me with another challenge.
Good comments today, albeit on customer service. Lesson for manufacturer’s? Make sure your plan is top notch, hassle free and (easy) to use. Stay in contact.
New airgunners will most likely purchase lower end products and most likely to have not done thorough research and less likely to complain. If so,… bad on them. There is however those that DO their homework, even it is a cheaper product. Then, there is those that are (experienced) airgunners and have been around the block a time or two. These are those that value customer service,.. when and if needed. Build customer service that customers brag about and in turn build brand loyalty.
They may like your lower end stuff,… but more importantly they may like also your higher end stuff too. ($$$)
Excel in customer service (and further more,… promote it!) and you will be leading the pack in short time. Kind of like P.A. I guess, though I have yet to see any self-promotion with regards to that. I have yet to hear any bad report on them. As GF1 stated, Crosman seems to be the high water mark.
At any rate,…. my un-asked-for 2 cents on the matter.,……. Chris
Chris USA,
This blog has taught me alot! But the most important thing is if the gun is not accurate, it is not worth the pellets that you are shooting.
-Y
Yogi,
I agree and will add, without this blog I would never have imagined the accuracy that I should have been satisfied with. I was settling for much lesser performance than I should have, in a BIG way. I think that is why air power doesn’t get the respect it deserves from powder people.(and I don’t mean folks made from Talc or baking ingredients 😉 )
Half
Customer service is everything. All manufacturers can produce a bad product, but it is how they respond to the problem that’s most important. If they don’t respond in a timely manner, and do so in an appropriate way, I will not purchase from that manufacturer again. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I had several bad experiences with Ford products years ago and to this day, I can not even consider any of their products. I know, people say that they have had very good luck with their Fords and that they make good products. I know that they must make a good one now and then, I was just never lucky enough to get one.
Geo,
A fellow at work bought a new Ford 150 awhile back. It had a sporadic braking issue in which no matter how hard you pressed on the pedal, you did not slow down. Nothing could be found. After the last time, of maybe 6 times, he got it stopped and told the dealer to come and get it. After about 2-3 months, fighting/litigation with the dealer and Ford, he got all his money back and turned around and got another 150. Go figure? 6-12 months later, Ford did a recall for a braking issue, but not sure if it was for that type of defect.
I use Consumer Reports exclusively to make car buying judgements. The ’11 Rav4 just turned 100,000 and I have done nothing to it,.. at all. Just brakes, oil changes, filters, tires, etc. 0% rust. I am having the fluids swapped, new plugs and serpentine belt done soon and hopefully it will go another 100,000 or until I decide on something newer. Maybe a Subaru. A small SUV with 4/AW drive and some ground clearance is all I need.
On air guns/air gun products, all should have a good policy,… but even (more) so if they are offering +$300.00 items.
Chris
Chris U,
I used to depend on CR back in the day for all my big purchases, but I eventually found that many of their tests didn’t prove out. I do find it an interesting and sometimes helpful publication though.
Am I wrong or is the RAV 4 the vehicle that CR was always siting as a huge tip hazard?
Half
Half,
I do not ever recall CS citing the Rav4 as a rollover hazard, but I will not discount your words. Something like a Wrangler is far more likely due to it’s shorter/narrower wheel base and much higher stance. Many 4WD trucks as well due to the substantial height. The early Rav4’s were quite a bit smaller and I would assume also lighter. Honda, Subaru and Toyota always run neck in neck on top picks for small SUV’s (not compact, but small), which is 2 different classes as I am sure that you know. I would like bigger, but do not need it. I tend to live a bit modest,… which leaves more $ for airguns! 😉
I do not make that many big purchases, but their history records are invaluable as I generally purchase 3 years old and drive for 3 years,… which is supposed to be the “magic” formula for cost savings. I am going to roll the dice on this one and do another 100, for awhile anyways. Build the savings some more and maybe pay more on the house.
The CS history is nice in that whatever you are looking at, there may be years to avoid for whatever reason. The car dealers yack about Motor Trend’s XYZ car of the year (and other mags./institution’s), but not sure I trust that. And, if not for you,.. a kid or Grandkid whom is more likely to get something used.
