First video with this Escort shotgun: ruclips.net/video/nWAI57VAR9M/видео.html Also, as an FYI, since this cheap shotgun never seemed to break in and function smoothly, I decided to just order another one from Bud's. I just bought one for myself and will see how it compares. Shot it yesterday doing some tree trimming. My first impression after just 15 or 20 shots is that it seems to cycle a bit more smoothly, or at least not tend to hang up. Not sure yet, but I'll shoot it a fair amount and let you know how it goes. Part of the problem with this Escort is the strange configuration of the slide grip. It's like it's only designed to get a firm grasp when PULLING it rearward. Problem is, it sometimes requires even MORE force to move it forward to make sure you get it fully into battery, and with this design, my hand and fingers want to slip off.
i have one of them escort sluggers and had no issues with it the whole year ive had it you do have to rack them back a little harder then most shotguns to get that shell to eject right when slam firing but itll hold up i love mine
Just Purchased a Smith and Wesson, .38 Special, M&P, Blackout, colored with a rubberized gray grip. Love it! I have to take Concealed Carry Classes though, for Self-Defense, because where I live, there are Laws that have to be abided for Carry Pistols. Mostly, the reason I bought the Pistol, was for Self-Defense and Concealed Carry. There is no cocker on the .38 Special, which I really like! Brand-New, as well, for 470 Dollars. Nice, small size, very pocketable. Thanks for the awesome videos, hickok45! Stay safe, now!
How times have changed. My Mossberg 500 was $189 brand new 27 years ago and has never had an issue and would be considered dirt cheap these days at that price. For comparison, I saw a comment that the escort costs about the same as 30 gallons of gas and when my mossberg was purchased it cost about the same as 189 gallons of gas. Moral of the story is that Inflation sucks lol.
I love my Maverick 88 Field. About 1000 shells through it in all weather conditions - I've never cleaned it or oiled it and have never had a single problem with it. It always fires, ejects and feeds. I think my father paid $149 + tax (CAD) in 2015 for my Christmas gift... I'm going to clean it and oil it this week now that I think of it haha
Take it apart, clean it, oil it, then cycle the action a few hundred times to break it in. My guess is that the internal parts are not as precision fit as the Mossberg or Remington so the action is not as smooth or as reliable from the factory.
@@PassivePortfolios For that price, they certainly don't have the budget to polish or fit any parts. They just take them out of the machine and assemble the guns.
I speak as a local and a escort owner. In low-budget Turkish-made rifles, lubrication is thick at the factory. It will fit better when you lubricate it normally after shooting for a while. They produce much better weapons with a little more budget.
Agreed. Mr Hickok45 is a great teacher. I’ve admired Mas Ayoob and Jeff Cooper since the 1980’s. I only recently came across Hickok45 and really enjoy his channel. His videos remind me of hanging out with my husband, brother in law and friends, shooting and grilling out; saving the beer until our ammo ran out and the brass was picked up.
At one point with the Escort, when you were not trying to "machine gun", you got off 6 shells in 5 seconds very smoothly. I would think that would take care of 99.9% of any defensive needs. The Escort might be a good option, but I'd like to see you do a comparison with the Mossberg Maverick 88. You can get that gun for about a little over $200.
@The Revolver Den I believe they are talking about the comment we are all replying to it says it was written 6days ago when the videos only been up for like half an hour haha
In Ukraine, a Maverick costs 88 - 550 bucks, a Hatsan Escort costs 300. I read the comments and became sad. I think that every person should have something like an RPG 7 at home or at least a 122 caliber mortar, but first it would be nice to stabilize the arms market and saturate it
My escort used to do the same ejecting thing. Sent it back to the factory and they renewed a part (can’t remember which) Now it works fine. Nice gun for the price.
The bolt looks like a Remington 870. I wonder if replacing the extractor with a machined replacement like a Volquartsen would work in this and get better extraction reliability. It's what I ended up doing to my Remington 870 Tactical to make it extract reliably as the MIM part was causing failures to extract numerous enough times to be a concern. It runs great now.
I just wish it had a better finish on it. It just doesn’t hold up where I live so it’s not really worth it unless you plan to get a nicer finish on it. At which point it kind of defeats the purpose and you might as well get a better 500 or 590.
I have both and I say the Slugger is better bang for the buck. Was shocked at how smooth it cycles and recoil management even with high brass was impressive. 88 looks better though.
Its been my experience with cheap chinese and turkish shotguns that after a 1k or so rounds the receiver wears out. With that being said for a homeowner you could put one of these by every door for less money than a upgraded 870. Should the only purpose be to sit at the ready, it is a good deal.
@peterkerns7071 The bolt guides on cheap shotguns are what wears out on them, they are generally cast out of cheap material and friction wears them out.
Check out Derya shotguns; they seem to be some of the best turkish made ones. As for my own experience, I own a Salix Arms "less lethal" shotgun with a 4140 chrome-moly steel barrel and 7075 aluminium for the receiver, and while I had some hang ups when I shot it for the first times, after 100+ rounds it's gotten a lot better, it could be much better, but here in Colombia, a basic mossberg 500 without a stock goes for $1600, which takes me to why I said "less lethal"; it is marketed as such and at least for now it's legal to own it, but I still tried it with 2 and 3/4" birdshot and then 00 buck and it worked like a charm
@peterkerns7071 It has rails that the slide rides in, ejectors that wear out. most likely it is cheaper because they don't polish the moving parts as well as a more expensive shotgun. Tarus had a problem with that in 1970's, and they were using Smith&Wesson tooling for some of their pistols. Spending the money with a competent gunsmith would fix the issue.
Get a maverick 88 they last better than that Turkish junk shotguns TFB tv did a review on it where it ran like a top where as the Turkish, black aces, etc shotguns struggle in it or outright fail and they are also priced pretty decently
I bought an. H&R Pardner 12 Gauge back in 2018 for about the same price as that escort. Take to the range for the first time about a year later and while in the midst of shooting it, the weld that connected the shell tube and the barrel came apart. The shotgun felt solid ,well made and not cheap. Spend the extra money in my book.
I bought a $120 blue line 12 gauge pump that looks pretty similar to what you've got there a couple years ago. I've probably shot 300 rounds through it without any kind of problem whatsoever. All I can really say is that it's a heavy heavy gun for the length.
If you want a good shotgun for a "cheap" price, get a Mossberg Maverick 88. Basically a Mossberg 500 with some minor differences, and practically the same reliability.
Thanks for the demo Hickok 45. I like the stock action of the Escort. It appears about 4" closer to your body in the firing position than the 590 and the 870. That makes a world of difference to people with short weak arms and/or arthritis. As a senior citizen with both of those conditions, I'd take the Escort over the 590. In the past, I've owned a Maverick 88 and a Mossberg Shockwave equipped with an SBA3 arm brace. Both superb weapons but both difficult to use for people with weakened physical abilities. Again, great demo Hickok. Thanks man, rocket
@@kevinboaz317 thanks for you reply Kevin. I'm not sure the throw distance was shorter. It was mainly the position of the slide that was designed to be closer in towards the shooter's body. The Mossberg youth 20 ga shotgun is designed that way with a shorter stock and slide closer in to the shooter, but with the throw is same distance of the adult version. Also, Hickok is used to the normal throw of the Moss 590 and Rem 870. With practice, I would bet the hung up shells would be fewer with the Escort. Just guess'n however. Cheers, bro, rocket
And then there are the slick as goose grease Ithaca shotguns. When I was stationed at Ft. Knox, KY back in the early 1980s 12ga Ithaca pump shotguns were issued to soldiers guarding the "special munitions" bunkers. The ammo we were issued was 00buck. It was those shotguns that left a lasting impression on me, and I wish I had the "Sweet Sixteen" Ithaca that I stupidly traded off in the early 1990s back as it was a superb bird and small game pump action. Nowadays, I'm "wedded" to a nice Mossberg 500A and a couple of barrels and chokes for same. But I really miss that Ithaca a lot.
