First Look: ATA Arms Venza Shotgun

by
posted on November 1, 2016
** 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. **
ata_arms_venza_first_look_f.jpg

Though the idea that Turkish-made shotguns aren’t up to snuff remains a common theme in gun shops across the United States, it’s simply not true. If it were the case, companies would have stopped importing them a long time ago. Among the new arrivals is a quirky but intriguing release from ATA Arms in the form of its Venza. Here are five things you need to know.

1. ATA Arms isn't quite a new player.
If the ATA Arms name rings a bell, it’s not surprising. Founded in 1997, the company has marketed a small handful of shotgun models—like its CY and NEO lines, among others—to shooters here in the States. More recently, though, its factory has been the one producing much of Weatherby’s shotgun line. The Orion I, the Golden Bullseye Award-winning Element Deluxe—they rolled out the same door as the Venza.

2. The Venza features an innovative new approach to handling recoil.
The Venza is powered by what ATA Arms calls a “Gas Pressure Control System,” or GPCS. The patented design is essentially an integration of two operating systems: a short-recoil system and a gas-pressure system. Depending on your choice of load, the Venza's barrel actually moves backward a fraction of an inch, opening gas ports that disperse pressure in a unique way. For more on that, you'll have to wait for the full review.

3. It'll save your fingers.
One thing I found noteworthy while testing was the Venza’s carrier latch. Its design is somewhat canted, which allowed me to load the magazine rather easily. Even though the gun was brand new and not at all broken in, I was never at risk of tearing up my thumb while loading it.

4. It comes with options.
Though just recently launched, the Venza offers a little something for everyone. The soft touch synthetic stock is available in a variety of camo patterns, including Realtree Max-5, Realtree Xtra Green, Realtree Advantage Timber and Kryptek Highlander. One of my only gripes in terms of versatility is that Venza, as of now, doesn't accept any aftermarket choke tubes.

5. It's affordable on any budget.
The Venza checks in with an MSRP of $529.99, well below that of most gas guns. Odds are you're going to find it on store shelves in the mid-$400 range. You can't beat that.

Want to know more about the Venza? Stay tuned! It's receiving a review in the December print edition of American Hunter!

Latest

True Shooting Doves
True Shooting Doves

A Shotgun for All Seasons: Savage Renegauge in Argentina

If you want to test a shotgun’s reliability and recoil control, you take it on a high-volume hunt. If you want that trial to more resemble torture than test, you make that a high-volume Argentina dove hunt. Read on to find out how the Savage Renegauge performed.

NRA Names Kyle Lamb as Brand Ambassador for America’s Rifle Challenge

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) proudly announces Sergeant Major (Ret.) Kyle Lamb as a Brand Ambassador for the NRA America’s Rifle Challenge (ARC), an innovative training and competition program built around the safe and effective use of the AR-15 platform.

#SundayGunday: Banish 46-V2

On this week's #SundayGunday, we're talking about suppressors, specifically the Banish 46-V2, capable of taming nearly every gun in your safe, up to and including the big boys like .338 Lapua.

KelTec Named Official Stage Sponsor for 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is proud to announce KelTec as an official sponsor of the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship, returning to Camp Atterbury, Ind., from September 30 to October 4, 2025.

Thompson/Center Arms Celebrating 60th Anniversary

Thompson/Center Arms is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. Since 1965, T/C Arms has built a legacy rooted in the pioneering spirit of American hunters.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors: Lucy Evans from Georgia and John Bruner from Pennsylvania.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.