[HLG]

I know that this little 22 LR Semi-auto was made between 1970-1974, but I don't know anything else about them. I have a chance to buy an engraved nickle one in excelent condition, with box and papers for $299. Does anyone know if they were reliable shooters or were there a lot of problems with them?
Thanks for any info.
Herb:confused:

[Jim K]

The Escort was not a success. Reliability was not high in many of them, although mine gave no problems and is even reasonably accurate for a vest pocket pistol.

As to the price, the guns are not high on the anyone's list of collectibles, but the price sounds OK if you want the gun.

Be careful if taking off the grips, though; the cocked indicator will fly away if given a chance.

Jim

[Jim Watson]

Engraved?
Hmmmmm.
Me and my Dad swapped one back and forth for several years before trading it off for something more powerful. It worked ok with selected ammo, but I would still consider it more of a novelty than a serious weapon.

[Johnny Guest]

I got one of the first M61s to hit Fort Worth. Thought it would be wonderful to be able to do cheap practice with a small pocket gun - - - .25 ACP ammo was expensive. Traded a really nice Nambu pistol with holster and accessories for a like-new in box. To his credit, the former owner told me I'd be dissatisfied with it, and I was. Tried perhaps eight different types of ammo, solids and HP. It was an exceptional magazine that went thru without a malfunction. Bought a second mag to try. Didn't work well either.

I might, possibly buy an exceptional example as a collector's item, if offered at an exceptional price, but I would never depend on it for defense. The $299 would be way too high for me.

Best regards,
Johnny

[billw_willy]

I paid $250 for my M61, nice and with the box. It tends to carbon foul after about 15 rounds, will jam because of that and needs to be cleaned, relatively easy to do. I haven't shot it more than the one time for my daughter and she wanted it. I decided to get her a Walther P-22, longer barrel and hope she will practice enough to learn how to clear a jam as the guest's Walther jammed once while shooting it. The M61 is in the safe where it needs to be.