Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Hatsan Escort Shotgun
14 November 2016, 21:29,
#1
Hatsan Escort Shotgun
Over the past few weeks I have researched, pondered on and then purchased a new shotgun.

I wanted a new semi-auto 12 gauge for the field that would not set me back a fortune. Removable choke tubes were a must since I intend to use if for small game and turkey. Squirrels and turkey need a dense full choke pattern due to the range involved and my wing shooting leans to a modified (1/2-3/4) choke.

I settled on a Hatsan Escort 12 gauge semi-auto.

I discovered that this particular shotgun is very popular in GB but I have never seen a review of it on any of the prepper forums, but the British prepper forums are not known for their gun reviews.

Hatsan is a Turkish manufacturer and the Escort line has been imported in the UK for over 10 years. You-tube is thick with reviews on this model from people all over the world and in every imaginable language, so this gun has gotten around, almost around the world.

For those that think semi-auto shotguns are not legal in the UK be advised that their presence is strong among those that hold certificates. Apparently the SGC allows the 3 shot version and an FAC allows unlimited magazine capacity. At least that was the info from Hatsan and on the UK firearms forums

The shotgun comes in two forms, sporting and tactical. The tactical version has a magazine tube that allows 7 rounds and a pistol grip. The sporting version has a 5 shot capacity (4+1) and the standard stock configuration.

I purchased the sporting model with standard stock and 28" vent rib barrel such as a normal person would use. Not that I have anything against tactical type shotguns, I have been know to own one or five myself

I have stripped mine to the frame, cleaned and oiled it, then took it to traps yesterday. I shot 4 rounds of 25 and exhausted myself and my shoulder.

100 rounds without a hiccup. No failures to feed or eject, No parts falling off. No explosions.

It is a lightweight gun so it kicks a bit more than my all steel pump action guns. It also has a slightly sticky loading procedure that is going to have a learning curve. Not enough of a problem to distract from its good features.

One of the things I noted was that this shotgun seems to be a favorite "loaner gun" for wing shooting on African safaris. Not many people bother to ship their shotgun abroad when on safari so many of the guides keep beater guns around for the guests use on small game. These guns are expected to shoot properly for years with minimal problems.

The Hatsans are good enough to not be embarrassing when you hand it to a client but cheap enough that when you wear them out you can scrap them and buy another rather than spend a fortune shipping them back and forth to a service center that may be in the next continent.

One of the hints to their durability I spotted in the owners' manual. What lubrication is recommended? Auto motor oil! Just pull the dipstick out of the Land Rover and dribble some around!

That might indicate that this shotgun is a contender for a SHTF food snagger where coddling is impossible and durability is a must.

It is also a fast shooter. The Escort has become very popular among our 3 gun combat shooters over here and has successfully worked its way into the championships in several regions.

As time goes by, if anything should fall off the gun I will let everyone know.
__________
Every person should view freedom of speech as an essential right.
Without it you can not tell who the idiots are.
Reply
14 November 2016, 21:31,
#2
RE: Hatsan Escort Shotgun
http://hatsanshotguns.co.uk/
__________
Every person should view freedom of speech as an essential right.
Without it you can not tell who the idiots are.
Reply
15 November 2016, 09:28,
#3
RE: Hatsan Escort Shotgun
They were really popular for a time here and the market got flooded so I suppose those that wanted them went out and got one but they seem to have gone of the radar now , must be hundreds stashed away in gun cabinets all over the UK but you don't see them out and about in use very much , they were very competitively priced(seen them as cheap as £250 new) I already have a mp153 covering that base so I never really considered one.
Nothing is fool proof for a sufficiently talented fool!!!!
Reply
15 November 2016, 10:19,
#4
RE: Hatsan Escort Shotgun
Can't comment on fire arms ,but the hatsan 4410 air rifle is a bloody good rifle
just read alas Babylon ,so im going to get more salt!!!!
Reply
15 November 2016, 20:36,
#5
RE: Hatsan Escort Shotgun
Like Barneyboy I'm only experienced in their air rifles,which are good.
I'm interested in how this holds up for extended use, though I admit I usually only have eyes for the straight stock A5 when it comes to semi auto's. The lubrication piqued my interest though.That's what I use on my Browning.
Let us know your thought's after a few months with it Mort.
Reply
15 November 2016, 21:51,
#6
RE: Hatsan Escort Shotgun
I will keep posting concerning durability.

With 100 rounds already through the gun I should have 250-500 rounds out of it shooting skeet and trap before Christmas. That is a fairly accelerated use equal to or better than a year of forage/subsistence hunting where one is not going to fire more than one or two rounds per day.

I will add some test firing of slugs and buckshot to see how the chokes are regulated and how they handle those specialty loads.

I am also going into the heavy part of our hunting season so I will be carrying the gun around in the field for any and all shooting opportunities in all sorts of weather.

I thought the lube recommendations were uplifting too, and indicate a machine intended for rough use and continued operation without coddling. I use motor oil to lube my AK and it runs fine with that fluid. On some of my other hardware I use a blend of 5w-20 synthetic oil and automatic transmission fluid and it holds up well to high temperatures of use and cold temps of the environment.
__________
Every person should view freedom of speech as an essential right.
Without it you can not tell who the idiots are.
Reply
16 November 2016, 16:21,
#7
RE: Hatsan Escort Shotgun
We do have guns in the UK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nD9VSpfhvw Smile
ATB
Harry
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)