I've got a 20 ga TriStar Bristol Silver. Had it for a year or so. I really like it. It shoots where I point it; I've shot a double on ducks with it. No issues with it. I was very tight to break open when I first got it, but that's no unusual with double guns. I've got around 10, between SxS and O/U in every gauge.

 

DonSmith,
I have a Bristol Silver SXS double gun in 16 gauge. My opinion is that the gun weighs too much to be a good Grouse gun at 6.10lbs most are heavier, and the LOP was longer than advertised. I had to cut the molded rubber recoil pad down to be able to use the gun decently, for my LOP needs. No manufacturers Butt Plate available for the gun, I need to have one custom made, for my Grouse hunting or Pheasant hunting needs. However it shoots where I point it, is correctly regulated for bird hunting, and has screw in chokes. I like our Bristol Silver 28 gauge much better, it came in at the advertised 5.4Lbs and is a sweet Grouse gun.
The wood on the 16 is very plain, balance is decent, has Chrome lined barrels for Steel & TSS shell usage. Entry level bird gun that does work correctly, and has a decently sized trigger guard for using winter gloves.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

 

I bought the Bristol 28ga with straight stock and case colored receiver. Loved the gun, shot it well, but it had a couple of fatal flaws: 10% to 20% misfires and a safety/ barrel selector switch that hangs up. I sent it back to the factory for repairs. They said it was fine but it continued to misifre. My hunting buddy also bought one - it had the same problems. On a pheasant hunting weekend last october we lost over half the birds we flushed to misfires and stuck safety switches. I recently dumped mine at a substantial loss and replaced it with the F.A.I.R. Iside, which I love even though it cost twice as much. No misfires and it's a double trigger so no selector switch on the safety to hang up. To be fair, a friend bought the 20ga Tristar and has no misfire issues, so it may be only the 28ga that's a problem.

 

I have had a 28ga Bristol for three years and like Molber I encountered the same issues. All my ftf or light hits occurred with fiocchi primed hulls. When I switched to Noble Sport or Winchester primers I had zero failure to fire. The barrel selector has cost me more grouse than I care to admit. I glued it in place the only time I use it is in sporting clays. But for this I would rotate chokes as needed. I also had a friend make a beavertail forearm for mine. I now have a very good bird gun for less than 1k. These are great guns just gotta work the kinks out if you have any. Ps my next side by side will prolly be a Bristol in 16ga.

 

Glad to hear you found a fix for the Bristol. I had misfires with Fiocci, Winchester, and Cheddite primers and several factory loads so I gave up. The last day of the season my lab worked in heavy cover for 20 minutes before flushing a huge rooster. The gun went "click" on the first barrel, which unsettled me for the follow up. No way the Bristol was staying after that!

 

I have the Bristol Silver and the Bristol. Both in 20 gauge. Cabelas has them for a good price. So far so good. Appear to be well made, locks up nice and feels good to shoot. I do not think you can beat them for the price.

 

As noted, the safety problem is due to the barrel selector being slightly out of position. On the Bristol, this is the same manufacturer and mechanism used on the Tristar TT-15 Field O/Us and I have experienced the same problem with my 28 ga. TT15. I had a small set screw added to the barrel selector and problem solved....other than that, a great gun and good value.

 

these are good posts..as much money and effort I invest in hunting , the second time it messed up and was told its OK, its gone! dont tolerate malfunctioning guns

 

Gentlemen,
No doubt about it the Tristar company has faulty QC. The 28 Bristol Silver I own and use, has had zero problems and the gun came in at the 5.4lb advertised weight. I do use RST & B&P purchased shells in her, which maybe why I have no misfire problems. The trigger pull on mine is just fine at 3.8 and 4.1. after shooting over 500 shells, originally a 5.0lb pull on both triggers. The selector on the safety is very easy to move and while Grouse hunting I constantly check on it to make sure it is where it belongs, so far everything is working out just fine.
Our Bristol Silver has had no real problems, no failure to fire using the RST & B&P shells.

Babysitr,
Eliminate your problems and purchase a fine Classic American double gun, that is in very good condition, lots of them on GI for reasonable prices. I never use a modern entry level gun as my Primary bird Gun.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man