TheOptima by Hatsan Striker Edge Vortex 5.5mm is a powerful air rifle with a folding barrel, which features a thumb-hole stock, fiber-optic sights and a Vortex gas spring that noticeably reduces recoil and improves accuracy.
Manufactured by Turkish arms manufacturer Hatsan, the airguns have been popular among Polish sport shooters for years thanks to the capabilities they provide within their price range. The Optima by Hatsan brand offers the same excellent cost/quality ratio, which is a direct result of the solutions used in the manufacturing process. The manufacturer's tremendous capabilities allow it to manufacture every part in a single factory, so the windguns are made from scratch under the watchful eye of Hatsan specialists.
Modern polymer stock
The carbine's stock is made of durable polymer with a matte finish, which is resistant to mechanical damage, weather conditions and moisture. Maintenance and cleaning of the plastic bed is limited only to general cleanliness and occasional use of silicone oil. The symmetrical Thumb-hole flask has a fluted pistol grip with space for the thumb, which is beneficial for comfort and control of the carbine. The recoil generated after firing is effectively absorbed, thanks to the use of a vented rubber foot, which is also responsible for a stable point of support.
Fine mottling was applied to the pistol grip and the front of the bed, which improves hand grip and enhances the aesthetic qualities of the carbine.
Convenient loading
Thespring is tensioned by the classic "barrel break", the method most often used in spring-loaded air rifles due to the convenient and simple operation. The carbine shoots diabolo shot in 5.5 mm caliber, loaded directly into the barrel. The loading action is facilitated by a polymer protective collar, on which the bow tie is also mounted. The carbine employs an Anti Bear-Trap safety, which prevents premature release of the spring during tensioning.
Vortex gas spring
The Optima by Hatsan Striker Edge Vortex carbine uses a Vortex gas spring, responsible for high operating culture, reduced recoil and improved accuracy. The Vortex Gas Piston system is based on a pneumatic cylinder that uses a gas mixture instead of a steel spring.
When the trigger is pressed, the compressed gas sets the piston in motion, which responds by compressing the air and firing the shotgun. The Vortex provides a stable initial velocity of the shot and a much longer life of the pneumatic system compared to the standard piston-spring system.
The effect most noticeable to the shooter, is less recoil and weight of the carbine, reduced vibration and firing noise, and less effort to pull the barrel. Thanks to such properties, the Optima by Hatsan Striker Edge Vortex 5.5mm carbine stands out for its smooth and comfortable operation, above-average precision and high operating culture.
Advantages of the Vortex Gas Piston system:
- reduced vibration,
- easier charging cycle,
- higher precision of shots,
- equalized initial velocity of each shot,
- longer life of the pneumatic system,
- high efficiency at low temperatures,
- reduced weight of the carbine.
Precision and long range
A threaded barrel with a length of 450 mm is responsible for the accuracy and repeatability of shots, thanks to which we can achieve a repeatable focus after just a short training. The fired shotgun reaches a high initial velocity of about 245 m/s (~10 J), thanks to which we can also shoot accurately from the carbine at longer distances.
Safety in the foreground
The most important thing in shooting is safety, so when the spring is tightened ("breaking the barrel"), the fuse is automatically activated, which prevents the firing of an uncontrolled shot. Before firing, it is necessary to turn off the safety each time, which is conveniently located in front of the trigger tongue. This affects the extremely easy unlocking of the carbine, which can be done even without interfering with the aiming process.
Modern sighting instruments
The carbine has been equipped with good quality fiber-optic targeting instruments, i.e. a tunnelled musket and a vertically and horizontally adjustable scimitar. The fiber-optic rods with contrasting (green-red) colors, significantly speed up the alignment of the bow tie and the pincer, and thanks to high light absorption, also allow shooting in low light. If you want to try your hand at shooting at a longer distance, you can also mount an optical sight of your choice on the 11mm rail.
