Tag Archives: 12 gauge

Mossberg Maverick 88 Security 12gauge

February 12, 2026Product review, Shooting hardware12 gauge, maverick, maverick 88, mossberg, securitycoldboremiracle

Introduction

Among the many popular entry level shotguns you will find the venerable Mossberg Maverick 88. Maverick is a subsidiary of O.F. Mossberg, The brand offers lower cost firearms than the parent company, giving a more affordable option to many. Today we are looking at the Maverick 88 Security model, we will review the gun and see how it measures up to our expectations.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security — Fresh out of the box!

Mossberg Maverick 88 Specifications

Gauge	12-Gauge
Action Type	Pump-Action
Chamber	3-inch
Barrel Length	20-inch
Finish	Blued
Choke	Cylinder Bore
Capacity	7+1
Length	41-inches
Length of Pull	14.5-inches
Sight	Single Bead
Stock Material	Synthetic Black Polymer
Weight	6.5 Pounds

Mossberg Maverick 88 History

The 88 comes from the year 1988 when it started production. Copying the design of Mossberg’s model 500, the Maverick 88 shares a great deal of parts with it. Mossberg design goes back much further than the fabulous 1980’s, all the way to the company’s founding in 1919. Based in Connecticut, the O.F. Mossberg company manufactured a variety of firearms and parts over the many years. Including during the war periods making parts for firearms beyond their own.

During the post-war period, Mossberg made a big name for itself manufacturing various shotguns. This included new designs such as bolt-action and lever action shotguns. It was during this time the incredibly successful Model 500 was released. Since 1962 the Model 500 has been a stalwart in the lineup of pump-action shotguns, arguably a rival against the extremely popular Remington 870. With more models sold over a shorter period of time.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security, stock, trigger guard, — the compact Maverick 88 was quick to get on target

In more recent history during my own lifetime, Mossberg has rekindled their production of rifles. They have manufactured both lever-action rifles as well as bolt-action rifles like the very popular Mossberg Patriot line of rifles. But true to their shotgun roots, they also in recent decades brought the Model 930 semi-auto shotgun to market as well. It’s all quite the pedigree for Mossberg, and an American legacy I hope continues on.

Maverick 88 Features

Pump-Action- reliable and simple operation for everyday use
7+1 or 5+1 capacity- high capacity tube magazine for defensive situations
Compatible with Model 500- Allowing users to use the huge aftermarket support
Compact size- the short length and weight makes it very portable
Three-Inch Chamber- to accept a wide variety of ammunition
Improved Cylinder Barrel- Simple barrel with versatile shot pattern

note controls around trigger guard

Additional Maverick 88 Models

The Maverick 88 is available in a variety of models, in both 12 and 20-gauge. And there are also 6 and 8-shot magazine lengths though it appears the barrels aren’t interchangeable between the 6-round and 8-round models.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security, stock, trigger guard, muzzle, magazine tube, — muzzle details, including the front sling stud

Various patterns are available across the different models as well, with camouflage and other colored synthetic stocks. There is also a folding stock security and slug-gun models.

Mossberg Maverick 88 Review

As a copy of the Mossberg 500, I was expecting the Maverick 88 to be both reliable and familiar. There is plenty of other data on the 88, in fact it has been tested and even tortured extensively over the last few decades. All this to say, I expected the Maverick to perform well.

My experience shooting the Maverick involved a variety of typical shotgun drills. We shot some airborne clays, as well as stationary targets. Both on the range and in the field the Maverick was fun and easy to enjoy.

Shootability

The Maverick 88’s controls are simple and easy. The cross block safety is at the front of the trigger guard, and the action release is just behind it. Both are easily reached with the trigger finger. Out of the box the Maverick was a touch stiffer than I expected, but it didn’t take long to get it broken in.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security, stock, trigger guard, youth,

The compact size of the 88 made it easy to handle and get on target, even for some of the kids. The same could be said for the light weight of the Maverick. Airborne targets proved to be slightly harder than I was used to, probably because I am used to looking down a rib. The shorter barrel made the Maverick seem louder than the other guns we were shooting, but I expect that is just from the shooter’s perspective.

Reliability

There is a huge spread of millions of Mavericks in circulation, I don’t expect it is due to poor function. On our first trip out, we shot nearly half a case of ammo through the Maverick 88, both Winchester and Remington 1-⅛ ounce loads. Everything shot equally well, and we had zero malfunctions of any kind. Loading the gun through the ejection port singly or feeding from the mag the gun worked flawlessly. I did shoot just a few 3-inch loads that I had, and they also cycled fine.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security, stock, trigger guard, disassembly,

Accuracy

Accuracy with shotguns is more about patterns than groups. The fixed choke of the barrel as an improved cylinder took away some ability to customize patterns. But this is mainly a defensive shotgun, which is less likely to be used for bird hunting or other typical shotgun practices. The standard versions of the Maverick 88 are sure to use the standard interchangeable choke like the Mossberg 500. So it’s not entirely surprising or unreasonable. We did use some heavier loads, with bigger shot like one would use in a defensive situation. And at inside-the-house ranges they were quite potent, putting all the BB’s into what would be a defensive target. God help those on the other end of a shotgun.

Ergonomics

The simple stock of the Maverick is comfortable and useful, there’s not a lot of frills involved. The rubber recoil pad does well reducing the felt recoil, but there’s not much else to it. The foregrip has an easy texture to hold on to with deep grooves. Though I think I would prefer something slightly less aggressive.The brass bead on top of the muzzle was easy to find with my cheek on the stock.

Value

The Maverick 88 offers exceptional value. The market for sub-four-hundred dollar shotguns is filled with a wide variety of options, and the Maverick is quite a contender with its price.The MSRP is only $290, and can often be had for much less. I’m surprised you can even make a gun for that cheap, much less make any money on it.

