16ga.com ~ View topic

Not wanting to hi jack the other thread !Been intrigued by these since I 1st started seeing them advertised . My main stopper is one of the old gents from the trap club got a 20ga and I'm not sure he has made it thru 50 birds yet without a failure ! He and a local smith were best buddies working on this trying to fix the failure (can't remember what - sorry ) . Just haven't wanted to delve into this in case I get to go back out west one last time ! ... any one here had much experience with one ??

I have the 410 & it has been flawless. Had a 28 & it was great too. the only negative I have heard is on the 410. The chambers are supposedly tighter & some shells( overseas hulls) have ejection issues. I don't know for sure .

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

I have shot them in 410/20 and 16ga w/zero malfunctions.

Joined: 09 Mar 2016 Posts: 753 Location: Mn.

I have the 16 ga. G2 Bronze. The G2 requires a break in period with heavy loads and states so on a sticker inside the box. From what I have read of others having issues not breaking them in is the main cause of malfunctions.

Love mine.

I feed it 1 oz. of lead at 1220 fps and it eats them with gusto. The Sweet 16 is a finicky eater in comparison. The A5 is now regulated to a grouse gun while the G2 is my target gun. And more reliable at least haven't broken an extractor on it yet. 1/3rd the price of the A5 and more gun in my opinion. Gas operated so slightly heavier but recoil is non existent with it.

I had to shim it to fit me vs. the stock shim that was installed in it out of the box but now shoot it very well.

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2168 Location: Florida

I love my "New" A5 , maybe because I shoot it really well. I really like the weight of it and have shot a lot of 1 1/8oz loads through it with little felt recoil.

When I first received the gun it had a broken extractor , I contacted Browning and they sent me a whole new bolt assembly . Since then I have shot I'll bet 5000 , maybe more, rounds through it without any problems . I will say you do have to keep it clean and slightly lubricated.

I have found mine to be really reliable with 1oz loads from 1150-1220 fps , which is what I shoot through it most of the time . It will function with a 7/8oz load of mine that is running 1350 fps .

That said I am tempted to try one of the Tristar's. Does anyone know the actual weight of them ?

Joined: 09 Mar 2016 Posts: 753 Location: Mn.

Joined: 25 Jan 2014 Posts: 229 Location: MN

Thanks for the great reviews.

X2 ..... thinkin on it !

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2168 Location: Florida

Great info. Thanks, Cold Iron.

Joined: 28 Oct 2015 Posts: 166 Location: SWMO

I've got a Viper Bronze G2 in 20 guage. Probably 500 rounds through it. I like it a lot other than the trigger. I've put the mcarbo spring upgrade in and it reduced the weight from 7.5 lbs to maybe 7 lbs. Still will hold the weight of the gun up by the trigger without tripping. Time for some polishing. Precision Sports??? will do a trigger job that is highly regarded for like $75 with a week turnaround time.

My niece borrowed it and brother in law found the main recoil spring broken (gun was still functioning perfectly). Tri-Star sent a new spring (and a magazine spring just in case) and had in their hands in 2 days. I don't know if that is foreshadowing future issues, or just a fluke.

5 year warranty from purchase date. I bought mine from Bud's and for $29 added a lifetime warranty. If they can't fix it, they'll allow the purchase price against anything they carry.

Overall, I really like the gun though and plan on buying one in 28 as well.

I have an Armsan in 28 gauge. It is the same gun as the Tri Star. It has worked perfectly for 3 seasons of upland use now. Mine had a heavy trigger also. I cut a coil off of the trigger return spring and it lowered the pull weight a lot. The gun will fire if finger hung on the trigger (empty of course) Don't know the exact pull weight but the shotgun only weighs 5 1/2 pounds.

Darryl

When I run across a Tristar 16 with nice wood, I am going to buy one.

Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 166

I think I’ve posted here before, but I’ve see a few Bronze’s with pretty nice wood. I picked this 16ga up last year.

[IMG] https://i.postimg.cc/RVDL68vz/FEEB9-E8-B-A662-4-C2-F-AF72-FEEB6-FC34-A7-F.jpg [/IMG]

Echoing much of what’s been said, they’re a nice soft shooting gun, a bit barrel heavy but point nice. Mine comes in at 6lb 7oz, my A5 26” comes in at 5lb 14oz on same scale

Joined: 27 Jan 2016 Posts: 490 Location: Oswego, Kansas

I had a Tri Star Viper in 12ga that I won at a Ducks unlimited Texas hold'em tournament a few year back. It was as good gun but I seldom shoot 12ga anymore. I sold it along with my other 12ga Winchester Super X2 a few monthe back