Aselkon Shotgun

Aselkon Hydraulic Metal Iron and Steel Engineering Machinery Industry and Trade Co. Inc started production of semi-automatic shotguns in 2019 from their Turkish factory. They have control over all processes of manufacture and as such can maintain good quality control. From the raw materials first entering their facilities to the final product, high quality is key when it comes to producing really well-made semi-automatic shotguns at a decent price point.

This Inter Arms Camo Plus model utilises an inertia bolt operating system, resulting in a clean and reliable semi-auto 12-gauge. Its allover Camo Max-5 pattern makes it a good all-rounder for pigeon or wildfowl use and being steel shot proofed with five multi chokes, this semi is good for anything you can throw at it. There are a surprising number of models with silver, black, bronze or engraved actions complemented by standard or Lux walnut as well as black or camo synthetic, as we have here.

Raytrade UK Ltd now imports these shotguns as well as the Aselkon range of airguns, and I have to say they are very good value for money from my first impressions.

Barrel and chokes

This model shows the longer 30” tube and as such achieves a very good sightline and added swing. I found it was well in tune or balanced with the ergonomics of the gun. Aselkon takes great pride in this Inter Arms model, with a precision drilled Inter bored barrel that has a very good internal finish and standard forcing cone arrangement. It is designed to shoot plastic or fibre wads equally well and the concentric ensures the patterns down range are uniform.

You have a 3” chamber and of course the gun is stamped with the all-important Fleur de Lys steel proof marks, so it’s good for clay, game or wildfowl steel loads. Each Inter barrel is proof tested to 1500 BAR before leaving the factory.

The shotgun comes with a full complement of five chokes (InterPro system), consisting of C, IC, M, IM and F options. Remember, half choke or below for steel. They sit flush the muzzle and screw in and out easily with the supplied choke key. Aselkon also maximizes the consistency of shot placement by reducing friction through these chokes by ensuring that there is a highly polished surface within.

Sighting is via a single dayglo red element near the muzzle. It sits on a serrated (non-reflective) rib which I measured at 7mm. So, a nice width to lead the eye but not large enough to cover too much of the game you are shooting at.

What about the action?

The action is made from aluminium, so lightweight yet strong, plus it’s clad in the Max-5 camouflage pattern, just like the rest of the gun. In my opinion, this is the best option for all terrains.

At the rear of the barrel is the extended action top cover, which resembles a very famous Italian maker! The bolt reciprocates within this piece and ejects from its side spur. The Inter Arms uses an inertia system, so it does not carry the extra weight of a gas-operated mechanism. The system is simple, easy to use and cleaner too. Aselkon has made proprietary refinements to the ultrareliable, Bruno Civolani ‘floating bolt’action system, which ensures the shotgun is able to cycle very cleanly.

The bolt’s head shows two locking lugs that rotate into the integral abutments in the barrel/action sleeve. The head feels smooth and locates very easily, plus it utilises the ‘Inertia Technology Locking System’to ensure positive bolt head lockup under all conditions. The bolt’s head is brightly polished, with a large claw for extraction. Its body is nicely blued and there is a large, serrated cocking handle for an assured grip.

With the integrated action top/ barrel coming off together, there is good access to the major working parts of the action for cleaning. All of which seems very well made and finished. The top of the action is not drilled or tapped for scope mounts though, which is a shame.

As far as operation goes, the action holds open on the last round and there is a small blued trapezoid button that releases the bolt. Also, when cocked a small lever drops down the right side of the action by the trigger, with a red dot indicating that the Aselkon is live and ready to fire. Easy Loading of the shotgun is achieved through a bevelled loading port, with an outward angled cartridge drop lever ensuring the Inter is easy to operate, even with wet or cold hands.

The polymer trigger guard shows a pointed profile and offers good access to the trigger blade, even with a gloved hand. The single-stage trigger shows a smooth, blued steel blade and the mechanism broke very cleanly. The cross-bolt safety set in the rear of the trigger guard is also simple and effective.

Stock

The Max-5 Camo finish provides good concealment coupled with a good weatherproof shield. You have a length of pull of 14.5”, so not too short and you have shims to alter the cast and drop. The drop at heel is 55±1 mm but can be adjusted from 45-50-60mm. Drop at the comb is 37±1 mm with the same adjustment. When I mounted the gun, it lined up fine with my eye down the rib, so I left it alone.

I really like the long-raked and angled pistol grip with subtle palm swells to both sides. Plus, on top of the comb is a 6.5” long inset black polymer cheek rest. A moulded-in sling swivel loop with stud on the forend cap is handy and recoil is dissipated by the large and quite wide black rubber recoil pad.

The forend can be removed by simply removing the heavily knurled end cap and the overall forend profile is 12.75” long with an unusual diamond shape if viewed from the front. This means that the chequered panel running along the underside of the forend really fits the hand well, as it is slim and then widens at the middle. The top then slims down again and achieves a fulllength finger groove for a firm hold.

In the field

I have to say that this Aselkon handles very well and is very nimble in the hold, plus it swings very well with that 30” barrel. I set up the pattern boards at 30 yards and shot some steel and lead loads to appraise its performance using the ½ choke.

I started with some very capable Eley Pigeon Select cartridges (30- grams of No.6 shot). From past experience, these have shot decent patterns and this time was no different. Well centralised to the bead foresight, we had a total of 187 pellet strikes that were very evenly spread throughout the sectors, with 139 outer and 48 inner hits. Low recoil from the inertia system with good ejection and fast reloading too.

I tried some 21 and 24-gram Blue Diamonds to test functionality and yes, the 21-gram loads shot nice patterns but did not cycle cleanly.

However, the 24-gram cartridges shot and cycled reliably every time.

Next up were two steel loads. The Gamebore Super Steel cartridges (32-grams of No.5 shot) recoiled a bit more but nothing bad at all, plus the patterns were central, if slightly high, and showed a good density. The overall shot count was 221 pellet hits, which is amazing for a half choke. There were 96 inner (15”) strikes and the remaining 125 pellets were spread about the periphery. Blimey, this Aselkon liked this load!

Another steel loading that I used was the 3” Winchester Blind Sides (38-gram of No.3 shot). They are a bit unusual as they use Hexagonal shot. They patterned very high and left and the total pellet count was only 169, with 43 inner strikes and 126 outer hits. Not for this gun, so stick to the Super Steels.

Conclusion

Considering the price, its nod to the Italian looks and the really reliable inertia system, the Aselkon Inter Arms is a cheap but good Turkish gun. The patterns tell the truth about performance with the right load and I can see it being used primarily as a great all-round rough shooter’s gun.