Not only is the Maverick low-cost, it still has the decade tested and proven design that churns through shotshells. This makes the Maverick a strong option for those looking to spend less, but still want a shotgun they can rely on and use heavily.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security, stock, trigger guard, trap, clays,

Pros and Cons

I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised by some of the finished parts and coating of the Maverick based on its price. You know you are looking at a low cost shotgun, and that’s not to knock the Maverick. But you know what you got when it comes to cost.

That said, the gun just works, as designed and it does it well, cycling through box after box of ammunition. Its simple and reliable function promise years of service. Disassembling the Maverick 88 after shooting was quite simple, and it helped give good insight to how the gun is both made and assembled. The steel stamped and machined parts all looked uniform and good quality.

Report Card

Shootability (B+) Its simple and straight to the point, not a lot of embellishments

Reliability (A) Its a pump shotgun, it either works or is broken

Accuracy (A-) For defensive use, its great (not really a bird gun)

Ergonomics (B+) Very simple, not much to play with or adjust

Value (A) Hard to beat this for a defensive shotgun

Preferred Ammunition

We shot a variety of Remington Gun Club and Winchester trap loads through the Maverick. As a defensive shotgun you are more likely to shoot defensive loads like Fiocchi Defense Dynamics or Hornady Black, both using buckshot. But the Maverick seemed to chew through everything we put in it.

Upgrades and Accessories

A defensive shotgun like the Maverick 88 should probably have a good sling to keep it close. The front and rear sling mounting studs allow you to use just about any one you’d like. One like this Specter Gear 2-point sling might be perfect.

Another popular accessory for defensive shotguns is an extra shell holder. This six round shell holder from GG&G appears to be quite nice, but there are other more affordable options.

Last Thoughts on the Mossberg Maverick 88

Whether used as a defense weapon or as just a recreational shotgun, the Maverick 88 is a handy and fun little gun to shoot. It is quite reliable, and inexpensive to boot. It’s easily customized with aftermarket support for both the 88 and its Mossberg 500 relative. With so many of them out there, you can rest assured that it will be around for a while too.

-CBM

In the Field with the EAA Balikli Blue Label Over Under 12-gauge Shotgun

February 10, 2026Product review, Shooting hardware12 gauge, balikli, blue label, eaa, european american armory, over under, shotguncoldboremiracle

Preface

Admittedly I am more of a rifle junkie than a shotgun enthusiast, but I can appreciate a good shotgun when I need it. I grew up hunting waterfowl and upland game in the western US, and for the most part I could do everything I needed with any of the classic pump-shotguns. But with time, and more mature tastes, I’ve broadened my inventory of shotguns. Over under shotguns carry a little more attitude, they bring a little more class to the game. Almost like K-cans, sports cars, and expensive glasses, they tend to be more of a luxury item. You can do anything with an autoloader or pump-gun, but it takes a touch of shooter’s vanity to give up capacity and reloadability with an over under. In today’s review, we are taking a look at a new over under option from European American Arms, the EAA Balikli Blue Label over under shotgun.

European American Arms

EAA Corp is a firearm supplier that specializes in getting quality firearms at affordable prices. The company prides itself on importing firearms that are more about quality function than looks. This obviously has an appeal to many Americans who only care about putting holes through the X and meat on their table.

we tested the shotgun with a variety of ammo from **Remington** and **Winchester**

Browsing the lineup of EAA firearms you will find some very familiar looking firearms. This appears to be in part because EAA sources firearms very similar if not cloned from popular guns made by the best manufacturers. You’ll find models with great similarities to popular firearms made by companies like Beretta, Browning, and others.

By importing products like these from EAA’s european and other partners, American gun owners can get a great price on a firearm comparable to much more expensive names.

The Balikli Blue Label Shotgun

Turkey is famous for making shotguns, so it came as no surprise that EAA’s Balikli shotguns come from Turkish factories. The Balikli Blue Label over under is built in the very typical design, with a break-action and single trigger. The set of barrels are cut 28-inches long in the 12 gauge model, and bored for chokes at the muzzle. Its vented rib also features a fiber optic orange bead at the front to aid in aiming.

The stock is fashioned from walnut, another famous Turkish export. The Balikli Blue Label shotgun is more of an affordable option than typical over under guns, so the walnut is a little more mainstream. The checkered walnut is matched to a handsomely engraved aluminum receiver. The mechanical single trigger fires both barrels, and the safety functions like most over under guns, allowing you to preselect which barrel fires first.

Specifications

EAA Balikli Blue Level Over Under Shotgun
Finish	Walnut / Black
Caliber	12-Gauge
Capacity	2 Rounds
Barrel Length	28-inch (12g) 26-inch (28g, 20g, .410)
Length of pull	14.5-inches
Overall Length	45-inches
Weight	6.35-pounds
Included Chokes	Skeet, Imp Cyl, Mod, Imp Mod, Full

the assortment of **Mobile chokes** were easy to change with the included tool

Shooting the Blue Label

Our first outing with the Blue Label was into the ice cold Rocky Mountains. The kids and I ventured into the snow with a box of clays and some Fiocchi 1oz target loads. Perhaps a little different than a typical trap trip, but we enjoy the hand-thrown clays. Shooting the light loads in these open mountains barely even justified ear protection. We all had fun figuring out the lead to break the clays, and the seemingly antiquated process of opening the action to reload.

Quality

Break-action shotguns are almost as simple as you can get, which should make it pretty easy to manufacture. I guess what I mean is this simple design lends itself to be made right. During all of our testing, I never found any kind of malfunction or problem.

While this shotgun isn’t meant to be some high-grade beauty like many other over under shotguns, it is well made. The wood is finished handsomely and everything fits nicely without gaps or edges. The checkering while simple, is clean and grippy. And the rubber recoil pad softens the felt recoil while shooting.

The receiver finish looks like a bead-blasted finish, with a pheasant motif engraved as is typical. Smooth controls with robust lock-up came as no surprise due to the simple design. I guess if you are the guy who shoots Perazzi or Guerini you’d probably notice more difference than I. But for the average American shotgunner, this gun’s fit and function were as good as you could expect for this price. You can tell its a sub $500 gun from Turkey, and that’s fine by me.

