TriStar Original Kral Viper 20ga Semi Auto Questons

56Willys · January 10, 2019, 03:06 PM

I recently bought a 20ga semi-auto from a local gun store. Thru research I have found it is an original TriStar Kral Viper(verified by Importer-TriStar Arms). I will preface my remarks by saying, I have never owned an auto shotgun. I have my s/s that I have had since I was 8 and that is mostly all I have ever use. Occasionally I have used my dads 870 pump.

I brought some federal target loads (2.5 dram, 7/8oz shot) and a box of clay pigeon to test it out with. The first round fired as it should. The second and successive 3 more rounds, all the brass was cut off. The plastic stayed in the tube and the brass jammed with the new round trying to be loaded. The plastic was easily removed from the chamber with a cleaning rod. Brass was not split. No high pressure indications were found. The hull left in the chamber was not split and looked normal.

I took it back to the gun store. Their smith looked it over but was just as confused as I was as to what the root of the problem might be. He did take it apart and (according to him) found a plugged gas port which he thoroughly cleaned. They asked me to try a different brand of ammunition and report back to them. I took it home and fired 2 rounds of Winchester thru it. Again first round was ok, second the brass was pulled off the plastic. I tried 5 rounds of Federal high velocity loads and 5 Remington high velocity loads. Similar results with the high velocity loads however the brass was not completely cut off, just cut halfway thru on both brands. The one thing I did notice is that the high velocity loads were ejected approximately 15-18 feet from where I was standing. Seemed a little far to throw a spent hull to me.

I contacted another local gun smith. They had no useful information. I contacted TriStar. Their response was that it was a gun no longer in production and there were no parts available. I could send it to them and their smith would look at it for a $35/hr rate but no guarantees it would/could be repaired and I would have to pay shipping both ways.

My main question is has anyone seen anything like this before. I certainly have not. If so, any idea on where to start to resolve the issue?

Secondly, is it worth spending any money/time on? I know its not an expensive gun. Certainly not a Remington 1100 or Browning. The gun store is willing to take it back. I have reported all my testing to them and kept all spent hulls for their inspection.

Clemson · January 11, 2019, 10:52 AM

If the gun store will take it back, return it. Don't buy another. In my shop I find that parts are non-existent, and although the guns look good, they are simply not the same quality as Remington, Beretta, Browning, etc.

Scorch · January 13, 2019, 03:29 AM

Biggest problem is that Tri Star is not the same Tri Star that imported the shotgun 10 years ago. They reorganized or sold. And the firearms were not made by Tri Star, they were made for them. The company who made the firearms for Tri Star 10 years ago is not the same company that is making guns for today's Tri Star. Find a good shotgun mechanic if you really want to fix it.

56Willys · January 17, 2019, 07:50 PM

Thank you gentlemen!

Remington74 · January 18, 2019, 04:12 PM

I am curious as to what would possibly cause such a failure with target loads and higher pressure loads. Having said that I would take that one back to the gun store right now! (And probably buy something else on their rack for being so reasonable).

January 10, 2019, 03:06 PM	#1
56Willys Junior Member Join Date: January 5, 2019 Location: Branson, Missouri Posts: 2	TriStar Original Kral Viper 20ga Semi Auto Questons I recently bought a 20ga semi-auto from a local gun store. Thru research I have found it is an original TriStar Kral Viper(verified by Importer-TriStar Arms). I will preface my remarks by saying, I have never owned an auto shotgun. I have my s/s that I have had since I was 8 and that is mostly all I have ever use. Occasionally I have used my dads 870 pump. I brought some federal target loads (2.5 dram, 7/8oz shot) and a box of clay pigeon to test it out with. The first round fired as it should. The second and successive 3 more rounds, all the brass was cut off. The plastic stayed in the tube and the brass jammed with the new round trying to be loaded. The plastic was easily removed from the chamber with a cleaning rod. Brass was not split. No high pressure indications were found. The hull left in the chamber was not split and looked normal. I took it back to the gun store. Their smith looked it over but was just as confused as I was as to what the root of the problem might be. He did take it apart and (according to him) found a plugged gas port which he thoroughly cleaned. They asked me to try a different brand of ammunition and report back to them. I took it home and fired 2 rounds of Winchester thru it. Again first round was ok, second the brass was pulled off the plastic. I tried 5 rounds of Federal high velocity loads and 5 Remington high velocity loads. Similar results with the high velocity loads however the brass was not completely cut off, just cut halfway thru on both brands. The one thing I did notice is that the high velocity loads were ejected approximately 15-18 feet from where I was standing. Seemed a little far to throw a spent hull to me. I contacted another local gun smith. They had no useful information. I contacted TriStar. Their response was that it was a gun no longer in production and there were no parts available. I could send it to them and their smith would look at it for a $35/hr rate but no guarantees it would/could be repaired and I would have to pay shipping both ways. My main question is has anyone seen anything like this before. I certainly have not. If so, any idea on where to start to resolve the issue? Secondly, is it worth spending any money/time on? I know its not an expensive gun. Certainly not a Remington 1100 or Browning. The gun store is willing to take it back. I have reported all my testing to them and kept all spent hulls for their inspection. __________________ Nothing special here. Last edited by 56Willys; January 10, 2019 at 03:37 PM.

January 11, 2019, 10:52 AM	#2
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	If the gun store will take it back, return it. Don't buy another. In my shop I find that parts are non-existent, and although the guns look good, they are simply not the same quality as Remington, Beretta, Browning, etc. __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

January 13, 2019, 03:29 AM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Biggest problem is that Tri Star is not the same Tri Star that imported the shotgun 10 years ago. They reorganized or sold. And the firearms were not made by Tri Star, they were made for them. The company who made the firearms for Tri Star 10 years ago is not the same company that is making guns for today's Tri Star. Find a good shotgun mechanic if you really want to fix it. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 17, 2019, 07:50 PM	#4
56Willys Junior Member Join Date: January 5, 2019 Location: Branson, Missouri Posts: 2	Thank you gentlemen! __________________ Nothing special here.

January 18, 2019, 04:12 PM	#5
Remington74 Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2012 Location: Carthage, NY Posts: 231	I am curious as to what would possibly cause such a failure with target loads and higher pressure loads. Having said that I would take that one back to the gun store right now! (And probably buy something else on their rack for being so reasonable).