About 20-years ago I bought a Maverick Model 88 (8-round capacity)for about $140. It was a low cost version of Mossberg Model 880 manufactured by Mossberg for Maverick. Still got the gun to this day. I do not get a chance to shoot it much.
Think I would spend an extra $100 and get the 8 shot Maverick 88. Bought one a few months ago and it cycles very well and goes bang every time. I also own a Mossberg 500 field / security combo and the Maverick 88 stands up pretty well against it.
I got a Turkish shotgun in a trade a while back and it’s not bad. It’s got like 550 rounds thru it and only a few misfires but I assume it’s bc I used some really cheap range ammo. Remington and Winchester run well. Although I do want to buy a maverick 88 I had seen at a gun show with a step stock. Looks super dope
I bought a Maverick 88 28 inch barrel quite a few years ago for $129 brand new. I bought a 18 inch barrel for it for $150. Great gun "for the money." I have just over 2k rounds through it and never had an issue.
HIckok45 You're a legend! I love your videos! Always informative and interesting. Anytime im considering buying a firearm i pull up your channel to watch your review on it. I just purchased a Mossberg 590A1 SPX today so cant wait to pick it up! (Stupid waiting period in my state). LIFE IS GOOD!
@@floundergearjam Lol. I already own a Mossberg 930 SPX. It is my bedside shotgun :) I have a maverick 88 and a citadel PAT and a Tavor TS12. The maverick and citadel are low budget pumps. I wanted a military grade and higher quality durable shotgun so thats how i decided on the 590A1.
I purchased this shotgun a few years ago and knowing how Turkish shotguns are shipped, I took it apart, removed the shipping grease and lubed it up with action oil. It cost me $129 and has run flawlessly since day one and yes, I can machine gun it and no hiccups. I do have a Benelli m4 and nothing compares to it I have shot so far, but not everyone has money they can dump into a self defense gun like an m4. For $140, you can get a 5+1 12 gauge that will get the job done, just the first shot from this gun will make home invaders scatter like roaches in a desert sun.
I have a Stevens 320 and to be honest…it’s great. I bought it for grouse hunting and it’s easy to carry for several hours, ergonomic within reason and it sends game loads downrange about as well as anything else. For $150ish, you really can’t ask for anything more.
I have an Escort shotgun and it worked the same as yours when new but after some shooting it seemed to be better. I would buy the Mossberg 88 next time though.
Yeah, you got to break some shotguns in with some heavy load shells. Especially if it's semi auto. I bought a bullpup mag fed semi auto shotgun that would fail to eject constantly. Bought some 3" inch heavy loads and it never jammed again. That being said, I'm ready to go back to the Mossberg as well. Bullpup mag fed shotgun was fun for awhile but for reliability sake, not the best.
Probably one of the est budget friendly shotguns that I've found is the savage stevens model 320. I've had and own a few. They run roughly 180. Great video Mr. Hickok45
My Stevens 320 is made in China and sucks. It does not eject (she’ll rotates backwards on last round) and pump seizes at times and needs to be mortared. Also, the Stevens/Savage receivers are made of Chinesium and most likely will crack if dropped.
@@itsjustjoe3790 My Maverick had issues with stuck shells - specifically the Winchester ones. I found little red curly cues of plastic on the receiver and grooves on the hulls - it turned out to be a burr in the barrel. I worked that out with some sandpaper, then followed it with a 12 gauge mop attached to my drill with some polishing compound. Worked wonders.
My stevens savage broke in the first 50 rounds. Got an escort days later and its still working. Although i get light primer strikes every so often. Own a 870 for home defense, cant rely on the escort with light primer strikes
I have a black aces tactical pump, about 400- 500 rounds of mixed loads, slug, bird and buck, no major issues except the one trigger pin walks out after heavy use, and I fixed that by replacing the retention spring. Outside of that, it's a decent gun.
I remember when I was younger and starting a family back in the mid 90's. All I could afford was the H&R single shot 12 gauge (remember back in them days it was about $50). Now I have a variety of Mossbergs and Remington home defense shotguns. It is nice seeing an option for the young man starting his family in these difficult times. I still recommend the Maverick 88 because they are about $200 up here.
Still love my Mossberg Shockwave. Those videos of you genuinely having fun shows that you enjoy that firearm. I love it and got pretty good at shooting it. I use laser sights with it too.
I got the Rock Island Armory Meriva 12ga for like 150 on sale and it has never given me issues. Not the most comfortable gun in the world but it shoots
Hey that cheap pump is a great value compared to the cheap breakovers we had. I still have a 30$ Ted Williams 20ga I got when I was a teenager. I still think an armed by Sears video would be a good one. They had good stuff at a good price.
I bought an HNr pardner pump 6 yrs ago for 90. I’ve shot it many clays and cans. It just won’t quit. I place right next to my SKS that my Dad bought for 90 back in ‘90.
As far as pump shotguns go, you can only over pay for hunting purposes. A misfire won't kill you hunting game and you won't panic trying to clean it after bad weather because of the cost. My Mossberg 500 required a little wearing in (about 150 rds) before it became "smooth". My question is how does the "cheap" gun behave after 1000 rds.
My wife has the tactical version of the ESCORT. I like that one, it shoots pretty good. I like it. At the time about a year ago she paid about the same. Not too bad for a cheap o lol.
It's kind of funny how cheap pump shotguns are. $600 isn't really a lot to spend on a gun at all generally speaking, but we're considering that "high end" in the case of pump shotguns. They're practically giving them away.
Dang. $140. I would be tempted to buy it just for keeping in the side by side. I wouldn't feel bad when it got wet or rusty lol. I keep an old single shot .410 in there now. I mainly use it for snakes or scaring coyotes off.
I bought a used (it was pre-owned but looked brand new) Remington 870 Super Mag a while ago for $279. Absolutely love it and would never get rid of it.
The Escort, I have the pistol grip version it was like 180 dollars and I've taken it to the range many times, although it's never jammed like yours did. It came with a picattiny rail on the pump so I attached an Olight. I would trust it with my life in a home invasion, or as a good range gun. I'd use it as a trunk gun is PA allowed us to have loaded long guns in the car. (Had to move back up north, for family reasons, but I wasn't moving back to NJ, so I came to PA. Not as gun friendly as TN is/was but still much better than NJ). Edit: I noticed that you are using shells that are less than 3 inches. I usually use 3 inch shells with my Escort. You can only fit 4 shells in the magazine but maybe that's why I had a smoother experience with mine.
I have similar, as a backup. Gforce gf3c in 12ga. I mainly use 20ga, but got the gf3c for when I can't find ammo. Mine has a fixed choke "modified" barrel, while the others were "cylinder" choked. It was rough for few boxes, but smoothed out tolerably. I have to be selective in 12ga loads, as I'm tiny, lol. But, I like the gun. Mag is tight on length with some shells, only letting 4 in.
