[ShotgunPro]

I just bought a brand new TriStar Hunter EX 12 gauge O/U from Cabela's on Saturday. I then took it trap shooting Sunday and shot about 150 shells through it. Today I took it apart to clean it, and while cleaning I noticed light shining through the bottom of the receiver. I cleaned it before I shot it, and I don't remember seeing any anything odd in that area. Upon further inspection it looks like the bottom of the receiver has chipped away in some spots (as you can see in the photos below). Since I am using my cell phone as a camera the only way to show what I'm talking about in a picture was to shine a flashlight through (But these holes are clearly visible to the naked eye when looking closely).

My question is, should I take this shotgun back to Cabela's as a defective product? I'm no expert on shotguns, but I don't think those holes are supposed to be there.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Im no expert either... But take it back see what they say about it.. Or just google it. See it others of the same 12guage have the same issue... I would take it back. Especially since it shouldnt be that way. Just my thought.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Take it back that is not supposed to have any holes in that area...

 

[ShotgunPro]

i'm not too familiar with tristars, but there shouldn't be holes anywhere. take it back.

 

[ShotgunPro]

I would definately take it back. You do not want holes like that, especially around the reciever. Metal fatigue by the receiver, shotgun shells, and holding it close to your body to fire is a really dangerous combination IMHO.

 

[ShotgunPro]

I would take it back...and look at the next one they give you before you take it home...and ask for another one if your not happy. They are cheap for a reason.

I kind of believe you get what you pay for in shotguns...I once bought a Charles Daly semi auto 3.5" shotgun. Now, Im not completely ragging on CD because i think they make some good stuff in some areas. But in this case it was cheap. Shooting a case of 3.5" steel magnum goose loads every year is hard on stuff...and that shotgun didnt last the season. Jamming, not shooting, everything you DONT want to happen while hunting. Local GS (same place i bought it) gave me a fair price on trade. I bougth a Browning Gold. That was 5 years ago and i have not had 1 issue with it. Now, rewind back to 3 years ago...I won a Franchi 3.5" waterfowl semi auto. Really liked it so started hunting with it. It lasted until the very end of the first season and when it got real cold that gun didnt work either. But the Browning always goes bang (as long as i keep it relatively clean). So, this is why i feel this way.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm definitely going to take this back to Cabela's first thing Saturday morning. I also think I am going to try to get store credit and shell out some more money for a better known brand of shotgun if possible (Their return policy says they will exchange defective firearms, but doesn't say if it has to be for the same exact product). If this thing made it through TriStar's quality control I feel like a shotgun with any number of problems could as well and would rather not take my chances.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm definitely going to take this back to Cabela's first thing Saturday morning. I also think I am going to try to get store credit and shell out some more money for a better known brand of shotgun if possible (Their return policy says they will exchange defective firearms, but doesn't say if it has to be for the same exact product). If this thing made it through TriStar's quality control I feel like a shotgun with any number of problems could as well and would rather not take my chances.

If they want to be "not so nice guys" about it and claim it has to be even exchange explain the bold point, in your last comment, to them. This is a very valid argument about the quality of said brand.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Well I went to Cabela's today and to my surprise they were more than willing to allow me to exchange my defective TriStar for a different gun. Wanting to stay with a reputable brand I ended up getting a Winchester SX3. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but I'm going trap shooting first thing tomorrow morning and I can't wait.

Here's some pics I snapped with my cell phone when I got home:

 

[ShotgunPro]

What'd it run you out the door after it was all said n done?

 

[ShotgunPro]

They gave me the full price of the TriStar with tax ($529) towards the SX3 ($999). The SX3 also comes with a $100 "Shopping Spree" which is basically a $100 mail in rebate on anything you purchase along with the gun, so I bought $100 worth of goodies (Gun case, boresnake, trap vest, clays) along with the gun. So out the door the gun cost me a little over $500 on top of the origional $529, with a free $100 worth of stuff.

Definitely a lot more than I originally planned on spending, but the SX3 fits me like a glove. If it shoots half as good as it feels it's definitely money well spent.

 

[ShotgunPro]

I'm sure you've shot it by now, but the SX3 is a fantastic auto shotgun!