Sleeper Shotguns

[KarateHottie93]

Hatsan Escort BTS12 without a doubt. I’ve had mine for a while and it’s been 100% reliable so far.

My left arm is almost entirely paralyzed so I love semi auto bullpup shotguns, and I have owned almost every type. The only one that’s really been worth holding onto in my opinion is this Escort.

I also have a Tavor 12 that’s sitting in pawn. I’m debating whether I should just stop paying on it and let it go, or get it out. It’s cool and I love that it’s tube fed, and allows for 15+1. It’s just not as reliable as I’d like a gun that cost me $1,300 to be. With that said, I’ve never had failures from your typical 2.75 buckshot. Even #4 buck has worked fine in it. Low brass (as expected), and even magnum loads have given me some issues. I believe they mention a break in period though, so maybe it will get to 100% reliability (or at least extremely close) here eventually.

I also had the Tristar bullpup 12GA. It was a Saiga clone in a bullpup stock. It was fun, but even with 2.75 buck, it was only MOSTLY reliable. With low brass, it was a coin toss. I’d definitely stay away from the bullpup AK shotguns for now unless it’s just for fun.

Back to the Escort BTS12 in my picture though…it’s amazing. The build quality of the stock isn’t great. With that said, it just runs, and it’s insanely cheap. This gun could be double the MSRP and I’d still recommend it though. Even the YouTube videos on it all seem to show great reliability, which seems rare for any Turkish autoloading shotgun.

I’ve also heard the Panzer bullpup (which seems to be extremely similar) is also unexpectedly reliable. It may even be the same gun but with a slightly different stock. Either way, I’d 100% recommend this firearm to anyone. I’m not sure how customer service is. I’d imagine it’s not the best based off cheap Turkish shotgun company stereotypes. Mines never given me any issues worth reaching out for though…and they could possibly be great.

Worst case scenario, at least it’s a small investment (in the gun world) to try one out for yourself.

 

[Scribner]

The market is flooded with all kinds of shotguns right now, by no less than 100 manufacturers under 1000 different names, it's hard to keep track. We all know that the Mossberg, Remington along with Browning, Winchester, Beretta and Benelli are among the standard, top recommended guns and for good reason.

But what are some of the sleeper guns not alot of people know about that have proved to be reliable and decent quality but can't compete with and live in the shadow of the old proven guns like 500/590's and 870's. Is there anything worth looking at outside of the typically recommended giants?

I remember thinking my NEF pardner was kind of a low rent placeholder until I could get a "real" 870 but it took me about 10 years to get around to replacing it with the real deal because it worked just fine and the build quality looked and felt excellent to me, definitely comparable to an Express, not in the same league with a wingmaster though.

Thoughts, anybody pleasantly surprised with their el cheapo no name shotguns?

It’s not new, but I am constantly impressed with Winchester M37’s. Very simple. Goes bang after 60-80 years

 

[mokin]

Of those mentioned, I have experience with the NEF Pardner and Maverik 88. I've been impressed by both.

 

[mokin]

can’t remember model or anything. It was an old sears and robuck 12 ga w adjustable choke. Shot my first dear with one. Then a few years later my boss had one cut down to 18.5. The smith broke three drill bits putting the bead back on. Said it was the strongest metal he’s ever seen on a gun. Wish i still had it. Paid $100 then sold it a few years later.

It was probably a really nice shootin' iron. Marlin, Winchester, Mossberg, and Stevens all made guns for Sears (as well as a lot of others). Don't feel bad. We've all had those ones that got away. Hopefully you got your $100 worth of fun before you sold it.

 

[Landgroove]

Strangely, my Rossi Circuit Judge with .410s is the quickest, sure pointing shotgun I own.
Within 20 or so yards of course.

 

[Choctaw]

I've read a lot about the 88, basically a budget Mossberg 500 made in Mexico (assembled by Mossberg employees). The only bad out of all the reviews is the disassembly, most give it a 2.5 out of 5. Other than that it's a simple blued barrel on a cheap plastic stock with no accessories sold on it, all 500 accessories fit it.

I've had multiple 88s in different gauges and have never had a problem yet. However, they are assembled in Eagle Pass, Texas.

 

[kje54]

I've had multiple 88s in different gauges and have never had a problem yet. However, they are assembled in Eagle Pass, Texas.

I didn't mean to imply they were not good shotguns, especially for the price.
The one I'm currently looking at is the Escort Slugger, typically between $160 and $200. Basically a copy of the Remington 870 and the Escort has nothing but 5 star reviews with what everyone claims is the smoothest action on any pump action shotgun.

These are the two variants:

 

[Choctaw]

I didn't mean to imply they were not good shotguns, especially for the price.
The one I'm currently looking at is the Escort Slugger, typically between $160 and $200. Basically a copy of the Remington 870 and the Escort has nothing but 5 star reviews with what everyone claims is the smoothest action on any pump action shotgun.

These are the two variants:

View attachment 1151707

No, I wasn't disagreeing with you at all. They are everything you described them to be. It is cool you can buy a new gun (any gun these days) for a little over $200 OTD knowing you got a pretty good deal.

 

[Blue Brick]

The old Norinco 870 copies were pretty good albeit heavy. Most parts, but not all were interchangeable with the Remington 807. I rated into a Norinco 98 20 years ago and my son still uses it to this day.

I have the Protector.