New Product Highlight: Weatherby Sorix
Weatherby is raising the bar with a new flagship inertia-drive shotgun. We take a look at the features of their new product, the Sorix.
PPT Editor. Marine vet, hunter, and long-range shooter. Articles in 10+ major publications
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Pump-action and semi-automatic shotguns get all the glory in the realm of tactical and home-defense shotguns, but there is a third option.
Waterfowl hunters have long appreciated inertia-drive shotguns for their slim profiles, clean operation, and simplicity.
Weatherby just announced a new line of inertia-drive shotguns to carry the company’s banner into the duck blind.
The Weatherby Sorix combines an upgraded receiver, clever design elements, and a surprisingly attractive price, considering where it sits in the company’s product line.
Weatherby Sorix Specs & Features
Specs
- Gauge: 12 ga (3" or 3.5"), 20 ga (3")
- Action: Inertia-driven semi-automatic
- Barrel length: 28"
- Overall length: 49"
- Sights: Fiber-optic front
- Capacity: 2+1
- MSRP: $1,499
Features
- Ambidextrous charging handle and safety
- Oversized controls and competition-cut receiver
- Drilled and tapped for an optic rail
Weatherby designed the Sorix for waterfowl hunters who pit their shotguns against unforgiving conditions and tough game birds. It comes in three chamberings: versatile three-inch 12-gauge, hard-hitting 3.5-inch 12-gauge, and soft-shooting three-inch 20-gauge. All versions feature a 28-inch barrel, vented rib, and fiber optic front sight.
The receiver and barrel come with a Cerakote finish, and the stock has textured touch points for improved grip in wet weather. Color options include Storm, Midnight Marsh, and Slough hand-painted camouflage patterns.
Five Crio Plus choke tubes are included with the Sorix: cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, and full.
Unique features of the Sorix include a drilled and tapped receiver and oversized controls. The charging handle and safety are reversible for left-handed shooters. A competition-cut receiver facilitates quick reloads.
It’s a feature-rich shotgun that should be competitive with the best waterfowl guns in the business.
Inertia-drive shotguns require a solid shoulder mount to cycle, and recoil is noticeably harsher than what you’d get from a comparable gas-operated shotgun (have fun with those 3.5-inch goose loads).
The tradeoff is an action that stays much cleaner since it doesn’t get gummed up with carbon. It’s possible that an inertia-drive shotgun will run more reliably in wet, dirty conditions simply because the operating mechanism isn’t very complicated.
For a deep dive into the all-new Sorix, check out episode 81 of Weatherby’s “On Our Mark” podcast.
Weatherby lists an MSRP of $1,499 for the Sorix.
What do you think of the new Weatherby Sorix? Let us know below. For more scatterguns, check out our guide to the best shotguns for hunting.