Shootability

I do like the shorter feel of under over style shotguns. Since they don’t have an action designed to cycle shells from a magazine, and are basically a chamber and breach, you get a shorter length than a similar barreled pump or auto. Swinging the 28-inch barrels was very natural, and the textured rib and fiber optic bead looked excellent when chasing clays through the sky.

The light weight of the Balikli Blue Label make it easy to carry around. I’d love to take it on a pheasant or chukar hunt, but at this point in the year It’ll have to be ducks or geese. Even our youngest boy had no problem handling the feel and recoil from this gun.

EAA, european american arms, balikli, blue label, shotgun, 12 gauge, over under, youth, kids, trap, — the kids had a great time throwing clays for each other

Reliability

It’s hard to come up with something much more reliable than a break action. There are so few parts to malfunction, and the simple operation is nearly impossible to screw up. I know other over under shotguns have spring ejectors to pop spent shells from the chamber. The Balikli Blue Label pushes the spent shells out of the chamber, making them easy to grab, but it doesn’t eject them clear.

EAA, european american arms, balikli, blue label, shotgun, 12 gauge, over under, o/u, ejector, — smoke rises from the chamber

EAA, european american arms, balikli, blue label, shotgun, 12 gauge, over under, o/u, — the compact package in its box

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TriStar Matrix 12 gauge Shotgun

June 9, 2025Product review, Shooting hardware12 gauge, matrix, semi-auto, shotgun, tristarcoldboremiracle

Introduction

Tristar is a firearms company with a specific stated purpose of specializing in value and firearms. With a variety of products manufactured in Turkey, they bring a great variety of firearm products at a very affordable price. Today we are taking a look at one of Tristar’s newer releases, the inertia driven Tristar Matrix 12 gauge Shotgun .

Yes, you read that right, the Matrix clones the clean and reliable operating system used big names like Benelli and Franchi. And while the Matrix is no slouch when it comes to looks, you might feel better about trouncing through the field or marsh with it instead of a more expensive shotgun.

The Tristar Matrix

The Matrix is their first venture into inertia driven shotguns, but hardly their first semi-auto. I’ve had the good fortune to shoot other Tristar shotguns, and I was impressed. With the Matrix using inertia to operate the action, the gun operates clean and requires less maintenance. And with a five-year warranty you can trust it will stay that way.

tristar, Matrix, 12 gauge, shotgun, semi-auto, inertia driven, — the controls of the Matrix are big and easy to find

The Matrix is offered in three different color patterns; a finished Walnut (tested here), a synthetic model with black polymer furniture, and a camo model featuring RT-MAX-7 wetland camouflage. All three finishes are also available in a 26-inch 20-gauge option for those looking for a lighter option.

Both options feature a 14.25-inch length of pull, and weigh in just over seven pounds with the 20-gauge models being about a 1/4 pound lighter. There appears to be a dovetail cut into the top of the receiver, though I couldn’t find an option for mounting anything to it.

Apart from the chokes included, there is also a different stock wedge you can use to adjust the angle of the buttstock. At the very rear you’ll find a soft rubber recoil pad for comfort.

the Matrix came with a set of chokes and wrench, as well as stock wedges

Matrix Features

Inertia Action
Oversized Operating Handle
Slam Button Bolt Release
Fiber Optic Sight
3 Chokes and Wrench (IC, M, F)
3-inch Chamber
28-inch Barrel
Ventilated Sight-Rib

Shooting the Tristar Matrix

To give the Matrix a good test, I figured we would put it to work on a case of clay targets. An afternoon and a case of shells ought to be enough to see what makes this Tristar shine. On a cool spring morning, my kids and I went up into the snow-covered Rocky Mountains. The cold breeze carried clay targets high into the blue sky and created that bobbing up and down while they flew.

We threw clays by hand, taking turns between throwing and shooting. Burning through a case of clay targets and box after box of ammunition. The handsome and curious walnut color shined beautifully in the afternoon sun.

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Benelli Ethos Cordoba 12gauge

March 25, 2025Product review, Shooting hardware12 gauge, benelli, cordoba, duck hunting, ethoscoldboremiracle

Introduction

Benelli shotguns are well known by both sport shooters and hunters all over the world. Whether it be the company’s famous tactical shotguns or their sporting models the general consensus by most is that you can’t go wrong with the brand. The Ethos line of shotguns has been around for a decade now, and today we are taking a look at the Benelli Ethos Cordoba 12 gauge. The Ethos uses most of Benelli’s features made famous by the extremely popular Super Black Eagle. Including the Inertia Driven operating system as well as their Comfortech Plus recoil reduction system. The Ethos also incorporates the companies BE.S.T. surface treatment for advanced corrosion resistance in the wilds of nature, all of which I would be eager to put to the test.

benelli, ethos cordoba, 12 gauge, shotgun,

Benelli Ethos Cordoba Features and Specifications

The Benelli Ethos Cordoba is a fully synthetic shotgun with an obvious pitch towards the hunting public. Regardless of your feathered quarry, the Ethos would be an excellent tool for taking into the wooded forest after turkeys, or in my case the muddy wetlands chasing waterfowl.

The Ethos is available in 12, 20 and 28 gauges, all of which come with the same basic features. Chambers are all 2-3/4 and 3 inch magnum. An anodized black receiver is matched by the BE.S.T. finished steel parts, which is a proprietary coating that sounds similar to DLC coatings used by other manufacturers. The twenty-eight-inch barrels feature a dual port pattern up front, as well as a carbon fiber channeled-sight-rib with dual beads. Sling attachment points would also be very handy for those looking to carry the gun for long periods of time between stands.

benelli, ethos cordoba, 12 gauge, shotgun, choke

The very popular Benelli Crio choke system is also incorporated to the Ethos shotgun, which will allow you to customize your shooting experience. And Benelli’s shell view system is also another very handy feature to visually inspect how many shells remain in the magazine tube. Magazine capacity for the Ethos is 4+1 for all but the 28-gauge model (2+1). The lightweight of the Ethos is very apparent with models weighing between 5.4 lbs and 6.9 lbs. Length of pull for the Ethos is fourteen and three-eighths inches, and an overall length of forty-nine inches.

