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TriStar Viper G2 Turkey Semi-Auto Shotgun with Pistol Grip TrueTimber Strata 20 gauge
A friend of mine is looking at getting this scattergun for turkey hunting. I don't know much about them. Do any of you have any experience with this gun? Good or bad, I'd appreciate your thoughts so I could pass them on to my friend. Thanks!!


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https://www.tndeer.com/threads/two-turkey-guns.423570/#post-5421335

Following. I'm looking at the same gun. I wanted a Weatherby SA 459 but they quit making them and this one looks like the next best thing to me. I just wish it had a 22 inch barrel instead of a 24 and it would be perfect.

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 08, 2022, 06:59:01 PM
https://www.tndeer.com/threads/two-turkey-guns.423570/#post-5421335

Roost1, I didn't see anything about the gun I was asking about in your link.

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I would tell your friend to also look at the Franchi Affinity Turkey model with the pistol grip steady grip stock and it's inertia driven ... as another possibility

Quote from: RutnNStrutn on September 09, 2022, 01:41:10 AM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 08, 2022, 06:59:01 PM
https://www.tndeer.com/threads/two-turkey-guns.423570/#post-5421335

Roost1, I didn't see anything about the gun I was asking about in your link.

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You are correct. I was just sharing a good deal on a great turkey gun.

Nothing at all wrong with a Tristar but not the same quality as a Franchi or Benelli.

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 09, 2022, 11:19:12 AM

Quote from: RutnNStrutn on September 09, 2022, 01:41:10 AM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 08, 2022, 06:59:01 PM
https://www.tndeer.com/threads/two-turkey-guns.423570/#post-5421335

Roost1, I didn't see anything about the gun I was asking about in your link.

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You are correct. I was just sharing a good deal on a great turkey gun.
Nothing at all wrong with a Tristar but not the same quality as a Franchi or Benelli.


I have no problem spending another $3-400 on the Franchi but it is almost a half a pound heavier than the Tristar and if I'm going to a 20 gauge one of the biggest reasons is to get something lighter.... The Franchi is pretty heavy compared to all of the competition.

The TriStar Viper G2 20 ga. Avg Wt 6.3 and the Franchi 20 ga. turkey Model is Avg. Wt 6.7 ... 

Quote from: BDeal on September 09, 2022, 07:08:12 PM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 09, 2022, 11:19:12 AM

Quote from: RutnNStrutn on September 09, 2022, 01:41:10 AM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 08, 2022, 06:59:01 PM
https://www.tndeer.com/threads/two-turkey-guns.423570/#post-5421335

Roost1, I didn't see anything about the gun I was asking about in your link.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

You are correct. I was just sharing a good deal on a great turkey gun.
Nothing at all wrong with a Tristar but not the same quality as a Franchi or Benelli.


I have no problem spending another $3-400 on the Franchi but it is almost a half a pound heavier than the Tristar and if I'm going to a 20 gauge one of the biggest reasons is to get something lighter.... The Franchi is pretty heavy compared to all of the competition.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220910/a6ba83b6817eb20e429a2e03a759469b.jpg)
You must have found a great deal on a Tristar if its $300-$400 cheaper than Affinity 3...


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Quote from: Greg Massey on September 09, 2022, 08:03:03 PM
The TriStar Viper G2 20 ga. Avg Wt 6.3 and the Franchi 20 ga. turkey Model is Avg. Wt 6.7 ...

Correct. Thats almost half a pound.

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 09, 2022, 08:42:42 PM

Quote from: BDeal on September 09, 2022, 07:08:12 PM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 09, 2022, 11:19:12 AM

Quote from: RutnNStrutn on September 09, 2022, 01:41:10 AM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 08, 2022, 06:59:01 PM
https://www.tndeer.com/threads/two-turkey-guns.423570/#post-5421335

Roost1, I didn't see anything about the gun I was asking about in your link.

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Are you trying to compare the 410 to the 20 gauge??

You are correct. I was just sharing a good deal on a great turkey gun.
Nothing at all wrong with a Tristar but not the same quality as a Franchi or Benelli.


I have no problem spending another $3-400 on the Franchi but it is almost a half a pound heavier than the Tristar and if I'm going to a 20 gauge one of the biggest reasons is to get something lighter.... The Franchi is pretty heavy compared to all of the competition.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220910/a6ba83b6817eb20e429a2e03a759469b.jpg)
You must have found a great deal on a Tristar if its $300-$400 cheaper than Affinity 3...


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Quote from: BDeal on September 09, 2022, 11:42:37 PM

Quote from: Greg Massey on September 09, 2022, 08:03:03 PM
The TriStar Viper G2 20 ga. Avg Wt 6.3 and the Franchi 20 ga. turkey Model is Avg. Wt 6.7 ...

Correct. Thats almost half a pound.

Like i told you, less than 1/2 pd. difference in the 2 guns, your getting a better gun and trigger system in the Franchi... IMO

If you're going to shoot something that heavy, why not just go with a 12 gauge then?

Quote from: BDeal on September 09, 2022, 11:55:46 PM
If you're going to shoot something that heavy, why not just go with a 12 gauge then?

You win ... good luck with your decision ....

Hey Greg- I apologize if I came off as sarcastic.  I wasn't meaning to be a wise  and I sincerely respect your opinion. For reference  I already have 2 heavy dedicated Turkey guns so I'm looking for a lightweight option and the Franchi and SX4 seem to be very high quality but also very heavy.

4oz is a quarter of a pound, I seriously doubt you could pick them both up at the same time and tell the difference.

