hatsan escort

[scarter]

hi guys just wondered how you rated the 12g semi autos,im looking at buying a 3 1/2 inch model for wildfowling how are they with the heavy loads? whats the overall thoughts too?

thanks

[decoy1979]

Marmite, some love them others hate them, as far as i'm concerned they do the job well and the fact they aren't a lot of money you won't be too upset if it takes the odd knock/scratch or gets coated with mud & salt water.

Edited April 8, 2013 by decoy1979

[bigman]

Mines been good as gold 3in version , gets the odd knock, scratch and it's no bother

[MBW]

Had one and didn't like it, it jammed with nearly any load I put through it and nine times out of ten on fireing first shot it would eject the empty and the next shell at once, then the magazine shutoff switch flew off one day I also find it quite heavy compared with other autos, a couple of mates had them at the same time and with much the same problems.

 

By all accounts the newer ones are better ( the ones with the curvy recoil pad ) but I have never used one I'm more once bitten twice shy since it was a lot of money to spend on the gun and it was a disappointment. I use a Winchester sx3 and would highly recommend them,

 

Forgot to add, my escort was a working gun used day in day out when I was keepering full time so it might be ok as an occasional use gun, however if I had to open my wallet again it wouldn't be on an escort....... But what works for some doesn't for others. Maybe worth asking around and try to get a shot of one and see what you think

Edited April 8, 2013 by MBW

[OvEr_KiLL]

the newer escorts are fine if you ONLY USE 70mm cartridges and NOTHING LESS than 24g, 28g to be on the safe side!!!

and you have to KEEP THEM CLEAN for them to cycle correctly, including the 2 gas holes in the barrel which you can clean with pipe cleaners, cheap as chips on ebay!

other than that good all round cheap semis that can take knocks and scratches

Edited April 8, 2013 by OvEr_KiLL

[bigman]

Iv been using 67mm carts in mine and not had a single jam ,

[OvEr_KiLL]

Iv been using 67mm carts in mine and not had a single jam ,

i think it was actually 67mm, 70mm just to be sure!

lets say nothing less than 67mm

Edited April 8, 2013 by OvEr_KiLL

[Shooting2]

I've had the field hunter pump action escort for over year now and gets used on a daily basis. It was very cheap brand new at £300 from my local gun shop and touch wood never had any problems apart from when you don't pull the action far back enough. It came with 3 year warranty ant to me it has certainly proved it's worth, even if it does only last me three years at that price you would struggle to find a gun that takes little cleaning, used daily, shot over 10000 carts, is steel proofed, comes with 5 chokes, takes 3" loads without a problem, has fully adjustable stock, takes a battering on most outings, is covered in mud, and never fails to fire or eject without a problem.

 

Ok, the overall finish isn't the best but what do you want from a gun, reliability or the looks. Some would probably disagree with me and think escorts are a bag of **** But the one I have serves me well and has never failed yet.

I know what I would go for, the looks and the cost isn't everything if you think the gun is suitable go for it, it's your choice.

As said "marmite" some love em some hate em, I think you can probably guess my opinion on this one.

 

Good look!!

[clakk]

love mine to bits,3"semi.67mm 28g .70mm 30g and my homereloads no probs.just clean the two gas vents every time.i use i bottle brush no problems .280 quid new 3 year cover wots to worry about

[OvEr_KiLL]

280 quid new 3 year cover wots to worry about

more like 370 quid new

Edited April 8, 2013 by OvEr_KiLL

[clakk]

newark show last year 280 quid last 1 on the stall .boxed 5 chokes ,shims spares etc registered with edgar bros no problemo

Edited April 8, 2013 by clakk

[Churchill]

I think there like most semi's, keep them clean including the gas ports in the barrel as stated above and use the correct ammo (70mm and you wont go far wrong). Having said that i went for a Browning Maxus but that's not in everyone's price range.

[subsonicnat]

Had My 3.5" for two seasons, you won`t regret it, its all about ammo mate; no such thing as a Friday or Monday gun:

[markws80]

Been shooting my escort for a bit now
One thing that has been ******* me off is it dose not cycle short cartridge less then 70mm or light loads
I have keep the gun very clean new O ring and light oil try it all
So i tryed somethink i cut the recoil spring down
slowly i cut 1 coil of at a time put some light/short loads in and fired then off to see how it cycles and it got better and better the more coils i cut off
the gun will cycle 65mm and light loads :good:
JUST DONT CUT TO MANY COILS OFF

[BrowningDJC]

I know a few people who have had these, and all of them have had issues with them! I would save a bit more money and buy something better quality. But some people may have had different experiences.

[DreadedFlapper]

Been shooting my escort for a bit now

One thing that has been ******* me off is it dose not cycle short cartridge less then 70mm or light loads

I have keep the gun very clean new O ring and light oil try it all

So i tryed somethink i cut the recoil spring down

slowly i cut 1 coil of at a time put some light/short loads in and fired then off to see how it cycles and it got better and better the more coils i cut off

the gun will cycle 65mm and light loads :good:

JUST DONT CUT TO MANY COILS OFF

Have you got any spring left!!!

[OvEr_KiLL]

i dont see why people would use lighter loads in a semi...and whats so special about 65mm cartridges?

[Daks]

I almost brought one new, but decided on a second hand beretta 301 semi, which performs perfectly. You get some good deals in the trading post, have a nosy.

[longgun]

Been shooting my escort for a bit now

One thing that has been ******* me off is it dose not cycle short cartridge less then 70mm or light loads

I have keep the gun very clean new O ring and light oil try it all

So i tryed somethink i cut the recoil spring down

slowly i cut 1 coil of at a time put some light/short loads in and fired then off to see how it cycles and it got better and better the more coils i cut off

the gun will cycle 65mm and light loads :good:

JUST DONT CUT TO MANY COILS OFF

 

Very good idea. I can suggest this other and refer to you I will try too but must buy a new spring first. Thanks

[-Mongrel-]

I've been using a Hatsan 3" s/a for a seasons 'fowling and on the pigeons/crows since and it's just kept on going...

 

So long as it's kept clean internally, mine's now fully stripped and cleaned every second trip out.

 

I don't know how much maintenance other semi autos need, but I clean my guns regularly anyway and this is acceptable to me.

[malantone]

If you buy the 31/2 inch they need heavy loads, I would buy a 3inch as they will take a heavy load and also cycle lighter loads for pigeons etc.

[markws80]

Ha Ha we must get out shooting or have a beer

Have you got any spring left!!!

[Anonymouslemming]

I've had 2 jams in around 2000 cartridges on a 3" Hatsan semi (bought new in November last year). It works and as it already has 2 scratches on it, I'm glad it wasn't something more expensive.

[DreadedFlapper]

Ha Ha we must get out shooting or have a beer

It's overdue now!!