Weatherby is adding three new models of pump-action 20-gauge “Tactical Response” shotguns to their 2013 catalog. Patterned off their existing entry-level shotguns, these solid, no-nonsense guns are very affordable and have developed a respectable following.
“Our new 20-gauge pumps offer dependable performance with less felt recoil than 12-gauge models,” said company president Ed Weatherby when they were first announced. “They are lightweight and easy to operate — a great shotgun choice for beginners and experienced shooters alike.”
Like the 12-gauge models, the 20-gauge PA-08s will chamber both 2.75- and 3-inch shells. With standard shells they have a capacity of 5+1 and 4+1 with 3-inch magnums.
Weatherby is adding two PA-08 Synthetic models, one with a 26-inch barrel and the other with a 28-inch barrel. They both weigh 6.5 pounds and have traditional-style polymer furniture. The stocks are medium-long with a 14-inch length of pull. These come with three chokes, improved cylinder, modified and full.
They’re also adding a PA-459 20-gauge model, their most tactical “Tactical Response” shotgun. The PA-459 has a shorter 13.5-inch pistol grip stock and compact 18.5-inch barrel. It comes with a removable ported cylinder bore choke standard.
The 20-gauge PA-459 has a handful of other upgrades that rounds out its tactical feature set, including a receiver-mounted Picatinny rail for optics and a set of adjustable ghost ring iron sights. It weighs a little less even with the pistol grip and extended forend at 5.75 pounds.
The more conventional PA-08s have an MSRP of $400 and the decked-out PA-459 only comes in at $500. Street prices for these are already popping up around $350 for the PA-08s and $400 for the tactical shotgun.
All have dual action bars and are black chrome on the outside and chrome-lined on the inside, including the bolt, insuring smooth cycling and reliability even with heavy use.
If you’re looking for a solid and dependable pump shotgun chambered for softer-shooting 20 gauge ammo, you should consider giving these Weatherby shotguns a once-over. For all the details about these shotguns, check out the product page for the PA-08 here and the PA-459 here.
When I heard about the Walther PDP-F, I was immediately intrigued. A compact pistol designed for small hands? Sign me up. Here are my thoughts after owning the PDP-F for one year.
Walther's PPQ 22 M2 pistol chambered for .22 LR offers fantastic ergonomics in an affordable package that's great for plinking, target shooting, and training.
Backed by the quality reputation that comes with Swiss manufacturing, the B&T GHM45 pistol-caliber sub gun is the perfect candidate for your next suppressed pistol.
Texas-based Bond Arms builds some of the finest derringers in the world, so we knew it would be a treat to shoot this single-shot, break-action Cyclops chambered in the walloping .45-70 Government.