The Hatsan Escort Dynamax shotgun has a lot of cool features like a special buttpad and cheek rest designed to absorb as much of recoil energy as possible, a number of different coatings and surface treatments on different parts of the gun applied for increasing the durability and so on. However, the most interesting system incorporated into the design of these shotguns is what Hatsan calls Hybrid Cycling System.

The Hybrid Cycling System is a combination of a gas system and inertia operated system. Yes, this shotgun has both. It has a Benelli style inertia mechanism built into the bolt carrier group and at the same time, there is a gas piston located under the barrel. The idea behind having these two operating systems in one gun is to increase the reliability of the action. Here is how Hatsan describes this system:

Hatsan’s patented Hybrid Cycling System combines the best features from each of the two traditional cycling operating systems.  Recoil is low, while cycle rate and effective range are high.  It will cycle light loads like a traditional gas system, but uses much less gas to do so – which means you don’t have to clean as frequently.  Disassembly/assembly is much simpler, as well, making maintenance even easier than ever.

Hybrid Cycling System (HCS) brings together the perfect combination of speed, range, and comfort.

Bottom view of the gas system

Disassembly of the gas piston (from Escort Dynamax user manual).

Unfortunately, the manufacturer doesn’t give an in-depth description of this dual action. I suspect that this is not a combination of two independent systems but rather an inertia operated mechanism assisted with a gas piston. The piston looks to be really minimalistic and should do a secondary job. As we know, the inertia operated systems rely on the recoiling motion of the gun to cycle the action. If the recoil force and distance are insufficient (e.g. in case of light loads) then the floating part of the mechanism won’t have enough force to compress the inertia spring. I guess this is where the piston of Hatsan Hybrid Cycling System helps to cycle the action.

The gas system parts (from the user manual)

The inertia operated BCG (from the user manual)

Theoretically speaking, I think this system may actually increase the reliability of the inertia mechanism, and still keep it a cleaner action compared to the gas operated shotguns. The time will tell if the field reports of hunters will confirm my assumption.

Images from www.hatsan.com.tr