Hatsan 85X-TH

If you happen to be in the market for a traditional springpowered, break barrel airgun, and don’t wish to spend a fortune, then the good news is that there happens to be a good selection available right now. The Hatsan Arms Company have manoeuvred themselves into a strong position in this sector, and one look at the model on test here, shows just why this is the case.

The 85X- TH really is a stylish little number, and with an interesting spec list including a full-sized thumbhole stock (denoted by the ‘TH’ in the name) and a silencer included as standard, this model appears on the face of it to be cracking good value for money at an all-in RRP of under £190.

The full-sized, synthetic thumbhole stock is well proportioned for adult shooters, with an extended forend, that not only aids grip, but has a pleasing bulkiness about it too. Throw in a half decent trigger, and some solid engineering, and we’re in danger of having a damn fine rifle for very reasonable money. So let’s go through the features in turn and see whether the 85X-TH is all it’s cracked up to be.

Configuration

Synthetic stocks are highly practical for their fully waterproofed properties, and whilst they may lack the aesthetic appeal of oil-finished timber, and resonate a little more, courtesy of some hollow sections, the maintenance free remit is a huge plusfactor. Yes they divide opinion, but there’s something about the styling of this Hatsan that can’t fail to impress.

The Hatsan’s stock has full-length finger grooves and a straight line profile, which are features that convey a maturity of design. The drop down, near target pistol grip is another welcome feature, although the lack of a thumb shelf to the rear, is an opportunity missed at the design stage in my book.

Check the official specification of these rifles, and there’s plenty that Hatsan can shout about. The ‘Triopad’ buttpad area is an interesting proposition, since it offers the shooter the option of unscrewing the rubber buttpad via two Phillips cross headed screws at the rear, and then adding up to three plastic spacers, in between the stock and the pad. The spacers combined, can increase the length of pull (measured from butt to trigger blade) by half an inch, which allows for some variation, to achieve a better ‘fit’. The grey rubber pad is nicely soft, which makes a change these days, and the idea works well.

Finish and build

Finish-wise, the vast majority of metal components are treated to a chamical blueing process, and whilst Hatsan are not quite up to the best of the European brands, for quality of metal polish and depth of blueing, the finish to the main cylinder and barrel is satisfyingly even nonetheless. Quality of construction is such that the only plastic components are the trigger guard and cylinder end block, with both being so well made that it hardly notices or matters. The full-length silencer fitted, is a screw fit, and whilst the noise of the action undermines its effectiveness (as is so often the case with silencers fitted to spring powered guns), the balance and cocking leverage afforded, make it a wholly worthwhile addition.

On the range, I was eager to see how this great looking rifle shaped up, and the first thing I noticed was the fact that the barrel needed a gentle jolt to open the breech. The subsequent cocking stroke itself was very smooth and relatively easy however. With a pellet squeezed into the rifling, and pushed safely flush with the breech seal to avoid deformation, closing the breech revealed an equally satisfying breech lockup. Peace of mind comes with the adjustable breech tightening bolt, and that small keeper screw which guarantees tension.

More impressive attention to detail comes with the 2-stage Quattro trigger unit — a surprisingly sophisticated design for this grade of rifle. Adjustment is possible for 1st stage weight, trigger travel, and 2nd stage weight; and it also incorporates what Hatsan term a ‘drop safety interlock device’ which prevents the rifle from discharging if it is dropped. Consider that superbly shaped, set-back blade, and it’s clear some thought has gone into the design.

Testing times

On test, the trigger released predictably, which always helps results. As for handling, the feel of the X-TH in the aim is really impressive, with good balance, and that welldesigned stock coming into play. One small negative, which needs mentioning regarding the handling, concerns the slightly ragged feeling edges on the inside of the forend tip – something that could surely be rounded off in the mould at little extra cost I’m sure.

Recoil from a spring piston design will always make itself felt at some stage, yet this model is par for the course in that regard. Hatsan do include what they term their ‘SAS’ Shock Absorber System, which takes the form of a sprung metal leaf placed underneath the over-sized cocking arm linkage. Much is made of this feature in the marketing blurb, but to be honest, I can’t see how it does much to actually counteract recoil. A loud metallic ring accompanies the firing cycle, but recoil itself is perfectly acceptable.

Chronograph testing confirmed my particular X-TH was pushing out 11.1ft/lbs with JSBs, but with Edgar Brothers the UK importers of the Hatsan brand, I thought it only fair to test with their own pellets too, and 10.7ft/lbs was the outcome. Total spreads were 9fps and 10fps respectively for the record. Power output is likely to vary from example to example, but 11ft/lbs is indeed a good guide. As for accuracy, after a settling in period, over 30-yards, groups closed down to clusters of around half inch with the favoured JSBs, which really impressed.

Conclusion

I really warmed to this model throughout the period of my test; to the point where I’ll stick my neck out and say this is actually the best spring powered Hatsan that I’ve tested to date. It feels right in the aim, has all the features we need in this grade of rifle, and is ideal for either a budget hunting tool, or starter gun for the older shooter. All importantly, the down range accuracy is such that you’re left with the distinct impression that this gun will shoot pretty much where it happens to be pointing, when that very acceptable Quattro trigger is squeezed. Always encouraging, and a great confidence boost.

Once you factor in that very reasonable asking price, we’re surely looking at a bargain in anyone’s book.