Hatsan Escort?

[docsmileyface]

I went shotgun shopping for my girlfriend today and saw one that looked pretty neat. Only thing is I've never heard of a Hatsan Escort, and haven't been able to locate any reviews on the thing. The guy at the store said he didn't know anything about it, except for that it was from Turkey. I asked if that meant it was bad and he said "not necessarily, they make Springfield pistols in Croatia now."

Anybody have any experience or input on this sucker? I know a Mossberg or a Remington is only a little more (well, $100 more) but it felt pretty solid, the action was smoother then I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, it comes with a pistol grip stock as well as a traditional, and only costs $190 bucks.

[-hanko]

I went shotgun shopping for my girlfriend today and saw one that looked pretty neat. Only thing is I've never heard of a Hatsan Escort, and haven't been able to locate any reviews on the thing. The guy at the store said he didn't know anything about it, except for that it was from Turkey. I asked if that meant it was bad and he said "not necessarily, they make Springfield pistols in Croatia now."

Anybody have any experience or input on this sucker? I know a Mossberg or a Remington is only a little more (well, $100 more) but it felt pretty solid, the action was smoother then I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, it comes with a pistol grip stock as well as a traditional, and only costs $190 bucks.

A Turkish variation on a Winchester??...not sure, manual pics blurry. Try Google for reviews, first hit... http://www.hatsan.com.tr/escort_pump_actions.asp

Maybe somethin I could stick in the ATV scabbard, but I can do that with a used Stevens/Remington/Mossberg/etc clunker for about the same bucks. I'd want to know where to get parts if the Hatsan stopped running. It doesn't look any crappier than the Century's Ithaca & Remington clones...Turkey or China, pick one

Springfield's XD guns started in eastern Europe, Springfield (always out to give gun owners a great deal) picked up the line and raised the price ~$100...not that S'field did anything but change the slide marking.

-hanko