Optima MP-A Review and range report.

Plink

Plink

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Optima MP-A Review and range report.

The Hatsan Optima MP-A is a Turkish built semi-auto shotgun classed as a “Military and Police” unit. Overall, the unit is well constructed, light and ergonomic. The MP-A is an “Easy pointer” and controls are placed in the usual places. Plunger safety is like the Rem 870. Trigger is better than my 870’s. Apparently, Hatsan is now contracted to make barrels for Benelli, so I’m comfortable in saying that barrel quality is probably OK.
The unit has some neat features such as the built in shell holder in the stock
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Also the magazine cut-off which allows you to cycle the action without loading another shell from the magazine tube.

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Bolt is a hold open design so when the mag tube is empty, the bolt remains to the rear. Bolt release is accomplished by pushing up on the Bolt / Carrier release button which is integrated into the shell feed ramps at the bottom of the gun. I find this location a bit annoying, but certainly not a show stopper.


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Sights are ghost rings with hi-viz fibre optics



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They are quite decent for low light and point and shoot type sighting. They are adjustable for windage and elevation.




The shotgun has two built in Picatinny rails. One on the top of the receiver, and one on the bottom of the forearm.




The barrel is externally threaded for the flash hider. This model has the standard flash hider, but there are other knarly ones available.


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Other barrels are available which are threaded for chokes.






The shotgun is easily field stripped into its major components for cleaning



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This is a link to the generic Optima manual online. http://www.hatsan.com.tr/pdf/Escort_Semi_Auto_Shotgun/Escort_Instruction_Manual_GB.pdf




I asked the seller about accessories for the gun and was told that there were a number of bits and pieces available for the unit. Stocks, flash hiders, barrels etc.

Range report – Loads – #7 ½ - #4.
Ran through some loads of #4 and #7 ½. On paper the gun patterned very well off the hop. Then I got inventive with my targets.. Anyone in IT will appreciate this. Some video of me firing and the target.


[youtube]rnDaa5ipBu8[/youtube]






I work in IT.. I always wanted to do this.. :D :D


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I ran about 25 rounds through it for the test drive without any FTF’s. All were 2 ¾. I thought I had some 3” slugs, but I must have used them all. Sorry about that.




The Hatsan Optima MP-A is priced under $500 for a new unit, taxes in. This is an affordable, fun, decently built semi-auto shotgun for anyone looking for a semi without breaking the bank. I think I found my new truck gun.




This review is based solely on my opinions and impressions. Please do not flame me if you have different thoughts on this gun. I'll try and answer any queries you may have.
 
No, when the lifter is closed it automatically pushes a round back under the bolt.

Can't see a way of changing this, but let me fiddle and if I figure out a way to do it, I'll post it here.
 
thanks for the review! looks like a fun plinker (well, at least for semi-auto shotguns lol) for a great price. care to share where you got it from ? :)
 
I was looking on Hatsan's website and it says that the 18.5" model has a mag capacity of 5+1, and that's with the tube extension attached. From your video, though, it looks like it's only 3+1? or 4+1?
 
Great review, thanks Plink.

Plink said:
I work in IT.. I always wanted to do this.. :D :D
Click to expand...

Lol, reminds of the time that Ryerson got rid of the card readers in the Business Building (yes, I am that old....). They took the card readers out front and charged anyone who had to use them a buck to take a swing at them with a sledge hammer...... they made a lot of money that day!!!
 
Beretta holding Co. own Benelli, Franchi, Stoeger and Uberti.

I know for sure the Stoeger M2000 (possibly the new M3500) are both made in Turkey.

I was told the barrel on Franchi I-12 was made in the same plan the M2000 was made (the I-12 is mid-price range in between Stoeger and Benelli).

If the plan makes barrel for Franchi it is possible that the same plan makes the Benelli barrel since the 2nd generation M2000 are much better gun more refine finishing (around 2007 when they replace their machinery with new cnc machines in Turkey).

