Weatherby's SAS - Out Of The Box

Guns Magazine, April, 2004 by Dave Anderson

The gas-operated, autoloading shotgun is tremendously popular with hunters and competitive shooters, with good reason. Current autoloaders are reliable, durable and versatile, with light recoil. Competition is fierce, and models that don't measure up just don't survive.

Weatherby's SAS has proven itself in this tough market. Made for Weatherby in Italy, the SAS has some exceptional features, which make it an outstanding value in a crowded field.

To start with the SAS is a terrific value, with suggested retail price considerably lower than the competition. Of the several examples I've shot all have been completely dependable. They exhibit a high degree of fit, finish, and overall workmanship. Quality of wood on wooden-stocked models is particularly nice.

The simple, reliable gas mechanism is compact, making for a relatively slim fore arm. Loads from light 1-ounce target loads to heavy 3-inch magnum goose loads can be used without adjustment, in the same magazine if you want. Disassembly for cleaning is fast and easy.

Weatherby includes three butt stock shims with each SAS. They can be assembled in various configurations, allowing the owner to adjust stock drop and cast off to suit different body sizes and shapes.

A feature I especially like is the "smart" cartridge lifter. Retract the bolt manually and you can remove the shell from the chamber without feeding another round from the magazine. Factory literature suggests this feature is useful for changing loads, for example from a 2 3/4-inch duck load to a 3 inch magnum goose load.

Personally I like it because it allows the shooter to quickly clear the chamber for safety reasons. On a recent bird hunt we had to cross a couple of creeks on narrow planks, and work our way down some steep sidehills.

Before starting out I'd flip the round in the chamber into my hand and pocket it. Once back on solid footing I'd trip the lifter latch to restore regular operation, retract and release the bolt to chamber a round, and feed the round from my pocket into the magazine.

The large triangular "delta" safety button is another nice touch, quick and positive to operate even when wearing gloves in a cold duck blind or goose pit.

Even by semiauto standards the SAS has exceptionally light recoil. One reason is what Weatherby calls an "internal dampening system" which cushions the impact of the bolt against the rear of the receiver. The chrome-lined barrels have lengthened forcing cones and are back bored to .735", both reducing recoil and improving patterns.

The SAS Field model comes with 26 or 28 inch barrel with ventilated rib and three choke tubes. Extra choke tubes from cylinder to extra full plus ported tubes for sporting clays competition are available. The Weatherby "IMC" system (Integral Multi-Choke System) tubes are interchangeable with the popular Briley choke tubes.

Currently offered in 12 gauge only with three-inch chamber, the SAS is available in an array of variations to cover most needs. The Synthetic, with black synthetic stock and forearm, is fitted with sling swivel studs and is the lowest priced model.

The SAS Sporting Clays comes with ported barrel and five extended choke tubes. Waterfowl hunters can choose from two fully camouflaged models, in Mossy Oak Break-Up[TM] or Shadow Grass[TM], both with sling swivel studs. The SAS Slug Gun has a rifled 22-inch barrel with cantilever scope base. New for 2004 is a 22-inch rifled barrel, fiber optic front sight and open rear sight which will fit any SAS model.

Weight varies with model and barrel length, from 7 to 7 3/4 pounds. The wood-stocked Field model with 26-inch barrel is a few ounces over 7 pounds, nicely balanced and fast handling.

Overall the Weatherby SAS is an outstanding example of the modern autoloading shotgun, at a price that makes it an exceptional bargain.

MSRP of the SAS runs $699 to $849.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Weatherby, Inc.

[805] 466-1767

www.weatherby.com