It just so happened that Turkish hunting rifles often fall under the hot hand of Russian hunters. Reviews about them can be both enthusiastic and very skeptical. And often the products of the Turkish arms industry are blamed for its inability to do at least something that reaches the level of civilized countries. But in vain, since every 4-5th tank of the NATO bloc is armed specifically with the Turkish Hatsan machine gun (this concern produces not only machine guns, but also torpedo tubes, quick-fire guns, etc.), and many companies produce equipment under European licenses. So criticizing Turkish 12-gauge guns based on stereotypes and prejudices is not entirely reasonable.
Gun features
There is no weapons school in Turkey, so most of the products are manufactured using Italian technology, using appropriate materials and quality standards. Of course, there are also our own developments, but not all of them use successful technical solutions, and some should be sent to the scrap immediately after assembly. Why? In Turkey there are about 300 companies involved in the production of guns (almost every city has a cooperative), some of which are produced “on the knee”, from those materials that accidentally were at hand.
Naturally, there is no need to talk about any quality and reliability in this case. Therefore, Turkish smoothbore guns are better to choose from the "Europeanized" brands, for example Stoeger. Another criterion may be the presence of a company website. If it is not, then most likely the product was assembled at home and using the technology of the XIX century.
Domestic or imported?
The question arises: why buy a pig in a poke, if you can take time-tested domestic counterparts, rather than Turkish semi-automatic guns? Speaking from the standpoint of “price-quality” and not affecting the technical features, the “Turks” can act as a substitute for expensive Italian weapons, since on average they are cheaper by $ 400-500, and without a noticeable drop in quality (Italian license + guarantee for some types rifles from the side of "pasta" concerns exert their life-giving influence). In addition, the Stoegers and Armsans do not suffer so much from the main drawback of the domestic arms industry - the heavy weight of semi-automatic rifles. Turkish semi-automatic rifles are lighter by about 300-400 grams, which is more than noticeable during sea hunting.
In addition, unlike domestic counterparts, Turkish models do not contain any traces of adjustment, fit, etc., which allows them to confidently maintain technological superiority.
Semiautomatic mechanics
While Russian products use only gas exhaust automation, Turkish 12-caliber rifles are semi-automatic machines based on the delivery of weapons and the recoil of the shutter with a buffer spring. Such a scheme copes worse with recoil, however, it is much simpler and not so picky about the types of gunpowder. And, as you know, the simpler the unit, the more difficult it is to break it. Ammunition will not be a problem either, since standard Russian ammunition for Turkish weapons is suitable (although there are rumors of craftsmen loading ammunition that is naturally calibrated, but this is a risk, and you must consciously go for it).
In total, it turns out a kind of imported “economy class” for those who do not have enough money for an American or Italian manufacturer, and the domestic one is already fed up with it.
Below we consider the most famous (and available in the vastness of Russia) Turkish smoothbore guns.
Stoeger 2000
This model was released in 2001 by Stoeger SanayA.S., Owned by the very famous concern Beretta. Stoeger 2000 was positioned as an inexpensive self-loading shotgun for any purpose (from army modifications to, in fact, hunting).
As mentioned above, the quality of the finish of the "Turks" is inferior to Italian products, but the working part of the gun (parts for which are made in Italy) does not cause the slightest complaints.
Structurally, the Stoeger is a clone of the Benelli M1 Super 90, which means that it adopts its inertial automation, the mechanism of the spring, etc.
Another feature of this gun is that, like many 12-gauge Turkish five-shotguns, it holds only 4 rounds in the barrel magazine, and the fifth is loaded directly into the chamber, so sometimes they write in the store’s capacity: 4 + 1.
This model is produced only 12 gauges, with trunks of various lengths - from 47 to 76 cm. However, in Russia the version with a 71-mm barrel, interchangeable chokes and a ventilated aiming bar has taken root. You are likely to meet her in the store.
