Tristar Viper semi-auto

tristar viper · August 8, 2009, 10:42 AM

Hi everyone, I'm new and this is my first post.
I wanted to post some experiences with my newest gun, a 12ga Tristar.
As I looked for a shotgun and talked to MANY people, I found that pretty much noone had any real experience with this brand of gun. I had read some pretty good things about them, but then there were those guys at the gun shops that because they didn't know anything about them, or maybe because they didn't sell them, told me to stay away from the brand. Seems as though people can never just say "I really don't know". Instead, they just make something up which I don't like.
Anyway, I decided to be the guinea pig with this gun, and after having just gotten done putting nearly 200 rounds through it at a trap range, I can say that this gun is great. I've never shot so well in my life, a couple shells hung up in the first few shots (that's normal to me in a new gun) but after that this thing shot like a dream. It is a gas gun, and recoil I'd say was pretty minimal compared to my buddys Stoeger 2000.
All in all, I can say for $299 I got a pretty darn good gun that I don't have to baby because I didn't give a fortune for it. Tristar also gives a better warranty than most other manufacturers, it's 5 years.
I'll keep everyone posted on how this gun continues to hold up, but for the first time out with it I am extremely pleased.

balazona · August 8, 2009, 11:22 AM

Please post pictures.

tristar viper · August 8, 2009, 11:30 AM

Will do. It's apart now for cleaning, but when I get it back together I'll get them on.

balazona · August 8, 2009, 11:39 AM

I think this Viper shotgun is Turkish made.the parent company is Hatsan Escort.

tristar viper · August 9, 2009, 09:54 AM

Here are some pics.
Yes it's Turkish made, but can't find evidence of the parent company you mentioned. Could be.
It worked very well first time out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a great gun and the best around, but I've shot guns costing 3 times as much that jammed more and were less accurate.

tristar viper · August 14, 2009, 01:43 PM

Doesn't seem to be much interest in this gun or this post. I figured that since so few people really know anything about these guns, let alone own one as I now do, that there would be more interest in a budget level entry gun. Guess not, and that's fine. It works well for my purposes.

rickster67 · August 24, 2009, 06:25 PM

Let me reply to you because i felt it was important because many do not know. I just registered on here to send this reply to you.

I bought a Tristar Magnum 12 guage a year ago.I bought it for 300.00 out the door .When i first used it ,It jammed up a few times then after another 1000 rounds or so , it functioned fine. Unfortunately,the jamming problem continued and progressivly got worse.I tried to clean it more, use differant shells and replaced the o-ring thinking it was the problem but it wasnt. I was getting ****** off because its a hell of shooter-Tight groups-not much recoil and really has some range ,Even when compared to my Benelli supernova pump and Remington 87.This went on for several months-Actually 8 months because i was too busy working to hunt. I Decided to contact Tristar .I They told me to send in so they could check it out. I did and they received it in 3 days and they fixed it and sent it out the same day they received it. They said there was a trigger group adjustment that was made and that was the cause of the problem,A dam adjustment of all things, and that was causing the second shell to jam and not load into the receiver.I also compalined about the pin taht also gets lose on your shotgun, after about 500 rounds ,there is a pin above the trigger that gets loose and will move back and fourth, so keep your on that .Used some locktite to make sure it stayed and has worked for months for the most so far but i did tell tristar that .
Alll in all its one of the best shooting-lightweight semi-auto for the price i paid.Another plus from what i heard and it may not be true,but that bennelli bought them out and moved there factory to italy .Also benelli shotgun chokes will fit in tristar shotguns,I have tried that myself and that is true.

I have not received the shotgun back, its on its way here in the next few days. I dont knowe if its fixed but here is what they told me by e-mail
(We received the gun on friday and we were able to work on it the same day it came in. We made a few adjustments to trigger group and it fixed the problem. We test fired it and cleaned the gun up and it is already on its way back to you. TriStar Sporting Arms ).

That is some good customer service that is backed by there warrenty . But also be aware that the 5 years warrenty works like this,The 1st year everything is covered But the the other 4 year years only parts are covered.
Since there linked up to Benelli,That is a good thing.

It was just an adjustment ,Then it was just an inconvienance to me -no broken parts .But i reccomend to all,If are incurring jamming,Call up tristar and send it and get fixed because it wont go away also when you buy remember to fill out the warrenty card, thats important.

sbbirdman · February 28, 2011, 01:46 AM

Just wanted to know how your experience with the Tristar is now several years later. Is it still holding up? Any additional problems?

I'm looking at getting a youth shotgun for my daughter and this one was reccomended. Would you reccomend it now?

