TriStar Viper G2 28 gauge

[powderedtoastman]

Sooooo, the wife and I went to Sportsmans today for her to handle some shotguns. Her primary concern is weight and recoil, and she loved the feel and weight of the TriStar G2 in 28 gauge, which weighs 5.4 pounds. Now, I only have experience with 12 gauge, and .410 gauge. I'm a little worried for her that a 28 gauge that weighs so little will have snappy recoil, compared to the TriStar Raptor in 20 gauge she handled which I believe is 6.5 pounds.

Another question I have is if anybody has experience with TriStar shotguns, and what their experience is. I've read several positive reviews from google searches on their products, and specifically this shotgun, but they were all from magazines and I'm wondering if the positive articles were "bought". She liked the weight of the Benelli she handled, but didn't like the raised rib along the barrel, and nearly slapped me when I told her the price wasn't bad (1199)!

[Eddbot]

I have the Viper G2 in 12ga.

It's easy to break down and clean, parts are simple and sturdy.

Dunno if it's me or what, but when shooting with an empty magazine, felt recoil is greater than when there are rounds in the magazine to cycle.

When it does have shells to cycle, recoil is smooth and controllable.

I've noticed the action is a little heavy and so will not cycle some low recoil, low weight loads.

I feed mine a steady diet of 2 3/4" target and heavy game loads ranging in FPS from low 1100's to high 1300's with zero malfunctions.

[powderedtoastman]

Good to know, thank you!

[tmh1]

We have a Viper G2 in 20 gauge. VERY soft shooter. Manual says to "break in" a brand new gun shooting heavy, full loads (at least a box), then the gun will cycle everything. Had some FTE's during the initial shots, but by around round 20 the gun was just fine, and subsequent "anything" rounds have been virtually 100%. So follow the instructions in the owners manual if you get one - The manufacturer seems to know what they are doing.

[powderedtoastman]

Ok, I'm feeling a lot better about this. I think after our honeymoon we'll go back and maybe put one in jail for her!

[joefrank64k]

I've got a TriStar Raptor A-TAC 12ga. I think I paid $299 + tax/DROS for it. Awesome shotgun! Feeds everything. Runs like a sewing machine. Light weight. Well made.

FWIW: I bought a Benelli Ultra Light in 28ga before the Tri-Star G2 28ga was available, and let me tell you...after my experience with the Raptor, I would've bought the TriStar 28ga instead without hesitation. They're $640 OTD at my LGS. That's about a 1/3 of the Benelli's price!

[Dannicus]

Wow. I've never seen so much love for Turkish shotguns.

What's the action based on?

[powderedtoastman]

All I've heard is that it looks identical to a cz 700 series action. I do like that each gun has a dedicated receiver, so they didn't take a 12 gauge gun and just put a different bolt and barrel to shoot a different gauge.