Granty84 Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 (edited) Hello all, I've recently purchased a Hatsan Escort Magnum 3.5" as my first shotgun. The shop I bought it from told me that 28gm 70mm cartridges would be adequate and not cause any issues with cycling- despite my doubts as the manual suggests that it will not cycle anything lighter than a 32g 70mm. When I voiced my doubts, the staff assured me that 28s wouldn't be a problem as the gun was second hand and would therefore be "broken in". I took it out for a round of clays with 28g Eley VIPs and must have had to clear the breach, of a half loaded cartridge, and manually re-load 20 of my 30 second shots, much to the amusement of my friends (Whenever I stepped up to the plate it was suggested that everyone else went for a pint!). As I'm fairly new to shooting and even newer to owning a gun, I wanted your opinions on what the shop told me. Should I take the cartridges back (the shop are happy to do this), or should I give the gun a good oiling? Personally I've got no issues buying 70mm 32g cartridges. Thank you in advance for your replies. PS: I don't need any comments of "Get anything other than an Escort". I wanted a knock about all purpose semi-auto and it was in my price range (which was rather restrictive!!) Edited August 12, 2012 by Granty84 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 Take the gun back and buy something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 Get a 3" chambered escort these are fine with 28gm loads the 3.5" can need heavier loads take it back mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 The key thing with semi auto's is to keep them clean so personally I would strip it down and give it a good clean. You know the job has been done right and you'll learn lots about the gun. Hatsans also have an O ring which if faulty or incorrectly positioned will cause cycling problems, I'm sure an owner will come along soon to offer first hand advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brown Sauce Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 The key thing with semi auto's is to keep them clean so personally I would strip it down and give it a good clean. You know the job has been done right and you'll learn lots about the gun. Hatsans also have an O ring which if faulty or incorrectly positioned will cause cycling problems, I'm sure an owner will come along soon to offer first hand advice. Agreed, semiautolee did a demo of stripping and cleaning the escort. I have the same gun and it seems to like supergem 28g 70mm fine, but not eley superb. You may find a faster cart will help. Hopefully this link will work. http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/155029-best-way-to-cleanbehind/page__hl__+cleaning%20+escort#entry1319080 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cant hit rabbits 123 Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 They have a reputation of being tempremental and difficult. They aren't the best design on the table and suffer faults accordingly. In all honesty, I would get a refund and buy something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 I would give it a thorough clean, semi's should be clean. If that doesn't work I'd then take it back and tell them it's not working, and pick up another one (or they might be able to fix it). Using 70mm carts, you shouldn't really have any jams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 As soon as you let them try and fix it you give up any claim to rejecting it as not fit for purpose and claiming a full refund. Hatsans are notorious for playing up, I owned three and none cycled reliably. Get your money back whilst you still can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon pete Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 i have a MP24A and yes they don't like light loads ,i tried gamebore golds and clear pigeon didn't like them ,they do like eley first 7.5 ,stick to 32g ,and dont take any notice of what people say about hatsan ,i shoot next to benelli and sagia 12 and remmys ,they all have there problems ,at the end of the day you could have a purdey but they are all steel tubes that shoot lead ,its all down to the nut behind the but http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxBCR-e_9XA and another one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfTDQybeOVU one more lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o9ZHRuDdGw and one more lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o9ZHRuDdGw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 When I voiced my doubts, the staff assured me that 28s wouldn't be a problem as the gun was second hand and would therefore be " broken in '' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon pete Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 here is one more http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o9ZHRuDdGw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granty84 Posted August 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 You may find a faster cart will help. The VIP is a faster cartridge I'm afraid!! That link is one I'll definitely use if I keep the Escort. I'm of a mind not to strip it and clean the mechanism until I've spoken to the chaps at the store- I feel if I strip it, I'm