Thanks for your input.

balazona · February 28, 2011, 06:47 AM

Please,go for Viper G2(2nd generation) shotgun.

sjones · February 28, 2011, 05:12 PM

I have a verona suto 12ga that is also made in turkey.I have had it for about 12 years and fired maybe 3,000 to 5,000 times.I use it mainly for skeet and trap.I've never had a problem with it.It is one of the best shooting guns I've ever owned. sj

sbbirdman · March 1, 2011, 08:15 PM

Thanks for the input. The salesmen was trying to push a pump on her because they didn't have any auto loaders so I'm glad I waited.

dalegribble · March 1, 2011, 08:43 PM

i have the tristar viper semi auto in the shorter combat type version. i have had no problems in the 3 years i have owned it. i have a couple of shotguns i plan on giving my kids but the viper will stay with me.

Rugerismisticness · March 2, 2011, 05:41 AM

The Viper is a copy and alteration of the Beretta 390 series, there thats what I know. No one uses these on the clay feild, so there really isn't much endurance testing or any real testing for that matter.

Slugo · March 2, 2011, 07:32 AM

tristar viper - not to be a smart ass, but those guns garner very little interest from the old guard shotgun network. They are relatively cheap guns in both price and quality. It's an occasional gun which will not stand up to the day by day pounding of target shooting. In all sincerity, you should have looked for a nice used, tried and true semi. One where parts are readily available and one that is much more durable.

You seemed upset, nobody responded to your post. Well, the reasons I pointed out are why...

sjones · March 2, 2011, 11:41 AM

Sluggo,I have to say your'e wrong.See my above post,granted mine isn't a tristar but it is made in turkey.Its a verona,probably the same thing,not sure.I use it for both skeet and trap,thats how I've gotten the 3,000 to 5,00 rounds through it.Have never had any problems.Its just like that old bunny rabbit,it just keeps banging on. sj

Slugo48 · March 2, 2011, 03:00 PM

I do believe the Verona is a different gun, and if that is the case, I'm in full agreement. Otherwise, the gun is, ah, never mind... :barf:

dymo105 · June 21, 2011, 11:30 AM

does anyone know what kind of limbsaver recoil pad will fit the tristar viper g2

August 8, 2009, 10:42 AM	#1
tristar viper Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 889	Tristar Viper semi-auto Hi everyone, I'm new and this is my first post. I wanted to post some experiences with my newest gun, a 12ga Tristar. As I looked for a shotgun and talked to MANY people, I found that pretty much noone had any real experience with this brand of gun. I had read some pretty good things about them, but then there were those guys at the gun shops that because they didn't know anything about them, or maybe because they didn't sell them, told me to stay away from the brand. Seems as though people can never just say "I really don't know". Instead, they just make something up which I don't like. Anyway, I decided to be the guinea pig with this gun, and after having just gotten done putting nearly 200 rounds through it at a trap range, I can say that this gun is great. I've never shot so well in my life, a couple shells hung up in the first few shots (that's normal to me in a new gun) but after that this thing shot like a dream. It is a gas gun, and recoil I'd say was pretty minimal compared to my buddys Stoeger 2000. All in all, I can say for $299 I got a pretty darn good gun that I don't have to baby because I didn't give a fortune for it. Tristar also gives a better warranty than most other manufacturers, it's 5 years. I'll keep everyone posted on how this gun continues to hold up, but for the first time out with it I am extremely pleased.

August 24, 2009, 06:25 PM	#7
rickster67 Junior Member Join Date: August 24, 2009 Posts: 1	Tristar Let me reply to you because i felt it was important because many do not know. I just registered on here to send this reply to you. I bought a Tristar Magnum 12 guage a year ago.I bought it for 300.00 out the door .When i first used it ,It jammed up a few times then after another 1000 rounds or so , it functioned fine. Unfortunately,the jamming problem continued and progressivly got worse.I tried to clean it more, use differant shells and replaced the o-ring thinking it was the problem but it wasnt. I was getting ****** off because its a hell of shooter-Tight groups-not much recoil and really has some range ,Even when compared to my Benelli supernova pump and Remington 87.This went on for several months-Actually 8 months because i was too busy working to hunt. I Decided to contact Tristar .I They told me to send in so they could check it out. I did and they received it in 3 days and they fixed it and sent it out the same day they received it. They said there was a trigger group adjustment that was made and that was the cause of the problem,A dam adjustment of all things, and that was causing the second shell to jam and not load into the receiver.I also compalined about the pin taht also gets lose on your shotgun, after about 500 rounds ,there is a pin above the trigger that gets loose and will move back and fourth, so keep your on that .Used some locktite to make sure it stayed and has worked for months for the most so far but i did tell tristar that . Alll in all its one of the best shooting-lightweight semi-auto for the price i paid.Another plus from what i heard and it may not be true,but that bennelli bought them out and moved there factory to italy .Also benelli shotgun chokes will fit in tristar shotguns,I have tried that myself and that is true. I have not received the shotgun back, its on its way here in the next few days. I dont knowe if its fixed but here is what they told me by e-mail (We received the gun on friday and we were able to work on it the same day it came in. We made a few adjustments to trigger group and it fixed the problem. We test fired it and cleaned the gun up and it is already on its way back to you. TriStar Sporting Arms ). That is some good customer service that is backed by there warrenty . But also be aware that the 5 years warrenty works like this,The 1st year everything is covered But the the other 4 year years only parts are covered. Since there linked up to Benelli,That is a good thing. It was just an adjustment ,Then it was just an inconvienance to me -no broken parts .But i reccomend to all,If are incurring jamming,Call up tristar and send it and get fixed because it wont go away also when you buy remember to fill out the warrenty card, thats important.