@@bldontmatter5319 I do, when I can. However, it's nice to have a 12ga, when the skeet range is out of 20ga, and vice versa. I also load a lot of special stuff in 20ga.
I have both Mossberg Maverick 88 and Escort Slugger. Mossberg Maverick 88 is a fine gun though have had no major issues with the Escort. One drawback in the Escort is will not reliability cycle mini shells. I use it as a backup stash gun.
Thanks for the info, as I was looking at the Escort for cheap truck gun with some mini shells. Guess I'll stick to standard buck, bird, and foster slugs. 👍
Years ago I tried learning to play guitar. I started buying inexpensive ones. I accumulated a few. My friend said to me, "You should just save the money and buy the one you really want." The one I wanted was a Fender Stratocaster, the one made here. He was right. I was spending money on inexpensive ones, when I should have just saved and bought the Fender Stratocaster.
The "buy quality, buy once" advice is not one size fits all. I have a six figure income now, but I started with nothing. My dad was dead and my mom unenployed. I had very little money when I was a kid, and less when I moved out on my own. I mention this because I know what it is like to be seriously poor, and I know what it's like to be securely middle class. Trust me when I say there are times you should buy the cheap one. And, having bought the cheap one more times than I can count, sometimes you get a quality product for very little money. You just need to know how to research until you find the sweet spot. Like your friend said, spend the money on the one you want, but first you need to know what you want and reseach until you know which option fills that role. Often, the right choice is the cheap one. My general rule is this: If you use a tool every day, pay more for quality. Still, you have to research until you know which of the expensive options actually provides a quality product. If you are going to use the same tool once a year around the house, the money might be wasted if you buy the quality tool. If you don't need a precise cut or incredible durability, why pay extra for it? Even if you have some money to throw around, maybe buy a cheaper tool to use once a year and spend the money you saved on that Stratocaster you've been eying? You can get quality cheap, and you can get a cheap product for lots of money. It just takes some effort to sort through the garbage : )
@@Great_Wall_of_Text I have been in the same boat. And I agree research is everything. And I agree with most everything you said. I will give one additional point, sometimes buying used better quality makes a lot better sense than buying new cheap. I've seen yard sale and pawn shop deals that beat anything new you would buy. I think I paid $300 for my "newsed" Remington 870. Deals are out there, do your research
I haven't had the shell hangup on ejection problem with mine at all...like never, not once. Got it maybe 2 years ago and have shot it plenty. I also have one of their AR-12 semi-auto's and have had the same positive experience. Seems like you did much better with the Hatsan this time - maybe just needed a little break-in. Thanks for the vid.
Some time ago I bought a Mossberg Maverick. Because I had never seen such a low price on a new pump shotty from a major American brand. It did not suit me. My size and the length of the action made it work just like that Turkey thing is for you Hickok. I sold it eventually. Still very comfortable with side by sides but if the fore stock had the hangover the breech area like that escort I would still use the maverick and not have sold. Unfortunately the pump grip could not be changed and retain the original equipment for a backtrack if my idea was not good.
Using tactical version of Hatsan Escort. It's quite functional, maybe later I'll try smthg more expensive to know the difference I use my Hatsan as home defense and seldom range device. It does it's work, and very affordable, can't complain
I’m a retired tradesman and avid firearms enthusiast. It has been my experience anything mechanical has its own peculiarities by brand or even one tool of the same make and model to another. I have a Turkish 12 ga. pump. Like all mechanical devices there is a learning curve. In order to learn it you have to want to learn it. Or in the case of a company tool, you have to learn it.
Inexpensive guns are also made of softer and less costly materials so the longevity is in question so many times the $140 turns into waste and another purchase entails usually more. I have practically vintage 870's and Model 12's. They work good!
Some have reported poor heat treating in some Turkish shotguns leading to early failures. I think in one case some bolts were found to have poor heat treating. This reports were not with Hatsan shotguns but they too do not have the same reputation as Mossberg and others.
My 870 constantly has shells that get stuck in the magazine tube. Especially Winchester shells. Ive changed the follower too. Ive had a couple boxes of shells over the years that just wont feed through the tube where it meets the chamber. It is a model from the 90s.
Hatsan pump shotguns are a very popular economical alternative here in Italy, as other brands, namely Italy's own Benelli, are quite expensive. Obviously this raises the question: buy a very cheap new firearm that can turn to be junk, or wait to find a good used gun from a name brand at a comparable price? Personally, I was lucky to find an almost unused Mossberg 590 for a great price, and I certainly do not regret not buying an Hatsan! Thanks from Italy, Davide
My shoulder started hurting 5 minutes into this video, I don't know how you do it. Thanks for the information & entertainment, you always provide a high level of both 👍
Got a mossberg 590 retrograde security barrel for 600 but for everyone looking for cheap and reliable shottys the maverick 88 is good mossbergs and remington is what you want and maybie Ithaca you can find used old shottys for 150 or 250 that are built like tanks at pawn shops some are even from shops that have been shut down for 20 years and they were built just like a mossberg
I know I'm old- but can remember when the Mossberg 500 was the "cheap POS" (think I paid $125 for mine-had a box of shells through it) and the 870 was the $300 "quality" gun BTW, my understanding is the 500 was designed off the 870 predecessor - the Model 31
funny you mention that; my first shotgun was that exact walmart stevens and my friend got the escort slugger. the slugger has a much more snappy and decisive feeling action but both have been gone bang every time so far. i imagine quality control between specimens is going to be the most pronounced issue with rock bottom shotguns like these. also, with my stevens, before i had even gotten to shoot it i somehow managed to make it double feed while loading and unloading it, but it never happened again. i think it was from babying the action and not racking it assertively.
@@nateb9346 yes, in some areas, a few years ago most of Walmart stores stopped selling them. I'm not sure if the store where I live still does I haven't looked lately I do most of my shopping online.
Think the only reason it hung up is because it's a tad longer stroke you needed , but you kinda short stroked it with all respect, love your videos, I'd buy one for 140.00 seems pretty reliable to me.
Those cheap shotguns sale like hot cakes. Budget is always a HUGE factor in these things, and IMO the huge majority of we the people that buy firearms don't actually shoot them much at all.
Stevens 320 is as cheap as I'll go. Frankly, the Maverick 88 exists, so don't see any reason to go lower than that...but I do like the Stevens, actually.
As many shotgun reviews you have done you've never touched on the H&R pardner pump. I have had several budget and full price shotguns and the H&R is the best budget shotgun in my opinion. Maybe one day you can obtain and review one. As always great video and I look forward to many more.
They do still sell them, but i am not sure if they are still making them. From what I have heard they are made mostly from 870 parts that are assembled in china. I believe Hawk industries bought them out years ago. I am not an expert though so take everything I am saying with a grain of salt. Lol I have had mine for about 6 years now and it functions beautifully. I paid $189 for the shotgun and upgraded it with 870 parts over the years. In total I put about 200 into it for an overall total of under 400 dollars. I also have an 870 which I paid 600 for and the H&R actually functions on par or better than my 870. Its been a great budget bedside shotgun that I would trust my life with.
@@evilnineteen I've got one. It's ugly, but it runs without issue. I think my favorite part is how loud the racking is. Every pump makes that sound, but the Pardner makes more of it.
I have several brands and prices shotguns. Cheapest pump gun I have now is Win. 1300 Defender. Runs great and shoots mini shells. Even though I like it a lot I'll still pick the Moss. 590a1.
