Hatsan Optima MP-A hard to load

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dustin56

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I just got this thing, and it seems like it's way too finicky to load.
I have no significant problem with the bolt release in the loading gate, so lets not get lost in that.

The trouble is, sliding shells into the mag tube, the shell stop doesn't seem to click in and hold them there with ease.
Sometimes they click in relatively ok, other times I have to wiggle them around to get the shell stop to click in place.
There's another piece, on the opposite side of the receiver from this shell stop. The rim of the rearmost shell in the magazine sit between this piece and the shell stop with little to no play. There's a pretty strong spring on this piece forcing it towards the shell. I think it's primary roll is to prevent two shells form feeding onto the carrier at once. Can anyone confirm?

Does this all sound normal for a Hatsan?
Where do I start sanding/filing to get it loading smoothly? The shell stop or the piece across from it?
I welcome any input on the matter.
 
Rather than hiding your location, why don't you ask if there's an owner of Hatsan locally to you that you could go shooting with?

There really isn't any disgrace in being shown.
 
Just to add, I found being used to loading an 870, the Hatsan required me to stick my thumb just a touch further in to get them to seat properly. Once you get used to it it's a peice of cake.

And again, go shoot it more. Take it to the gravel pit and run a few 100 packs of walmart birdshot through it, smooth it out.
 
Cool. I'm finding the same thing regarding the amount of thumb required.
I also found that what seems to be the problem, is that sometimes the way I put the shell against the loading gate presses the the bolt release further up than needed or possibly intended, and it sticks there slightly.
It's when it's stuff too far up that the shell stop doesn't grab the shell, and loading becomes fidgety.
I've given things a wipe and some frog lube, plus slightly bent the spring that tensions the bolt release to add a bit more tension, and it seems to be improving.
Now that I see the specific source of the issue, I'm confident I can train to work around it, and that it will smooth out with wear.

So I'll go shoot it.
Thanks for the input, folks.
 
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