HATSAN firearms, Escort Shotguns

[oldcop1971]

A friend of mine just bought a Hatsan Escort 12ga pump action shotgun which looks a lot like a Benelli Nova (he says, I know squat about shotguns), brand new in the box for $189.00. Their website, hatsan.com, click on escort at the top, shows some nice weapons. I particularly like the semi-auto PS Guard. They are made in Turkey, and his pump handles well. I have used Mosburg and Rem870 on duty but have never been a fan of the 12ga, perfering rifles for patrol. I wouldn't mind having one of these semi's for a HD gun, when I can come up with the money. Any input on this line of weapons? thanks
oc71

 

[Chuck Dye]

www.hatsan.com.tr

gets to the arms maker. Without the .tr you get a dubious clothier's site.

 

[USMC - Retired]

The actions actually apear to be copies of the Remington 870 and 1100. A company in Japan called Fuji Arms does the same thing with the 1100 but due to copy right laws they cant export them. I wouldn't be suprised if Remington made a bid to prohibit import of these for the same reason. The only thing on the pump that resembles a benelli nova is the forestock which is pretty much just window dressing. Still 189 bucks for an 870 aint a bad deal if the gun is well built with good materials. Just no way for me to tell that from the website. By the way, the website is www.hatsan.com.tr if you lear the .tr off you get some hat company....

 

[zinj]

I don't know about the pump, butthe auto doesn't look like a complete knockoff of the 1100, as the bolt-release is on the right side of the reciever in the standard place, unlike the 1100. It also is chambered for 3", and since 1100's aren't self compensating it wouldn't run well with standard 2.75in loads. 1100's are about the only guns in production that aren't self compensating (and even now that new G3 had that feature added). Plus most Turkish autos copy older Italian guns.

The pump does look alot like an 870, although something about the dimensions seems off.

 

[spanner659]

are these available in the us

 

[crazed_ss]

There's a whole bunch of them on sale the local gun store chain..
http://turners.com/engage/displayads.php

 

[WNTFW]

http://www.legacysports.com/escort/index.htm

From what I get they are the importer, exclusive distributor or something to that effect.

I have the Escort Camo Waterfowl and Turkey Combo (with HiViz Sights) HAT00018.

I shot it for the 1st time & along with my BPS on Saturday. It has been about 16+ years since I've shot shotguns. So I can't give any worthwile shooting impressions. I love my BPS & used it mainly. The gun functioned well & is light. I functioned poorly & felt heavy, sluggish, etc. I've been shooting rifles & trying to keep still, not move while shooting. I am going to try figureing out the skeet setup & used after acheiving results with the BPS. I prefer a thumb safety. There is a button on the side to press while loading, but the shells go in with little effort.

The gun came with a lot of things in the box. Some spare parts & stock spacers. The turkey sight is interesting. With it installed (on a barrel only)you naturally line it up. It was hard to misalign, you would automatically bring it into alignment. I didn't look at it with the barrel on the action.

I don't think its a bad deal. I got mine for free so I can't comment on street price - just MSRP. I met a guy that loves his & his wife got 1 also.

Hope this helps,
WNTFW