Chris
Chris,
You are very wise in choosing the Toyota Rav4. Toyotas and Hondas set the bar for reliability. The only comments I ever hear are “they are boring”. Guess because you don’t have to constantly go to the dealership to get them repaired 🙂 Regarding rollovers, I have never read anything that would indicate RAV4s are any more prone to rollover than any other SUV. The Jeep Wranglers are the worst and Ford Explorers had a lot of issues too. I do believe most of these rollovers are self inflicted though. People drive the SUVs like sports cars and you just can’t do that with them.
If you your RAV4 is in good condition at 100k, it would be a good investment to do the service on it and keep it. If Toyotas and Hondas are serviced properly, they will easily runn 300k. My grand-daughter’s 2005 Honda Civic has 176k and runs as good as new and doesn’t use any oil. Struts and tires and a new radiator, that’s it. Nice little car for her. My son has a 2011 Subaru Forester and my daughter has a 2015 Subaru Cross Trek. Only issue with the Subarus is the OEM battery is too weak for Michigan winters. I replaced the batteries in both of them this winter. They are very good vehicles though and have one of the best all-wheel-drive systems. They ride a little stiff like the Hondas. Toyotas have more of a cushy ride, which at my age I prefer 😉
Geo
Geo,
A story,.. which I did not see, but definitely heard, and the aftermath,……
-Small town, no stop lights, no stop signs, less than a 45 degree curve in the middle of town, 40 mph speed limit.
-A normal car and a jacked up 4WD truck hit each other (one went left of center by about a foot overlap).
-The truck flipped and the bed rolled over 3 parked cars (at least 1 1/2 times).
-The truck, still on it’s roof, struck a pole at the bed and spun around, pointed up an alley.
-No body hurt, but a whole lot of racket. I was working in a nearby building at the time.
Yes,.. if you have some height on your vehicle, respect it! Even a quick swerve to avoid a deer can send you flying. If I ever had a jacked up truck, I would for sure widen the wheel base with spacers and/or offset rims.
Yes, I feel pretty good about hanging onto the Rav4 a bit longer. On that, a dealer wanted about 4X as much to do the same service(s) that a local shop would do it for. I do not care to work on newer cars and do not possess the knowledge, the skill, the tools and the patience. I will do the simple plug change. That is coming from a guy that went to auto JVS in school and 2 more years of auto/diesel school back in the early 80’s and late 70’s.
Besides,… all that car stuff takes away from my all too precious/limited shooting time.
(Had to get that in there so that B.B. thinks that I am still keeping things on topic) 😉
Chris
Chris,
I hear you. My dad owned an auto repair shop while I was growing up. He sold the business the same year I graduated from high school. I learned a lot about cars, and repairing them during that period. I was helping him rebuild engines when I was 14. I also learned how to make a car last by doing the maintenance, and how not to over stress them. That learning has stuck with me over the years.
Here’s story about Hondas. When I was still working, I noted that one of the product engineers always drove a Honda. This was back when Chrysler was warranting their vehicles for 100k miles. The Hondas only had a 36k warranty as I recall at the time. One day, after about his fourth Honda, I asked him if the service on them was expensive. He replied, “I don’t know. I’ve never taken one back for service.” He just passed them down to family members when he bought another new one.
The moral of the story is, you can buy a vehicle like a Honda or Toyota that does not have the lengthy warranties, but never breaks down or requires repair under warranty. Or, buy another vehicle with a much longer warranty, but requires constant repair under that warranty. And that’s if the manufacture doesn’t find a loophole and doesn’t honor the warranty in anyway.
Geo
B.B.
Great article, I had a few airguns before but now am really getting into it in more details and instructing myself to start hunting small game, bought this rifle about a month and a half ago, the first one had an issue with the magazine and the pellets were getting stuck on the breech, send it back to PyramydAir and got a replacement, send an email to hatsan too and the reply was on the next business day. am having fun with it but need to learn more about it and practice more.
When are you going to post part 4, accuracy?
Polank,
Welcome to the blog.
Wow! I put this one away and never took it out again. I’ll try to get back on it.
Thanks,
B.B.
LOL! I started reading on June and I was waiting for part 4, and I said let me create an account and see when part 4 is coming.
Thanks,
Polank
Polank,
I located the rifle and will try to test it tomorrow for a Thursday report.
B.B.
Thanks!!