semi auto shotgun advice

bewsher500

Well-Known Member
getting back into shotgun shooting after a 10 year gap
have a SBS for the game days
looking for a cheap and "abuse-able" semi for pigeons and wildfowl.
3" chamber and capable of taking abuse and steel shot
ideally £2-300 max

I like the look of the Hatsan Escorts as they seem to fit the bill and can be picked up for a couple of hundred quid

Any pitfalls in these?

Any other makes.models that would match that in price and usage?
 
I use an (old model) Franchi 48AL - bought it second(ish) hand; had some loading/ejection problems at first, but after completely dismantling and cleaning, it's been 100% reliable.
 
For that kind of money I'd be searching for a Beretta 301,302 and though you may have
to part with a little more cash a 303 model, all are multi chokes and are good reliable
workhorses.

Rgds, Buck.
 
I have the first generation Hatsan Escort with 3" chamber and its steel proved.

I have never had a problem with mine in the 7 odd years i have owned it. I have put 1000's of cartridges through it and it has been abused.

​If mine broke i would buy another
 
Might be worth looking in a couple of local 'smiths and see if there is anything on the secondhand racks.

David.
 
Might be worth looking in a couple of local 'smiths and see if there is anything on the secondhand racks.

David.

What would a blacksmith know about guns. :rofl:

I think you meant gun shops, there's not that many gunsmiths around in spite of what some would like to call themselves.
 
Sorry, idle use of the word! Anyway blacksmith might not be too far from the truth in some cases. :D

David.
 
Hatsan escort is a good, reliable workhorse. I've not heard of any problems with them myself.

Really? I've never heard a good word about them until now!

Personally I would go for a Beretta 302/303 at this end of the scale. Not sure if they were all 3'' though, maybe not. I used a 303 Sporter for clay shooting for a few years and I've never shot as well before or since, should never have sold it.

You can also get some bargains on older wooden stocked Benelli's.
 
Might be worth looking in a couple of local 'smiths and see if there is anything on the secondhand racks.

have you been to Edinburgh lately?
more guns behind bars in pubs in Pilton and Davidson's Mains than there are in gunshops in this city!

thanks for the comments
seems Hatsans are a bit of a lottery

those that have had problems with them what problems
​those that have heard about them....same question
 
hello look for an early benelli SL121 or SL123 or even the 90 i've had my benelli sl123 since 1982 and all i've ever replaced was the firing pin (£9) and that was about 10 years ago! they aren't 3" but are 2 3/4" magnum rated. easy to strip down and clean also. they are a bit hard to come by though!
 
have you been to Edinburgh lately?
more guns behind bars in pubs in Pilton and Davidson's Mains than there are in gunshops in this city!

thanks for the comments
seems Hatsans are a bit of a lottery

those that have had problems with them what problems
​those that have heard about them....same question

Mine had consistent jamming problems, tryed from the lightest load through to the heavy loads, made no difference,stripped an clean after every use, tryed the new o rings that was supplyed with it, made no differance, Then out in the field i had a part broke in it causing a cartridge to be jam sort of halfway from lifting the cartridge to loading it, took it home with the cartridge still jammed half way, strip down to remove the shot, took it back to where i purchase it from, they sent it of to had the new part fitted, I then swapped it for the beretta,

As you said i think its a bit of a lottery with them, ive heard good and lots of bad about them,
 
I used to have a Remmington 1100 and boy do I regret ever parting with it. It never let me down mechanicly and i shot really well with it. put thousands of cartridges through it and it was second hand when I bot it.
Tusker
 
I picked up a Franchi 5 shot at auction for the princely sum of.....




...£60!!!!

its not tidy, but it's not bad either, gave it a good clean, and I've put about 500 through with no problems, I know it's a bit of a lottery buying at auction, but it was worth a chance at that price, and it payed off :)

​Pete
 
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+ one with andrew, better to put a bit more money to and getting a beretta 391 (£500ish) pretty much bullet proof. second choice would be a winchester.
never had a hatsan but seems they are really good or really bad (poor quality control????)
Paul
 
i had 2 escorts and all there were was problems now have a benelli m2, and wish i got that in the start.... but if you arnt wanting to spend £1300 then look for a benelli m1 super90, or a beretta a390, but it is your money so its up too you my only advice is dont touch the escort......
 
I have had my escort about 6 years, never had a problem, mate bought one and messed with it, never cleaned it, eventually binned it as it was "no use"
 
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