Tristar Phoenix Shogun Evaluate | Area & Stream

With side-by-side shotguns making a small comeback amongst upland hunters, the brand new Phoenix from Tristar provides a really reasonably priced choice to the side-by-side double market. The Kansas Metropolis-based firm retains constructing on a popularity for cheap, dependable shooters backed by glorious customer support, and the Phoenix suits completely into their lineup. Tristar already had a side-by-side, the Bristol, and the Phoenix is mainly a finances Bristol, with extractors rather than ejectors and priced $400 decrease. I just lately obtained an opportunity to place a brand new 20-gauge Phoenix by way of the wringer at house and at my native vary. Right here is my full evaluation.

Tristar Phoenix Facet-by-Facet Specs

• Size: 45 inches
• Weight: 6.75  kilos (20-gauge)
• Barrel: 28-inch concave rib, brass bead, 5 prolonged chokes
• Motion: Break-action aspect by aspect
• Set off: 7 kilos
• Capability: 2
• End: Case coloured receiver
• Inventory: Gloss walnut
• Chambering: 3-inch 12-gauge, 3-inch 20-gauge (examined)
• Value: $795

Tristar Phoenix Facet-By-Facet Overview

Made by Kral in Turkey, the Phoenix is offered in 12- and 20-gauge, each with 3-inch, chrome-lined chambers and barrels that may deal with metal shot. Every comes with 5 Beretta-style, flush-mounted choke tubes. As an alternative of the Bristol’s oil end, the Phoenix has a gloss urethane coat on its forend and pistol-gripped inventory. It shares the Bristol’s single selective set off and includes a Beretta-style security/barrel selector with a tab you slide forwards and backwards to decide on between left and proper. The body is case-colored, together with the set off guard, lever, and Deeley forend latch.

Match and finish-wise, the gun is a blended bag, however keep in mind, we’re an $800 double gun. The wooden is good, with good shade and a little bit of grain, and the end has not one of the globs nor drips you’ll see on some weapons. Whereas I often desire oil finishes, this gun’s wooden and end grew on me. I didn’t just like the angled tip of the forend. I’d have most well-liked one thing rounded, however the angled tip does provide you with a handy finger-hold when you could take away it. The barrels are completed to a good-looking gloss black, though there’s a uninteresting spot on my gun across the lettering stamped on the breech. There are some seen tool-marks right here and there, as effectively. None of those flaws are deal-breakers on a finances gun made for use within the area, as a result of it’s important to hand over one thing to maintain the worth down.

My 20-gauge check gun weighed 6 ¾ kilos with 28-inch barrels, which is slightly heavy for an upland 20, however not too heavy, and a fantastic heft for doves and waterfowl. The set off breaks cleanly at about 7 kilos, which is nice in comparison with many Turkish doubles I’ve shot.

Tristar Phoenix Vary Evaluate and Take a look at Outcomes

On the vary, I discovered it to be flat-shooting and simple to hit skeet targets with. The inventory has lots of drop to it, greater than you’ll discover on many side-by-sides, though not a lot because the outdated American weapons. These dimensions gave me a view flat down the barrels. The gun does have a standard concave rib, which is designed to not be seen, and a brass bead. In case you maintain your eyes on the goal, as you must, a concave rib works effectively. I favored it. If you need a rib to sight down, although, you gained’t discover one on this gun. The recoil pad is skinny, however pretty mushy, and it has a tough rubber insert on high to maintain it from grabbing your garments as you elevate the gun. That’s a pleasant contact.

The mechanical set off at all times labored, the extractors lifted fired and unfired shells. The chokes tubes spun out and in easily, and the forend latch was simple to make use of. Solely the barrel selector on the security was an issue on my check gun. The guide security itself felt gritty after I pushed it, and it was too simple to bump the barrel selector so it rested between left and proper, leading to a security that wouldn’t push ahead typically. It could simply have been an issue with my check gun, but when this have been my gun, I’d need the selector fastened, and I doubt it could be a tough drawback to restore.

Ultimate Ideas on the New Tristar Phoenix

Execs:

• Wonderful worth
• Good wooden and end for the worth

Cons:

• On the heavy aspect
• Barrel selector on check gun gave me minor issues

After all there are a lot nicer side-by-sides on the market in the event you’re keen to spend a pair grand or extra. But it surely’s essential to have some stable, dependable double weapons that almost all anybody can afford—and the Tristar’s newest is a stable instance. The selector drawback apart, the Phoenix looks as if a superb gun for the cash, particularly in order for you a side-by-side with a single set off rather than the normal double triggers.