Hatfield 12 gauge semi auto review

Well I went a tried out my new $200 Hatfield shotgun from Walmart. It is the 12 gauge semi auto. I was limited on ammo as to what I could find. I started out shooting federal 2 3/4" #8 shot with a modified choke. It shot great but wouldn't cycle. I read up on their website and apparently is has to shoot at least 1200 fps to cycle. These #8'S were 1145 fps but pattered well at 20 yards. Next I shot a #5 shot turkey load with the modified choke. It cycled and shot well at 30 Yards but I didn't like the way it patterned. Not enough lead on paper for me. So I put the full choke tube in and I was happy with the pattern and the way it shot. Except that's when I noticed a crack in the forend grip. Tried to call Hatfield and couldn't get anyone to answer the phone. I sent them a email and still haven't heard from them. If your looking for a cheap backup shotgun this may be an option for dove and small game. But if your gonna shoot slugs or buckshot or even some turkey loads probably not gonna cut it.

I won one at a NWTF banquet last year. I disassembled it and to me it just felt really cheap next to every other model I had. We shot it and it performed ok but I wasnt impressed. I ended up sending it down the road. As you said probably ok for a backup but I think there are better guns in that same price range.

Yep! Learned my lesson! Again! You get what you pay for! Its crazy though because I read the reviews and their was enough positive to take a chance for $200! I dont know what these folks that posted reviews know about shotguns?

Possible that the fire arm cap was go tight ? I have seen many browning A5s with split fore arms . I think all but one I own are cracked.

We bought 8 of the single shot $99.00 Hatfields to use for our Jakes Day events, they've had hundreds of shots through them without a single issue. Other than adjusting the crazy hard trigger they've had no work done to any of them.

Yep! Learned my lesson! Again! You get what you pay for! Its crazy though because I read the reviews and their was enough positive to take a chance for $200! I dont know what these folks that posted reviews know about shotguns?

We bought 8 of the single shot $99.00 Hatfields to use for our Jakes Day events, they've had hundreds of shots through them without a single issue. Other than adjusting the crazy hard trigger they've had no work done to any of them.

Bought my son a single 20 when they came out and we've ran alot of different rounds through it with no issues as well. And they do have a stiff trigger on them.

The biggest splitter of browning A-5 forends is having the friction rings reversed and shooting heavy loads with the rings set for light loads.

That's possible also. Most of what I have read about it is the cap is to tight or to loose. With the ones I own anything could be possible but operator error is the cause most times.

I had read about over tightening so I didn't tighten it all the way. Just till it started clicking. As far as too loose? Who knows? How do you know?

The triggers are easy to adjust, take the stock off and adjust one screw. You can get them down to manageable easily but don't go too far or they won't have enough spring to shoot.

Make sure you shim it and use loctite...simple and effective.

I had read about over tightening so I didn't tighten it all the way. Just till it started clicking. As far as too loose? Who knows? How do you know?