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Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 787 Location: Indiana

My dealer has one of these for sale . I am not familiar with this line of guns, and would like to know where they are made. This one is in 28 ga., with 26" barrels and fixed chokes; I can't determine how it is choked. We removed the forend and found 4 stars under the left barrel and 3 stars under the right...Does anyone know the code??
The gun has a pistol grip, scroll engraving on a silver-like receiver, a single trigger and a rather full forend, not exactly a beavertail but closer to that than a splinter. I'd estimate the bluing and wood at 97% and it looks original. Wood is rather plain but is essentially free of nicks and dings...the dealer is asking $599; what might this one be worth?

Member Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 743

I think Tristar is importing some of the same makes and models formerly brought in by American Arms. In that case, the Gentry (American Arms used the same name) would be made by Zabala in Spain. If you take the gun apart, you should find a "ZH" (for Zabala Hermanos, or Zabala Brothers) on the underside of the barrels, or else on the receiver. Zabala isn't a particularly well-respected Spanish maker. Compare that gun to a CZ Bobwhite or DeHaan. Either of those will probably run a little over $700 in 28ga, but you might find spending the extra money is worth it.

I'll second that one. I've not seen a 28 or .410 double for under 1 k that can even approach the CZ line. I'd like to see them revamp the 16 ga to cut the weight to around 6.5 lbs.

*Last edited by brdhnt on Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:42 am; edited 1 time in total*

WC,

That should have fixed IC and Mod chokes. The Gentry was from their previous line and Larry was right, they were made in Spain. I also believe that the Gentry model had extractors. The current line is called the Brittany and I have been told are being made by Zoli.

I tested one of the Tri-Star/American Arms O/U's a few years back. It was a good serviceable gun for the money (about $600). Nothing fancy and a few areas of unpolished metal work and pretty plain wood. For the guy wanting an O/U for under $1000, it fit the bill. This was before CZ and Huglu got into the market.

IF you could get the dealer down to $500, I'd say buy it. You can never have enough 28 gauges. After all, they are the 16's 'little brother'.

BTW, Tri-Star has always advertised their guns as having a 'semi-beavertail' forend. The ones I have handled have always felt very comfortable to me.
TMB
________
Zx14 vs hayabusa

Tristar imported a nice Turkish sidelock, they called the Derby Classic. It was priced under $1k and was well-appointed for the money. I remember it only available in 12 and 20ga, though. It was short-lived gun and have become very scarce.

Regards,
Charles

Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 972 Location: Keller,TX

Cabelas in Ft. Worth, TX has Tristars in the Brittany ( POW Grip ) in 20 bore for $849 and $949 on their used gun rack. I recently purchased a BSA Royal ( same gun , same maker) in 16 bore new for $850. I would offer $500 and if he bites, grabit!

Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 787 Location: Indiana

Can anyone tell me (short of measuring the bores with a gauge, which I don't have) what to look for on the barrels to determine how the gun is choked? If it's full/mod I really don't need it, and I don't want to put another $50-$75 in it to open it up....

Member Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 743

WC, if it's Spanish, the chokes should be marked on the underside of the barrels. 1 star is full, 2 is improved modified, 3 is mod, 4 is IC. Unless you want a tightly choked gun, I'd agree with your decision to stay away from M/F. I've measured the bores and chokes on a lot of Spanish guns, and the majority of them tend to run on the tight side of the chokings marked on the barrels.

Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 787 Location: Indiana

Thank you, Larry...still considering but probably will pass....

At the risk of sounding like a contrarian, I think the Brittany could work well for you...and the price sounds right.

Now...I'm not gonna argue with Larry Brown's assesment...I enjoy reading his stuff and have great respect for his views and his writing abilities! Plus, from a political standpoint, he and I are on the same page as evidenced by our participation on a politics section on another board.

But...while I agree the Zabala is not a hand-fitted world class gun, it still is a lot of gun for the money. Like XVIer mentioned the BSA models as well as Tri-Star are both made by Zabala. I bought a 16 ga BSA and a 20 ga Tristar because I knew I would beat the crap out of them both chasing birds through thickets and would not want to put my (few!) high-grade guns through this. SURPRISE...after a bit of file work to ensure smooth opening and closing (10 minutes worth) and "fitting" both guns for me, they have become much-used and enjoyed shooters. They balance well, POI is good and they go bang every time the trigger gets pulled. Deadly on quail, pheasants, white flyer clays, etc.

Another plus is that with a Spanish gun, you don't get all the international legal issues presented with a Turkish product if there are problems that lead to injuries or worse. This makes me much less inclined to go with any Turkish firearms for workhorses, even though many of them are getting to be really decent guns. So...if you like the gun, go for it!

OSL