Escort 12 guage = P.O.S.

[Bandit01]

Okay, I bought an Escort 12 guage shotgun (something like $250). From day 1, it's always been a P.O.S. It's cool just to blow things up but that's it. It's about 8 months old. Over the past couple of months, it started jamming up on me where shells would always get jam up. The other day, I took it apart to clean it. Now, it's somehow jammed where I can't get anything to move, pump or disconnect. Before anyone starts condemning me, let me say this: I'm always careful with all of my firearms. As a reloader, I have gained extra respect for firearms. I'm now trying to decide if I should just cut my loss and get a decent shotgun or take it to a gunsmith. Several months ago, I sold all of my crappy pistols because I only want to keep on hand high quality fire arms (the crappy ones always gives problems--and this shotgun is no exception).

Is it common to have a difficult time re-assembling a shotgun?
Is it common for shells to jam in the barrell?
Is it worth trying to have it repaired? For $250, it's not a real lost.
Here's the other issue, I'm really attracted to the Saiga-12 (which is border line crappy as well). If I was to purchase one (another $250 investment), can I purchase aftermarket magazines that'll hold more than 5 rounds?

Thanks All!

 

[Fred Fuller]

"Is it common to have a difficult time re-assembling a shotgun?"
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As a rule, no.

"Is it common for shells to jam in the barrell?"
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It's supposed to be very UNcommon for that to happen, in fact.

"Is it worth trying to have it repaired?"
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IMHO, not to keep. Get it shooting again (send it back to the dealer/manufacturer) and find it a new home, or sell it as is for what you can get out of it.

"For $250, it's not a real lost."
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IMHO, it is- but I'm retired now and $250 isn't as easy to come by as it once was. For your original $250 you could have bought any of the big four pumpguns (Ithaca, Mossberg, Remington, Winchester in alphabetical order) in good used condition if not new, had a lifetime's worth of working shotgun that would not have caused you the headaches you've had, and not had to spend the money over again to get a working gun.

"Here's the other issue, I'm really attracted to the Saiga-12 (which is border line crappy as well). If I was to purchase one (another $250 investment), can I purchase aftermarket magazines that'll hold more than 5 rounds?"
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This one I will leave to the Saiga fans for the most part. IMHO the only shotgun you have shouldn't be based on the Kalashnikov pattern, it's a little unconventional/unorthodox for many shotgun applications like hunting or clay games. But if all you plan to do with it is "blow things up" than it won't matter too much what it looks like to anyone else as long as you think it looks kewl.

Stay safe,

lpl/nc

 

[atblis]

I think you could have gotton a new 870 for about 250

The Saiga does look like fun. You can supposedly get 8 round mags for them, but they are absurdly expensive at the moment.

 

[mr.trooper]

Yea $250 is a loss. Considering you could have purchased any number of quality pumps for that price. Walmart sells 870 express for $230'ish, 1100's&1300's for $230'ish, and bantam 500's for $210............

Get it fixed, then Sell/Pawn it...maybeee you can get soemthing out of it.

 

[lbmii]

Actually do not feel to bad about the whole reassembly thing. I had quite a diffucult time getting my Mossberg back together.

Spent shells stuck in the chamber is a bit odd. Is the extractor messed up?

 

[runswithscissors]

Saiga's are great to blow stuff up with

Saiga's are great fun. Reliable, easy to clean, and not too expensive. They do make a 3, 5, and 8 round magazine for the shotgun. They also make a 20 rounder but that one is only used on the full auto version with the Russian police. I watched a video of a guy shooting the Saiga full auto... It was very interesting. My Saiga is reliable and I would defeninently recommend it to someone else. Just get a buffer, that will help reduce felt recoil.

 

[det.pat]

i have several saigas, 870's and one of my favorite social shotguns is an 1897 takedown. just a super gun. that siad i think that my saiga 12 is the best deal in a combat/hd shotgun. i think that the mags will come down when the new importer ramps up.
pat

 

[MikeIsaj]

My friendly neighborhood gun shop will sell an Escort for around $150.00. My son has one, it does have a very sharp and harsh recoil but other than that is an OK gun. No operational problems yet. Probably has 200+ shots fired.

 

[Bandit01]

MikeIsaj, I'm glad that your son is enjoying his Escort, it's a great low end shotgun to learn on and to tinker around with. I put around 1500 or more rounds threw mine's. I noticed a lil while back that with factory bought Winchester ammo, it started seriously jamming up. It got to the point where I was skeptical even firing it. When I did, I had to fire so slow and gentle that it would throw off my concentration. (The jamming occured while loading and while pumping). I don't want to be in a situation where someone breaks into my home and I go to grab my shotgun and it jams up on me or will not pump. It's an intense heated situation and I (as you) will need a reliable weapon to protect me and my soon to be family. Any way, the fatal day came when I dis-assembled it for cleaning. I have numerous pistols and can dis-assembled them easily. I 'm a very careful person and pays attention to detail. I'm posititive that it wasn't my fault that the POS broke. The shotgun is simply cheap. It's a great first shotgun and something to learn on but nothing more. I would never use it for hunting, defense or training a love on. Funny thing at the range, a buddy of mine (picture Swartanagger 10 years ago, with dreads and black) who is ex-Marine used it. He said that it had to much recoil and wasn't comfortable to shoot. He let me use his Saiga (which is why I'm questioning it). TO ME, it was easier to shoot (plus he modified it). Despite my numerous pistols, I still want a shotgun for home defense and for the range. Now, the POS won't even pump. Recently, I sold all of my crappy inferior pistols and kept all of the quality ones (I recently bought a Colt Delta Elite). The same goes for my choice of a shotgun. I've decided that I'm going to go with a Remington 870 Marine. The name and reputation is outstanding and I know people that own said shotgun. I've only heard good things about it. At Bass Pro Shop, it's going for $499. I'll probably pick it up next week. In addition, they have a cool looking double barrell shot gun that I'm going to investigage. (Look out for my post on it).

From this situation, I've learned that if you have the financial means, go for quality, it'll save you in the long run. Buying something just because it's cheap price wise or at the advice of a salesman is not the best way of purchasing. You'll only have problems down the line. Besides, I'm tired of when people as the brand of my shotgun and my response being, "Escort" they usually say, "What's that"?

 

[loandr.]

saiga-12's rock....i keep up with the local HIGH end semi's all day long, 5 and 8 rd'er are avaiable. try www.saiga-12.com and enjoy. reliability of a pump, with the speed of a semi AND all affordable?????......you dont have one yet......because??? . Get the 19 inch threaded version with the Bolt hold open and you will be mucho pleased sir.

Loandr.

 

[The_Antibubba]

Mossberg has an economy model called The Maverick-about $150 new, I think.