jez Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Advice needed please, I'm after a semi auto and willing to part with up to about £350. Should I go for a new Escort or something second hand? I will be using it for rough shooting / pigeons mainly. Any imput will be much appreciated. Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 so many options for you i have an escort and have had no problems with it (i bought it 2nd hand) a new one would be your best bet there are many other options out there but for the price youmay aswell get agun thats new...if anything goes wrong it can be sent back and sorted for not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmep Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 you'll probably get a 50:50 split on that one people seem to either like hatsans or not. for my money i'd buy a secondhand beretta A303 for that sort of money. had a fabarm that was around that sort of money and was nice as well. if you can stretch to a bit more a beretta 391 would be within your grasp, and in my opinion a much better option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Spend £400 on a S/H Beretta and you won't lose any money if you come to move it on, and you should get a nice quality gun. Buy a new Escort, and you'll probably lose 25% as soon as you put a box of carts through it. As said, some people love their Hatsan Escorts, some don't. I had 3 of them, but they all had problems, and I won't buy another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Escort is a great gun. Bought a 2nd hand one yesterday, already put 150 carts through it already and didn't get one blockage. Great gun for the money, but only if it fit's you and suites your style. Also a great rough shooting gun, and the wood stock ones look stunning :blink: :blink: :blink: , but the synthetic ones don't scratch very easily :good: , that's why i went for a synthetic as i need a workhorse rather than a looker, but the synthetic isn't ugly though, well not in my eyes :good: You would be better on getting a brand new one as you get the 3yrs warranty, which may become handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COACH Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Beretta 303 Browning B80 Winchester 1400 Remington 1100 All are excellent and will still last longer than the Escort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge hunter Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Same as above really mate, if you just want a good honest work horse get the escort, i got 1 last year and love it, i wanted a hard waring gun that still looked good, so i bought a synthetic 1 with the magic wood effect, a rea/ nice gun, only cost me 360 brand spanking new with 3yr warranty, cheets hh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Don't expect a Ferrari for Fiat Punto money and you'll be fine. If you are an engineer of appreciate good engineering, go for one on the 2ndhand list above. I've owned an Escort and very quickly saved up and bought another Beretta. The Escort is cheap and cheerful, if you're OK with that then go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jez Posted March 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Thanks for all the replies fellas, After weighing up all the advice I think i'm going to go the second hand route, probably a Beretta. Could someone please tell me the difference between the different model numbers of the Berettas, ie 303, 391 etc. All the info is much appreciated Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Beretta 303 Browning B80 Winchester 1400 Remington 1100 All are excellent and will still last longer than the Escort. I'd forgotten all about the Winchester 1400, despite owning one for years . Mine was very reliable indeed. I had one in the mid '80s , and it wasn't new when I bought it, so surviving examples could be a bit long in the tooth by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I was going to type out the years of production of the various Beretta Semis but this does it better..... http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/everygun/GunMfgCategoryDetail.aspx?id=243 I've owned (over the years) a 301 - 303 - 390 and several 391s..... All of them market leaders in their days.... . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I'd forgotten all about the Winchester 1400, despite owning one for years . Mine was very reliable indeed. I had one in the mid '80s , and it wasn't new when I bought it, so surviving examples could be a bit long in the tooth by now. And sadly VERY difficult to get spares for from the UK - Although there is plenty of after market parts makers in the US if you can get the bits over here.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSPUK Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I have had both Winchester 1400/1500 and remmy 1187/1100 - I shot well with both but they are made from same baked bean cans - You will find it difficult to get spares for Winchester and expensive for Remmy -- Never had a browning B80 but have had 390/391's both knock spots off win/remmy for build quality. