TriStar Sporting Arms Viper G2 Pro 20 Gauge

After extensive online...

After extensive online research, we decided to purchase this shotgun, which is manufactured by Armsan, a Turkish firearms company. Turkish shotguns often face skepticism in the shotgun community, but Armsan seems to maintain decent quality control, and Tristar further ensures reliability through its own standards. I specifically chose Tristar for its excellent warranty and customer service reputation. Out of the box, we experienced about ten failures to eject. However, after running 50 rounds of 3" shells through it, the issue disappeared. Since then, it has reliably cycled even the lightest birdshot, including Fiocchi Target Load, Federal Target Load, and Winchester Super Target (sizes #7-9). After the break-in period, we cleaned out a significant amount of metal flakes, likely unfinished factory polishing, which is common for Turkish shotguns. Handling & Loading My biggest gripe is the loading process, especially compared to my 1301. Inserting shells feels unpleasant, as the lifter and magazine tube tend to nip at my thumb. I had hoped that the Pro models would address this issue, but it remains a noticeable drawback. Size & Fit TriStar's website lists the overall length as 44 inches, which is incorrect. With the stock spacers removed, the actual measurement is closer to 46.5 inches, better to round up to 47 inches. If you're looking for a case, I recommend at least a 48-inch shotgun bag, as anything smaller won't fit. Performance & Features Capacity: The magazine tube holds five shells, and as far as I can tell, it cannot be ghost loaded. Sights: I would have preferred a brass bead over the fiber optic bead, which I find distracting, though this seems to be the trend for modern shotguns. Build Quality: The wood is beautifully polished, and both the Cerakote and bluing are exceptionally well done. I couldn't find any blemishes or defects. Cleaning: Surprisingly easy, I'd say it's even simpler than the 1301. Recoil: Fantastic. It barely kicks and feels incredibly lightweight. Final Thoughts Aftermarket support seems limited, with chokes being the only readily available accessories. The shotgun shares many similarities with the Mossberg SA-20, which is no surprise since both are manufactured by Armsan. Overall, despite some quirks, particularly in loading, this shotgun performs well and offers solid reliability, especially after the break-in period