Shooting the Benelli Ethos

Because it had been a while, I decided to get me a duck stamp to take the Ethos out for a duck hunt here in my local duck marsh. All the great features of the Ethos would make a great companion to the cold and wet shooting I hoped to do.

Shooting clays

But before that happened, I wanted to shoot the gun a bit and get comfortable with it. For that we shot a few boxes of clays just to break myself and the gun in. On a particularly cold and snowy day, my kids and I burned through a case of clays with great success. I was shooting a few lighter 2-3/4 inch loads from Federal, I am not sure if it was the ammo or the gun but we did have more than one failure to eject. Perhaps it was neither and the gun just needed to be broke in a little, but that was the only malfunction I ever noted.

Despite the cold, I quite enjoyed shooting with the Ethos Cordoba. I really liked the dual beads that lined up nicely in the channeled carbon rib. The fiber optics bead contrasted nicely against the mid-rib bead, and the channel created a nice line that naturally leads to your focus on the beads. The ported barrel is designed to reduce muzzle-rise, I’d like to think it helped keep me on target for follow-up shots. The gun felt great as we shot through boxes of ammo, I suppose the Comfortech features of the Ethos were helpful at mitigating some of the recoil. The soft gel-filled recoil pad was a big part of that.

Hunting

After plowing through a few different ammunition types, and a case of clays, I figured i was ready to hit the duck marsh. And as the sunlight slowly peaked over the mountains that morning, my dog Benson and I sat in the smelly mud between cattails awaiting shooting light.

Ducks of all kinds would occasionally zip past us as the wind whistled through their feathers. And in a typical turn of events, just before shooting light, all the ducks found a great place to hide. But I wasn’t about to let Benson down, so we stuck it out for a while waiting for the occasional errant duck to give us a shot. Just because I wasn’t going to get skunked, I had the Ethos loaded with three-inch shells and #2 shot. I figured once we had a bird in the hand, I could go back to the more economic shells.

As the humidity in my waders continued to stew, I caught the movement of a low flying duck in front of us. Perhaps in an act of pity, he turned slowly banking towards Benson and I squatting in the weeds. I pushed the safety on the Benelli and slowly raised it to match the flight pattern of what was obviously a drake Pintail. When the moment was right, I let the Benelli off the chain and in a puff of plumage the drake tumbled from the overcast sky into the water below.

benelli, ethos cordoba, 12 gauge, shotgun, duck hunting — the Ethos and I took down this handsome Pintail drake with some **Remington Steel Ammo**

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Perhaps confused by my success, Benson was unsure what to do with the bird. We continued our trudge through the marsh enjoying the time and challenge of duck hunting. It was nice not to have to worry about the Ethos getting rained on, and despite having to clean it thoroughly afterward it functioned flawlessly in the marsh. The bright fiber optics bead was easy to pick up even in the low light, and despite the miles we walked the Benelli never felt heavy.

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Benelli Montefeltro 12 Gauge

March 17, 2025Product review12 gauge, benelli, inertia driven, montefeltrocoldboremiracle

Introduction

Benelli shotguns are famous for their quality and inertia driven operating systems. These popular autoloading shotguns have become a reliable standard on the racks at many gun stores, and with good reason. Today we are going to take an in depth look at one of the many options Benelli offers in their Montefeltro line of shotguns. Our review of the Benelli Montefeltro 12 gauge will take us from the trap range to the duck marsh, so grab your boots.

The Benelli Montefeltro 12 gauge

The Montefeltro design is a walnut stocked semi-automatic shotgun, it of course uses Benelli’s famous inertia driven loading system. This is a significant departure from the normal practice of using gas pressure from each shot to reload the gun. Instead, the inertia system uses captured spring tension coupled to the recoil of the shot to unlock the beech and cycle the action. The system has become incredibly useful and boasts cleaner operation than traditional semi-auto shotguns.

Montefeltro shotguns use a handsome cut of walnut for the furniture, which is very handsome. But perhaps makes you less likely to drag it into a duck blind or john boat. This might explain why the guns enjoy a strong following from upland bird hunters and clay target hunters alike. The glossy high polished finish also gives the Montefeltro shotguns a classy look.

The Montefeltro shotgun models can be had in either 20 or 12 gauge, with barrel lengths from twenty-four inches up to twenty-eight inches long. There are a couple different finish options on the guns as well. The Montefeltro line also uses Benelli’s Crio choke system, this treatment offers a consistently dense shot pattern which should result in more hits according to Benelli. The Montefeltro came with a standard set of Crio chokes to adjust the pattern for your purposes.

Initial Impressions

Because I’m more of a rifle guy than shotgun, it took me the typical few minutes to go over the disassembled Montefeltro and get it together. The glossy finish matched beautifully with the polished chrome bolt-carrier. With the barrel seated, I snugged tight the ratcheting barrel nut making it ready for use.

Running the action of the gun felt just as I’d expected. The smooth slap of the bolt closing was matched by the easy to operate controls. Like most of its competitors, the Montefeltro controls operate in the same fashion which made it easy to become proficient shooting the gun. The finish of the Montefeltro is fantastic, which I have come to expect. And once assembled the fit and function of the gun looked flawless.

I couldn’t wait to get the Montefeltro out and shoot it, sadly it would take a few days. A cold winter day shooting clays with my kids was a great start to feel out the Benelli. Followed by a trip into the muddy wetlands of the Great Salt Lake looking for ducks and geese.

Shooting The Benelli Montefeltro

I grew up shooting cheap pump-guns at ducks, geese and other game birds, so perhaps my taste is a little more Mossy Oak versus Sitka or KUIU. I’ve had many opportunities to shoot fine shotguns though, and the Montefeltro seems in line with other Benelli’s, Franchi’s and Beretta’s. The recoil seems absorbed a bit by the operating system, enough that my daughter who doesn’t care for recoil seemed to enjoy shooting the Montefeltro.

