#20Gauge

Thumbhole stocks have become increasingly common across hunting and sporting firearms, offering shooters improved ergonomics, consistent grip placement, and better control - particularly when precision (and sometimes comfort) matters. While this kind of stock is not very common on shotguns, TriStar Arms is now leaning into that trend with the introduction of the Upland Hunter Thumbhole Stock. This is a 20-gauge over/under shotgun aimed squarely at turkey hunters and upland shooters looking for stability and balance in a lightweight package.

Keen TFBers might remember James Reeves putting a Stevens 320 12-gauge through a 500-round burndown (if not, see here). Over the past three years, I’ve been putting a Stevens 320 through my own evaluation, but not by firing off a few hundred rounds in one go. I bought a 20-gauge, field-length version of this made-in-China pump-action and have been hunting with it for a variety of game.

Looking to get a shotgun that’s made to fit a young hunter or some other small-framed shooter? Escort has a new option for your hard-earned cash. The new Escort WS Youth has just hit the market, built for kids on a pattern we’re already familiar with.