Hatsan Escort Field Hunter, Pump Action Shotgun in black synthetic with 24" barrel

[NigelG]

well, after 5 1/2 months it finally arrived. never used a pump action before and a friend thought I was mad to order one without having tried one (maybe ). intended use is for rough shooting as I didn't real comfortable walking about with a very expensive Miroku o/u that weighs a ton.

decided to go for the 24" barrel to keep the overall length down and so pleased I did, you can get a 26 or 28" too if so wish (or an 18 or 20" in USA or I guess on a sect 1 SGC in the UK but these are slug barrels aimed at home defence in USA)

first thoughts........ tacticool looking and it has a dovetail on top of the receiver

nicely balanced and it came with a ventilated butt plate which I wasn't expecting, Hatsan's web site seems to indicate this only comes on the junior model, but hey, a bonus.

comes with 5 choke tubes cyl, 1/4 1/2 3/4 & full, not the cyl imp/cyl mod imp/mod & full the manual and web site says, plus manual says the tubes are notched so you can tell which one is installed, seems they have changed the design as no notches (except for the two the key uses to screw them in). each tube is etched on the side saying what it is so you can't tell once installed. comparing these Hatsan chokes with my Miroku, I would say like for like the Hatsan's are slightly tighter by a gnats. the 3/4 & full tube are also etched saying no steel shot or slugs.

web site says for use with 2 3/4 & 3" cartridges, this was where I was keeping fingers crossed as I like the Hull Imperial game carts in 6's (26grm) which are 2 1/2" yes it cycles them perfectly

being much lighter than my Miroku, so I was wondering just how much it would kick, maybe it's the balance (would imagine a longer barrel might be very slightly front heavy) or combination of this and the ventilated butt pad, but it's like a pussy cat, even a friend who tried my o/u and his comment then was f...... h... said this Hatsan didn't kick much at all

the UK models do not come with sling studs installed, why... who knows. the shotgun comes with an accessory box housing the chokes, the choke key, 3 shims to change the stock cast and 3 shims to change the butt length if you so wish.

loading it.... easy. personally I don't like walking around with one up the spout, so I load 2 in the mag and rack it when needed. racking it is real easy but make sure you fully push forward the forend until it locks in place. if it hasn't been fired, you need to press a release lever (in front of trigger guard which sounds awkward to use located here but really isn't) to release the lock, once fired there is no need to do so.

having never ever fired a pump before, I can honestly say cycling it for a second shot (or 3rd) came very naturally without it coming off the shoulder. it doesn't throw the empty carts miles and is dependant on the speed you pull the forend back during the cycling, if too slow the cart may not be thrown out.

dissassembling.... real easy. unscrew nut on front of mag tube, pull out barrel, pull forend forward and off the mag tube, the bolt comes out with this too (watch it doesn't fall off the 2 bars) takes around 10 seconds if not less. no pushing out pins etc (unless you want to take the trigger assy out. to re-assemble you'll need to hold the action release button in and don't put the forend to its extreme rear position, maybe half way or so which aids putting the barrel on.

I gave mine a good lube as parts seemed a little dry, took the bolt fully apart too including taking out the firing pin, no special tools needed at all.

that's it, for the price and with 3 years warranty, I'm not complaining, it's a tool for a job and it does it well and not expensively. shop around for a good deal, got mine for around the £350 mark (new)

[NigelG]

forgot to mention, the forend doesn't rattle like some other well known makes

[NigelG]

I take back what I said about you can't tell what choke is installed as no notches.

I have just spotted them whlst cleaning, not exactly like the notches on Browning invector chokes, more like subtle etchings

[fok]

I've had one of these for 3 years, also in 24" and use it for rough shooting.

Like you, I put two in the mag with nothing up the spout so I can walk around in safety and just pump it whilst coming up to the aim.

In terms of reliability, it has never missed a beat and even though it's been well used in all sorts of weather, the finish is still great as I clean and lube after every outing.

There are other pumps that have a huge following and better reputation for build quality, particularly over the pond, but I think the Hatsan Fieldhunter can hold it's own and represents excellent value for money.

[Hasbeen]

I have one which have used for a couple of years, Once I got used to the pumping I found it great - and I can now cycle the cartridges almost as fast as a semi-auto.

[NigelG]

perhaps we need to start a Hatsan club, I agree about the racking, becomes instinctive

[LeeBut]

Hi Guys


i've also got the pump action of choice i've had the marine all weather version for over a year now lovely piece of kit and shoots anything


lee

[cookoff013]

forgot to mention, the forend doesn't rattle like some other well known makes

the supernova has had a absolute slating about the "nova rattle" that the forend isnt attached and makes a god awful noise.

what it doesnt tell you is that you can tighten up the nova forend to stop the rattle. tighten up 1/4 of a turn on the screws on the forend. these often come loose from repeted use, and not super tight from the factory.

i`ve only had to tighten them twice in the 2 years i`ve had the nova. usually check when the spring clean comes. and totally overhaul the action.

it will cycle 2,3/4" and 3" shells further, as its a spring loaded mech like the nova.

my benelli throws the larger hulls miles.

[Chris Werb]

it will cycle 2,3/4" and 3" shells further, as its a spring loaded mech like the nova.

I have an FAC Nova. It's 3 1/2" but handles 65mm ones no problem at all. I love it.

[Damadamadeluxe]

Love the reviews guys!

Looking at getting another P/A but hadn't really put much thought into hatsans pump as I wasn't a fan of they're earlier model S/A that I owned. Definitely going to dig a little deeper.

Thanks all

[Heisenberg]

Good thread, going for my SGC as living in Scotland it should be easier than getting an air gun(not "weapon") licence, have this Hatsan in mind (and also the Baikal IZH-27M O/U for clays....)...was tempted by the Escort Semi-Auto but think I would prefer the simplicity and reliability of a manual pump....

Can anyone advise whether the Field Hunter is good enough for clays and at what barrel length? 24" would probably be too short was thinking 28"??

[NigelG]

just remember, any semi or pump with 28" barrel is like an over and under with 32"

I went for 24" as lighter and easier to carry around, some people shoot skeet with 24-26"

do what you feels best for you

[sharky]

Good write up. I had a look at one the other week whilst at Kexby, pickup some more ammo for the CZ. I think it will be my next and final purchase as the cabinate will be full. I'm looking for something to take rough shooting as the BSA 500 I have, gets bloody heavy by the time I've lugged it around for a couple of hours.