Could it be that the difference in smoothness could just be that Mossberg has figured out the correct tolerances and Hatsan is, for a lack of other words, "too well made" as in the tolerances are too tight? People have complained of original 1911s as being sloppy but they always work compared to some modern versions which can be quite tight. Same deal? I can't help but wonder if constant use will work out (work in) the smoothness of operation.
@@Shoot_and_Scoot I should have added, I've got a 500 and an 88 & they both rattle... I also have a Hatsan MP which is very tightly fitted and has zero slop... no jams or misfeeds so far.
@@jetranger47 they rattle a bit. I’ve shot several cheap shot guns that work fine H&R pardoner and ati pasimax 12 etc they are all tight. So mossbergs on to something with the loosy goosy approach
Look at the difference in foregrips. Escort is considerably closer to the trigger housing.. also although we can't feel the difference you can hear the difference in the pump action as well.
Best cheap pump shotguns: old 500, old 870, old 1300. But heck, I am old! The newer TurkGuns, and Mav 88 are just not as smooth as the 70's era shotguns. And of course when you get to the Beretta and Benelli, we are not talking cheap any more.
If you are on a tight budget the Escort does not look like a bad option long as you keep it clean, lubed, add a side card for extra ammo, a sling, and don't shoot any crazy exotic slugs out of it, or abuse it like some reviewers do with the Turkish guns with a 500 - 1,000 round gauntlet trying to make it fail.
I went recently to pick up a new home defense shotgun at my local shop, they had the Escort at $155 out the door or a Maverick 88 at $200 out the door. After handling both I went with the Maverick 88, it just seemed more solid and made somewhat better.
I have a neighbor that has that Escort shotgun his runs like butter and can shoot slugs & 000 no problem…..I think Hickok may need to Oil and grease that one,it seems too be a little dry & gritty sounding
I've been running Remington 870s for as long as I can remember. Sights and MagPul stock and grip on a police model is the perfect set up. Maybe a tube extension if you're into it.
Uncle Bob was a cop in the Bronx. Started sending His Guns to me. One is Remington Ranger 16 gage pump. Dependable! American made. Adios from the Ozarks
First video with this Escort shotgun: ruclips.net/video/nWAI57VAR9M/видео.html
Also, as an FYI, since this cheap shotgun never seemed to break in and function smoothly, I decided to just order another one from Bud's. I just bought one for myself and will see how it compares. Shot it yesterday doing some tree trimming. My first impression after just 15 or 20 shots is that it seems to cycle a bit more smoothly, or at least not tend to hang up. Not sure yet, but I'll shoot it a fair amount and let you know how it goes.
Part of the problem with this Escort is the strange configuration of the slide grip. It's like it's only designed to get a firm grasp when PULLING it rearward. Problem is, it sometimes requires even MORE force to move it forward to make sure you get it fully into battery, and with this design, my hand and fingers want to slip off.
i have one of them escort sluggers and had no issues with it the whole year ive had it you do have to rack them back a little harder then most shotguns to get that shell to eject right when slam firing but itll hold up i love mine
Just Purchased a Smith and Wesson, .38 Special, M&P, Blackout, colored with a rubberized gray grip. Love it! I have to take Concealed Carry Classes though, for Self-Defense, because where I live, there are Laws that have to be abided for Carry Pistols. Mostly, the reason I bought the Pistol, was for Self-Defense and Concealed Carry. There is no cocker on the .38 Special, which I really like! Brand-New, as well, for 470 Dollars. Nice, small size, very pocketable. Thanks for the awesome videos, hickok45! Stay safe, now!
Hickok, have you ever thought about doing a review on the JC Higgins model 20? they are extremely affordable and very well made shotguns.
@@gamefreak8503 oldman rocks brother! lol
Mr Hickok which ones .45 ACP pistols you would keep for himself if you had to sell the rest?
How times have changed. My Mossberg 500 was $189 brand new 27 years ago and has never had an issue and would be considered dirt cheap these days at that price. For comparison, I saw a comment that the escort costs about the same as 30 gallons of gas and when my mossberg was purchased it cost about the same as 189 gallons of gas. Moral of the story is that Inflation sucks lol.
@managerial conclusions the maverick 88 security and field combo is $220 on rk guns. Pretty sweet deal for a good gun.
Government intervention and market manipulation sucks...
I love my Maverick 88 Field. About 1000 shells through it in all weather conditions - I've never cleaned it or oiled it and have never had a single problem with it. It always fires, ejects and feeds. I think my father paid $149 + tax (CAD) in 2015 for my Christmas gift... I'm going to clean it and oil it this week now that I think of it haha
@@joakey77 yep. My dads two are both dirty as can be and never have any issues. Can’t beat them for the price, even in todays market.
Yup
Bought a escort semi auto a few years ago for under $300. Fired everything I put through it and is still going strong today.
What I find with the cheap Turk blasters is that taking it apart and lightly going at the edges with high grit sandpaper works wonders.
Take it apart, clean it, oil it, then cycle the action a few hundred times to break it in. My guess is that the internal parts are not as precision fit as the Mossberg or Remington so the action is not as smooth or as reliable from the factory.
@@PassivePortfolios For that price, they certainly don't have the budget to polish or fit any parts. They just take them out of the machine and assemble the guns.
Or oil and clean it put 200 rounds through it oil and clean it again.
I speak as a local and a escort owner. In low-budget Turkish-made rifles, lubrication is thick at the factory. It will fit better when you lubricate it normally after shooting for a while. They produce much better weapons with a little more budget.
God I love the sound of a pump action shotgun cycling.
I bought an Escort shotgun around the middle of this year and haven't had any problems out of mine. Love it and love shooting it.
Do you have any other shotguns that you could give us a comparison to?
@@commongunner it’s all the same lol. Just break it in properly , and lube it well, polish the action if need be . Most guns run fine
@@commongunner if I only had $500 to spend , I’d get the cheaper one & a big selection of shells
@@sincitychris This is the way
Better to have one than none at all.
😂😂 I love that the cheap one is called the “escort”.🤣🤣🤣
Hahaha!! Hey tho!!! The escort can take the ass out on a trip🤣🤣
Pump and dump! 🤣
Hahahahha
And you know what? She'll get the job done until you can get something a little better.
The expensive one should be called the "wife". And it would only work when it wants to.
A living legend. Thank you Hickok45 for all of your contributions throughout the years.
Agreed. Mr Hickok45 is a great teacher. I’ve admired Mas Ayoob and Jeff Cooper since the 1980’s. I only recently came across Hickok45 and really enjoy his channel. His videos remind me of hanging out with my husband, brother in law and friends, shooting and grilling out; saving the beer until our ammo ran out and the brass was picked up.
Agreed!!!!
At one point with the Escort, when you were not trying to "machine gun", you got off 6 shells in 5 seconds very smoothly. I would think that would take care of 99.9% of any defensive needs. The Escort might be a good option, but I'd like to see you do a comparison with the Mossberg Maverick 88. You can get that gun for about a little over $200.
Ha ker
How does this say it’s from 6 days ago lol
@@aiden7354 Marty we did it!!!
Time traveler!
@The Revolver Den I believe they are talking about the comment we are all replying to it says it was written 6days ago when the videos only been up for like half an hour haha
I bought a Maverick 88 with an 18.5 in barrel 5+1 capacity back in 2017 for $199.00 Still loving it today, with no problems so far!
88s run forever and refuse to die. Probably the best inexpensive shotgun on the market.
