pigeon predator Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Hi guys I'm after a new semi for pigeon shooting, anyone got any thought as to the best ones or ones to avoid? And has anyone got a hatsan escort semi? As these seem too good to be true for the money or are they any good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 you'll get a mixed response of what gun is best money normally plays an option me, I wanted cheap, so went for the hatsan, yes you get the odd jam on ejection, normally down to either too short a cartridge, or not keeping the gun clean, although I dont clean it after every outing, simply find a cartridge it likes and stick to it (I have) it does the job, it can get covered in rain, blood and mud, and it will still carry on firing and getting used, Ive been out with others, with more expensive guns, who nearly start crying if their gun gets wet or blood/mud on it its weird about the bad rep that hatsans get, when I do belive its an ammo thing, take CZ's rimfires, your told to try different ammo's, to find one it likes and stick to it, again, my mates love winchesters, but mine shoots erratic with them, so eleys do it for me, Ive found the correct ammo, everyone praises the CZ, yet hatsans are no different, find a cart it likes and stick to it, or keeping buying different brands and have a little moan here and there like some owners do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 I saw a hatsan yesterday and was surprised that you can't lock the breech open without firing the gun! Beretta and browning make very good well thought out guns. You won't go wrong with either of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semiautolee Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 (edited) hi pigeon pred, i own a hatsan escort have done for two year now and it has never let me down once, some people swear by them, some people swear at them , i use mine for pigeon shooting and find it a nice gun to use in the field, you can pick them up for around £350 brand new well thats what i payed for mine. but i must say if you fancy a hatsan dont get the one with loading button on the side its nothing but a pain in neck. mine is the new style where you just push on the loading gate to load. much better. no doubt you will be getting a lot of mixed feelings about the hatsan. i swear by mine. like i say never let me down and are a good gun for the money. if you look after the gun, the gun will look after you i always say. goog luck Edited February 2, 2011 by semiautolee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oops Missed Again Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 (edited) Hi, I've just got a S/H Escort, what a fantastic tool for the money. I've also got a Remington 1100 which is a very "solid" piece of engineering. I believe it's all about your bank balance, if your funds are limited go for the cheaper guns, if you're rich, go for a fancy expensive Italian thing. (That will upset a few!!) But don't ever forget it is only a tool to get the lead or steel out there to intercept the target. One other thing is there a bad S/A gun made these days? I don't think so just some cost £350 and some cost £2000 but are they 6 times better? Ummm maybe? Edited February 2, 2011 by Oops Missed Again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oops Missed Again Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Semiautolee, do you know when they changed the Escorts with the side button Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 My recommendation would be a browning maxus - mine has only ever had one stoppage in around 1500 carts through it so far and it shoots lovely. Not cheap though, but you get what you pay for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Semiautolee, do you know when they changed the Escorts with the side button They are doing it as we speak depending on how old the gunshops stock is. I tried with Hatstands and just had problems. Shoot Beretta Urika 12g and Teknys 20g now, superb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semiautolee Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 hi oops, i am not that sure when they changed them, but the side buttoned ones are horrible for loading you need 3 hands is yours the side button version? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 (edited) I bought a hatsan 3 years ago for £300 new, never had any trouble with and use 2-3 times a week .So this gun does`nt owe me anything ,if and when it do`es go wrong i will get the gun shop to scrap it and get something else,i only use it for pigeon shooting so it takes a bit of a hammering Edited February 2, 2011 by duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon predator Posted February 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Stubby what carts do you find work best for you in your escort? Thanks guys for all your posts :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oops Missed Again Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 hi oops, i am not that sure when they changed them, but the side buttoned ones are horrible for loading you need 3 hands is yours the side button version? Yes, side button is a pain in the fingers, I'm sure the new ones are better to operate. What I paid for it is less than the VAT on the more expensive weapons. It does the job and when I miss again the gun can be chucked out of the hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Ive had Berreta and browning and a cpl of other make semis in my 30 years shooting, and for the rough and tumble of pigeon shooting my hatsan takes it all, not cleaned often enough and the odd missed ejected cartridge is down to owner maintainance. Used it for 4 years from new and never had a replacement part needed. As far as im concerned it owes me nothing and could throw it away. I could buy three hatsans consecutively and if they lasted the same period of time it woud still be cheaper than one of the quality makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batch Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Go for what ever make you feel/know you can afford. I started out pigeon shooting with my game gun (O/U) but hated getting it dirty and scratching the stock, so bought a cheap Hatsan off one of the guys from the shoot for £100. It done the job for a few months, it had it's share of jams and misfires, but I put that down to being an older model. But then I got the hankering for a more reliable SA and done plenty of reading up on the Browning Maxus. Long story short, bought one, love it, reliable, quality throughout, never going to part with it!! But buy what you can afford, use it, get to know it and whatever faults it may have and perhaps try another type later on down the line? Happy shotgun shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 I saw a hatsan yesterday and was surprised that you can't lock the breech open without firing the gun! Beretta and browning make very good well thought out guns. You won't go wrong with either of those. yes