acknowledging that the cartridges are fine and it's the gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon pete Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 The VIP is a faster cartridge I'm afraid!! That link is one I'll definitely use if I keep the Escort. I'm of a mind not to strip it and clean the mechanism until I've spoken to the chaps at the store- I feel if I strip it, I'm acknowledging that the cartridges are fine and it's the gun. if they strip it ask then to clean the gas ports in the barrel ,the thing with semis is they use gas to cycle them and they like to be clean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 Personally I've got no issues buying 70mm 32g cartridges. Thank you in advance for your replies. PS: I don't need any comments of "Get anything other than an Escort". I wanted a knock about all purpose semi-auto and it was in my price range (which was rather restrictive!!) Why a semi? Why 3.5" as you say your new to shooting...... The clay ground may well have issue with you firing 32g loads.......28g max 7.5 shot or smaller for most Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 I am sure I read somewhere you will have to cycle some heavy carts first with a new gun to run in the action so to speak. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retromlc Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 3.5" hatsans can be troublesome,as a previous post suggest get the 3" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzthompson Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 Buy/trade for a 3". My 3" escort is flawless and runs 24g super steel all day long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4eyes Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 3.5" hatsans can be troublesome,as a previous post suggest get the 3" +1. No problems cycling 24g loads in my 3" version (so long as its clean). Dont see a need for the 3.5" unless your fowling. But even then, a 3" will do just fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 3.5" hatsans can be troublesome,as a previous post suggest get the 3" Also get the latest model with the extended chokes, as supposed to be more reliable as they have improved the gun, I spoke to Edgar Bros the other day as wanted to check when certain ser no.s were made, so if unsure of dates give them a ring to see when it was made and which varient it is, found they were very helpful. Some grounds impose a max load and shot size, 28G is the reconised max load for shooting clays, think some grounds near me have a max shot size of 7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 +1. No problems cycling 24g loads in my 3" version (so long as its clean). Dont see a need for the 3.5" unless your fowling. But even then, a 3" will do just fine :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 As said above you shouldnt have any issues with 28gram loads in any semi apart from maybe those soft as muck hull comp x`s ! Eley first or Eley olympics in a 28gram should cycle fine in your gun ! Is your Hatsan one that you can turn the gas piston around on for lighter/hevier loads ? may be worth checking that. I would take your gun back and get your cash back or find a different semi ! And normally 28gram is the heaviest load for a clay ground ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 (edited) EVERYONE HAS MISSED WHAT THE GUN MANUAL STATED, QUOTE " THIS 3 1/2 GUN WILL NOT CYCLE ANYTHING LESS THAN 32 GRAMS," The shop were wrong to tell you anything different, I would take it back and demand a refund on the fact you were ill advised, then buy a 3 inch one. I have a 3" hatsan it has never missed cycling anything, All the snobs that knock them probably have the 3 1/2 chamber and are missusing them the same as you are, the 3 1/2 is designed for heavy loads as the manual states. Good luck, don`t take any ******** be strong the shop was wrong. Edited August 13, 2012 by malantone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 Get in touch with Denny Essex, he uses the 3 1/2" chamber Hatsan, and I have never seen him have cycling issues. I know he doesn't clean it after every outing either. I've shot with Denny many times and don't recall any cycling issues. The odd one maybe but definitely not every outing and no more so than my Benelli semi auto does. Ask him what cartridges he puts through his. Cos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super sharp shooter Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 You could try Kent velocity in it they have a nice kick to them and worked the best in the semi auto's I've had. :} Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter.123 Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 As said above you shouldnt have any issues with 28gram loads in any semi apart from maybe those soft as muck hull comp x`s ! Eley first or Eley olympics in a 28gram should cycle fine in your gun ! Is your Hatsan one that you can turn the gas piston around on for lighter/hevier loads ? may be worth checking that. I would take your gun back and get your cash back or find a different semi ! And normally 28gram is the heaviest load for a clay ground ! Iv never known you could turn the gas piston around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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