New Tristar Youth Is 100% Reliable!
In preparation for my daughter coming to visit late this year and us going out hunting some pen raised quail and chukars; I bought a Tristar G2 Youth with wood stock. I wanted it as light as possible so bought the Youth Wood model instead of the synthetic stocked one that comes with two sizes of stocks. That model is about 1/4 lb. heavier than the wood model and since it was only her gun, there was no need for the full length stock. Also, since my daughter is 5 feet nothing in height and small framed; I thought the Youth model would fit her. Since I knew nothing about Tristar, I initially thought of getting a 20 gauge 1100 and cutting it down, fitting a recoil pad, etc but I thought that it still might be heavier than need be plus having to get all the modifications made would add to the price. A friend recommended a Tristar as he had bought one and it worked perfectly. The Tristar Youth already comes the right size with a shortened stock, barrel of 24 inches, screw chokes and shims to alter the stock dimensions. I immediately put in the shim that provides some cast-off (very easy to do and a great design) as I have found that most shotgunners can benefit from some cast added to their stock dimensions and this is especially true of women. I got the Tristar and stripped it to see how it was made, and to make sure it was lubricated properly. I must say I was very impressed with the quality of the internal components. There were no rough or poorly finished parts inside the gun anywhere including the trigger mechenism. I am very familiar with most gas or recoil auto mechanisms and especially the 1100. I would say that compared to an 1100; this Tristar mechanism is much superior not only in the materials used but the also in the design. The gas system for the Tristar is more like the Baretta 391 auto than the 1100, and as such is easier to clean and I bet it will be less prone to failure. Their system uses a gas sealing ring like the rings on auto pistons instead of the fragile (yes, I know they work most of the time) rubber O ring that Remington uses in the 1100.
Tristar instructions on an orange sticker inside the box the gun comes in, says that you should shoot 20 shells of magnum pursuasion to start with and then the gun should cycle light loads better. I did not have any magnum 20 gauge ammo so instead I shot 35 or so of heavy Federal 1 oz field loads which are at 1220 fps. I then moved to 7/8 oz loads at 1250 fps (factory Kemen shells) and finally some of my light 7/8 oz (1150 fps) reloads. This Tristar shotgun never missed a beat! It fired, cycled and fed all ammo without so much as a hint of a problem! It also ejects empties farther than any other gas auto I have ever seen and would compete with even the old A5 design in that department! The cast off was perfect for me and very welcome as it will be for my daughter. My only complaint is that I shot the gun as well as I shoot any my own shotguns costing many multiples of what this little gun cost! I just extended my left arm along the forearm to make up for the shortened stock and shot 23's regularly from the low gun olympic skeet position.
I bought the Tristar through Mike Battista of Silver Dollar Firearms and he ordered it from Davidsons who gives you a lifetime transferable warranty on any issues with a gun they provide. I am not sure how they would do that if the manufacturer were to go out of business but the way this little gun is behaving, I don't anticipate it needing any gunsmithing work. So if you are wondering whether TriStar builds a reliable shotgun at a great value; I can tell you that based on my experience with this gun I would say "HECK YEAH"! Also, their youth model should be perfect for any youths or smaller women. Give Tristar a try!
I traded for a TriStar tactical shotgun recently. Was going to hold it for a while and turn it around and sell. That was my main intent with the gun I let go for the trade, but liked the look of the shotgun after the offer was made. However after walking in to the house with it, my wife took it from me....cycled the chamber and said thanks... you can have your 870 back now. So it looks like it will stay in the family. Thanks for all of the information on the forum guys.
In preparation for my daughter coming to visit late this year and us going out hunting some pen raised quail and chukars; I bought a Tristar G2 Youth with wood stock. I wanted it as light as possible so bought the Youth Wood model instead of the synthetic stocked one that comes with two sizes of stocks. That model is about 1/4 lb. heavier than the wood model and since it was only her gun, there was no need for the full length stock. Also, since my daughter is 5 feet nothing in height and small framed; I thought the Youth model would fit her. Since I knew nothing about Tristar, I initially thought of getting a 20 gauge 1100 and cutting it down, fitting a recoil pad, etc but I thought that it still might be heavier than need be plus having to get all the modifications made would add to the price. A friend recommended a Tristar as he had bought one and it worked perfectly. The Tristar Youth already comes the right size with a shortened stock, barrel of 24 inches, screw chokes and shims to alter the stock dimensions. I immediately put in the shim that provides some cast-off (very easy to do and a great design) as I have found that most shotgunners can benefit from some cast added to their stock dimensions and this is especially true of women. I got the Tristar and stripped it to see how it was made, and to make sure it was lubricated properly. I must say I was very impressed with the quality of the internal components. There were no rough or poorly finished parts inside the gun anywhere including the trigger mechenism. I am very familiar with most gas or recoil auto mechanisms and especially the 1100. I would say that compared to an 1100; this Tristar mechanism is much superior not only in the materials used but the also in the design. The gas system for the Tristar is more like the Baretta 391 auto than the 1100, and as such is easier to clean and I bet it will be less prone to failure. Their system uses a gas sealing ring like the rings on auto pistons instead of the fragile (yes, I know they work most of the time) rubber O ring that Remington uses in the 1100.
Tristar instructions on an orange sticker inside the box the gun comes in, says that you should shoot 20 shells of magnum pursuasion to start with and then the gun should cycle light loads better. I did not have any magnum 20 gauge ammo so instead I shot 35 or so of heavy Federal 1 oz field loads which are at 1220 fps. I then moved to 7/8 oz loads at 1250 fps (factory Kemen shells) and finally some of my light 7/8 oz (1150 fps) reloads. This Tristar shotgun never missed a beat! It fired, cycled and fed all ammo without so much as a hint of a problem! It also ejects empties farther than any other gas auto I have ever seen and would compete with even the old A5 design in that department! The cast off was perfect for me and very welcome as it will be for my daughter. My only complaint is that I shot the gun as well as I shoot any my own shotguns costing many multiples of what this little gun cost! I just extended my left arm along the forearm to make up for the shortened stock and shot 23's regularly from the low gun olympic skeet position.
I bought the Tristar through Mike Battista of Silver Dollar Firearms and he ordered it from Davidsons who gives you a lifetime transferable warranty on any issues with a gun they provide. I am not sure how they would do that if the manufacturer were to go out of business but the way this little gun is behaving, I don't anticipate it needing any gunsmithing work. So if you are wondering whether TriStar builds a reliable shotgun at a great value; I can tell you that based on my experience with this gun I would say "HECK YEAH"! Also, their youth model should be perfect for any youths or smaller women. Give Tristar a try!