Clean it and it'll last eons
My first thoughts were 'why no mention of the Maverick in this video?'
Me too.
In Ukraine, a Maverick costs 88 - 550 bucks, a Hatsan Escort costs 300. I read the comments and became sad. I think that every person should have something like an RPG 7 at home or at least a 122 caliber mortar, but first it would be nice to stabilize the arms market and saturate it
Man, this channel is chicken soup for the soul. I can feel the breeze and smell the gunsmoke. Keep up the good work, brother.
My escort used to do the same ejecting thing. Sent it back to the factory and they renewed a part (can’t remember which) Now it works fine. Nice gun for the price.
The bolt looks like a Remington 870. I wonder if replacing the extractor with a machined replacement like a Volquartsen would work in this and get better extraction reliability. It's what I ended up doing to my Remington 870 Tactical to make it extract reliably as the MIM part was causing failures to extract numerous enough times to be a concern. It runs great now.
As always, great video Sir 👏
I still feel the Maverick 88 reigns supreme as the best budget shotgun. Can’t be beat for 200-250
Picked mine up 7 years ago for $189. It's a tank.
I just wish it had a better finish on it.
It just doesn’t hold up where I live so it’s not really worth it unless you plan to get a nicer finish on it. At which point it kind of defeats the purpose and you might as well get a better 500 or 590.
Picked one up on sale earlier this year for $190. That pretty much ended the budget shotgun discussion for me - really happy with it.
Maverick 88 was my first shotgun, bought from Kmart for $120 (a long time ago)
Still got it, still works fine!
I have both and I say the Slugger is better bang for the buck. Was shocked at how smooth it cycles and recoil management even with high brass was impressive. 88 looks better though.
Its been my experience with cheap chinese and turkish shotguns that after a 1k or so rounds the receiver wears out. With that being said for a homeowner you could put one of these by every door for less money than a upgraded 870. Should the only purpose be to sit at the ready, it is a good deal.
@peterkerns7071 The bolt guides on cheap shotguns are what wears out on them, they are generally cast out of cheap material and friction wears them out.
Check out Derya shotguns; they seem to be some of the best turkish made ones. As for my own experience, I own a Salix Arms "less lethal" shotgun with a 4140 chrome-moly steel barrel and 7075 aluminium for the receiver, and while I had some hang ups when I shot it for the first times, after 100+ rounds it's gotten a lot better, it could be much better, but here in Colombia, a basic mossberg 500 without a stock goes for $1600, which takes me to why I said "less lethal"; it is marketed as such and at least for now it's legal to own it, but I still tried it with 2 and 3/4" birdshot and then 00 buck and it worked like a charm
@peterkerns7071 It has rails that the slide rides in, ejectors that wear out. most likely it is cheaper because they don't polish the moving parts as well as a more expensive shotgun. Tarus had a problem with that in 1970's, and they were using Smith&Wesson tooling for some of their pistols. Spending the money with a competent gunsmith would fix the issue.
Get a maverick 88 they last better than that Turkish junk shotguns TFB tv did a review on it where it ran like a top where as the Turkish, black aces, etc shotguns struggle in it or outright fail and they are also priced pretty decently
I’d be looking for home defense only, would you recommend this shotgun for that?
Every time i watch your videos i can feel my father watching with me which is the best feeling i could have in such hard times. Thank you sir
i hope this guy is not too old because i know when he passes away its going to hit all of us hard, really hard. no more shooting videos.
hopefully this guy is not too old because when he passes away its going to hit everyone hard, really hard. no more shooting and testing videos.
I bought an. H&R Pardner 12 Gauge back in 2018 for about the same price as that escort. Take to the range for the first time about a year later and while in the midst of shooting it, the weld that connected the shell tube and the barrel came apart. The shotgun felt solid ,well made and not cheap.
Spend the extra money in my book.
Mine blew the front bead off the first time I ran buckshot thought it. I agree spend few extra bucks
@@jayofalltrades7082nothing a little JB Weld can't fix
I bought a $120 blue line 12 gauge pump that looks pretty similar to what you've got there a couple years ago. I've probably shot 300 rounds through it without any kind of problem whatsoever. All I can really say is that it's a heavy heavy gun for the length.
That Blueline is basically a Norinco version of Remington 870...good choice!
Hickock did a video on one of the Blue Line Shotgun. But man i can't find that video anywhere.
Hey Hickok, would love to see you compare single trigger coach guns vs double trigger! Those are always fun and informative 🙂
I’ve had the Hatsan pump for nearly ten years in the UK , never had a single problem with it , shot about ten thousand through it 🧐😎
If you want a good shotgun for a "cheap" price, get a Mossberg Maverick 88. Basically a Mossberg 500 with some minor differences, and practically the same reliability.
Better reliability, outright. Turkish Pistols are awesome. Turkish Shotguns?.......Meh. Usually "good enough" but way too many lemons.
The 88 is a good gun at a good price .....sure beats any low priced gun I can think of
Thanks for the demo Hickok 45. I like the stock action of the Escort. It appears about 4" closer to your body in the firing position than the 590 and the 870. That makes a world of difference to people with short weak arms and/or arthritis. As a senior citizen with both of those conditions, I'd take the Escort over the 590. In the past, I've owned a Maverick 88 and a Mossberg Shockwave equipped with an SBA3 arm brace. Both superb weapons but both difficult to use for people with weakened physical abilities.
Again, great demo Hickok. Thanks man,
rocket
It's that short throw that was causing his issues with the escort it seems to me
@@kevinboaz317 thanks for you reply Kevin. I'm not sure the throw distance was shorter. It was mainly the position of the slide that was designed to be closer in towards the shooter's body. The Mossberg youth 20 ga shotgun is designed that way with a shorter stock and slide closer in to the shooter, but with the throw is same distance of the adult version. Also, Hickok is used to the normal throw of the Moss 590 and Rem 870. With practice, I would bet the hung up shells would be fewer with the Escort. Just guess'n however.
Cheers, bro,
rocket
Check out getting a 20 gauge instead of a 12 gauge! It doesn't kick as hard. And hits almost as hard. Still a great Home Defense shotgun
And then there are the slick as goose grease Ithaca shotguns. When I was stationed at Ft. Knox, KY back in the early 1980s 12ga Ithaca pump shotguns were issued to soldiers guarding the "special munitions" bunkers. The ammo we were issued was 00buck. It was those shotguns that left a lasting impression on me, and I wish I had the "Sweet Sixteen" Ithaca that I stupidly traded off in the early 1990s back as it was a superb bird and small game pump action. Nowadays, I'm "wedded" to a nice Mossberg 500A and a couple of barrels and chokes for same. But I really miss that Ithaca a lot.
About 20-years ago I bought a Maverick Model 88 (8-round capacity)for about $140. It was a low cost version of Mossberg Model 880 manufactured by Mossberg for Maverick. Still got the gun to this day. I do not get a chance to shoot it much.
And…….??
That’s what I have. Except I bought one used for $100 about six years ago. It was all tacticooled but underneath still a decent mossie
I had a maverick and won some family skeet shoots with it , it was lethal and reliable
@@chadhelms4907 in regards to cheap shotguns? Do you have a brain deficiency bro
Just got the Maverick 88 20" 7+1 security for $254. Helluva gun for the money. Cycles great right out of the box.
I love it whenever this man releases a brand new video and I catch it right away to watch it!! Enjoy Hickok45 while we can.
He seems to be in good health.....
