Two things that seldom go together are side-by-side shotguns and affordable price tags. Yet it seemed only a matter of time that the self-proclaimed “value expert” TriStar connected the dots. TriStar’s full family of Bristol doubles debuted in 2021. 
 

TriStar Bristol Specs


The Bristol family of shotguns launches immediately in two formats and four gauges. First, buyers have a choice of the Bristol or Bristol Silver. Both will be available in 12, 20, 28 gauge, and .410 bore. Regardless of configuration, the Bristols are built on true-sized frames and feature auto ejectors instead of standard extractors. 

The double barrels, with chrome-lined bore and chamber, are tipped with a brass front bead and come with a hard pack of five Beretta-style choke tubes (skeet, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, and full). Though stock design differs between the two variants, both wear select Turkish Walnut stocks with an oil finish and fitted with a rubber buttpad. The selective top tang safety is ambidextrous friendly. There is an extended panel of checkering at both the buttstock and forend. We’re pleased to see a single selective trigger in place of double triggers. 

All four of the gauges wear 28-inch barrels. Weight varies from 5.08 to 6.74 pounds from .410 to 12-gauge, respectively. The guns are backed by TriStar’s five-year warranty, and Bristol doubles are shipping immediately. TriStar advertises the Bristol “with competition-grade craftsmanship at Field Grade pricing.”

The only question remaining is which Bristol will you choose. Let’s take a quick look at the two models.
 

The Bristol & Bristol Silver
 

Tristar’s Bristol, top, and Bristol Silver, bottom, are two of the most value-priced double-barrel shotguns on the market. (Photo: TriStar)

The namesake Bristol is striking with its color case-hardened receiver and straight English-style buttstock. MSRP on the Bristol runs from $1,065 to $1,100 depending on gauge, and real-world prices already see them well south of a grand. 

The Bristol Silver is built around a nickel-finished receiver that is accented with 24-karat gold inlay and precision laser engraved detail. Unlike its counterpart, the Silver model has a semi-pistol grip style buttstock. MSRP on the Bristol Silver is $1,000 for the 12 and 20 gauge and $1,040 for the sub-gauges. 

revolver barrel loading graphic

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