you can open the breech, then put the safety catch on, so you cant pull the trigger, but Im baffled, why would you want to lock the breech open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve'o Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Stubby what carts do you find work best for you in your escort? Thanks guys for all your posts :-) Hi, I have a newer type with out the button 3" magnum I use any 12g 67mm min length cartridge ( Eley cart's are 67mm on the case but literature lists them as 2 1/2") , long or short brass I have not gone any lower than 28g and had no problems. When I tried Laylvale cartridges that are a true 2 1/2" or 65mm can only use one in breech and one in mag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon predator Posted February 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Good advice lads cheers! :-) Those of you with hatsan escorts, what make and load of cartridge do you find works best in it? What chokes come with the gun and which one do you use? And do they come with stock spacers to alter the angle of the stock like some other makes and models do? Sorry for all the questions, just aant to make sure it's the right gun for me before parting with my hard earned cash! lol :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Like i said on a previous thread; If you want a gun with a view to sell on in 10-15 years and get near what you paid for it buy a Beretta etc. If you want a gun which you wont be concerned if dropped in mud,water,scratched etc get a Hatsan. Hatsans obviously have had problems due to the amount of negative posts about them,but with all honesty mine has been no trouble in almost 3 years and cost me less than £300 brand new.The only time its refused to cycle is when i've been lazy and not cleaned it,but a quick poke through the gas vents with a twig did the trick.Its just a pigeon gun to me and will happily cycle 70mm cartridges all day long so it ticks all the right boxes. Comes with 5 chokes,spacers etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Good advice lads cheers! :-) Those of you with hatsan escorts, what make and load of cartridge do you find works best in it? What chokes come with the gun and which one do you use? And do they come with stock spacers to alter the angle of the stock like some other makes and models do? Sorry for all the questions, just aant to make sure it's the right gun for me before parting with my hard earned cash! lol :-) Mine came with a full set of chokes and a cpl of stock spacers. Choked 3/4 for my own preference useing 32 gram number 6 cartridges for pigeon. ive not found a make its fussy with , yet. At the end of the day its down to your choice of gun and wallet depth. Choke that best suits your shooting ability and range involved, cartridge make and load suitable for the quarry involved . Always worth a browse to see whats on offer second hand wise in other makes if price is an issue. As many say on here you get what you pay for and some people have had problems with hatsan's. But also known 2 club members that have had repeated problems with new berretas. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lampwick Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Bit of a Hatsan love in and yes they are good value there does appear to be a bit of snobbery about them and there is an ongoing debate about reliability i guess you won't know till you try, Go for what suits your pocket and you. I've got two Franchi's both second hand and great value more than happy with them. Shippy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzy518 Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 (edited) I have had a Hatsan bought new 3 years ago. I have to say that I found it reliable and only suffered a few jams with it. The spring in the magazine cut of switch went one day in the field and fouled the tube so that carts would not exit the magazine into the breech. 5 minutes later and I removed the spring and switch and the gun continued to fire faultlessly. The previous posters comment about the breech not being able to be locked open without firing the gun? I don't know what all that's about, the working parts always locked back manually on mine and only went forwards when the release button was pushed. I used to lock the parts back when moving between clay stands so that all could see the gun was unloaded. I only parted with my Hatsan as I got a Beretta Extrema 2 and this gun has been absolutely brilliant. I seem to get on much better with it and the Hatsan was consigned to the cabinet never again to be used. The Hatsan has now been sold. For me it was a starter gun in the semi world, I for one enjoyed owning it. Edited February 2, 2011 by ozzy518 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Good advice lads cheers! :-) Those of you with hatsan escorts, what make and load of cartridge do you find works best in it? What chokes come with the gun and which one do you use? And do they come with stock spacers to alter the angle of the stock like some other makes and models do? Sorry for all the questions, just aant to make sure it's the right gun for me before parting with my hard earned cash! lol :-) i use eley HBpigeon 6.5 shot 32 grms you get a set of 5 chokes,, when i`m pigeon shooting i like to use full choke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 yes you can open the breech, then put the safety catch on, so you cant pull the trigger, but Im baffled, why would you want to lock the breech open? I like to be able to have the breech open, so others can see it's not loaded. Also, if I'm using it walking around I like to look to check the barrel's clear before I reload the gun. Breech open you can see down the barrel from the sharp end to check it's clear. The Hatsan (and a midland) I saw yesterday didn't appear to be able to have the breech locked open unless you pulled the trigger (on an empty gun) then the breech bolt held open. The Hatsan owner moaned like mad about the button on the side you have to press to load the gun too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon predator Posted February 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Thanks for all your input lads, very much appreciated :-) Nice one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangey Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Hi guys I'm after a new semi for pigeon shooting, anyone got any thought as to the best ones or ones to avoid? And has anyone got a hatsan escort semi? As these seem too good to be true for the money or are they any good all depends on how much you want to spend.ive had a hatsan and you cant argue they are cheap but you either get a good one or a piece of ****.mine happened to be the latter,and got rid of and pushed the boat out and got myself a maxus for pigeon shooting.no regrets there.if money was no object,how many shooters would choose a hatsan over a beretta,browning or benelli..... :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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