Hatsan Escort Magnum Semi– auto MOOB Guise

It seems like only yesterday when Hatsan - these unheard of shotguns - made their way to these shores. Since they cost just half of what their competition were charging and were manufactured in Turkey, the general consensus of opinion was that they couldn’t be up to much. Let’s face it, something called the Hatsan Escort Magnum that was made in a country you normally associated with holiday destinations and sweet pink confectionary wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to the established makes and models could it?

Well yes it could, it still can and was the precursor of what was to come, Turkish built semi-autos that have caused a virtual shooting revolution and become firm favourites for numerous UK wildfowlers, gamekeepers and clay breakers. Can I also say that although it’s been a year or two since I last shot an Escort, the MOOB instantly became an ‘old friend’ and once again confirmed my opinion that these Hatsans are some of the best gas – powered semis on the market today. 

Why the MOOB?

Open up the box and you immediately know why this Escort is called the MOOB. In every respect it’s a standard Hatsan semi-auto apart from the fact it’s covered from top to tail in Mossy Oak Obsession Break – Up camouflage, the initials making up the gun’s name. That said, if MOOB isn’t quite to your liking you can opt for the New Mossy Oak Break – Up, Mossy Oak Shadow Grass or just plain black, the choice as they say being yours.

But whichever finish you go for you’re getting the exact same thing, the camo transfer coating being the only difference to what at heart remains in my opinion one of the best value for money, gas powered semi-autos on the market. Everything you need is supplied including a full set of short, flush fit multi-chokes and key along with a set of recoil pad shims that allow you to adjust the overall length of the stock to suit your physical requirements or compensate when winter weather sets in or thicker clothing has to be worn.

Underneath the camo exterior sits a 12 bore gasser complete with a 26” barrel and versatile 3” chamber and a vented 7mm grooved rib that in turn feeds into a rather Italianesque alloy dovetailed receiver stamped with bold capitals that proudly announce that this is an Escort Magnum although in this instance its rather well disguised. The right-hand side houses the single-claw bolt that cycles past the elongated ejection port whilst a small lever just below operates the magazine cut-off. By simply depressing this short protrusion, the chambered round can be removed or discharged without the next round being cycled so allowing for a change of load size without having to empty the entire gun. To unlock just push the lever gently forward and the Escort will function as normal.

Turn the gun upside down and besides the honeycomb recoil pad you’ll find the only other area to have evaded the Mossy Oak effect. The black loading gate also incorporates the bolt release, the grooved inch long protrusion naturally guiding the second and third rounds into the magazine tube whilst allowing the bolt to slide into battery. Move rearwards and an oversized black trigger-guard houses a long non-adjustable trigger blade along with the usual cross-bolt safety to the rear. Apart from that all that remains of these overtly simple semi-autos is the heavy-duty action slide and spring plus the self-regulating valve that takes care of everything else all of its own accord. 

Out For a Duck

Usually I shoot a shotgun at clays before ever contemplating live quarry. But an impromptu invitation to shoot ducks from my friend Darren Newton, one of the country’s top DTL shooters couldn’t be missed. Equally, it was too good an opportunity not to take the MOOB, the gun purpose built for the task. So a few minutes with the Arrow Laser Shot immediately confirmed that, as with all Escorts I’ve tried, it mounted exactly right, shot flat and most importantly, looked unerringly were I did, the 7mm grooved rib almost invisible apart from the small brass bead. Te reason is that Hatsan produce one of the best proportioned synthetic stocks in the business, with drops at comb and heel of 115/16” and 21/8” combined with a length of pull measuring 14½”, ideal when wearing a thicker jacket, along with a 7lbs average pull weight, once again suited to gloved hands and fingers whilst the long, rounded forend promotes comfort and smooth handling for the leading hand.

Fitting a ½ choke and loading up with some of Remington’s buffered No: 2 shot Sportsman Hi Speed Steel ammo, my faith in the MOOB was quickly rewarded as we made our way down through some thick rushes. Two mallard rising rapidly from the thick cover both fell to one shot apiece whilst a little later the MOOB added another duck and a graylag to the bag, each bird a single shot kill, the large recoil pad eliminating all but the most imperceptible amount of magnum load recoil whilst the gun itself remained balanced throughout.

By decreasing the load to 28g Express World Cups filled with 6½’s the MOOB was equally at home around fifty sporting clays, a forty-five being more than respectable, the five missed targets down to me and certainly not the Escort.

Both outings were proof positive of this shotgun’s genuine versatility and inherent ability. For what at times feels to be quite a large shotgun, the MOOB moves freely, requires little effort to get it onto target and can switch easily and effortlessly between opposing birds, be they feathered or otherwise. Basically, like all Escorts, the MOOB is a genuinely nice, friendly gun to use with no actual vices or obvious downsides, all in for what is still a remarkable cheap £629.   

New For Old

Confirmed by importer’s Edgar Brothers that the new Hatsan Escort semi – automatic will be contained within their warehouse within a matter of weeks, it’ll be interesting to see how well it performs when compared to the Escort Magnum to a degree it’ll have to be markedly better than it’s already established sibling to dislodge it from its lofty perch. A genuinely remarkable single-barrelled shotgun that has withstood criticism and established itself and the reputation of the maker as a manufacturer of basic, inherently reliable guns, apart from various price rises and the occasional glitch, the Escort Magnum still remains an excellent piece of kit.

The Three R’s – Robust, Ready and Reliable

If further proof were needed my friends at Bond & Bywater purposely abused an eleven-shot, Section 1 conversion over a twelve month period and apart from the requirement for the occasional injection of lubricant to free up bolt travel, the gun never failed. Equally, attend any gamekeepers’ clay shoot and you can’t move for Escort Magnums, these Turkish gassers nigh on the under keepers’ staple diet due to the gun’s affordability and durability.

Yes, the Escort could possibly be described as a little bit rough and ready especially by those who’ve never handled one and no, the Escort will never possess the prestige of its Italian counterparts. But if hitting targets in inhospitable conditions is the priority with a gun that’s proven its resilience to abuse then for the price it’s actually nigh on impossible to think of any other shotgun that comes close. Irrespective of whichever external finish suits you the best, if it’s a genuine workhorse you’re after, it has to be Hatsan’s Escort Magnum.