The long barrel of the gun made swinging across flying clays very deliberate, and we quickly found a groove that was busting clays. Following both birds and targets with the bead felt natural like a favorite pair of boots. Comfortable follow up shots came as the smooth recoil impulse didn’t knock you off target much. Speaking of comfort, the Montefeltro has all the classic fit you’d expect. With a perfectly aligned comb and sight rib, as well as familiar operating controls. We tested the gun with both two and three-quarters shells, and three-inch magnum loads in anticipation of the next trip.

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Panzer Arms M4 Shotgun

August 22, 2024Product review, Shooting hardware12 gauge, m4, m4 shotgun, panzer armscoldboremiracle

Introduction

Tactical shotguns are a vibrant part of the black-gun market, the incredibly popular and venerable Benelli M4 made the genre of firearms famous. Today we will review a fresh clone of the M4, this one manufactured by Panzer Arms. The Panzer M4 offers all the same features as the original M4, but at a more modest price point.

Specifications

Caliber	12 gauge
Action	Semi-Automatic
Chamber	3-inch
Barrel Length	18.5 inches
Sights	Ghost ring standard sights
Capacity	5+1
Optics Mounting	Picatinny optics rail

Gun Background

Panzer firearms are manufactured like many others in Turkey. The manufacturers of these arms have been making rifles and shotguns for nearly fifty years. The low cost of manufacturing firearms like these overseas has created a large market of imported arms.

Panzer has made a variety of shotguns for the US market. A surprisingly diverse family of 12 gauge shotguns that could fit nearly any collection. There are AR style shotguns that use the AR manual of arms and detachable box magazines. And for those that love the Kalashnikov design, there are also AK Twelve models that incorporate the AK functions you are familiar with. They even offer their own 20-round drum magazine for the AK Twelve, and Panzer ammo to go with it. There are even bullpup 12gauge models for all those like me who suffer from a bullish fever.

Panzer Arms are imported to the US by PW Arms out of Washington. And in true PW Arms fashion, they engrave the guns so as to be legible to most satellites and orbiting craft. Panzers are sold all over the country through various dealers, as well as big outfits like Palmetto State Armory.

Gun Features

It’s an M4 clone- need I say more?
Simple and reliable dual gas piston driven operating system- reliable well tested system
Included Ghost Ring sights- ready to shoot out of the box
Optics Ready picatinny rail- for adding your favorite optical sight
Included Weapon Light mounting bridge- to add your preferred weapon light
Comes with set of three chokes

Additional Models

There are other models of the Panzer M4. Most of them are simply variations in finishes and stock options. There is a marine version with black polymer stock and pistol grip, with a nickel plated finish. As well as a standard M4 model with a black finish and pistol grip with either a traditional polymer fixed buttstock, or a skeleton adjustable buttstock. Today’s example uses a walnut stock with the disruptive gray finish.

Panzer M4 Review

I am no stranger to shooting shotguns, but my experience has always been for sport and hunting purposes. Tactical shotguns are used in a slightly different application; instead of applying a volume of shot to increase the likelihood of hitting a moving airborne target, tactical shotguns use the power and shot volume to remove matter from the immediate vicinity of its user. Whether its door hinges, sheetrock, or an uninvited torso, shotguns are great at creating voids where there wasn’t before.

Shootability

Panzer’s M4 copy brings all the familiar functions of modern semi-automatic shotguns. The controls are all very familiar and easy to operate well. This made it easy to pick up and get right to shooting. An 18.5-inch barrel makes the gun very easy to maneuver quickly, fast to point and faster to shoot.

I found the walnut stock to fit my grip and hold very well. If anything I felt like my trigger finger was a touch short for ideal actuating of the trigger. But I quickly got used to it. The oversized safety made it easy to put the gun into fire mode in a hurry.

I’ve not shot many tactical shotguns, so the ghost ring sights were a little new to me. But I can see why they are popular with these types of guns. They are quick to get on target, and don’t obscure your view much. I also shot the M4 with the new Vortex Defender XL red dot, which was also very nice. The big window and bright dot made it easy to make things disappear downrange.

Reliability

According to what I’ve heard, it’s recommended to run the M4 on heavier loads for the first bit to help break in the gun. So it didn’t surprise me when a few of the light trap loads I tried didn’t cycle the gun. While I dont think you’ll need to run 3-inch magnums to get the gun to operate reliably, it’s probably fair to assume a defensive tactical shotgun will run on heavier loads.

Panzer Arms M4 12 gauge — I added a **Vortex Defender XL red dot**

The only malfunctions I experienced during testing were under-operation of the action, resulting in a half-ejected hull. These few malfunctions were all with Fiocchi Field Dynamics 1 0z loads. Other similar loads didn’t have these issues, so I think it’s fair to assume the problem was ammo compatibility.

Again I’ll stress, for a tactical shotgun like this, you would much more likely be running higher velocity buckshot rounds like Winchester SuperX or Hornady Critical Defense.

The Panzer M4 uses the reliable operating system perfected by Benelli. Dual gas pistons drive the bolt carrier for rugged durability.

Ergonomics

Panzer’s M4 incorporates traditional shotgun ergonomics on this model. The other models also give you the adaptability of pistol grips and adjustable stocks. All of these options are sure to give you an option you like and can shoot well.

I found the Panzer M4 to be very easy and comfortable as is. The sights lined up well with my eye and natural comb height. With the red dot installed it was just a touch high, but that’s more about the optic mounting than the gun.

panzer arms M4 — with or without a red dot sight, the M4 lined up quickly with targets

One of the very interesting things about the M4 is the ability to swap the charging handle to the left side of the receiver. This is very convenient for those who prefer charging on the left side. And makes the gun more adaptable by more people. The only thing I would change on the Panzer M4 would be to make the bolt-release button a little larger.