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Is no-one going to mention Benellis? Or are they still too new for that price bracket. Never had one but have read on here that they are good, reliable guns. Personally, at that price it would have to be a 301/2or3. All good to shoot and will out last cheaper guns that may be newer! GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 There are also FABARM/BAIKAL/FRANCHI and plenty of others.. Italian older or New Turkish to choose from. Turkish rebrands from Webley & Snott/MIDLAND etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daiboy1234 Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Advice needed please, I'm after a semi auto and willing to part with up to about £350. Should I go for a new Escort or something second hand? I will be using it for rough shooting / pigeons mainly. Any imput will be much appreciated. Jez Well matey got to be an Hatsan Escorts i have one never had a problem with it. I also have a Beretta A303 that jams now and then...and I have a good old shadow never had a prob with that gun had it 25 years now But for the low cost of an Escort. I don’t think you can go wrong as my mates had a Beretta Extreme 2 that was I got to say **** for all the money he paid for it .had it in and out the shop for months They are like cars...when it come to guns you get a good or bad one So take your time and go with that feels right for you Dai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Thanks for all the replies fellas, After weighing up all the advice I think i'm going to go the second hand route, probably a Beretta. Could someone please tell me the difference between the different model numbers of the Berettas, ie 303, 391 etc. All the info is much appreciated Jez good move ignore all the hatstand advice, I use a browning B80 that I'd guess is nearly as old as me, you won't get many hatstands about that last that long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 (edited) good move ignore all the hatstand advice, I use a browning B80 that I'd guess is nearly as old as me, you won't get many hatstands about that last that long But for the price you can buy a few hatsans for the price of what a new one of those was and the few hatsans will still be going if you take care of them guns / cars all the same some look well and seem a good price and are worth every penny someone may buy the same and not get as good a lifespan out of it or have nout but trouble with it it is pot luck benelli super 90 should be a contender, they are good guns, i like them as they seem alot slimmer than most Edited March 16, 2011 by TJ91 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 For the money you are looking to spend get yourself a decent secondhand Beretta 303. They are without doubt the best and most reliable semi auto ever made. For around £350 you can get a nice one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 But for the price you can buy a few hatsans for the price of what a new one of those was and the few hatsans will still be going if you take care of them guns / cars all the same some look well and seem a good price and are worth every penny someone may buy the same and not get as good a lifespan out of it or have nout but trouble with it it is pot luck benelli super 90 should be a contender, they are good guns, i like them as they seem alot slimmer than most I seem to remember this was about £150 10 years ago so I'd stick with the decent make second hand advice. I don't want a gun that is fussy with cartridges, needs o rings changed and TLC to make it shoot properly. You can guarantee it will break when you are on for a decent day and at that point I'd want to start knocking in fence posts with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 For the money you are looking to spend get yourself a decent secondhand Beretta 303. They are without doubt the best and most reliable semi auto ever made. For around £350 you can get a nice one. my second one wasnt my first one had a long life with an awful lot of carts through it, finished up in the bin when it became to unsafe to use. the second one had an easy life before i got it, hadnt been used much, it lasted me all of 20 shots before it gave me a problem that cost £50, 100 shots later same problem, fixed with genuine berretta part and 300 shotys later it went again, hence the reason i dont have one now some work and last others the same age and make dont Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 I seem to remember this was about £150 10 years ago so I'd stick with the decent make second hand advice. I don't want a gun that is fussy with cartridges, needs o rings changed and TLC to make it shoot properly. You can guarantee it will break when you are on for a decent day and at that point I'd want to start knocking in fence posts with it. well i had a black gun that had 'hatsan escort magnum' wrote on the side it ejected evry cartridge i put in it the o-ring was the same from new, after over 10000 shots it was still there in good nick it didnt need TLC just a squiet of oil and a wip over when coming off the marsh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanmidg Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 For the money you are looking to spend get yourself a decent secondhand Beretta 303. They are without doubt the best and most reliable semi auto ever made. For around £350 you can get a nice one. I second that. I got an old B80 same thing, heavy thing it is, but reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Well matey got to be an Hatsan Escorts i have one never had a problem with it. I also have a Beretta A303 that jams now and then...and I have a good old shadow never had a prob with that gun had it 25 years now But for the low cost of an Escort. I don’t think you can go wrong as my mates had a Beretta Extreme 2 that was I got to say **** for all the money he paid for it .had it in and out the shop for months They are like cars...when it come to guns you get a good or bad one So take your time and go with that feels right for you Also have to agree with you on the escort. Great guns, theyre so cheap and cheerful. Mines had about 200 carts through it and not one jam yet Some 303's are great some are not so good. Some jam quite often as said above but some dont jam at all, great gun if you get the rite one :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oops Missed Again Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 I've got 3 semi autos and the best one for me is the 1100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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