The Tristar Bristol Sets a New Standard for Affordable SxS Shotguns

To many even savvy hunters and clay shooters, putting the term “side-by-side” next to “affordable” is oxymoronic, and they’re generally not wrong. Thus, we were all ears when we heard the self-proclaimed value expert, TriStar Arms, known for their lines of surprisingly budget-friendly and accessible over-unders, semi-autos, and pump-action shotguns, had taken a foray into the double world. Meet the TriStar Bristol.

At first glance, the TriStar Bristol side-by-side shotguns can be described as simultaneously classy, sleek, and practical. The company introduced not just the most common 12-gauge chamberings, but 20, 28, and .410 bores as well. Each can be found in the two main models – the Bristol and Bristol Silver.

The “standard” Bristol is anything but mundane, wearing a classy case-color finish on the metalwork with a gold inlay logo. A straight, English-style stock ensures this beauty is dressed to the nines, which is not what we expected on a so-called value-priced double. The Bristol Silver changes things up with a different finish and stock design. Its receiver uses a nickel-silver finish with 24-karat gold inlay and laser engraving. The furniture design is more of an American-style pistol grip.

Both guns use a single selective trigger paired with a tang safety/selector. There are chrome-lined chambers and barrels as well as a simple brass bead front sight. All models and gauges use 28-inch barrels. The same lovely select Turkish walnut with an oil finish graces both doubles. Each Bristol includes five flush-mounted Beretta Mobil-style choke tubes in skeet, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, and full.