Accuracy

Accuracy with shotguns is a bit misleading, as ammunition types and compatibility can vary greatly. If I had some slugs it would be a bit more relevant to this subject, but the traditional shotgun pattern was more than adequate. The M4 comes with three different chokes that allow you to adjust the gun’s patterning to best fit your needs.

Shooting the M4 at distances where shotguns are useful, I found it to be very easy to hit what you wanted. That’s what makes shotguns so good for close defensive tactics. And it is pretty clear that this gun is a great option for quickly making big holes in things within its range.

Panzer arms — Notice receiver cut for left side charging handle, and dual gas pistons

Value

A quick search through vendors shows that the Benelli M4 can be had for anywhere between $1500 and $2000. Contrast that with the $500 cost of the Panzer M4 as we tested it today. If the Panzer M4 retains the reliability of the gun it was cloned after, I think it would be hard to argue it wasn’t an incredible value.

Panzer M4 Pros & Cons

There is quite a bit about the Panzer M4 shotgun to like. There are a couple things I would change about it though. There is a single sling connection point up front. It is a sling loop attachment, but it isn’t solid. It is simply held around the mag-tube with a snap-ring, which makes me feel like it would rattle a lot both when in use and not. The other end of the sling simply has no-where to attach to the butstock. There is no sling swivel or place to attach one on the back of the stock.

Pros

Very affordable- ⅓ the cost of its parent firearm
Very attractive- handsome coatings and wood
Optics Ready- picatinny optics rail for easy mourning of your optic
Included sights- handsome and very functional ghost ring sights included
Reversible charging handle- for left hand operation
Includes weapon light bridge- for easy mounting of your light

Cons

Prefers heavy loads- at least for breaking in
Sling mounting- includes front sling loop but nothing at the back

Panzer M4 Report Card

Shootability (A) No surprise that an M4 clone is easy and fun to shoot

Reliability (B+) Function is great, the break-in and need for heavier loads is a small drawback

Accuracy (A-) It’s a shotgun, if you can’t hit your target, don’t blame the M4

Value (A+) Compared to its parent, this thing is a steal!

Preferred Ammunition

I used a variety of Fiocchi ammunition, Field Dynamics and Shooting dynamics. Other than the few issues I mentioned above it all ran excellent. The 2.75 loads all worked well, and are great for practice, but if you are going to use this gun for defensive shooting I’d probably use something else.

For dangerous situations I would use something like the Hornady Critical Defense or the Federal Premium Personal Defense.

Panzer Upgrades and Accessories

This shotgun works great as it comes from the factory, but I would certainly recommend a few upgrades. I really enjoyed shooting the gun with the Vortex Defender XL red dot. It makes an excellent addition to the M4.

A sling would also be a nice addition to this gun, if only it had a rear sling swivel…

But you can always add one, and the other models of the Panzer M4 have rear sling connection points. Something simple like this Spectre Gear Raptor would work.

Final Thoughts

Do yourself a favor if you are looking for a defensive shotgun, have a look at one of these Panzer M4 models. They are refreshingly affordable, and feel fantastic, and come with the features you’d expect from a costlier firearm.

-CBM

Check out other shotgun reviews here

Tristar Arms Viper G2 PRO 12 gauge shotgun

May 30, 2023Product review, Shooting hardware12 gauge, 12g, shotgun, tristar, viper g2coldboremiracle

INTRODUCTION

Tristar is a manufacturer and importer of firearms. Their moniker of being the value experts suggests that their products offer a significant value over the competition. I am more of a rifle junkie than a shotgun devotee, but like any true gun enthusiast, I do enjoy shooting them. Today I will be taking on the Tristar Arms Viper G2 PRO, a 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun designed for sporting and hunting purposes.

It seems over the last few decades, there has been a large influx of Turkish-made shotguns brought to the market. Being a rifle addict, as I mentioned, I have been mostly unaffected by this trend.

But I am happy to take on almost any firearm, and those brought in from the Turkish market definitely seem to bring value.

After just a few minutes handling the Viper, I expected I was going to like it.

THE TRISTAR ARMS VIPER G2 PRO

The Viper G2 PRO features a twenty-eight inch barrel and is operated by a gas piston to cycle the action. Like most every other semi-auto shotgun, it uses a tubular magazine to carry up to four rounds plus one in the chamber.

The Viper utilizes a handsome blend of beautiful wood for the stock and a bronze color finished receiver mated to a blued barrel.

A push/push safety in the trigger guard will be very familiar to shotgunners, as are the rest of the controls. The bolt release is on the right side of the receiver, just under the bolt charging handle.

I was impressed with the presentation of the Viper, it is a handsome-looking shotgun, and it was time to see what it could do.

TRISTAR ARMS VIPER G2 PRO REVIEW

Tristar presents itself as a value option in shotguns. I wanted to see if that meant it was worth the money or if that just meant it was cheaply made. There are plenty of cheaply made options out there, and I have no interest in them.

After handling the Viper I think it was safe to assume it wasn’t slapped together by unskilled hands, the fit and finish of the shotgun looked very comparable to the competitive price.

The MSRP for the model tested is $990.00, but in a cursive search of the market, various configurations of the Viper can be had for as little as $460 to near the MSRP price. The majority of the ones I found were around the $600 mark, which isn’t bad for a good shotgun in my estimation.

To be fair, a guy like me would probably do well with the Viper. If you aren’t one of those haughty shotgunners looking down their nose through a strange shade of amber shooting glasses at non-Italian shotguns, you could also benefit from the Viper G2.

