Hatfield 20 Gauge Auto Problem

[Coaltminer]

Bought new at Walmart, feeds 2 3/4” high brass but 3” not. Fires the chambered shell but won’t eject it before the released shell from the magazine tried to feed. The unejected 3” still in the ejection port. Numerous attempts to contact Hatfied at any of their numbers always say the number has been changed or disconnected. Your thoughts? Thanks

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

sounds like you bought a nice cheap 2.75 chamber 20 gauge

Good luck but that disconnected phone thing does not bode well.....

 

[2152hq]

The only one I ever looked over was a 12ga Hatfield,,2 3/4 & 3".
It came with 2 pistons,,or 'gas rings'.
One for light loads,,the other for heavy loads (3"?)
They fit onto the end of the mag tube and you had to remove the forend and bbl to switch them,,easy enough.

I don't know enough (anything!) about these other than recalling that feature which might be a cause for the non-ejection issue if the wrong 'ring' is in place for the 3" shells.

Maybe that was an older design feature and they don't even use that 2- ring system anymore.
Just some thoughts.

 

[Coaltminer]

Hatfield 20 Gauge Semi Auto

The only one I ever looked over was a 12ga Hatfield,,2 3/4 & 3".
It came with 2 pistons,,or 'gas rings'.
One for light loads,,the other for heavy loads (3"?)
They fit onto the end of the mag tube and you had to remove the forend and bbl to switch them,,easy enough.

I don't know enough (anything!) about these other than recalling that feature which might be a cause for the non-ejection issue if the wrong 'ring' is in place for the 3" shells.

Maybe that was an older design feature and they don't even use that 2- ring system anymore.
Just some thoughts.

It’s my understanding that the 20 doesn’t use the 2 piston system. Comes with just one. YouTube seems to indicate that the 12 is quite reliable but the 20 is plagued with issues. Guess I’m stuck with it. I’ll keep it, but I wish I’d picked the 12. Strange that the website lists the 20 at about $50 more than the 12, but Wally had either for the same price $198.

 

[max503]

OT post: Walmart has 20 gauge pump 870's and they are so cute.

 

[JH1951]

There have been reviews done on the Hatfields, of which I remember there being cycling issues,until the gun was lubricated and broken in with several boxes of ammo. Does the instructions suggest a weight for the shot load? I read a set one time that called for about 1.25 oz load (IIRC).
Bottom line of what I read was that after some break in and cleaning / lubrication, things improved, and after eeveral boxes of ammo things were somewhat satisfactory. I hope it works out well for you.
Keep us posted.

 

[Coaltminer]

Hatfield 20 Auto

There have been reviews done on the Hatfields, of which I remember there being cycling issues,until the gun was lubricated and broken in with several boxes of ammo. Does the instructions suggest a weight for the shot load? I read a set one time that called for about 1.25 oz load (IIRC).
Bottom line of what I read was that after some break in and cleaning / lubrication, things improved, and after eeveral boxes of ammo things were somewhat satisfactory. I hope it works out well for you.
Keep us posted.

Have about 10 boxes thru it. Same issues. BTW, 2 /34 mags are also ok, but I don’t know if they make em anymore. They are 1 1/8 oz shot. It’s either 1 oz or 3”, which won’t cycle, i knew light loads were out, wish I could find some 2/ 3/4” magnums

 

[Coaltminer]

Hatfield 20 Gauge Auto

Well folks, was able to get an email to them. On the 3” shells they recommend velocity above 1250 ,FPS. Looks like steel is the way to go, but I’ll have to get some and try that. This is not mentioned in the manual. I’ll let you know