Quote from: BDeal on September 09, 2022, 11:47:16 PM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 09, 2022, 08:42:42 PM

Quote from: BDeal on September 09, 2022, 07:08:12 PM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 09, 2022, 11:19:12 AM

Quote from: RutnNStrutn on September 09, 2022, 01:41:10 AM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 08, 2022, 06:59:01 PM
https://www.tndeer.com/threads/two-turkey-guns.423570/#post-5421335

Roost1, I didn't see anything about the gun I was asking about in your link.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

Are you trying to compare the 410 to the 20 gauge??

You are correct. I was just sharing a good deal on a great turkey gun.
Nothing at all wrong with a Tristar but not the same quality as a Franchi or Benelli.


I have no problem spending another $3-400 on the Franchi but it is almost a half a pound heavier than the Tristar and if I'm going to a 20 gauge one of the biggest reasons is to get something lighter.... The Franchi is pretty heavy compared to all of the competition.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220910/a6ba83b6817eb20e429a2e03a759469b.jpg)
You must have found a great deal on a Tristar if its $300-$400 cheaper than Affinity 3...


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Franchi does not make a 410...notice bottom left of tag, it' says 20ga.

LOL!!! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220910/36090d157301e38aa85ba264dd632fa6.jpg)

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Quote from: RutnNStrutn on September 10, 2022, 02:22:33 PM
LOL!!! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220910/36090d157301e38aa85ba264dd632fa6.jpg)

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I was kind of thinking the same thing and it has nothing to do with the gun asked about. :OGturkeyhead:

Quote from: captpete on September 11, 2022, 09:00:22 AM

Quote from: RutnNStrutn on September 10, 2022, 02:22:33 PM
LOL!!! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220910/36090d157301e38aa85ba264dd632fa6.jpg)

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I was kind of thinking the same thing and it has nothing to do with the gun asked about. :OGturkeyhead:

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Quote from: Roost 1 on September 10, 2022, 06:06:50 AM
4oz is a quarter of a pound, I seriously doubt you could pick them both up at the same time and tell the difference.

The gun weights I saw were listed in pounds, not pounds and ounces so it is .4 lbs or 6.4 ounces. Granted it's not a huge amount of weight but some of the other 20 gauges out there are in the 5.5 lb range so when you look at it that way it does add some.

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 10, 2022, 06:09:07 AM

Quote from: BDeal on September 09, 2022, 11:47:16 PM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 09, 2022, 08:42:42 PM

Quote from: BDeal on September 09, 2022, 07:08:12 PM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 09, 2022, 11:19:12 AM

Quote from: RutnNStrutn on September 09, 2022, 01:41:10 AM

Quote from: Roost 1 on September 08, 2022, 06:59:01 PM
https://www.tndeer.com/threads/two-turkey-guns.423570/#post-5421335

Roost1, I didn't see anything about the gun I was asking about in your link.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

Are you trying to compare the 410 to the 20 gauge??

You are correct. I was just sharing a good deal on a great turkey gun.
Nothing at all wrong with a Tristar but not the same quality as a Franchi or Benelli.


I have no problem spending another $3-400 on the Franchi but it is almost a half a pound heavier than the Tristar and if I'm going to a 20 gauge one of the biggest reasons is to get something lighter.... The Franchi is pretty heavy compared to all of the competition.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220910/a6ba83b6817eb20e429a2e03a759469b.jpg)
You must have found a great deal on a Tristar if its $300-$400 cheaper than Affinity 3...


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Franchi does not make a 410...notice bottom left of tag, it' says 20ga.

Thats a nice price!!!

I have experience with both of these guns. Franchi 20 ga., TriStar .410.
The Franchi, quality wise is a WAY better gun. The bolt is head and shoulders more substantial and better built and finished than the Tristar. This would be expected since the TriStar is a Turkish gun. The Franchi, Italian AND, built by Benelli.
The barrel is finished better. The machining in general and the fit and finish are better on Franchi.
The trigger, from the factory, on the ones I have/have worked on, I have to give a substantial edge to the TriStar. The trigger on Franchi is STIFF! That can be fixed with a spring kit from M-carbo or Taran Tactical (use the one for Benelli M2 They'll tell you it won't fit but it WILL. And it functions same as factory except being way lighter and smoother.)
The overall quality of Franchi is substantially better.
That said, the TriStar seems to be a good utility gun. It functions fine and, for low volume shooting, such as upland hunting/turkey hunting, you wouldn't go wrong.
I'd give this advice...Go to your gun store and take each one apart. The differences will be apparent.
If I had a choice and wasn't concerned about the price difference, I'd, no question, buy the Franchi.


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In addition to above, the franchi is recoil operated. TriStar gas operated.
The difference in cleaning is not comparable.
Gas operated is WAY dirtier and takes quite a bit longer to clean.


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Any suggestions on where to look for the best price on the Affinity?

Thanks!

Can't help you there my friend but I'd say if you can get a black one for around $700 or a camo one for around $800, I'd buy it.

Sorry, I confused the spring kits.
For the TriStar, you use the kit for the Mossberg (SA20).
For the Franchi, it's the Benelli M2 kit.
I fixed my previous post.
Sorry for the memory lapse...

A buddy of mine has that same gun. He loves it and it fits well,shoulders great and shoots very good. We were on an out of state trip this past spring and he went to unload his gun and the bolt handle came off in his hand. Thankfully we were able to reattach it but had we not been able too it could have been bad. I dont know if this speaks to the craftsmanship of the Tri stars but it was comcerning to me.

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To the OP, any updates?