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The Hatsan Sortie PCP pistol: Part 3

Posted on September 14, 2017 by B.B. Pelletier ↓ 24 Comments

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Hatsan Sortie semiautomatic pistol.

This report covers:

An announcement
Today
Familiarization
Still learning the magazine
The trigger
The test
The sights
RWS Superdome — sight in
JSB Exact RS
H&N Baracuda with 5.50mm head
H&N Field Target Trophy with 5.53mm head
Summary

An announcement

This morning I shaved with a straight razor in a completely different way, after reading a book about shaving that was written in 1905. While very different from anything I had been doing, it all sounded very good and authoritative until I tried it. Then I needed a pint of blood after finishing! The author of this book says many things that run contrary to conventional wisdom and what is being taught today.

As a result of this experience, I have decided that there is more to sharpening a straight razor than I thought. There will be another report coming in which I examine some of the facts and some old wive’s tales about sharpening straight razors. I will try to show you the results more graphically. I don’t want to wreck the surprises that I hope are coming, so that is all I will say at this time. Let’s now turn our attention to today’s report.

The Hatsan Sortie PCP pistol: Part 2

Posted on September 7, 2017 by B.B. Pelletier ↓ 42 Comments

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Hatsan Sortie precharged pistol.

Part 1

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.

The Diana model 50 underlever: Part 3

Posted on September 4, 2017 by B.B. Pelletier ↓ 44 Comments

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Diana 50
Diana model 50 underlever.

Part 1
Part 2

A history of airguns

This report covers:

Before we begin…
Rear sight conversion
Accuracy — the test
RWS Superdomes
H&N Finale Match Light
RWS Superpoint
RWS Hobby
Things I did wrong
Summary

We start looking at the accuracy of the .177-caliber Diana model 50 underlever today. I say start because I want to shoot this rifle a lot more. I will look for interesting ways to do that.

Before we begin…

However, before I jump into the accuracy there are a couple things I need to clear up. Reader Halfstep asked about the loading tap. It was shown in the closed position in Part 2 and he asked if I could show it open. He also wondered how far into the tap the pellet falls, so I’ll show that, too.

Diana 50 tap open
The tap is open.

Diana 50 pellet in tap
An RWS Superpoint has been dropped into the tap. See how deep it is?

The Diana model 50 underlever: Part 2

Posted on August 28, 2017 by B.B. Pelletier ↓ 57 Comments

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Diana 50
Diana model 50 underlever.

Part 1

A history of airguns

This report covers:

Loading tap
Rear sight
Pre-test preparation
Fastest way
Velocity RWS Superpoints
JSB Exact RS
RWS Hobby
Cocking effort
Trigger pull
Evaluation so far

Today we will learn the velocity of my new/old .177 caliber Diana model 50. But there are several things I need to clear up before we get to that. Let’s start with the loading tap.

Loading tap

The Diana model 50 is an underlever spring-piston air rifle. That means the barrel doesn’t open like a breakbarrel, so there has to be another way to load a pellet. On some underlevers the entire compression chamber slides back, exposing the breech, but others like the model 50 use a loading tap. A tap sits behind the barrel and rotates open to load the pellet and closed to align the pellet with the breech.

Sig Sauer Spartan BB pistol: Part 2

Posted on August 24, 2017 by B.B. Pelletier ↓ 96 Comments

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Sig Sauer Spartan BB pistol offers a lot of pistol at a budget price.

Part 1

This report covers:

Install the CO2 cartridge
Velocity with Daisy BBs
Recoil
Air Venturi Copper-Plated BBs
H&N Smart Shot lead BBs
Trigger pull
Shot count
Evaluation so far

Today we look at the velocity of the Sig Spartan BB pistol. The specs rate it at 410 f.p.s. Today we find out. I will also comment on things like the blowback and the trigger. Let’s get started.

Install the CO2 cartridge

The first step is to put a fresh CO2 cartridge in the gun. It goes into the grip, of course. Lift off the left grip panel and then pull the mainspring housing from the back of the grip. That is the lower flat part of the grip that’s has a coarse raised pattern in the metal for a better grip. In the 1911 firearm, it houses the mainspring, but on this BB pistol it’s the lever that pierces the CO2 cartridge.

Hakim airgun trainer at 25 yards

Posted on August 14, 2017 by B.B. Pelletier ↓ 20 Comments

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Hakim air rifle trainer. Anschütz made 2800 of these for the Egyptian army in 1954/55. This one has custom-made wood.

A history of airguns

This report covers:

The test
Sight in
RWS Superpoints
Eley Wasps
The experience

Today’s blog arose from the suggestions of several readers. In the end it was Siraniko who pushed me over the line, and, when you see what happened, I think you’ll be glad that he did.

The test

The question is — how well does the Hakim air rifle shoot at extended distances? In the past I have always tested it at 10 meters. Today we will see what it can do at 25 yards. The rifle was rested directly on a sandbag and I used the open sights that came with the gun. My bionic eyes don’t see the rear notch very clearly anymore, and now you will see if that affects my accuracy.

Umarex Forge combo: Part 3

Posted on August 10, 2017 by B.B. Pelletier ↓ 108 Comments

by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier

Part 1
Part 2

Umarex Forge.

This report covers:

What we know
Say hello to my little friend!
Today’s test
JSB Exact RS
Rested on the bag
Was this a fluke?
Air Arms Falcons
Trigger report
RWS Superdomes
H&N Baracuda Match 4.50mm heads
Evaluation
HOWEVER

Today we begin seeing how accurate the Umarex Forge is. Many of us are holding a lot of hope for this air rifle, because so far it seems to have the stuff of greatness. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a fine air rifle priced where this one is?

What we know

To this point we have discovered several things. The power ranges from 12.8 to 14.5 foot-pounds. So it’s probably a solid 14 foot pound gun with the right pellet.

The trigger is 2-stage and breaks very heavy. I will discover more about the trigger when I shoot the rifle for accuracy today.

We know that the cocking effort is 26 lbs., which is light for a gas spring. It’s entirely suitable for the power this gun puts out.