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 fame for cheap, dependable shooters backed by wonderful customer support, and the Phoenix matches completely into their lineup. Tristar already had a side-by-side, the Bristol, and the Phoenix is mainly a finances Bristol, with extractors instead of ejectors and priced $400 decrease. I not too long ago acquired an opportunity to place a brand new 20-gauge Phoenix by means of the wringer at dwelling and at my native vary. Right here is my full overview.

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 accessible 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 a substitute 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 incorporates 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 combined bag, however keep in mind, we’re taking a look at an $800 double gun. The wooden is good, with good coloration 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 popular one thing rounded, however the angled tip does offer you a handy finger-hold when you should take away it. The barrels are completed to a good-looking gloss black, though there’s a boring 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 subject, as a result of it’s a must to quit one thing to maintain the value down.

My 20-gauge check gun weighed 6 ¾ kilos with 28-inch barrels, which is a bit heavy for an upland 20, however not too heavy, and an ideal heft for doves and waterfowl. The set off breaks cleanly at about 7 kilos, which is sweet 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 straightforward to hit skeet targets with. The inventory has plenty 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 the event you hold your eyes on the goal, as you need to, a concave rib works effectively. I appreciated it. If you would like a rib to sight down, although, you gained’t discover one on this gun. The recoil pad is skinny, however pretty delicate, and it has a tough rubber insert on prime to maintain it from grabbing your garments as you increase the gun. That’s a pleasant contact.

The mechanical set off all the time 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 once 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:

• Glorious worth
• Good wooden and end for the value

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 should you’re prepared to spend a pair grand or extra. Nevertheless it’s necessary to have some stable, dependable double weapons that the majority anybody can afford—and the Tristar’s newest is a stable instance. The selector drawback apart, the Phoenix looks like a very good gun for the cash, particularly in order for you a side-by-side with a single set off instead of the normal double triggers.