Does anyone have or know about ATA shotguns?

Wambli Ska

A young neighbor of mine is looking for a budget gun for HD for him and his wife, and they are on a tight budget.  These just showed up on sale for $169.  Anyone know if they are Ok?  Don’t want to lead them wrong and I know nothing about these guns.

https://grabagun.com/ata-arms-etro-12-ga-18-5-barrel-3-chamber-5-rounds.html?trk_msg=6RN6RMR3P4F4JDG5N1VE77P7EG&trk_contact=RDG7L7J16J2QTOBDU5D3KLL2H4&trk_sid=RO6JJL5D6MVPPE9ME765S6HG7S&trk_link=LU0GSU8SBR8KRDLTOKE3KN31HC&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=ATA+Arms+ETRO+12+GA+18.5"+Barrel+3"-Chamber+5-Rounds+(title)&utm_campaign=🎯+Huge+Rebates+On+Taurus%2c+SCCY%2c+Rossi+And+Heritage+🎯+Rock+Island+Shotgun+Only+%24249.99+🎯

Freezer

They were imported from Turkey and are a renowned firearms' manufacturer. Many of their designs resemble Beretta's. Reviews look good. This akin to Stroger another Turkish company that mimics Benelli. Turkey has a long history of making good firearms and can market them cheaper because of lower labor costs.

Jay

I have that exact same shotgun. I bought mine years ago on sale at Palmetto for $99. I’ve posted about it here before. Like Freezer said, the are Turkish imports. They work. I took mine through a week long training course in Colorado just to see if I could break it. I beat the snot out of it with birdshot, buckshot and slugs and it took it like a champ. AAMOF, it’s sitting within arms reach of me right now…I’d shop for one with a little better price tag. I think they can be had for a little less for those basic models. 

I’ve also bought two other Turkish made shotguns. Not as much experience with them so far, but they seem to be about the same. Zee has/had one that seemed to work well. That led me to buy that one too. 

Down side, they’re pretty light and recoil can be brisk with slugs. They are aluminum receivers and Tupperware furniture. Not much to them. About the only steel in them is the bolts and the rails that connect the bolt to the forend. 

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one for a beater gun. I’d suggest a model with a rear sight if slugs are a possibility. Buds Guns sells several models. Including a Beretta  M4 clone semi auto for about $450 that’s been calling to me.. Those Turkish made guns are imported under different names. 

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/411560659/panzer+arms+m4+tactical+semi-automatic+shotgun+18.5+barrel+12ga+3+5+1rd

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/119983/rock+island+armory+vrpa40+pump+12+ga+20+black+synthetic+magazine+fed

Jay

I don’t think I’d use one of those as a duty gun for something like LE or military. But for a cheap home defense or beater gun, I own several of them and have pretty thoroughly tested that one in particular. It goes pew..

Wambli Ska

Jay said:

I don’t think I’d use one of those as a duty gun for something like LE or military. But for a cheap home defense or beater gun, I own several of them and have pretty thoroughly tested that one in particular. It goes pew..

That’s the game plan for this young couple.  I’ll get them started with some basic training and see where they go from there.  Thanks!

Jay

FWIW, I suggest rear sights for slugs anyway. But my experience with mine is, it shoots slugs WAY low. I have to hover the front sight a good bit above the top of the receiver to get good hits at 25 yards and further. Even at 15 yards, with buck and slugs, I have to have the front sight up a good bit. 

Wambli Ska

Jay said:

FWIW, I suggest rear sights for slugs anyway. But my experience with mine is, it shoots slugs WAY low. I have to hover the front sight a good bit above the top of the receiver to get good hits at 25 yards and further. Even at 15 yards, with buck and slugs, I have to have the front sight up a good bit. 

Good point and I’ll mention it to them but, small apartment, small young female and bad breath distances.  This gun will probably never see any slugs 😂