I have always considered September as the kickoff to the much-anticipated fall hunting season. For thousands of hunters across the country the season opener means dove hunting. If there is any game bird that will give the shotgunner a real challenge it has to be the mourning dove. With their speed, small profile and the ability to conduct aerial acrobatics that would dizzy even the most accomplished circus trapeze performer, the dove is truly a gifted flyer.
In New Mexico we are fortunate to not only be blessed with great numbers of mourning dove, but also whitewing and Eurasian collared dove, also known as ring neck dove. The latter is a nonnative bird that got out of hand it is said because of the pet industry. Both the whitewing and the Eurasian are larger than mourning dove, but never the less just as challenging to hit on the wing. The really cool thing is that if a hunter finds the right area, he or she could take all three species of dove in within the same day.
What else makes such a hunt a true pleasure, other than good hunting companions and a good bird dog? A fine quality shotgun of course. Enter TriStar Arms. The Kansas-City based gun manufacturer, which imports a wide variety of Turkish manufactured shotguns and pistols, is serious about quality and functionality having been in business for nearly 30 years.
TriStar is well-respected for its shotguns. And rightly so. But there’s more to it than that. The company offers a full line of semi-automatic pistols. However, the shotgun line has evolved exponentially over the years, too. Consumers can expect to find semi-automatic, over/under, side by side, pump-action, and lever action models bearing the TriStar logo, with hunting, sporting, trap, and home-defense applications all well-represented.
According to the company website, the TriStar management team “has over 40 years’ experience and travels the world to bring the best possible price to our consumers.” Offering a five-year warranty that is specific to the function and operation of the guns offered under the TriStar Arms license. With that comes great craftmanship, reliability and eye appeal.
For this year’s dove season opener in southern New Mexico, I had the great pleasure of putting a duo of TriStar shotguns to the test. First the Phoenix side by side in 20 gauge and second, the Cypher over and under in .410. Both proved to be extremely functional and a pleasure to carry in the field.
TriStar Phoenix Side by Side
The Phoenix line of side by sides is a handsome gun that features a beautiful case colored receiver. Available in two gauges, 12ga and 20ga, these shotguns come standard with a select Turkish walnut, high-gloss stock. Both are built on a steel frame with precision laser-engraved detail. Also included are 5 chokes: skeet, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, and full. A choke box and choke wrench also come standard with the Phoenix. A brass bead front sight, along with a selective top tang safety completes this shotgun.
The TriStar Phoenix SxS
In the field I found this shotgun to be a pleasure to shoot and took the first five dove without a miss. I primarily used the improved modified and modified chokes for dove hunting, along with a mixture of number 8, 7 ½, and 6 shot size field loads. The Phoenix offers extractors on shells fired, a classic design for a classic look and feel shotgun.
Safety and Barrel Selector on the Phoenix 20 Gauge
I hunted with the Phoenix three different days taking about 30 birds in total including two sets of doubles. On the last day afield, I was fortunate to take all three species of dove; mourning, whitewing and Eurasian. I like this shotgun and found it to come to the shoulder naturally with excellent field performance.
Eurasian, Mourning and Whitewing Doves taken with the Phoenix
Features:
- Case Colored Receiver
- Brass Front Sight
- High Gloss Select Turkish Walnut Stock
- Single Selective Trigger
- 6.6lbs (20ga)
- 28-inch barrels
- Chrome-lined Chamber and Barrel
- 5 Beretta® Style Choke Tubes (SK, IC, M, IM, F)
- MSRP $795
Cypher Over and Under
The Cypher line of Over & Under shotguns features a top tang barrel selector and safety along with a solid frame for durability and a fiber optic front bead for quick sight acquisition. Moving the selector left or right will select which barrel will fire first.
A Handsome Shotgun: The TriStar Cypher
The Turkish Walnut stock & forearm is oil finished and absolutely beautiful. The steel mono-block barrel construction comes with 5 extended color/color-coded choke tubes: skeet, improved cylinder, improved modified, modified, and full. A choke box and choke wrench also come standard. The Cypher is offered in five gauges, .410, 28ga, 20ga, 16ga, and 12ga along with TriStar’s five-year mechanical warranty.
Like the Phoenix I spent three days in the field with the .410 Cypher. This shotgun comes to bear so naturally, is lightweight and just plain fun to shoot and hunt with. I shot it well using a variety of field loads in 7 ½ and 6 shot sizes. While my overall hit rate was not quite that of the 20ga Phoenix, the Cypher was nevertheless a very quality, pleasant, and enjoyable shotgun for the dove hunting field, even in .410.
Safety and Barrel Selector on the Cypher
I also took all three species of dove with this delightful over and under and would love to try out the Cypher in a 28ga. Bottom line…a very nice shotgun.
The Cypher Comes to Shoulder with Ease
Features:
- Auto Ejectors
- Deluxe Oil Finished Turkish Walnut Stock
- Fiber Optic Sight
- 5.9lbs (.410)
- 28-inch barrels
- 5 Extended/Color Coded Chokes (SK, IC, M, IM, F)
- MSRP $975
A Nice Eurasian Dove taken with the .410 Cypher
Final Thoughts
TriStar Arms are known as the value experts but that is only the tip of the iceberg in my opinion. Having spent numerous hunting days in the field with both of these guns I can honestly say I never had a problem with either. They are both attractive, reliable and just downright enjoyable to hunt with.
As to cost, you would be hard-pressed to find a side by side or over and under shotgun that will give you the quality and aesthetics of these two TriStar’s for the cost. Comparable shotguns of other well-known name brands will cost double or triple the price of a TriStar.
Will I continue to use TriStar shotguns? Without a doubt. Will I hunt more with both of these guns throughout the fall? Absolutely!
To locate a dealer near you visit www.lipseys.com/dealerfinder
About the Author:
TERRY NELSON – is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement with police and sheriff agencies, including SWAT and sniper roles, and has served as a state game warden. Nelson also served seven years with New Mexico State Guard. A lifelong hunter, guide, tracker and firearms enthusiast, Terry is sought for training in multiple disciplines by both civilian and police-serving agencies and companies. Nelson also holds a Basic Tac Med instructor certification from Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.