@@charleyjohnson4823 You never know when it’s someone’s time.
I think videogazer is referring to being blocked by the woke police...
I bet he loves these comments.
Sorry for pointing out the inevitable Hickok. I hope you keep shooting 12 gauge into your 120s : )
@@Great_Wall_of_Text Hickok45 videos are awesome!
Think I would spend an extra $100 and get the 8 shot Maverick 88. Bought one a few months ago and it cycles very well and goes bang every time. I also own a Mossberg 500 field / security combo and the Maverick 88 stands up pretty well against it.
Yep I have a couple of the Maverick 88's. I'd find a used quality shotgun before I'd buy a Turkish or China shotgun for protection use.
I got a Turkish shotgun in a trade a while back and it’s not bad. It’s got like 550 rounds thru it and only a few misfires but I assume it’s bc I used some really cheap range ammo. Remington and Winchester run well.
Although I do want to buy a maverick 88 I had seen at a gun show with a step stock. Looks super dope
I like the crossbolt safety on the 88 better than the tang on the 500, especially with a pistol grip stock.
I bought a Maverick 88 28 inch barrel quite a few years ago for $129 brand new. I bought a 18 inch barrel for it for $150. Great gun "for the money." I have just over 2k rounds through it and never had an issue.
Yeah was thinking the same thing
Have had a Mossberg 500 for 25 or 30 years now and even taken a few deer with it. Never had a problem to this day.
Had a mossberg 500 for about 10 years it’s been awesome
HIckok45 You're a legend! I love your videos! Always informative and interesting. Anytime im considering buying a firearm i pull up your channel to watch your review on it. I just purchased a Mossberg 590A1 SPX today so cant wait to pick it up! (Stupid waiting period in my state). LIFE IS GOOD!
You will love the 590. I jkust recently upgraded from the 590 to the 930 Tactical autoloader. Love it.
@@floundergearjam Lol. I already own a Mossberg 930 SPX. It is my bedside shotgun :) I have a maverick 88 and a citadel PAT and a Tavor TS12. The maverick and citadel are low budget pumps. I wanted a military grade and higher quality durable shotgun so thats how i decided on the 590A1.
I purchased this shotgun a few years ago and knowing how Turkish shotguns are shipped, I took it apart, removed the shipping grease and lubed it up with action oil.
It cost me $129 and has run flawlessly since day one and yes, I can machine gun it and no hiccups.
I do have a Benelli m4 and nothing compares to it I have shot so far, but not everyone has money they can dump into a self defense gun like an m4.
For $140, you can get a 5+1 12 gauge that will get the job done, just the first shot from this gun will make home invaders scatter like roaches in a desert sun.
I’m a huge fan of Mossberg shotguns. I especially like the 590 / 590 A1 series. It’s always nice to see them in a Hickok45 video!
Mossberg's are nice, but they're more city boy then any Winchester or Wesson thatll do for you. I could outshoot any fucki ng millennials
@@geoffkanbal7932
😆😆😆😆😆
I have a Stevens 320 and to be honest…it’s great. I bought it for grouse hunting and it’s easy to carry for several hours, ergonomic within reason and it sends game loads downrange about as well as anything else. For $150ish, you really can’t ask for anything more.
I have an Escort shotgun and it worked the same as yours when new but after some shooting it seemed to be better. I would buy the Mossberg 88 next time though.
Yeah, you got to break some shotguns in with some heavy load shells. Especially if it's semi auto. I bought a bullpup mag fed semi auto shotgun that would fail to eject constantly. Bought some 3" inch heavy loads and it never jammed again. That being said, I'm ready to go back to the Mossberg as well. Bullpup mag fed shotgun was fun for awhile but for reliability sake, not the best.
I found a Mossberg 500 for $199 at a pawn shop. 18 1/2 in barrel. Never had a problem with it.
Probably one of the est budget friendly shotguns that I've found is the savage stevens model 320. I've had and own a few. They run roughly 180. Great video Mr. Hickok45
My Stevens 320 is made in China and sucks. It does not eject (she’ll rotates backwards on last round) and pump seizes at times and needs to be mortared. Also, the Stevens/Savage receivers are made of Chinesium and most likely will crack if dropped.
@@itsjustjoe3790 My Maverick had issues with stuck shells - specifically the Winchester ones. I found little red curly cues of plastic on the receiver and grooves on the hulls - it turned out to be a burr in the barrel. I worked that out with some sandpaper, then followed it with a 12 gauge mop attached to my drill with some polishing compound. Worked wonders.
My stevens savage broke in the first 50 rounds. Got an escort days later and its still working. Although i get light primer strikes every so often. Own a 870 for home defense, cant rely on the escort with light primer strikes
I have a black aces tactical pump, about 400- 500 rounds of mixed loads, slug, bird and buck, no major issues except the one trigger pin walks out after heavy use, and I fixed that by replacing the retention spring. Outside of that, it's a decent gun.
Give me the Mossberg every time. Can't go wrong.
I remember when I was younger and starting a family back in the mid 90's. All I could afford was the H&R single shot 12 gauge (remember back in them days it was about $50). Now I have a variety of Mossbergs and Remington home defense shotguns. It is nice seeing an option for the young man starting his family in these difficult times. I still recommend the Maverick 88 because they are about $200 up here.
Still love my Mossberg Shockwave. Those videos of you genuinely having fun shows that you enjoy that firearm. I love it and got pretty good at shooting it. I use laser sights with it too.
They now have the Shockwave in 590s model. That model was made for reliably feeding the Minishells to 3 inch without a hiccup.
I got the Rock Island Armory Meriva 12ga for like 150 on sale and it has never given me issues. Not the most comfortable gun in the world but it shoots
Hey that cheap pump is a great value compared to the cheap breakovers we had. I still have a 30$ Ted Williams 20ga I got when I was a teenager. I still think an armed by Sears video would be a good one. They had good stuff at a good price.
I won a Stephens(Savage) tactical 12ga and have been very pleased with it. All black , pistol grip, ghost ring sights and retail for about $200
Same one I have, minus the pistol grip, and also very pleased with it.
I wonder how much better the el echeapo would run if you polished down the internals and oiled it up after assembly? You simply must show us!
Still like the Mossberg, the location of the safety is just better and never failed me
A comparison I'd be interested in seeing is that Escort vs. Mossberg Maverick 88.
I agree 👍
@@mikieiacono8362 the 88 would destroy the competition
I bought an HNr pardner pump 6 yrs ago for 90. I’ve shot it many clays and cans. It just won’t quit. I place right next to my SKS that my Dad bought for 90 back in ‘90.
As far as pump shotguns go, you can only over pay for hunting purposes. A misfire won't kill you hunting game and you won't panic trying to clean it after bad weather because of the cost.
My Mossberg 500 required a little wearing in (about 150 rds) before it became "smooth".
My question is how does the "cheap" gun behave after 1000 rds.
My wife has the tactical version of the ESCORT. I like that one, it shoots pretty good. I like it. At the time about a year ago she paid about the same. Not too bad for a cheap o lol.
It's kind of funny how cheap pump shotguns are. $600 isn't really a lot to spend on a gun at all generally speaking, but we're considering that "high end" in the case of pump shotguns. They're practically giving them away.
Yeah kinda funny aswell how such a old design that dates back to about 150 years stood so consistent
No $600 is not a lot, when you consider that a good English side by side is around £ 50,000 (basic)
@@mayogamer2800 old is gold sometimes
Speak for yourself yuppie
@@mayogamer2800
Right? Like lever action rifles, bolt action rifles and 1911 pistols.
