Hatsan Harpoon Review & Test: Arrow Launching Airgun
The Hatsan Harpoon is a PCP arrow-launching air gun that shoots arrows up to 600 feet per second. It’s faster than any crossbow or bow on the market.
As soon as Hatsan announced the Harpoon, we immediately reached out to Hatsan to do testing and put together a review. We found it to be a capable airgun for hunting and range use. We tested the accuracy, ease of loading, and more. The video above is our review, and for more in-depth coverage, read on.
Crazy Fast!
Made specifically for use with commercial crossbow arrows, the Harpoon can send a 20-inch arrow downrange at 600 feet per second and produce 325 ft-lbs. of energy. The ability to use standard crossbow arrows is a unique feature of the Harpoon and allows for greater flexibility when choosing arrows.
In our testing, we weren’t able to get to 600 FPS, but we came very close at 558 FPS. Using a Labradar, we hit the mid-500’s with a full tank. However, we found max velocity didn’t equate to the best accuracy.
After talking to the Hatsan representative, he told us that usually 150-200 BAR fill pressure was the best for accuracy, and our later testing verified that. In short, having the tank filled to capacity doesn’t help and could deplete your air supply faster. We would recommend filling to 200 BAR and refill around 150.
Shooting at 200 BAR produces velocities around 500 FPS in our testing. This is plenty fast for hunting or target practice. In fact, it is so fast that if you hit a rock or something hard, your arrows are either going to shatter or deform beyond use. This happened to us on multiple occasions.
Even in the 400 FPS range, the arrows were going straight through our crossbow target. The fastest crossbow that we are aware of is 460 FPS, and the Hatsan Harpoon is easily 100 FPS faster than this. Crossbow targets aren’t designed for that speed, at least not the one we were using. To counter this issue, we doubled up on our targets. Even with that, the arrow would go straight out through the back of the second target. The arrows were going so fast that the target melted to the arrows.
Operation
Before you can get started shooting you need a few things. First, arrows are not included in with the Hatsan Harpoon. The recommended arrows are 20-inch crossbow arrows that are aluminum; carbon fiber arrows are not recommended because the Harpoon’s power can actually destroy the arrows. Hatsan told us they tested several types of carbon arrows and they blew up several brands. Hatsan carries a six-pack of “Vortex Supreme Arrows” on their site. The arrows include preinstalled 100-gram field points for a total arrow weight of 415 grams. You can find crossbow arrows at other places – be sure they a good quality.
If you are new to PCP airguns, you will also need a way to fill the Harpoon. A Hatsan PCP fill probe for an 8mm Foster quick connect allows you to attach your air line to the Harpoon. From there, you can use a tank, as we did, or an air compressor designed for filling airguns. We used a DIN valve scuba adapter and a scuba tank filled to 4,000 PSI.
To actually attach the fill probe, you need to make sure the Harpoon is not loaded, and the gun is on safe. Then cock the gun, and this will open the fill port on the right-hand side to allow you to attach the fill probe.
While filling the Harpoon, make sure and keep an eye on the fill gauge on the bottom of the rifle and don’t fill over 250 BAR. Again, we had the best accuracy by filling to 200 BAR. After you have the tank filled, load an arrow from the front and you are ready to fire.
Features
The Hatsan Harpoon has the ability to carry three arrows at one time thanks to two arrow holders on the top of the gun. This is useful for keeping arrows close at hand. In our testing, the arrows never came loose or had any issue.
The Harpoon is equipped with flip-up “iron” sights that are plastic. Honestly, this is the one weak point of the airgun. The sights are just to get you shooting out of the box, but you will want to either replace them or add a scope. We would recommend a scope to maximize your accuracy, and it attaches easily to the full-length rail on the top of the gun.
The bullpup design of the Harpoon gives the gun an overall length of 36 inches. Weight is 9.5 pounds with an empty tank.
The Hatsan Harpoon is $809.99 MSRP.
Jeremy Mallette is co-founder of International Sportsman. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he has spent more than a decade in the outdoor industry, from hiking and camping to silencers and hunting. His father taught him to shoot at age six, and he received his first firearm at age eight — a 1942 Colt Commando .38 special revolver. He enjoys yearly trips to Kansas for pheasant hunting, spending time with his children at the deer lease, and collecting unique firearms.