February 28, 2011, 01:46 AM	#8
sbbirdman Junior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Posts: 2	Status Update? Just wanted to know how your experience with the Tristar is now several years later. Is it still holding up? Any additional problems? I'm looking at getting a youth shotgun for my daughter and this one was reccomended. Would you reccomend it now? Thanks for your input.

March 1, 2011, 08:15 PM	#11
sbbirdman Junior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Posts: 2	Viper 2G Thanks for the input. The salesmen was trying to push a pump on her because they didn't have any auto loaders so I'm glad I waited.

March 1, 2011, 08:43 PM	#12
dalegribble Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2007 Posts: 861	i have the tristar viper semi auto in the shorter combat type version. i have had no problems in the 3 years i have owned it. i have a couple of shotguns i plan on giving my kids but the viper will stay with me. __________________ Waltzes with woofs

August 8, 2009, 11:22 AM	#2
balazona Member Join Date: May 5, 2008 Location: Bahrain Posts: 85	Please post pictures.

August 8, 2009, 11:30 AM	#3
tristar viper Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 889	Will do. It's apart now for cleaning, but when I get it back together I'll get them on.

August 8, 2009, 11:39 AM	#4
balazona Member Join Date: May 5, 2008 Location: Bahrain Posts: 85	I think this Viper shotgun is Turkish made.the parent company is Hatsan Escort.

August 14, 2009, 01:43 PM	#6
tristar viper Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 889	Doesn't seem to be much interest in this gun or this post. I figured that since so few people really know anything about these guns, let alone own one as I now do, that there would be more interest in a budget level entry gun. Guess not, and that's fine. It works well for my purposes.

February 28, 2011, 06:47 AM	#9
balazona Member Join Date: May 5, 2008 Location: Bahrain Posts: 85	Please,go for Viper G2(2nd generation) shotgun.

February 28, 2011, 05:12 PM	#10
sjones Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 1999 Location: waxahachie,Texas Posts: 337	I have a verona suto 12ga that is also made in turkey.I have had it for about 12 years and fired maybe 3,000 to 5,000 times.I use it mainly for skeet and trap.I've never had a problem with it.It is one of the best shooting guns I've ever owned. sj

March 2, 2011, 05:41 AM	#13
Rugerismisticness Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Posts: 909	The Viper is a copy and alteration of the Beretta 390 series, there thats what I know. No one uses these on the clay feild, so there really isn't much endurance testing or any real testing for that matter.

March 2, 2011, 07:32 AM	#14
Slugo Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,007	tristar viper - not to be a smart ass, but those guns garner very little interest from the old guard shotgun network. They are relatively cheap guns in both price and quality. It's an occasional gun which will not stand up to the day by day pounding of target shooting. In all sincerity, you should have looked for a nice used, tried and true semi. One where parts are readily available and one that is much more durable. You seemed upset, nobody responded to your post. Well, the reasons I pointed out are why...

March 2, 2011, 11:41 AM	#15
sjones Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 1999 Location: waxahachie,Texas Posts: 337	Sluggo,I have to say your'e wrong.See my above post,granted mine isn't a tristar but it is made in turkey.Its a verona,probably the same thing,not sure.I use it for both skeet and trap,thats how I've gotten the 3,000 to 5,00 rounds through it.Have never had any problems.Its just like that old bunny rabbit,it just keeps banging on. sj

March 2, 2011, 03:00 PM	#16
Slugo48 Junior member Join Date: February 26, 2011 Posts: 9	I do believe the Verona is a different gun, and if that is the case, I'm in full agreement. Otherwise, the gun is, ah, never mind... :barf:

June 21, 2011, 11:30 AM	#17
dymo105 Junior Member Join Date: June 21, 2011 Posts: 1	does anyone know what kind of limbsaver recoil pad will fit the tristar viper g2