New Weatherby SORIX Semi-Auto Shotgun Line

Zac K
by Zac K
Weatherby says the SORIX is aimed at the waterfowler market, with testing through foul weather all around North America. [Weatherby]

Weatherby just took its shotgun line forward, announcing the SORIX line of semi-autos in 12 gauge and 20 gauge. The new shotguns are inertia-operated; watch the video below, and when the action is disassembled, the internals look similar to other inertia designs. However, the SORIX action has one big trick up its sleeve. It’s an ambidextrous design, sort of.

Weatherby @ TFB:

The SHIFT System lets SORIX shooters easily operate the shotgun left-handed or right-handed. [Weatherby]
The SORIX’s charging handle and safety are able to easily and quickly shift from the right-hand side of the receiver to the left-hand side. Ejection is still to the right-hand side, but this allows shooters to use the shotgun left-handed without having to buy an all-new shotgun. Weatherby calls this design the SHIFT System.

The 12 gauge version of the SORIX comes in either 3-inch or 3.5-inch chamber, while the 20 gauge version is only available in 3-inch, as you would expect. The receiver is drilled/tapped with 8-40 screw holes. The controls (bolt release, charging handle, loading gate, trigger guard) are made to be used with bulky gloves on.

The SORIX is threaded for Crio Plus chokes, with cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified and full chokes included.

The receiver and barrel are Cerakoted. [Weatherby]
Adjustable stock shims come standard; the stock itself is synthetic and hand-finished at Weatherby’s U.S. facility. There’s a soft cheekpiece on top of the stock, so you don’t bang your face up too much with recoil. The barrel and receiver are Cerakoted. The shotgun sees its initial manufacturing in Italy before being shipped to the States for the finishing paint.

MSRP for the SORIX line is $1,499. For more details, see Weatherby’s site here.

CALIBER
WEIGHT
OVERALL LENGTH
MAG CAPACITY
BARREL LENGTH
CHAMBER
CAMO PATTERN
CHOKE
LENGTH OF PULL
DROP @ COMB
DROP @ HEEL
SIGHTS
12 GAUGE7.1lbs.49“2+128“3.5“Storm, Slough, Midnight MarshC, IC, M, IM, F14.3“1.5“1.9″-2.5“LPA Fiber Optic
12 GAUGE7.1lbs.49“2+128“3“Storm, Slough, Midnight MarshC, IC, M, IM, F14.3“1.5“1.9″-2.5“LPA Fiber Optic
20 GAUGE6.5lbs.49“2+128“3“Storm, Slough, Midnight MarshC, IC, M, IM, F14.3“1.5“1.9″-2.5“LPA Fiber Optic
Zac K
Zac K

Professional hoser with fudd-ish leanings.

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  • Ahab Ahab on Mar 09, 2024

    There is nothing inherently more left hand friendly about putting the charging handle on the left. If anything, that's more right hand friendly. It would be BETTER, if they figured out how to do an ambidextrous bolt release.

    • Hoyden Hoyden on Mar 09, 2024

      @Ahab That bolt release actually works well for south-paws. Cradle the receiver in the right hand, flex the pad under your thumb to send the bolt forward.

      The FABARMS automatics have the bolt release on the port side of the receiver, easy for a righty to send the bolt.

      I prefer it to the starboard side release on most shotguns, like my Berettas.
      https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

      comment photo
  • Cornpop Cornpop on Mar 09, 2024

    Like that it's Italian manufactured and not Turkish.

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