Weatherby PA-08 Upland Let me preface by stating that my initial goal was a 12ga slug gun for sabots. The combo packages offered the versatility of having dual functioning firearm for a minimal price increase. I started off looking at the Mossberg and Remington lines and even looked at the Browning BPS line all were available for inspection at local dealers, where I also first spotted the PA-08 line. Did some on line research and in store evaluations and decided to try the Weatherby based on : The Weatherby version already had a cantilever scope mount, the others had rifle sights, adding a scope mount to the receiver would have nullified the use of the bird barrel and been inconvenient to mount and un-mount a scope to say the least, cantilever barrels are available for the others, but for extra cost. The Weatherby slide action was solid and smooth where as the others were loose and sloppy, even the BPS, and the Mossberg rattled. The furniture on the Weatherby looked great where as the others looked like they were made from laminate flooring. The Weatherby trigger assembly drops out for ease of cleaning via two pins. The Weatherby had a chrome lined barrel and bolt. The rifling in the Weatherby was 1/28 where as others were 1/32 The rifled barrel on the Weatherby was 24” where others were 21” 3 chokes included. The drawbacks: The Weatherby tube lip prevents adding a tube extension without modifying the tube. Weatherby offers few aftermarket accessories and parts are scarce (Chokes are available from Carlson and Briley). The reality: Out of the box… the walnut furniture was beautiful, the finish was high gloss, I would have preferred a satin finish but I knew it was gloss beforehand. The checkering was deep and consistent, no chips, no indents and no tool marks, it may be a machined, but they got it right. The receiver to stock fit matched up well, but the wood stood consistently proud of the receiver approximately .01 to .015 inched of the receiver (about the thickness of a playing card) the stock to butt pad fit was perfect. The receiver and bird barrel were blued almost satin finish and the rifled barrel was matte black. The bird barrel and receiver had fingerprints all over, I was fearful it was ruined, but cleaned and oiled both and finally prints were gone, it undoubtedly came this way from the factory. The bird barrel chrome lining looked clean and consistent. The rib with brass bead appeared well attached. The matte finish on the rifled barrel (also had prints) seemed ever so slightly heaver in a couple of places a certain angles. The rifling was shallower than expected .005. The rifled barrel was NOT chrome lined. The rifled barrel was filthy, filthy. It eventually came clean but should NEVER have left the factory in that condition. The cantilever scope mount seemed well attached and beefy. The chrome bolt seemed well finished and snug yet smooth in the receiver. Barrel installation was very easy, bring the slide halfway slide barrel into receiver and align on the tube, bring the slide all the way back and secure barrel with tube cap. The action was firm and smooth, very precise. The trigger assembly removal was easy (nice feature) and the fit into the receiver very precise. I would normally opt for the synthetic stock but for $20 extra I’m glad I went for the upland version. So far for the price I feel it’s a very good value. Of course the proof is in the shooting, once I get the scope I want (still evaluating) the I’ll be able to evaluate the cheek weld and pull as well as accuracy, we’ll see if it meets expectations…

Just got my Weatherby Pump PA08 combo - have to say the craftsmanship is excellent. This is what a shotgun should look and feel like. Smooth action, great details on the walnut stock and slick gloss finish, which is immaculate. Can't wait to try out both barrels to see how it performs.