The Tristar Matrix
The Matrix is TriStar’s first venture into inertia-driven shotguns, but hardly its first semi-auto. I’ve shot other TriStar shotguns and been impressed. As the Matrix uses inertia to power the action, the gun operates cleanly and requires less maintenance. It’s also backed by a five-year warranty.
The Matrix is offered in three color patterns: a finished walnut (tested here), a synthetic model with black polymer furniture, and a camo model featuring RT-MAX-7 wetland camouflage. All three finishes are also available in 26-inch 20-gauge versions for those looking for a lighter option.
Both options feature a 14.25-inch length of pull and weigh just over 7 pounds, with the 20-gauge models about 1/4 pound lighter. There appears to be a dovetail cut into the top of the receiver, though I couldn’t find an option for mounting anything to it.
Three chokes (IC, M, F) and a wrench are included. There is also another stock wedge you can use to adjust the angle of the buttstock, and at the rear you’ll find a soft rubber recoil pad for comfort.
Shooting the Matrix
To give the Matrix a good test, I figured we would put it to work on a case of clay targets. An afternoon and a case of shells would be enough to see what makes this TriStar shine. On a cool spring morning, my kids and I went up into the snow-covered Rocky Mountains. The cold breeze carried clay targets high into the blue sky, bobbing them up and down as they flew.
We threw clays by hand, taking turns between throwing and shooting. We burned through a case of clay targets and box after box of ammunition. The TriStar’s handsome walnut finish shone beautifully in the afternoon sun.
The Matrix feels light and is quick to shoulder and swing. I felt comfortable maneuvering the gun, though my shooting may not have reflected as much. Looking down the textured rib made a great sight picture, and the bright fiber-optic bead was easy to pick up.
Controls were easy and smooth to operate. It took no time to get good at loading and operating the controls blindly. I don’t use safeties often, and this one was a bit stiff. The trigger and other controls, though, were clean and felt exactly how you’d expect.
Reliability
We shot a few different types of ammunition through the Matrix – a couple from Fiocchi and some from Winchester. I did notice that the lighter 1-ounce loads often didn’t have the kick to completely cycle the action every time. It’s not uncommon for guns to have a recommended break-in period, and heavier loads are often recommended for that purpose.
The Winchester 1-1/8 ounce loads cycled flawlessly, which made sense. Other than the occasional ammo-related short stroke, the gun ran perfectly. I expect you would find any flaws with the gun long before the five-year warranty expires, which gives additional security.
Ergonomics
Modern firearms have no excuse for missing the mark on comfort. We have been making guns for long enough that there are no questions as to what works best. The Matrix is a fine example of that. The grip angles and foregrip are comfortable and conducive to shooting well.
The ability to change out the stock wedge allows you to change the angle of the buttstock to best fit you. The oversized charging handle is obvious and easy to grab when operating the Matrix. I also liked the oversized bolt-release button.
Value
When you compare the Matrix to similar shotguns, there is a pretty steep change in price. Although it has comparable features to guns like the Franchi Affinity, the Matrix can be found for as little as half the cost. Compared to Benelli shotguns of the same style, the disparity is even greater.
To find a fairer comparison, you’d need to look at something like the Stoeger M3000 shotguns, which have similar prices and function. The good news is that all these guns are well known for running reliably and having happy owners. There are literally boatloads of shotguns coming into our market from Turkey. For some folks, this is a good thing, as a great many handsome and reliable shotguns can be had for impressively affordable costs.
Pros and Cons
I noticed a few things about the Matrix that you could use against it. A few tool marks are visible through the finish here and there, although to me, that’s not a big deal. Second, no matter how much I tightened the barrel nut, the forearm never felt completely secure. It allowed just enough movement to notice while handling the shotgun, and everyone who picked it up did notice.
I also noticed that the safety detent took some time to break in. Out of the box, it took enough effort to un-safe the gun that it was distracting while trying to focus on a target. For an auto-loading shotgun priced around $600 and as cheap as under $500, I wasn’t heartbroken over these faults.
