The Yildiz Black Pro Sporter shotgun is an affordable shotgun of great quality, writes Vic Harker in this detailed review

The perennial search for high-quality volume production shotguns at an affordable price continues to encompass the globe. In the last century we saw contenders most notably from Italy, Spain and Japan, and now Turkey has stepped into the ring with the Yildiz Pro Sporter Black. An undoubted copy of the Perazzi, and a very good one at that, priced at £1,899.

The reason this Turkish manufacturer has chosen to provide a copy of the Perazzi action is quite simply for the same reason Miroku copied the Browning – it was, at that time, one of the best designs available, and remains so today.

Of course, the Yildiz is not an exact copy. Indeed, the detachable trigger group is absent, but in most other respects it is very similar. An example of this is the jointing of the barrels to the action which are at the sides of the action and create the low profile which is almost identical to that of the Perazzi.

YILDIZ PRO BLACK SPORTER

Action

The action incorporates shoulders machined each side of the action body that locate with reciprocating bearing surfaces machined in the barrels’ monobloc, à la Perazzi MX8, all of which provides the same sleek low-profile action body familiar to clay target shooters around the world.

As to the action’s mechanical function, the Yildiz trigger mechanism shares the same geometry as the Perazzi and it provides the same superb trigger pulls as the MX8, which is as you would expect.

YILDIZ PRO BLACK SPORTER

Stock

Available with a choice of two grades of wood and with the option of an adjustable comb, careful thought has been given to both configuration and the dimensions available. The pistol grip is deep through the hand which, together with a judiciously positioned palm swell, provides as good a hold as I have found on any similar guns. The full-rubber recoil pad also deserves a mention for a slightly concave shape that locates perfectly with the shoulder.

YILDIZ PRO BLACK SPORTER

Barrels

Bored and struck off to a high standard, there is little to complain about with the Yildiz barrels. Tipping the scales at 3lb 4oz (1.490kg) with hand-detachable chokes in situ, the 30” tubes contribute a great deal to the excellent balance of this Turkish gun.

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Shooting impressions

With an all-up weight of 8.08oz (3.656kg) this gun’s point of balance was right on the barrels’ trunnions, providing a very comfortable hold between the hands. What most impressed me about the Yildiz Sporter was how well it handled. It does not seem so long ago that the average weight of a Sporter was around 7½lb. Clearly, the modern shooter prefers something heavier, and I was obliged to put a little more muscle behind my swing. It took less time than I considered it would, but most importantly I quickly appreciated the benefit of the extra heft of the Sporter’s longer, heavier barrels. I should at this point make clear I habitually use 32” barrels for Trap shooting.

It must be acknowledged that the Yildiz Pro Sporter is made to high standards, but most notably it is heavier than many similar guns of its type. This is clearly intentional on the maker’s part and the extra 8oz or so will, I believe, be welcomed by many shooters. This factor and its high standard of finish will be more than enough to provide its success.

Model: Yildiz Pro Black Sporter with Grade 4 wood and green baize case

Bore: 12-bore (18.6mm)

Barrel Length: 30” (76cm)

Chamber Length: 3”

Chokes: 5 Hand Detachable

Stock: Pistol Grip

Forend: Beavertail

Weight: 8lbs 0.8oz (3.6560kg)

SRP: £1,899 inc VAT (includes 5 year warranty)

CONTACT

UK Distributor: Raytrade Ltd. Whitchurch, Hants. RG28 7QA

Tel: 01635 253344

E: sales@raytrade.co.uk