Looks like a nice gun and a nice alternative to a more expensive Benelli that may or may not shoot straight.

 

discounting the difference between wood v. plastic stocks and gauges, what's the difference between the 18i Deluxe and the Sorix?

I get the feeling Sorix puts itself up against the SBE and the 18i against the Monte. If Weatherby can establish itself with better quality and better customer service, I wish them well at reviving what was once a proud reputation.

The 18i carries Italian proof marks? That would be a big deal to me.

 

Both the Sorix and the 18i are made by Marocchi, and are CIP proofed in Italy.

The Sorix 12 gauge is covered in detail here: Review: Weatherby Sorix Storm Semi-Auto ,

The Sorix 20 gauge is not out yet, so it will be a while before I can compare both 20 gauges head-to-head in terms of weight, balance, recoil, trigger pulls, loading, point of impact, ability to cycle target loads, etc., etc.

 

The first fixed breech inertia design was introduced in the Sjogren shot gun in 1908.........So......It took a long time to catch on.
Hi-Standard produced and offered the first gas operated shotgun in the US in the late 50's.

 

Hi-Standard produced and offered the first gas operated shotgun in the US in the late 50's.

Actually, wasn't it the Remington Sportsman 58? The Sportsman 58 was introduced in 1956.

 

The J.C. Higgins Model 60 was the first gas operated shotgun. It was being retail mass marketed (by Sears) in 1954. High Standard (the manufacturer AFAICT) may have introduced the same gun a year later (1955). I don't remember the name under which High Standard might have sold this very same gun.

Edit: At least one source places the first retail sales of the J.C. Higgins Model 60 as far back as 1953, some suggest 1954, and several state 1955. There seems to be a lot of conflicting reporting as to the first Model 60 sales.

 

The J.C. Higgins Model 60 was the first gas operated shotgun.

Perhaps, but not a good one by any stretch.

A High Standard Supematic Deluxe 20 gauge was my first 20 gauge. Mostly, a single shot in practice. Theoretically, an autoloader.

 

Another J.C. Higgins Model 60 video.

Fires 5 rounds in 1 second.

 

Another J.C. Higgins Model 60 video.

Please stop.