I have found the escort to be totally reliable and accurate
You gotta love how our gunpa Googles up stuff and check sources. It has to be the teacher in the old fella. :)
Dang. $140. I would be tempted to buy it just for keeping in the side by side. I wouldn't feel bad when it got wet or rusty lol. I keep an old single shot .410 in there now. I mainly use it for snakes or scaring coyotes off.
I’d go with the maverick 88 from mossberg. 200$ made in USA and I’ve heard many bad reviews from owners of this brand of shotgun.
"Pot Metal" don't rust!.. Ha!
.410 buckshot might make your single a close up coyote gun.
I bought a used (it was pre-owned but looked brand new) Remington 870 Super Mag a while ago for $279. Absolutely love it and would never get rid of it.
The Escort, I have the pistol grip version it was like 180 dollars and I've taken it to the range many times, although it's never jammed like yours did. It came with a picattiny rail on the pump so I attached an Olight. I would trust it with my life in a home invasion, or as a good range gun. I'd use it as a trunk gun is PA allowed us to have loaded long guns in the car. (Had to move back up north, for family reasons, but I wasn't moving back to NJ, so I came to PA. Not as gun friendly as TN is/was but still much better than NJ).
Edit: I noticed that you are using shells that are less than 3 inches. I usually use 3 inch shells with my Escort. You can only fit 4 shells in the magazine but maybe that's why I had a smoother experience with mine.
I have similar, as a backup. Gforce gf3c in 12ga. I mainly use 20ga, but got the gf3c for when I can't find ammo. Mine has a fixed choke "modified" barrel, while the others were "cylinder" choked. It was rough for few boxes, but smoothed out tolerably. I have to be selective in 12ga loads, as I'm tiny, lol. But, I like the gun. Mag is tight on length with some shells, only letting 4 in.
You need to be stocking up on ammo. You should never say "I can't find ammo"
You'll be a victim to the market when you do an pay double.
@@bldontmatter5319 I do, when I can. However, it's nice to have a 12ga, when the skeet range is out of 20ga, and vice versa. I also load a lot of special stuff in 20ga.
I have both Mossberg Maverick 88 and Escort Slugger. Mossberg Maverick 88 is a fine gun though have had no major issues with the Escort. One drawback in the Escort is will not reliability cycle mini shells. I use it as a backup stash gun.
Thanks for the info, as I was looking at the Escort for cheap truck gun with some mini shells. Guess I'll stick to standard buck, bird, and foster slugs. 👍
Take a look at Mossberg's 590S, which shoots minis as well as larger shells - in any combination! There's also a Shockwave 590S.
You should do the Maverick 88 vs the 590A1
Years ago I tried learning to play guitar. I started buying inexpensive ones. I accumulated a few. My friend said to me, "You should just save the money and buy the one you really want." The one I wanted was a Fender Stratocaster, the one made here. He was right. I was spending money on inexpensive ones, when I should have just saved and bought the Fender Stratocaster.
Buy right and buy it once. Cheap out and buy over and over....
The "buy quality, buy once" advice is not one size fits all.
I have a six figure income now, but I started with nothing. My dad was dead and my mom unenployed. I had very little money when I was a kid, and less when I moved out on my own.
I mention this because I know what it is like to be seriously poor, and I know what it's like to be securely middle class. Trust me when I say there are times you should buy the cheap one.
And, having bought the cheap one more times than I can count, sometimes you get a quality product for very little money. You just need to know how to research until you find the sweet spot.
Like your friend said, spend the money on the one you want, but first you need to know what you want and reseach until you know which option fills that role.
Often, the right choice is the cheap one.
My general rule is this: If you use a tool every day, pay more for quality. Still, you have to research until you know which of the expensive options actually provides a quality product.
If you are going to use the same tool once a year around the house, the money might be wasted if you buy the quality tool. If you don't need a precise cut or incredible durability, why pay extra for it?
Even if you have some money to throw around, maybe buy a cheaper tool to use once a year and spend the money you saved on that Stratocaster you've been eying?
You can get quality cheap, and you can get a cheap product for lots of money. It just takes some effort to sort through the garbage : )
@@Great_Wall_of_Text I have been in the same boat. And I agree research is everything. And I agree with most everything you said. I will give one additional point, sometimes buying used better quality makes a lot better sense than buying new cheap. I've seen yard sale and pawn shop deals that beat anything new you would buy. I think I paid $300 for my "newsed" Remington 870. Deals are out there, do your research
I haven't had the shell hangup on ejection problem with mine at all...like never, not once. Got it maybe 2 years ago and have shot it plenty. I also have one of their AR-12 semi-auto's and have had the same positive experience. Seems like you did much better with the Hatsan this time - maybe just needed a little break-in. Thanks for the vid.
Moss berg 500 tactical ,excellent for urban issues,magnificent home protection 🤘💀
Some time ago I bought a Mossberg Maverick. Because I had never seen such a low price on a new pump shotty from a major American brand. It did not suit me. My size and the length of the action made it work just like that Turkey thing is for you Hickok. I sold it eventually. Still very comfortable with side by sides but if the fore stock had the hangover the breech area like that escort I would still use the maverick and not have sold. Unfortunately the pump grip could not be changed and retain the original equipment for a backtrack if my idea was not good.
I have, and rely on, an eighties model 870. It has never given me a moment's trouble.
I'll be sticking with my 1973 Remington 870 Wingmaster magnum. I have 3 barrels, slug, 28 inch mod. 30 inch full.
Using tactical version of Hatsan Escort. It's quite functional, maybe later I'll try smthg more expensive to know the difference
I use my Hatsan as home defense and seldom range device. It does it's work, and very affordable, can't complain
I’m a retired tradesman and avid firearms enthusiast. It has been my experience anything mechanical has its own peculiarities by brand or even one tool of the same make and model to another. I have a Turkish 12 ga. pump. Like all mechanical devices there is a learning curve. In order to learn it you have to want to learn it. Or in the case of a company tool, you have to learn it.
A new Maverick 88 is around 100 more then the budget one. I'd go with it because there is more than $100 dollars of extra worth in the 88
I own an escort tactical. Was about $500. It is remarkable. No issues. Used by Turkish military and Law Enforcement. Would highly recommend
Inexpensive guns are also made of softer and less costly materials so the longevity is in question so many times the $140 turns into waste and another purchase entails usually more. I have practically vintage 870's and Model 12's. They work good!
Some have reported poor heat treating in some Turkish shotguns leading to early failures. I think in one case some bolts were found to have poor heat treating. This reports were not with Hatsan shotguns but they too do not have the same reputation as Mossberg and others.
My 870 constantly has shells that get stuck in the magazine tube. Especially Winchester shells. Ive changed the follower too. Ive had a couple boxes of shells over the years that just wont feed through the tube where it meets the chamber. It is a model from the 90s.
Hatsan pump shotguns are a very popular economical alternative here in Italy, as other brands, namely Italy's own Benelli, are quite expensive. Obviously this raises the question: buy a very cheap new firearm that can turn to be junk, or wait to find a good used gun from a name brand at a comparable price? Personally, I was lucky to find an almost unused Mossberg 590 for a great price, and I certainly do not regret not buying an Hatsan! Thanks from Italy, Davide
Another great cheap shotgun is the Titans arm 12 gauge. I picked one up brand new for $200 at my local gun store. Fantastic 12 gauge
With the money you save buying a $140 shotgun you can enroll in Sonoran Desert Institute and make it work.