Not sure if Stoeger Silah Sanayi A.S. (former Vursan arms company) is related to Hatsan Arms or not though.
 
They look very similar and I have read in other places that the Hatsan is the exact same licensed design as the Fabarm. There pumps also look to be the same as the Fabarm pumps just with a bit different styling.
 
Not to be a threadjacker BUT I might as well also add my thoughts about the HATSAN MP-A ...It is a 5+1 NON Restricted.

I too have very recently purchased and tested this semi and Ive got to say I was pleasantly surprised !

First off the price point: $490.00 taxes in.

vs. DOMINION ARMS COUGAR SEMI-AUTO SHOTGUN - 18.5" - 12 GA + $525.00 taxes in

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As you can see I placed the MP-A to scale with my done to the teets 12.5 Grizzly and an Ithaca M37 pump.

Here I added a couple of pistols for scale if you happen 2 have a CZ75 or Rihno 357 mag.

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Next photo illustration has the TruGlo 30mm compared to a EOTech sight on the Grizzly.

The TruGlow AimPiont is a dual colour dot/circle - shooter has green or red option and the brightness is adjustable. I am impressed with the quality for the $110. Ive paid for it.

The front extended hood is a really nice glare stopper when there is a very bright overhead sun and the circle dot combo is PERFECT for zeroing the round steel plates when engaged in practical shotgun runs.

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I also picked the TruGlo cause it matches with the trueglo ghost sights !!!!!

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u cant really tell BUT this is what I can see on the back end of the Truglo AimPoint.
As I said be4 its green or red circle dot reticle.

The MP-A foregrip comes standard witha pictinny rail perfect for a Fenix Digital TK15(337 Lumens) Tac light with the strobe option & cord switch.

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Here is the breach side view of the MP-A

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Now for my test results:

This shotgun is light and nimble in fact its lighter than the 12.5 Grizzly with all the tac stuff on it.

It shoots way faster than my Ithaca M37 that can "slam fire" and trust me... I CAN pump fire very fast with my M37.

On a rapid sequence fire - the video we shot had the 1st and 6th shell all floating in the air with very little muzzle rise with No.7 target loads.

AS fast as I can belt out 6 rounds I found the trigger pull to be a little strange. Unlike my Ithaca and Grizzly the pull GOES up and back. Note where the pivot point is with the picture.

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After shooting 2 boxes of no7 target loads I got used to the strange "pull up" action.

If you boys can go back to the first photo - please compare the LOP on the Grizzly which is @ 11inches - the MP-A is at 14inches.

I have a large frame but I stand at 5'6" which means at a low ready I have to bring my arms out and up to shoulder.

I am hunting down another Hatsan stock that I can cut down to 11" so I can wear the shotgun with a tac vest on a timed practical run. So anybody that happens to have one :EMAIL me.

Overall I am impressed with the test that we did on this MP-A - it did everything we asked it to do right out of the box. My MAIN worry is spare parts for this gun when and if it breaks.

For the price of this gun($490) that wants to be a Benelli M2 @$1800 ish Taxes in, you can afford to buy 3 MP-As and add in a Moist Nugget(Mosin Naggat?) for laughs with the spare change.

So are you looking to buy like a cheep bastard like me and put the rest of the cash to ammo? Fine go ahead its worth it for me so far.....

Click here to hear me and Moe ramble on when we test fired it at the range!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou7sTEljp5A
 
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Crappy picture, but this is how it looks tonight thanks to my local ..... :cool:


optimafolder.JPG





PS:

Sorry it's not pictured with any of my knives, swords, cannons, howitzers, jeeps, or anything else cool except my pistol box, MOLLE vest and swivel chair.. I will strive to do better next time.......... :D



#### it...... it's not here to be pretty.. It's here to be used..... ;)
 
@sendmorebrains,
How is this TruGlo red dot sight works on your Hatsan semi auto gun?does it hold zero well after shooting full power OO buckshots and slugs?
 
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