We have had 2 of these in our youth program for about 6 years now. They have been reliable guns for shooting singles, but do not cycle well. We did the "Magnum" break-in and by now both have had 5000 Rounds of target loads (Winchester 7/8oz-1200 FPS) sent through them. They still don't cycle consistently and will not cycle lighter Target loads at all. We get most of our ammunition through grants, so we have to shoot what we can get. Frequent cleaning doesn't help, infrequent cleaning doesn't help. About the only shells that we can get to cycle consistently are the magnum loads...can't shoot those all day with 9 year olds...or 59 year olds, for that matter. We have a club member whose parents got her one more recently and she has the same issues. Now, we also have a youth 12 gauge Tristar that is pretty much identical and we have no problems with it cycling 12 gauge target loads. (1oz 1200 FPS) I am giving them a 3 because, they keep on working as far as shooting singles all day and they have the recoil benefits of a semi-auto for our kids. I will say in Tristar's defense, I also have a Benelli Montefeltro that doesn't cycle the target loads consistently, but can shoot AAs (7/8oz-1200 FPS) all day with out any issues. So part of it is the ammunition, but the Tristars won't cycle the AAs consistently either...and if they did... AAs are a whole lot more expensive and harder to get as far as grants go. I would love to get even lighter 20 ga loads to shoot in our programs, but with these, we can't go any lower for sure.

Great starter gun for a kid. Shoots well.

I cannot say if my single experience is totally representative of the quality of this firearm but I must believe it is representative of TriStar quality control. I bought this gun for my son. I essentially bought a semi-auto shotgun that is a single shot. No matter the ammunition used it will not cycle correctly. Constantly jams and/or will not expel the expired shell. Several attempts made and it will not fire correctly. I have used multiple size loads in ammo. I have cleaned the gun thoroughly to inspect for clogged gas ports, etc. Still no go. I would not recommend this gun or brand to anyone.

Awesome product !!!! Already looking at another one !!!

I bought this gun for my 10 year old son. The gun was amazing the first time out. We shot 150 clay’s without the gun jamming one time. The gun got a little heavy for my son about halfway through the clay’s but other then that I could not have asked for a better preforming gun at any price. I would recommend this gun to anyone as well as any TriStar shotgun for the great price value.

nice inexpensive starter kid gun.

Got the Viper Youth Model just in time for my daughters Pheasant hunt. We put several rounds through it Saturday then hunted Sunday; she cut down two quality ring necks making all the boys missing shots very jealous. Way to go Breanna! Great service from Buds and the shotgun is nice, no case but good accessory's for the price. Seems a bit heavier than 6.3lbs more like 7 even with the 24" barrel no extension.

Excellent shotgun. Could not be happier with this purchase. Gun is solid, was easy to put together. I love the barrel extension. I bought this gun for my youth hunters but I had just as much fun shooting it. The synthetic is the soft-touch synthetic which is a huge plus. Don't be afraid to purchase this shotgun or any other Tristar products. For the money, they cannot be beat. Buds was no hassle once again. Thanks for a great purchase.

Just one of several guns ordered from Bud's with zero problems. This gun was for my gal for Christmas. Shot 150 rounds on the clays course w/o a hitch. Gun preformed perfectly and got rave reviews from on lookers. Good fit and finish for the $$ and the full size stock was a nice add-on too. Gun was simple to clean albeit seemed dirty more than other autos I've owned. I'll buy another Tri-Star and more guns from Bud's.

I purchased from Bud's a new model 20 ga. Tristar Youth Combo 24” bbl synthetic and a new model Tristar 20 ga. 26” bbl synthetic in September 2009. The guns are manufactured in Turkey by the same company that makes the Mossberg SA-20 and the Weatherby SA-8. I have compared the Tristars to three similar Turkish made 20 ga. semi-autos, and have found on balance that the Tristars were the best overall value. Mechanical function is simple and straightforward. Both guns have operated better than their Turkish competition. The new model has excellent styling, fit and finish for a gun in this price range, and for a semi-auto they are relatively easy to clean and have a stainless magazine tube. The 26" bbl gun needed some adjustment and Tristar’s warranty service in Kansas City is the best I have ever encountered with 10-day turn around and even a new barrel when I mentioned a small stain on the rib! Try to get that type of service from Browning or Remington. Bud’s prices are the best I have found on these Tristars and Bud’s service is likewise great.