By Matt Hunt

 

Overall rating:  98%     

Product: 20-bore ATA Arms SP Elegant Gold Game

Manufacturer: ATA

Price as reviewed: £999.00

 
Appealing to the masses with exceptional value for money and a product range catering for every conceivable taste, budget and sporting use, the Turkish manufacturer ATA Arms has disrupted the gun trade in a way not seen since AYA’s arrival on the UK scene in the late 1950s.

A close look at the ATA Arms SP Elegant Gold Game The latest addition to the ATA SP range of over-and-under shotguns is the 20-bore Elegant Game — a striking-looking sideplate game gun. As with the rest of the ATA SP range, the style and design mirrors the Beretta 680 series. The lines, shapes and styling of the ATA Arms SP Elegant Gold Game design are, I believe, among some of the most beautiful of all the over-and-unders available.

The review gun was supplied with 30in barrels and a factory-fitted multichoke system. The choke tubes are a simple and lightweight design based on a Beretta Mobil system — five choke tubes are supplied. The profile of the barrels adequately allows for the multichoke system, but you notice the swell at the muzzle when the gun is mounted.

 

 

The barrels are of monobloc design with chrome-lined tubes. The build quality is very neat, although ATA still feels the need to engrave over the external barrel joints. The top rib is a 6mm vented type, with a precise machine finish. The blacking of the barrels is a superb high gloss that gives a durable and traditional look.

The gun has a 3in chamber and bears the fleur-de-lys CIP proof stamp for use with high-performance steel. That said, in a gun weighing a little over 6lb, I can’t see high-performance steel being that comfortable to shoot in volume. 

 

 

The action depth is perfect to allow an adequate gap for loading, and the sideplate is slim and of the appropriate length to give the gun the correct lines aesthetically.

The stock measurements will suit most, with a length of pull of 14¾in and a fairly standard 1½in drop at comb and 2in drop at heel. 

There has been a great improvement to the length of the pistol grip on the 20-bore model and it now has a more conventional pommel, more suited to a game gun. The fore-end shape has a deep belly to allow for the catch, but other than that I like the length and shape. The wood looks superb and is of Grade 5 quality. Wax oil gives a matt finish to the woodwork.

 

Need to know

  • Manufacturer - ATA Arms
  • Model - SP Elegant Gold Game
  • Bore - 20
  • Barrels - 30in
  • Chamber - 3in (76mm)
  • Chokes - Multichoke
  • Rib - 6mm vented
  • Grip Pistol
  • Weight - 6lb 6oz
  • Price - £999

 

Operationally, the gun worked superbly and without fault, clearly demonstrating a good level of quality control at the factory. The top- lever opened the gun with ease and gave a quality feel on closing.

Being a game gun, it was fitted with an automatic safety that worked perfectly, although the shape of the safety was poor and not comfortable to operate manually when required.

    • Action and barrels: Would be great if the engraving was better 19/20
    • Handling: You won’t find better in this price range 20/20
    • Trigger:  Absolutely nothing to improve. Perfection 20/20
    • Stock: Could be better finish, but quite exceptional  19/20
    • Value: Amazing. As good as guns 10 times the price 20/20

 

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