Review of the Hatsan AT44-10 .22

First of all, I have the ongoing addmission that I am biased towards Hatsan Air Rifles. I have owned quite a few of the Turkish built masterpieces. I find the simplicity and build quality to be very high, and not at a ridiculously high price.

The AT44 is available in the synthetic stock (which I have tried, but doesnt suit me)

And the more traditional Wooden stock. The Wood used for the stocks, is a Turkish Hardwood.

I have purchased all my AT44's from Solware. I have found over the years that they give great customer service, but above all, have always assisted me with my purchases, with help and back-up.

So, As by way of a review, here we go......

The first thing you will notice is obviousley the stock, a well crafted piece of Turkish Hardwood, is sculptured to fit around the action, I, personally find the stock to be one of the best ergonomic stocks I have ever used.

 The stock features some superb checkering around the pistol grip. The "Monte Carlo" type riser is well contoured and of a ambidextrous nature. The stock is nice and slim around the thumb area, and blends into a wide fore-stock.

 The area around the trigger is clear and uncluttered. As the fore-stock goes further forward it has a flattend underside. I deal for shooting from a bean bag or bench rest. Giving a very stable shooting platform.

 The inletting in the stock, is very clean and supports the barrel bands very well, this firstly keeps the air tube solid and secure, but also helps maintain a reliable and consistant firing cycle.

 A very well engineered adjustable butt plate allows the shooter to improve the feel of the rifle in the shoulder, thus maintaing the consistancy.

Filling the AT44 is simplicity itself. Using the supplied filler adapter, fitted to your recharging method of choice, I use a scuba tank, but some prefer the foot pump method. Simply rotate the cover at the front of the air tube, to reveal the filler hole, and insert the adapter. You can fill the AT44 to 200 bar, but test's have revealed the rifle works best filled to around 190 bar. Filling to this level achieves the most consistant shots. Filling to the maximum 200 bar gives the first 10 or so shots too much air causing valve lock and subsequent drop of pressure.

 An auto safety is another feature of the rifle, great in the field when you want to make a quick shot, without all the noise from a normal bolt action. The AT44 features a side lever, something that is more common on rifles costing a lot more money.

Another "standard" feature of the Hatsan AT44-10 is a threaded muzzle end, for those that like to do things quietly.

A very tidy end cap is simply unscrewed and the moderator of choice is screwed on using the common 1/2" UNF thread.

 Simplicty is the key on this rifle, none of the fragile plastic plastic parts you find on more expensive rifles are to be found on this rifle, this of course does come at the cost of weight, but as the rifle is so well balanced it does not pose a problem.

 One of the major bonuses of most of the Hatsan range, is the inclusion of the "Quattro" trigger. I have found this to be one of the best features of Hatsan Rifles, it can be fully adjusted to suit any shooting style. I reduce the throw on the second stage and lighten the feel to give a clean sharp release without being a "hair trigger"

 Loading the rifle is a simple operation, simply pull the sidelever back to the cocked position, then push the retaining lever forward, and out comes the metal magazine (two mags are supplied with the rifle)

With the magazine removed from the rifle, simply load the pellet of choice. I use Crosman Premiers or Webley Accupels, as they seem to be very consistand and seem to suit the rifles barrel.

Just locate the pellet into the mag and gently push home.

It is important to make sure the pellet is fully home in the magazine

I always flip the magazine over just to have a quick look

And a quick visual scan to ensure all are seated properly.

 

It is then just a case of replacing the now filled magazine into the breech. I return the retaining pin and gently close the sidelever. I keep a finger on the magazine to make sure it is in the right position, and the pellet loads smoothly into the breech.

There is, or has been, incidents of alledged jamming, this is nearly always down to not ensureing the magazine is correctly seated first, and the sidelever is "forced home"

 A gentle pressure form the finger is all thats required, if resistance is felt, just "pull" the mag back against the ident spring and it will seat properly.

 

One the mag is loaded back into the rifle and the side lever is returned the rifle is loaded, and the auto safety is engaged. It is now just a simple push on the safety button and the rifle is "live"

Whilst this may not be the best time to check air pressure, it does show the clear gauge mounted at the end of the air reservoir

 I have fitted a MTC 10x44SCB scope to my AT44-10, as I predominatly use this rifle for HFT type shooting.