Escort PS
Earlier it was a question of the fact that there are 12-caliber Turkish rifles semi-automatic, which are not copies of famous Italian models, but their own developments of Turkish gunsmiths. One of the successful examples of such “initiative” is the Escort brand, manufactured by Hatsan.
Escort is available in several versions: Escort PS, Escort AS, Escort Shadow Grass, etc. Some of them are made in the style of Camo. We will consider Escort PS as the most common and affordable.
For reloading, gas exhaust automation is used, but with the Smart Valve Position system (allows you to use ammunition from sports to "super-magnum").
The gun is made under the cartridge of the 12th or 20th caliber (in this case there will be a PS 20 mark), with a different barrel length - from 66 to 76 cm. Regardless of the caliber, the forearm and the bed of this model are made of impact-resistant polyamide fiber. Escort, like the classic Turkish five-shotgun (for example, the Stoeger 2000, described above), in the basic configuration, holds 4 rounds in the under-barrel magazine, plus one in the chamber. However, this capacity can be either increased to 7 + 1, or reduced to 2 + 1 using purchased accessories. And to simplify charging, Escort uses a quick reload system that allows you to automatically send cartridges to the chamber from the magazine.
Bronko heades
Bronko, manufactured at the Ottomangus factory, as well as almost any Turkish five-shot gun, was copied from the Italian model, namely with Benelli Montefeltro.
The mass of the gun, as in the case with most Turks, is small - 3.15 kg in an unloaded state, with a barrel length of 76 cm, which makes it an ideal choice for sea hunting. The capacity of an underbarrel magazine for cartridges with a sleeve length of 76 mm is 4 cartridges, for 70 mm ammunition - 5.
The Bronco barrel has a ventilated bar with an anti-reflective pattern over the entire surface. Thanks to her, aiming is much more convenient and easier, since there will be no glare and haze from the trunk.
The execution of the gun is possible either with a wooden butt and fore-end (material - Turkish walnut), or with plastic. As a result, the owner of the Bronco receives a high-quality and reliable gun, with a time-tested design, without unnecessary frills, which is what distinguishes Turkish 12-caliber guns (semi-automatic).
In any case, despite the simplicity and some external “clumsiness, ” you can be sure that the manufacturer did not save a single detail that directly affects the accuracy and reliability of the weapon.
Companion e
Many of the 12-gauge Turkish five-shot guns we examined are copies of the famous Italian. So is the Companion E - the Turkish counterpart to the Beretta A301.
Recharging is carried out using a gas venting mechanism, available for 12th or 20th caliber. The barrel length is 76 cm, and it can be increased with the help of a barrel extension. The declared mass of a discharged gun is 3 kg, which is quite a bit (and at 20 it’s generally a toy). As befits any Turkish “clone”, steel is purchased in Europe and processed on computerized machines, which guarantees the reliability of the weapon and its high quality. However, it also has its drawbacks - the internal surfaces of wood and metal are processed much worse than the "European", but at an acceptable level. The plastic trigger may fall apart when fired, but similar cases (as well as undershot or wedge) are very rare.
Turkish rifles 12 caliber shotgun
The last in this impromptu “weapon review” will be the Huglu double-barreled shotgun: Huglu 103B BL 12 caliber, smooth-bore “vertical” from Turkey. The length of the gun barrel is 76 cm. The vertical barrel significantly increases visibility, and the selector for switching the trunks makes the shooting process much more convenient. It should also be noted its excellent balance, which distinguishes Turkish 12-gauge guns. Turkish-made double-barreled shotguns, including Huglu, are equipped with a wooden butt made of Turkish walnut. The gun requires a lot of attention, it should be constantly cleaned and lubricated to avoid jamming of mechanisms and other troubles. Yes, and for order and self-organization is useful.
Due to its weight, this barrel can be used when hunting in conditions of movement over long distances. Mostly birds shoot from it, but this gun can also be used to hunt a hare or any other small animals.
