Squat Squad, TriStar just pulled the cover off its next-generation semi-auto shotgun. The TriStar Viper G3 is officially here, and it replaces the Viper G2 as the new flagship of the Viper line. TriStar is launching it in 12, 20 and 28 gauge plus .410 bore, every one with a 3-inch chamber, in a big spread of walnut, synthetic, camo, turkey, compact and sporting configurations.
Quick note: this is a release announcement built from TriStar’s press release and its own product pages. We haven’t tested the Viper G3 yet, so nothing below is a hands-on impression.
TL;DR
- What it is: a gas-operated semi-auto shotgun, the third generation of TriStar’s Viper.
- Gauges: 12, 20, 28 and .410, all with 3-inch chambers.
- What’s new, per TriStar: a “more robust internal system,” oversized controls, and an action meant to run a wider range of loads out of the box.
- Lineup: standard Viper G3 (walnut, synthetic, Bronze, TrueTimber Atera, Shadow Grass Habitat, Turkey in Mossy Oak Bottomland), Viper G3 Compact with a 13″ length of pull, and Viper G3 Sporting with extended chokes.
- Carryover goodies: Beretta/Benelli Mobil-pattern chokes, fiber-optic front sight, vent rib, chrome-lined chamber and barrel, 5-round magazine with plug, shim kits on most models, five-year warranty.
What’s new compared with the Viper G2
The Viper G2 has been one of the go-to budget semi-autos for years, and TriStar says the G3 was developed by the same engineering team behind the G2. According to TriStar’s announcement, the G3 changes are:
- A more robust internal system. TriStar says the gas-operated action is built to handle a wider range of loads right out of the box, so you’re not as picky about which shells you feed it.
- Oversized controls for easier operation. On the Compact page TriStar specifically lists an oversized bolt handle and bolt release (on “SR” models).
- More finishes and configurations across all four gauges, including the new Bronze model with a bronze Cerakote finish and laser-ablation detailing, plus dedicated Turkey, Compact and Sporting lines.
To be clear, TriStar hasn’t published a detailed list of internal part changes, and the feature list on the G3 product page reads almost the same as the G2’s. So the “what’s new” is mostly TriStar’s word on the internals and controls, and we’ll need to see one in person to judge it.
Key features (all Viper G3 models)
- Gas-operated semi-automatic action; bolt locks open after the last round
- 3-inch chamber in every gauge
- Beretta/Benelli Mobil-pattern choke threads
- Fiber-optic front sight and vent rib with a matted sight plane (raised target rib on Sporting models)
- Chrome-lined chamber and barrel
- 5-round tubular magazine with shot plug installed, plus a manual E-Z Load magazine cut-off
- Stock shim kits standard (TriStar notes the Turkey models don’t include shim kits)
- TriStar says it tests the Viper G3 for 5,000 rounds of endurance
- Five-year warranty
Viper G3 lineup and specs
Specs below are from TriStar’s product pages for the Viper G3, Viper G3 Compact and Viper G3 Sporting. Weights are TriStar’s listed averages.
| Model / finish | Gauges | Barrel | Avg. weight | LOP | Chokes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viper G3 Walnut | 12, 20, 28, .410 | 26″ or 28″ (12 & 20); 26″ (28 & .410) | 5.7–6.9 lb | 14¼” | IC, M, F |
| Viper G3 Synthetic | 12, 20, 28, .410 | 26″ or 28″ (12 & 20); 28″ (28 & .410) | 5.7–6.9 lb | 14¼” | IC, M, F |
| Viper G3 Bronze | 12, 20, 28, .410 | 28″ (12, 28, .410); 26″ (20) | 5.7–6.7 lb | 14¼” | IC, M, F |
| Viper G3 TrueTimber Atera | 12, 20, 28, .410 | 26″ (20 also in 28″) | 5.8–6.8 lb | 14¼” | IC, M, F |
| Viper G3 Shadow Grass Habitat | 12 | 28″ or 30″ | 6.9–7.0 lb | 14¼” | IC, M, F |
| Viper G3 Turkey (Mossy Oak Bottomland) | 12, 20, 28, .410 | 24″ | 6.0–6.8 lb | 14¼” | Turkey choke (TriStar CT-1XP-TKY) |
| Viper G3 Compact (Walnut, Synthetic, TrueTimber Atera, “2 Stock” versions) | 12, 20, 28, .410 (varies by finish) | 24″ | 5.6–6.5 lb | 13″ | IC, M, F |
| Viper G3 Compact Sporting (Blue, Red, Silver) | 20 | 26″ | 6.0 lb | 13″ | SK, IC, M, F (extended) |
| Viper G3 Sporting (Synthetic Blue, Red, Silver) | 12 | 30″ | 7.0 lb | 14¼” | SK, IC, M, F (extended) |
| Viper G3 Sporting Walnut | 12 | 30″ | 7.2 lb | 14¼” | SK, IC, M, F (extended) |
A couple of standouts: the full-size Sporting models add a raised target rib and four extended chokes, and TriStar lists an adjustable comb on the walnut Sporting. The Compact line drops length of pull to 13″, which is great news for smaller-framed shooters and new shooters.
Award buzz
Before the full launch, the Viper G3 Bronze was named one of three finalists for the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Award for Best New Shotgun and was shown at the NASGW Expo in Phoenix. The award itself went to the Ruger Red Label III, but making the final three is a good sign that the industry is paying attention to this one.
Availability
TriStar announced the full Viper G3 lineup on October 22, 2026, and the models are listed on TriStar’s website now. Specific finishes, gauges, barrel lengths and stock options vary by model, so check TriStar’s pages or your local dealer for the exact configuration you want.
Who it’s for
- Bird hunters on a budget who want one semi-auto that can run light target loads and heavier hunting loads. TriStar specifically pitches the G3 on handling a wider range of ammo.
- Waterfowl and turkey hunters, with Shadow Grass Habitat, TrueTimber Atera and dedicated Turkey models.
- Smaller shooters and new shooters, thanks to the 13″ LOP Compact line, offered across all four gauges depending on finish.
- Clays shooters who want a sporting semi-auto with extended chokes and a raised rib without stepping up to premium-brand money.
- Small-gauge fans. Having 28 gauge and .410 across most of the line, even in camo and turkey trim, is not something you see everywhere.
If you’re shopping budget shotguns in general, check out our RIA All Generations 12 gauge review for a pump-action option with adjustable fit.
Our take
The Viper G2 earned its following by giving you a lot of shotgun for the money, so a G3 that keeps that formula and adds sturdier internals, bigger controls and wider ammo tolerance is exactly the update we’d want to see. The size of the lineup is the real headline: four gauges, a true compact line and turkey and sporting variants means most shooters can find a Viper G3 that fits. What we can’t tell you yet is how much the “more robust internal system” actually changes things, because the published spec sheet looks a lot like the G2’s. The big question for any budget semi-auto is reliability with light loads, and that’s the first thing we’d want to test. Until we get one on the range, treat everything here as TriStar’s claims.
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Keep squatting.
Are you running a Viper G2 now, and would you upgrade to the G3? Which gauge would you grab first? Tell us in the comments.
Sources
- TriStar Arms: “TriStar Arms Introduces the All-New Viper G3 Semi-Automatic Shotgun” (via The Outdoor Wire)
- TriStar Arms: Viper G3 series
- TriStar Arms: Viper G3 Compact
- TriStar Arms: Viper G3 Sporting
- TriStar Arms: Viper G2 series
- NASGW Expo: 2026 Caliber Awards
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