With a price like this, it could definitely be a winner for those looking to scatter shot on a budget.

tristar viper g2 pro bronze review and disassembly

The Tristar Viper G2 is available in a bunch of different setups, colors, and even a left-handed version. This is great for those looking, as it gives you more options at a decent price. Make sure you look at all of the models, as there may be one better suited for you than this model. Whether you are dusting clays on a range or seriously seeking turkeys, you have got some great options.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber	12 gauge three-inch chamber
Capacity	5 rounds max
Barrel length	28 inch
Caliber options	12g, 16g, 20g, 28g, .410
Color options	Bronze, Silver, Black, and three different camo patterns.
Models available	Right and left-handed
Weight	6.8 pounds
Length of pull	14.25 inches
Choke system	Beretta®/Benell® Mobil
Chokes included	Improved cylinder, Modified, Full

PROS & CONS

PROS

Very handsome shotgun
Reasonably priced
Functions excellent
Compatible choke system
Includes choke set
Feels very light
Cycled every kind of ammunition I tried

CONS

Not made in America (if that matters to you)
It bit my finger (obviously my fault)

tristar viper g2 pro bronze review and test in rocky mountains

FIELD TESTING

Enough chit chat about numbers and prices, it was time to get the Viper into action and heat it up.

For this, my brother and I ventured into the springtime Rocky Mountains, which are currently still stuck in February mode. But with a gorgeous day before us and several boxes of shells and clays, I knew we were going to have a good time.

Hand-thrown clays add an extra layer of fun to shooting shotguns, unless you bring my nephew, in which case it becomes a very hazardous two-way range. We took turns throwing targets for each other, running an assortment of shells from Remington and Fiocchi.

Shop all of the Tristar guns, you need a Star…

RELIABILITY

I had accidentally glanced at the manual that came with the Viper, and in doing so, I noticed that they recommend a break-in process using magnum loads. I was a bit concerned thinking there may be a reliability issue since my inventory was currently barren of any three-inch shells.

tristar viper g2 pro bronze review and test in rocky mountains with clay shooting

With that in mind, I approached the first few shots paying close attention to the cycling of the action. Whether it be good luck or simply the sunshine, the Viper ran like a typewriter despite my complete disregard for the break-in.

We cranked through several different boxes of ammunition to see how the Viper handled them. There were some light-weight 1oz. Sporting loads as well as some 1⅛ oz. loads, everything we shot was either 7.5 or 8 shot size.

During all of our shooting, we had zero malfunctions. The gun functioned perfectly and locked back every time.

ACCURACY

I usually don’t have much trouble hitting what I’m aiming at with shotguns. But it did take me a minute to get the flow right with the Viper, and once we did, we really hammered everything.

The fiber-optic front bead made it easy to see, and every time we lined it upright with the flight of the targets, we would be rewarded with a dark cloud of dust.

tristar viper g2 pro bronze review and test in rocky mountains with clay shooting 2

OVERALL FEEL

The Viper G2 felt excellent in my hands. Its lightweight made it quick to point and easy to keep on target. I say lightweight mainly because I am used to rifles; compared to those, the Viper is very light.

But it is lighter than some of its competitors, like the Beretta A300 or the Stoeger M3500.

I mentioned before that the fit and finish of the gun was great. It looks better than I expected it to, knowing that it was a “value” branded shotgun.

The trigger and other controls were perfectly familiar and easy to operate. Almost too easy as I managed to get my finger bit by the bolt when I got too close to the bolt release.

The gun goes together easy enough, though I did have a bit of an issue getting the barrel seated properly. This was likely more my struggling than anything.

FEATURES

MOBIL CHOKE SYSTEM

The Mobil choke system used by both Benelli and Beretta is extremely popular, which makes it an easy choice for most folks to use. This will allow you to upgrade to aftermarket choke tubes if you’re into that kind of thing.

FIBER OPTIC SIGHT

The orange fiber-optic bead at the end of the vented rib gives an excellent point of aim while wing-shooting.

RECOIL PAD

The soft rubber recoil pad made the Viper feel great on the shoulder. We didn’t shoot any particularly heavy loads, but I am sure the recoil would have been soaked up by the Viper’s action and recoil pad

WALNUT STOCK

The beautiful Turkish walnut shows through the glossy finish on the Viper. The checkering gives great purchase for both hands to keep a good grip on the Viper.

HOW WE TESTED THE TRISTAR ARMS VIPER

For several hours, we ran the Viper through rounds of clays.

To make it fun, we changed position frequently, as well as the direction of targets. Switching back and forth between throwing and shooting made for great practice. Swapping chokes did seem to help somewhat for the different target presentations and distances. But it’s also likely that it was simply my perception that made it seem that way.

We shot three different types of ammunition during all this shooting, and for the most part, we didn’t notice any difference in operation or the ability to hit targets.

AMMO USED

In addition to the Remington Gun Club target loads and the Fiocchi dove loads, we also shot some Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics target loads.

SCORE CARD

RELIABILITY (10/10)

I experienced no malfunctions during testing of the Viper G2

ERGONOMICS (9/10)

As far as shotguns can be comfortable, this one certainly was. The only way I would improve it is perhaps with an adjustable cheek-riser.

CUSTOMIZATION (8/10)

Other than the included shims for the stock, and the Mobil choke system, I’m not sure what you would customize on this gun. Perhaps additional beads or something, but it’s fine as is.

APPEARANCE (8/10)

I found the Tristar Viper G2 to be quite handsome. The contrast of the Cerkoted receiver and the blued-barrel matching the glossy finished walnut made a very handsome gun.

VALUE (8.5/10)

I think the Viper is a good buy for many of the prices I saw during my internet search. The less expensive models appear to be an outstanding value.

READ THE CONCLUSION

The Tristar Viper G2 PRO actually surprised me. I was expecting something a little more economical. Something cheaper I guess, is a good way to describe it.

But it turns out I quite liked the shotgun, and at no time did I ever really feel like it was a cheap alternative to something nice. Keep in mind I am no shotgun aficionado; that would be my father.

And as such, I have been exposed to plenty of ostentatious and extravagant shotguns, I’m not suggesting that the Viper can stand alongside them but I think it is still a perfectly suitable alternative.

Fine shotguns seem to last a very long time. That is the only thing missing from this review.

