barrie0 Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 Hi guys , Just been down to the clay club and thought I would have a go with the clubs semi a beretta 302 . Got on very well with it in fact I beat my Lanber o/u scores I have been pondering a semi auto for a while now as it will be very useful for the pigeons as well (extra shot) . I aim for a budget of around £350 although I could stretch to a bit more and for that price I could buy a secondhand beretta or a new Hatson Escort which have good write ups , although I am not able to try out the Escort and wondered if anyone on here has , and could compare it to the beretta models and I am also pondering on the synthetic vs wood stock of the Escort which I am mainly leaning to the synthetic as it wont get as damaged and easier to clean than the wood etc . I think it would be down to the handling and fit of the Escort compared to the Beretta and I am inclined to go for an Escort as its new etc for the same price as a secondhand Beretta . But any comments , comparisons etc would be very welcome . Cheers Barrie Edit " I have also been looking at the al391 synthetic models on the guntrader site a bit more expensive , but how are these rated and do they handle,balance like the a302 etc , I think it now may be a choice of the synthetic Escort vs the AL391 synthetic" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apbuild Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 Beretta every time!!!!!! Would not touch the Escort with a barge-pole mate. Heard reports that they keep jamming and don't cycle very well. The Gentleman that has just bought my Beretta A303 actually took his Escort back to the gunshop and got his money back, before he bought my Beretta. Others may disagree, but I feel that the Beretta would serve you better. Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 (edited) ive used a 302 alot, it was a very nice gun, i actually preffered it to the 391 teknys gold my dad part xchanged it for, it was im absolutely mint condition and is (or was) on sale in east grinstead for about 350 it was a very shot gun in the stock, good for vermin days when you have the barbour on etc.., the unusual choke deisign looked a little strange but you couldnt faulter it on functionality. overall it was amazingly reliable and the only reason my dad sold it was becuase the lock back feature was in a place which meant he was catching it when he had the gun dismounted, (changed his stance due to a repetitive strain injury sustained from working on keyboards so much) this resulted in lots of 'bang....click...****' and was starting to anoy him. i have only used a 303 a few times, but it was very much the same, but slightly more refined. i agree with apbuild, beretta semi auto's are in a leauge of their own Edited May 8, 2005 by dunganick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wigeon Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 Beretta every time!!!!!! Would not touch the Escort with a barge-pole mate. Heard reports that they keep jamming and don't cycle very well. The Gentleman that has just bought my Beretta A303 actually took his Escort back to the gunshop and got his money back, before he bought my Beretta. Others may disagree, but I feel that the Beretta would serve you better. Rob. So Mike bought your gun i wonder if he had any luck shooting pigeons with it friday - saturday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apbuild Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 Blinkin well hope so or he'll want his dosh back!!!! He was well up for his little trip down here. Hope he had a good time. Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 I owned a Beretta 301 and in the early 80's I had the extended use of a 303. They were both the best semi autos I have ever used. Friends who own Bennelli's rave about them and I have been impressed with them, on the few occasions I have used one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrie0 Posted May 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 Cheers guys , seems like you are all beretta fans although I am still pondering on the Escort but need someones review,experience etc of it at least . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 barrieO, if you do a search for "escort" you will find a lot of posts on this gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrie0 Posted May 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 Done that already Ern , but I am just seeing if anyone who has used a beretta and also an escort could compare the two in balance , fitting etc as I cannot try out an Escort to compare to the Berreta and don't fancy forking out £350 for an Escort and then trading it in for a Berreta . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sniper Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 BarrieO, If it helps you make up your mind, I asked my gunsmith what he thought of the Escort. He obligingly showed me one that he had in his shop. His comment was, " It's in for repair. " Enough said ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 had a escort for a week brand new, took it back, it had packed in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 (edited) ROB cannot remember the last time someone called me a gentleman but you are right the escort went back after 4weeks as it had jammed 4 times it is a load of ****e in my oppinion. your x berretta preformed great over the week end not many pigeons but a few squirrels when we went walkabout in the woods WELL PLEASED WITH IT MATE THANKS.MIKE :o :o Edited May 8, 2005 by hawkeye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 Blinkin well hope so or he'll want his dosh back!!!! :o :o He was well up for his little trip down here. Hope he had a good time. Rob. had a great time no chance getting my dosh back your lass will have it stashed by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 Cheers guys , seems like you are all beretta fans although I am still pondering on the Escort but need someones review,experience etc of it at least . as rob said took mine back and got money back bloody thing kept jamming. :*) :*) :*) :*) :*) :o :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 (edited) Beretta every time!!!!!! Would not touch the Escort with a barge-pole mate. Heard reports that they keep jamming and don't cycle very well. The Gentleman that has just bought my Beretta A303 actually took his Escort back to the gunshop and got his money back, before he bought my Beretta. Others may disagree, but I feel that the Beretta would serve you better. Rob. So Mike bought your gun i wonder if he had any luck shooting pigeons with it friday - saturday WIDGEON had great time not many pigeons though but good laught quite a few squirrels. got all the stuff from NPPC waiting on mat when i got home have to buy some maps and try to figure it out . have you sent of yet. Mike :*) :*) :*) :*) :*) :*) :o :o Edited May 8, 2005 by hawkeye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrie0 Posted May 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 I think the above comments have now put me off an Escort , so I think I am going to stretch to either a secondhand al391 synthetic or another couple of semis that have caught the eye a franchi raptor 712 or the franchi variomax . Shall have to get into the chariot next weekend and take a trip to the witney gunshops . Thanks all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apbuild Posted May 9, 2005 Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 Go and see Francis Lovell in Witney. I am sure he can put you together with your perfect partner. Rob's dating agency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrie0 Posted May 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 That was my plan to go there AP as I got my lanber from him and he gave me a good deal/part ex on my old lanber and he seems good on prices , also may pop to adenbourne but have never been there before . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted May 9, 2005 Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 Barrieo , we have some nice semis at work. Based in Wiltshire. New A391 28" Synthetic at £675. Mint A390 30" sporter at £490. Mint Franchi Raptor at £550. Give me a PM for more details if you want any or a larger stock list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted May 11, 2005 Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 Hi Barrie I had a Escort Semi Auto for a short while, (bought and sold on this forum) I wouldnt let any one put you off them. Yes Ive heard the early imported guns are prone to the occassional jam but I fired nearly 4 cases through mine and to be honest it never jammed once. One of the Farmers on whose land I shoot has one of the first imported models and he tells me he has never experienced a jam either. Essentially you are comparing two guns from different price ranges and its like trying to compare a Merc with a Skoda. Now 20 years ago their would have been a big differential but now?? For £350 you cant go wrong and if they do jam occassionally they are a piece of P*** to strip. The only reason I sold mine was to get some cabinet space and I fancied a Miroku sporter in exchange otherwise i would still have it and probably still be using it. Hatsan are a Turkish company which have a very good global reputation for build quality and engineering expertise. If I had to choose between a new gun which might have some problems and a second hand gun with unknown history I know which I would choose. Cheers FM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrie0 Posted May 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 I will still have a look at the escorts Mike , but it does'nt look like it will be this weekend as I sent my certificate in last saturday (registered post) but have not heard a dicky bird since . Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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