First Look: TriStar Viper Max

by
posted on March 31, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
tristar_viper_max_f.jpg

Self-branded as "The Value Experts," TriStar is home to an array of respectable shotguns and handguns, which are often available at a budget-conscious price point. The company has, for years, rolled out a variety of fine-shooting scatterguns. One thing that's long eluded it, however, is a 3½-inch autoloader for the more dedicated waterfowl hunters among us. That changed at SHOT Show 2017, however, when TriStar announced its new Viper Max. Here are five things you need to know.

1. It's a two-piston system.
The Viper Max ships with two pistons—one for heavy loads, the other for light loads. Though TriStar advertises that the light-load piston is ideal for 2¾-inch shells, it's good practice to function test your shotshell of choice with both pistons. I found that a few a hot 3-inch loads still ran smoother in the light-load piston. Either way, this is a gun that's built to handle everything from light target loads up to the hottest 3½-inch shells in the industry.

2. It's ready for waterfowl hunting.
The Viper Max is currently available in two stock options: black synthetic, and Realtree Max-5. Barrel lengths range from 26- to 30-inches. It's ready for your duck blind.

3. The barrel and chamber are chrome-lined.
It’s not often that you find a “value-priced” gun with chrome lining. TriStar begs to differ. Chrome-lined barrels extend barrel life, reduce wear and tear and making cleaning a shotgun that much easier. It’s a feature you’ll enjoy with your Viper Max

4. It delivers value for its price point.
TriStar prides itself on delivering maximum value for what it charges, and the Viper Max is no different. It ships with the aforementioned chrome-lined barrel, a Fiber Optic Front Sight and four Beretta Optima Plus Chokes, among other things.

5. It’s a value-priced, gas-operated autoloader.
The black synthetic model of the Viper Max ships with an MSRP of $640. The Max-5 version lists at $730. Both should be available on shelves for significantly less. Hard to argue with that.

Hungry for more? No worries—the Viper Max will be featured in a full "Hardware" in the June print issue of American Hunter. Stay tuned.

Latest

Hunter Staring Into The Mist
Hunter Staring Into The Mist

New Zealand Adventure: A Mountain of Dreams

How long can an outdoor writer go without mentioning Tolkien, when penning a story about New Zealand? Read on to find out.

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 .30-30 Win, Available in Walnut

Smith & Wesson has announced the release of the Model 1854 Traditional Walnut, chambered in .30-30 Winchester.

An Ode to the .270 Winchester

What is it about the .270 Winchester that remains so appealing to hunters? Sometimes the designers get things right the first time, and if you wanted to develop a cartridge to rival the venerated .30-06, the .270 comes about as close as is practically possible.

First Look: XS Sights 28 M-Lok Slot Handguard for S&W Model 1854

The new XS Sights handguard for Smith & Wesson’s Model 1854 lever-action rifle offers an added level of customization to the platform.

Remington Rimfire Ammo Roundup

Big Green feeds the .22s oh so well.

New for 2025: Kings Camo XKG Shift Collection

Kings Camo has introduced the XKG Shift Collection, a line of quiet, windproof and ultra-versatile apparel designed with whitetail hunters in mind.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.