A year or two of hard use or a couple of seasons in a duck blind would certainly give a better indication as to the Viper’s long-term durability. I wish I had a time machine to do exactly that, but for now, you’ll have to just gauge the Viper off what we know and have shared here today.

That said, I would happily take the Viper G2 into the field again; it’s grown on me.

-CBM

Like 12 gauge autoloaders? Read this one next…

Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 12 Gauge

November 22, 2022Product review, Shooting hardware12 gauge, A400, Berettacoldboremiracle

Introduction

It’s hard to imagine an autoloading shotgun without thinking of one of the popular models from Beretta, like the A400 Xtreme Plus, which we will review today. The Italian company has been in the business as long as anybody. Sure there is something about a name, but there has to be more than that for dedicated shooters and hunters to pick a shotgun from the rack.

I often mention that my father is more of a shotgun nerd than I am, so I frequently look to his guidance regarding such topics. Several of the many high-end shotguns he enjoys shooting come from Beretta. For me, shotguns are a bit more utilitarian than anything, more of a hunting tool than the expensive rifle toys I play with more often. And hunting waterfowl has been one of my favorite hunts since I first started hunting.

Enter the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus, a gas-operated 12 gauge shotgun with a 28-inch barrel and 3.5-inch chamber, one of the better all-weather hunting shotguns available. But just how good is it? And why would I choose it over something else? We’ll get to that in a moment, but I can tell you that the Xtreme is reliable, robust, and durable enough for whatever your hunt may have waiting.

Reliability

The A400 is one of Beretta’s leading hunting model shotguns, so reliability is an absolute must. During the course of the 350-400 shells I’ve fired through the gun, I’ve yet to have any issues with it.

We get some pretty crummy weather around here this time of year, but the Xtreme just keeps pumping shells and steel. Rain, sleet, and snow don’t phase this shotgun. A dunk in muddy water is never good for a gun, but this one quickly recovered from the dreaded dunk.

Accuracy

The various chokes that come with the Xtreme give you the option to customize the patterns it shoots. I found the Xtreme very easy to be effective on birds. The right choke and lead would nearly always result in a puff of feathers. I suppose there isn’t a turkey out there that wouldn’t fall to the Xtreme’s tight full pattern.

Shop Beretta shotguns, fill the hole in your safe

Overall Feel

Like most Beretta shotguns, this one feels like a perfect fit when it’s against your shoulder. The Kick-Off stock absorbs much of the recoil, which allows for tight cheek welds and follow-up shots.

The quality finish of the gun looks as handsome as it operates and protects it from vicious elements like salt water. Shooting with gloves is easy, and the controls are the right size and allow easy manipulation. Continue reading here

FEATURES

20 MM EXTENDED CHOKE SYSTEM

Gone are the days of digging through your shooting bag for a choke wrench. The A400 uses Berettas hand-tightened extended choke tubes, allowing you not only to install them by hand but also to ensure they keep tight in the field.

The selection of chokes provided allows you to customize your shot pattern to whatever the conditions and game you hunt require. And thanks to the toolless installation, they can easily be swapped as conditions change over your blind.

KICK-OFF STOCK

The Kick-Off stock aids in smooth operation, likely a good help for small-statured shooters. The smooth recoil allows the shooter to get several shots off in rapid succession if the target is missed or if there are multiple targets.

For shooters that aren’t good at calling their lead the first shot, this can be very valuable.

CONTROLS

Standard auto-loading controls will be familiar to anyone used to shooting autoloading shotguns.

The bolt release is oversized for easy action, and the trigger is fantastic, allowing precise shooting.

MAGAZINE

The Xtreme Plus has a standard five-round tube magazine. We had to run it with a plug to follow local laws to reduce the gun capacity to a total of three shots. But having the additional capacity is very nice if you are in a place that allows it. I’d like to get an extension for one of those spring Kansas goose hunts.

RAPID CYCLING

The Beretta system is very quick to cycle through shells. The rotating bolt allows for secure firing without sacrificing the rapid cyclic rate of the shotgun. This allows quick follow-up shots to be made on fast-flying birds.

NO BETTER TEST THAN THIS

This gun was made for plucking feathers, so I figured there was no better test than to get into a duck blind and see how it did taking down my local waterfowl. With a handful of friends, we headed out early in the morning to get into position before the shooting light arrived.

The Xtreme Plus is an excellent choice for the cold and wet winters we have here, and today would be no different. Wind and freezing rain kept the birds up and moving around for the better part of the morning.

On several occasions, we would pound an inbound group of ducks. This is where the quick-moving A400 really shows its worth. Missing the lead on a fast-moving bird is a more common occurrence than many would like to admit. But the quick follow-up of the Xtreme Plus was ready to go as soon as I saw the wad pass the bird.

The linear recoiling A400 keeps the bead of the gun in line with your target, so not only is the gun ready to shoot again quickly, but it’s also still pointed at the target.

We pumped through a bunch of shells and limited out on ducks. One day wasn’t enough, so we had to go back, and of course, the Xtreme was ready to go for round two. The cold weather was no match for this shotgun’s performance, and we once again pulled a limit of ducks out of the marsh.

AMMO USED

I rarely use anything other than 2-¾ shells when duck hunting, but I often carry a handful of 3 or 3.5 inch magnum loads in case a flock of geese was to fly over. The A400’s 3.5 chamber easily handles the heavier goose and swan loads that I carry for these less frequent events. During testing, I found the gun cycled with zero issues.

When using the A400 Xtreme Plus, I prefer Black cloud, Fiocchi, and Winchester

CONCLUSION

The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus is everything a hunting shotgun should be, it just feels right in my hands, and I feel unstoppable when the birds flare. The simple design and robust construction of the A400 are the sources of its incredible reliability, rapid cyclic rate, and ability to stay on target for more shooting.

It isn’t just a performer; it’s also a beauty. The camo coatings make the gun fit right into our duck blind, and it just plain looks good.

Hunting with the Xtreme is a joy, and after hunting with it for some time now, I just can’t imagine anything about it I would improve.

.-CBM