First Autoloader

Caught a Gas operated Semi Auto at a local gun shop, was a ducks unlimited banquet gun. Was alittle apprehensive because it was a brand I've never heard of but was reassured by the salesman it was a decent gun for banging around the swamp. So at a mere 1/4 of the price of any auto I've seen anywhere else I went ahead and bought it, figured worst case I could trade it later. It's a new in box tristar viper DU edition with the du logo stamped on each side of the receiver. I've shot all kinds of ammo thru it and not a single hiccup, only problem I've seen is it'll throw an empty shell 10 ft hahah not good for the guy to my right. Very easy to disassemble and reassemble, actually easier than my mossberg, only time will tell now... If I could just get two seasons out of it hopefully I can move up to a Beneli or berreta

Nice grab!!!!! Always nice to find a decent shot gun at a good price. Wish I still had the Savage Pump 12 ga. I had. When I couldn't hunt after 2 years I sold off my Rem 870 mag express 12 ga. actually got a great price for it!! bought it new for $159 at Wally World and sold it used 8 years later for $125.

I find out monday at the Doc's if I'm going shotgun hunting!!! or being dis-appointed because I won't be able to go!! Been out of work since April with the back so I'm not expecting good news!!!!! but my fingers are crossed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice find, I need to look that one up.

Fatman: fingers crossed for ya too.

I've seen the Tristar shotguns. I have never shot one. I do know that they are not American made and that's really the only problem I have with them.

Fatman, best to ya and hope the doctor gives you the good news that you can grab a shotgun.

That was my biggest contingency, made in Turkey, however their customer service is in Kansas City MO. New firearms have a 5 year warrenty...I asked the dealer I bought it from if it was a trade in or new, he assured me it was new. I sent in the warranty and tristar emails me the next day saying it was only sold to DU and the warranty wasn't going to be transferable. I told them I was of the understanding I bought a new in box gun, they were cool enough to give me a years warranty and told me parts were readily available and I could get them directly through them, both responses were very timely and I was happy to know they stand behind their product. After all I did learn it was an 2008 model, and they still offered me a year warranty... The gun came with a full, imp cyl, mod and light mod extended choke. I patterned it yesterday, wasn't too bad, kept a tight even 30" pattern at 25 yds which is where most of my shots are timber hunting.

Thanks for the crossed fingers but the Doc put me out again and I can't mess up my VA benefits. So I'll be making jigs again this hunting season.

Sorry to hear that Fatman, well I'm up to around 200 shells shot, between patterning different shells/chokes and shooting a box of skeet, have had two failures to eject. Pulled out of barrel just jammed up, both were with the 100 rd value pack of Winchester 2 3/4 #8s I will say the gun swings well

Fatman - any negotiating room? I'm guessing no, but I have to think a 20 gauge auto loader with a limbsaver would have nearly zero kick, hence no issue. ;) Now I can't remember, but would a 20 be useable for duck hunting? I'll need to search the old messages, but I think BratNMustard might have been shooting something like a 16 or 20.

Percidae - that sounds reliable to me. If the failure to eject gets worse, maybe it is just one of those things about the gun that others have tackled already and shared the solution. I know my vinci has a typical failure to load if the mag tube gets a little dirty. I just make sure clean that up when cleaning every time now. I used to skip in most cleaning previously, but they are sensitive to it.

Nope no wiggle room and I can't take any chances messing up my VA disability for the back. Will be busy with PT so they'll be beating on me, tried a chiropractor but that hurt worse than just dealing with it!!!!LOL