My shoulder started hurting 5 minutes into this video, I don't know how you do it.
Thanks for the information & entertainment, you always provide a high level of both 👍
Try getting a 20 gauge. It doesn't kick anywhere near as hard. And almost hits as hard as a 12 gauge. Still a great Home Defense shotgun
Got a mossberg 590 retrograde security barrel for 600 but for everyone looking for cheap and reliable shottys the maverick 88 is good mossbergs and remington is what you want and maybie Ithaca you can find used old shottys for 150 or 250 that are built like tanks at pawn shops some are even from shops that have been shut down for 20 years and they were built just like a mossberg
my m88 was $188 new less than a year ago and ive had 0 problems with it
Hickok45 hands down best gun channel on RUclips ❤ 👍
What a fantastic gun. I love these videos. Keep em coming 😊🌞👍🇺🇸
I have two Escort and they are both excellent. At least for me, they seem better than other Turkish shotguns.
I know I'm old- but can remember when the Mossberg 500 was the "cheap POS" (think I paid $125 for mine-had a box of shells through it) and the 870 was the $300 "quality" gun
BTW, my understanding is the 500 was designed off the 870 predecessor - the Model 31
You are correct. The open bottom and lifter design in the 500 are straight from the 31-a beautifully made old shotgun.
To me both the Maverick 88 and the Pardner Pump are good pump action shotguns for a reasonable price.
Bought a $150 Stevens 320, first 100 rounds had some issues like the escort you mentioned. After it got broken in some the issues went away.
funny you mention that; my first shotgun was that exact walmart stevens and my friend got the escort slugger. the slugger has a much more snappy and decisive feeling action but both have been gone bang every time so far. i imagine quality control between specimens is going to be the most pronounced issue with rock bottom shotguns like these.
also, with my stevens, before i had even gotten to shoot it i somehow managed to make it double feed while loading and unloading it, but it never happened again. i think it was from babying the action and not racking it assertively.
Stevens 320 is almost a exact make of a Winchester 1300 barrel and almost every part fit …. Winchester top model for yrs!!!
Your videos always have me so pumped
I bought a Steven's 320 field at Walmart for 150 and it's been working great for years.
They sell guns at Walmart?..
@@nateb9346 yes, in some areas, a few years ago most of Walmart stores stopped selling them. I'm not sure if the store where I live still does I haven't looked lately I do most of my shopping online.
@@jamesg9068 that’s awesome LOL
@@jamesg9068 I live in California, so excuse the snowflakness.
@@nateb9346 leave that dictatorship, or vote red. It's changing republican and hopefully will mean less authoritarian laws but I doubt it
It’s always so good to see you hikok45
Think the only reason it hung up is because it's a tad longer stroke you needed , but you kinda short stroked it with all respect, love your videos, I'd buy one for 140.00 seems pretty reliable to me.
I paid $150 at a gun show for one of these Escorts in marine finish. It's been flawless in 500 rds and still looks good. What a bargain.
Those cheap shotguns sale like hot cakes. Budget is always a HUGE factor in these things, and IMO the huge majority of we the people that buy firearms don't actually shoot them much at all.
I always come here first when I start my research for firearms! Great channel 👍🏾
I would put 100 more in and get a Maverick 88
88 is $199 here. Agree, a much better option.
H&r pardner pump and maverick 88 are my favorite inexpensive shotguns
Stevens 320 is as cheap as I'll go. Frankly, the Maverick 88 exists, so don't see any reason to go lower than that...but I do like the Stevens, actually.
Just came to see the sunday video then saw a new one was here 5 minutes ago, how neat.
As many shotgun reviews you have done you've never touched on the H&R pardner pump. I have had several budget and full price shotguns and the H&R is the best budget shotgun in my opinion. Maybe one day you can obtain and review one. As always great video and I look forward to many more.
Are they still in production? I have one with the Shockwave Raptor Grip love it but not sure who owns them after the freedom group buy out.
They do still sell them, but i am not sure if they are still making them. From what I have heard they are made mostly from 870 parts that are assembled in china. I believe Hawk industries bought them out years ago. I am not an expert though so take everything I am saying with a grain of salt. Lol I have had mine for about 6 years now and it functions beautifully. I paid $189 for the shotgun and upgraded it with 870 parts over the years. In total I put about 200 into it for an overall total of under 400 dollars. I also have an 870 which I paid 600 for and the H&R actually functions on par or better than my 870. Its been a great budget bedside shotgun that I would trust my life with.
@@evilnineteen I've got one. It's ugly, but it runs without issue. I think my favorite part is how loud the racking is. Every pump makes that sound, but the Pardner makes more of it.
I have several brands and prices shotguns. Cheapest pump gun I have now is Win. 1300 Defender. Runs great and shoots mini shells. Even though I like it a lot I'll still pick the Moss. 590a1.
Could it be that the difference in smoothness could just be that Mossberg has figured out the correct tolerances and Hatsan is, for a lack of other words, "too well made" as in the tolerances are too tight?
People have complained of original 1911s as being sloppy but they always work compared to some modern versions which can be quite tight. Same deal?
I can't help but wonder if constant use will work out (work in) the smoothness of operation.
Could be this exactly. Mossbergs are usually pretty sloppy out of the box.
@@Shoot_and_Scoot
I should have added, I've got a 500 and an 88 & they both rattle... I also have a Hatsan MP which is very tightly fitted and has zero slop... no jams or misfeeds so far.
@@jetranger47 they rattle a bit. I’ve shot several cheap shot guns that work fine H&R pardoner and ati pasimax 12 etc they are all tight. So mossbergs on to something with the loosy goosy approach
Look at the difference in foregrips. Escort is considerably closer to the trigger housing.. also although we can't feel the difference you can hear the difference in the pump action as well.
They clearly copied the Benelli Nova foregrip
H&R pumps are available for $135 and they're not bad.
Best cheap pump shotguns: old 500, old 870, old 1300. But heck, I am old!
The newer TurkGuns, and Mav 88 are just not as smooth as the 70's era shotguns. And of course when you get to the Beretta and Benelli, we are not talking cheap any more.
If you are on a tight budget the Escort does not look like a bad option long as you keep it clean, lubed, add a side card for extra ammo, a sling, and don't shoot any crazy exotic slugs out of it, or abuse it like some reviewers do with the Turkish guns with a 500 - 1,000 round gauntlet trying to make it fail.
But a Maverick 88 was abused, and kept running.
@@brettbaker5599 As I said tight budget if you don't want to go the used route.
I went recently to pick up a new home defense shotgun at my local shop, they had the Escort at $155 out the door or a Maverick 88 at $200 out the door. After handling both I went with the Maverick 88, it just seemed more solid and made somewhat better.
You made the right choice
I have a neighbor that has that Escort shotgun his runs like butter and can shoot slugs & 000 no problem…..I think Hickok may need to Oil and grease that one,it seems too be a little dry & gritty sounding
Love the dad joke at the end. Nice one john.
I've been running Remington 870s for as long as I can remember. Sights and MagPul stock and grip on a police model is the perfect set up. Maybe a tube extension if you're into it.
Uncle Bob was a cop in the Bronx. Started sending His Guns to me. One is Remington Ranger 16 gage pump. Dependable! American made. Adios from the Ozarks
870s used to always be good. I haven't heard about the quality control on newer ones though.