Need to try a Tristar Viper G2 in So. Cal

[trapperjohn]

I am looking for someone in So. Cal that has a Tristar Viper G2 that they would be willing to let me shoulder, and hopefully, shoot a few target shells through. Either 12 ga or 20 ga - doesn't matter.

Ideally at Redlands, Triple B Clays, or Prado, but open to almost anywhere else that is legal.

If you can help, please pm me.

Thanks in advance.

[trapperjohn]

Bump

[bigbearbear]

Looks like its the same shotgun as the Weatherby SA-08, if you can't find someone with one of these, you can go to Weatherby's office in Paso Robles and try out the SA-08 instead. You can't shoot it though, they have it in the display gallery for you to try but no shooting range to shoot with it.

[trapperjohn]

No, it is not nearly the same gun. I have an SA-08, which is a fabulous gun.

The action of the Viper G2 is all on the magtube, and has two action arms that move the bolt. As such, there is no recoil spring in the stock. I am in need of this setup in order to modify the drop, cast, and comb in order to fit.

I was at Weatherby yesterday, hoping to shoulder the new Element and Orion II. Unfortunately, they aren't even in the showroom yet. Ah well, another excuse to go wine tasting over a three day weekend.

[Thefeeder]

No, it is not nearly the same gun. I have an SA-08, which is a fabulous gun.

The action of the Viper G2 is all on the magtube, and has two action arms that move the bolt. As such, there is no recoil spring in the stock. I am in need of this setup in order to modify the drop, cast, and comb in order to fit.

I was at Weatherby yesterday, hoping to shoulder the new Element and Orion II. Unfortunately, they aren't even in the showroom yet. Ah well, another excuse to go wine tasting over a three day weekend.

Don't see the conection with the spring in the stock and cast, drop.......

[bigbearbear]

No, it is not nearly the same gun. I have an SA-08, which is a fabulous gun.

The action of the Viper G2 is all on the magtube, and has two action arms that move the bolt. As such, there is no recoil spring in the stock. I am in need of this setup in order to modify the drop, cast, and comb in order to fit.

I was at Weatherby yesterday, hoping to shoulder the new Element and Orion II. Unfortunately, they aren't even in the showroom yet. Ah well, another excuse to go wine tasting over a three day weekend.

Ah, a pity. The Viper G2 looked so much like the SA-08 that I thought they're just rebranded.

The one shotgun brand I know of that has similar setup (eg. all the action in the receiver and no recoil mechanism in the stock), is Franchi. A guy at the range I shoot has one and showed me the difference between it and my Benelli (they both use Inertial Driven system but with difference). On the Franchi, the bolt carrier doesn't have the "tail" that goes into the stock recoil spring. Might be worth considering if you can't find a Viper G2 to try out.

[bigbearbear]

Don't see the conection with the spring in the stock and cast, drop.......

I don't know the exact reason why, but when I was shopping for a shotgun for my wife, we went to Coyote Valley Sporting Clay's pro shop. When I asked about the possibility of fitting a semi-auto shotgun for my wife (she hates guns with wooden stocks), one of the stock fitter there (Ron I think is the name) mentioned that if the stock has recoil mechanism in it, he can't do much to fit the shotgun.

I guess there's a limit how much adjustment you can make to the stock if there are recoil mechanism in the stock. My Benelli shotguns come with shim kits that do allow adjustments but not very much.

[trapperjohn]

Yes, while some adjustment of the stock is possible with the recoil spring in the stock, it is indeed limited.

With the recoil spring on the mag tube instead, it is much easier, and you can get greater range of adjustment by simply bending the stock bolt. The adjustment I need benefits from this approach, in addition to an adjustable pad plate.

They're are a handful of guns (at various price points) that have the recoils spring on the magtube, including the Mossberg 930, Franchi Affinity, Remington V3, Baikal MP-153, and Fabarm XLR5. It is a great and simpler design that enables considerably more adjustment.

[trapperjohn]

Also, when I said the SA-08 and the Tristar Viper G2 were not nearly the same was in no way intended to be a slight on the Viper. All reports are that is a very nice and reliable gun, especially for the money - one of the reasons I am looking at it with a friend of mine.

[Steve_In_29]

Yes, while some adjustment of the stock is possible with the recoil spring in the stock, it is indeed limited.

With the recoil spring on the mag tube instead, it is much easier, and you can get greater range of adjustment by simply bending the stock bolt. The adjustment I need benefits from this approach, in addition to an adjustable pad plate.

They're are a handful of guns (at various price points) that have the recoils spring on the magtube, including the Mossberg 930, Franchi Affinity, Remington V3, Baikal MP-153, and Fabarm XLR5. It is a great and simpler design that enables considerably more adjustment.

The Escort and ATI semi's also have the mechanism around the mag tube with nothing protruding into the stock.

[tmh1]

Also, when I said the SA-08 and the Tristar Viper G2 were not nearly the same was in no way intended to be a slight on the Viper. All reports are that is a very nice and reliable gun, especially for the money - one of the reasons I am looking at it with a friend of mine.

Sorry that I am not in your area so that you could perform the "fit" evaluation you want, but I can concur with what you have read regarding the fact that these are nice and reliable guns.

The Owners Manual specifies to shoot a box of heavy loads for the initial break-in. I did as they instructed: At first I got a few FTE's, but by halfway through the box it ran 100% reliably, and has ever since.

Good luck finding one to shoot locally, or if you ever find yourself on the Central Coast and still need to shoot one...PM me.

[trapperjohn]

tmh1 - damn! We were in Paso Robles all weekend, through Monday!

Where about are you located? - we get up to SB and Paso with some regularity.

Thanks for the feedback, and the (possible) opportunity.

[trapperjohn]

Come on folks - someone must have a Viper to try!

[ysr_racer]

What's with all the oddball stuff? I thought you we dead set on a Rem 1100 20ga?

Most ranges have rental guns, give them a call.

[trapperjohn]

The 1100 was not close enough in fit, and the action (with the return spring in the stock) limits the adjustments (drop at heel, cast, and drop at comb) that would have been required.

So the focus is on guns whose action (with the return spring up front) will allow the stock adjustments that will be necessary for proper fit.

Also looking at some o/u's, but they will also require some adjustments, which are more expensive that on a semi-auto.

Thanks for the 1100 to try though Brad - it was very helpful.