So I needed a cheap snake gun, but I couldn’t find a snake charmer anywhere. As I was about to leave I saw a 12 guage hanging on the wall for a bit less than $200. It was a Hatsan Escort. Turkish.

I thought it was junk but needed something that would do away with pests from a distance. The LGS guy, (a good one, not the typical) said it was a way better gun than the price.

Fast foreword the last 2 days I have been shooting it with 7.5 target, and Power shok 00buck.

It is a blast. It runs slick and smooth. Looks well built and solid.

It is quite the handful with 00 buck. I can’t imagine magnum loads in a pump gun. Like I said...I’m sore...because lit I like it, especially for the price.

CZ Shotguns are made in Turkey by Huglu and worth much more than the selling price.

I currently have two and am pleased as punch with both. Number 1 is a 20 gage O/U purchased for use in Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays. As for the model, it's the CZ Teal which is a Cabela's exclusive variant of the Redhead Premier. Difference for this model is a black powder coated finish over the brushed chrome plated receiver for the Redhead Premier. BTW, another member at the Gun Club I shoot at has a 12 gage teal were the powder coating wasn't properly hardened so he stripped down the receiver and used a buffing wheel on it. Looks EXACTLY like the Redhead Premier with a slightly different butt stock.

Number Two is the CZ 712 Semi Auto in 12 gage. Being a bit of an old fart I just don't enjoy having my shoulder beat up by a 12 gage so I got a semi for the softer recoil impulse. Function is 100% perfect and it is nearly as soft shooting as my 20 gage and I am actually a bit more accurate with the 12 at present.

However I need to spend time at a patterning board with the 20 and figure out what sight picture will put my pattern dead on center. BTW, I have Mid Rib Beads installed on both shotguns and would advise anyone new to shotgun shooting seriously consider having this done.

Point is, do NOT look down your nose at the Turkish made shotguns, they are one heck of a good value for the price. I'll also point out that the Ejectors on the CZ O/U shotguns have earned a reputation for being much more durable than those on the Browning Citori.