Hatsan Breaker 900x

I’ve always been drawn to the humble break barrel airgun, and it can be a wonderfully refreshing experience to come back to periodically. Pick up a super-sophisticated pneumatic and the level of expectation can be such that every wayward shot sets the brain racing as to cause and effect. Anything less than textbook, near-perfect ragged holes, has myself and other near obsessive accuracy freaks, stressing and fretting over what may have gone wrong. No such worries with a down-to-earth break barrel, and on test here is a perfect example of the art.

The Breaker 900X is the latest spring powered model from Turkish maker Hatsan, and it’s a fairly compact, traditional break barrel format with an impressive specification. Ambidextrous sporter stock, carbine barrel, integral silencer, Truglo fibre optic open sights, two-stage trigger, and more besides – all for a disarmingly low RRP. Pick up the Breaker and first impressions are very favourable indeed, with a solid dependable feel, and a level of finish that seemingly belies the asking price. So let’s see what it’s made of. Ambidextrous styling is all the rage these days, and whilst it can be something of a compromise, there are advantages to be had. A general purpose sporting gun such as the Breaker 900X, will benefit in that juniors and novices will be equally at home when they shoulder this model, whether left- or right-handed.

A right-hand-dedicated, sharply defined cheekpiece for example, would make things really awkward or near impossible for left-handers, and vice versa. The styling of the Breaker’s stock may be considered somewhat bland, but it’s difficult to find fault, given the remit. The pleasantly grained hardwood is stained and sealed to an attractive finish, and whilst it isn’t super smooth, it still looks great. That super subtle ‘English’ style red buttpad is fairly stiff, but functional, and it sets off the butt perfectly as far as looks go. Fine laser-cut checkering covers the grip, but for me, that nicely shaped foreend is even more important.

Sights As Standard

Looking to the action, Truglo fibre optic open sights come fitted as standard with this model, and these take the form of a red fibre element set into the integral silencer/muzzle assembly, and two green elements that create two dots for the rear notch.

The rear sight assembly is fully adjustable, with clearly marked finger wheels for both windage and elevation, and it’s a neat design. Of course, if a scope is to be used, then the rear sight can be simply removed at the turn of a screw; which helps.

Hatsan’s finish and level of engineering is pretty good these days, and the 900X is quite precisely manufactured. Where costs are saved is with the metal polishing and chemical blueing stages; with the surfaces feeling just slightly rough, and the blueing a little dull. Consider the asking price though, and overall, this is a very well-presented model. Attention to detail comes with the standard inclusion of an arrestor plate, fixed to the rear of the receiver. Just fix the scope onto the dovetails with the rear mount placed right up against the plate, and scope creep shouldn’t be an issue.

Handling the 900X soon reveals a very manageable rifle, and at a little over 6.5lbs, this is one model that will be suitable for most shooters, young or old. A small jolt down at the muzzle, cracks open the breech, and the subsequent downwards cocking stroke requires only modest effort. Thumb home a pellet, keeping it flush with the lip of the breech, to avoid deformation, and close the breech.

Completing the stroke sets the trigger and the automatic safety catch that sits to the rear of the compression cylinder. Similar in appearance to the stylish Webley Omega safety (from back in the 80s), the curved safety tab just needs to be nudged forwards with the thumb, and we’re ready to go. That large silencer assembly feels comfortable, doubling up as it does, as the cocking aid, but as for any noise suppression, I wouldn’t get too excited; the noise of the action is such that the silencer’s contribution is largely irrelevant.

Hatsans aren’t known for the sophistication of their triggers, and the pseudo twostage affair fitted here is no exception. That said, once the initial creep has been carefully pulled through, the final release is acceptable and better than many rifles in this price bracket. As for the firing cycle, it’s actually quite pleasant, (as in not harsh or violent), but as mentioned there was significant spring resonance (twang) on my test model.

Get the follow-through right though and this was a surprisingly accurate little performer. Edgar Brothers are the UK importers for Hatsan, with this model even bearing their name, so it made sense to check out the 900X with Edgar’s own budget pellets; and whilst 10 shot string consistency was admirable over the chrono check, down-range groupings were only average to poor.

Of course, with a budget rifle, many shooters will stick to budget ammo, but for a fair appraisal of raw accuracy, I just had to chamber some quality rounds at some stage. JSBs in the shape of Air Arms Diabolo Field were just the ticket, and over 30 yards, whilst impressive ¾ inch groups were the norm, the occasional ½ inch cluster told me all I needed to know – namely that this was a genuinely accurate gun. Power output with budget guns will always vary a little, and my test example managed between 10ft/lbs and 10.5ft/lbs dependent upon ammo chambered. Given the 900Xs remit though, I’d say this is plenty, for general purpose /informal target shooting, or even a spot of close range vermin control. Other examples may hit over 11ft/lbs, but it’s academic in the big scheme of things.

Conclusion

At the suggested RRP of £113 from Edgars, this Hatsan represents an absolute bargain. At £89, from Thompson Gunshop, near Peterborough, (see below) it’s an absolute steal! Great looking, solidly built, reasonable power output, and some genuine down range accuracy, makes it hard to conclude otherwise!

PRICE: £89 from Thompsons Gunshop £113 RRP listed with Edgar Bro.
CONTACT:  Edgar Brothers 01625 613 177, www.edgarbrothers.com