New Weatherby SORIX Semi-Auto Shotgun Line

Weatherby just took its shotgun line forward, announcing the SORIX line of semi-autos in 12 gauge and 20 gauge. The new shotguns are inertia-operated; watch the video below, and when the action is disassembled, the internals look similar to other inertia designs. However, the SORIX action has one big trick up its sleeve. It’s an ambidextrous design, sort of.

Weatherby @ TFB:

The SHIFT System lets SORIX shooters easily operate the shotgun left-handed or right-handed. [Weatherby]

The SORIX’s charging handle and safety are able to easily and quickly shift from the right-hand side of the receiver to the left-hand side. Ejection is still to the right-hand side, but this allows shooters to use the shotgun left-handed without having to buy an all-new shotgun. Weatherby calls this design the SHIFT System.

The 12 gauge version of the SORIX comes in either 3-inch or 3.5-inch chamber, while the 20 gauge version is only available in 3-inch, as you would expect. The receiver is drilled/tapped with 8-40 screw holes. The controls (bolt release, charging handle, loading gate, trigger guard) are made to be used with bulky gloves on.

The SORIX is threaded for Crio Plus chokes, with cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified and full chokes included.

The receiver and barrel are Cerakoted. [Weatherby]

Adjustable stock shims come standard; the stock itself is synthetic and hand-finished at Weatherby’s U.S. facility. There’s a soft cheekpiece on top of the stock, so you don’t bang your face up too much with recoil. The barrel and receiver are Cerakoted. The shotgun sees its initial manufacturing in Italy before being shipped to the States for the finishing paint.

MSRP for the SORIX line is $1,499. For more details, see Weatherby’s site here.