SHOTGUN REVIEW: TURKISH DELIGHT

Created on 19th May 2009

RICHARD ATKINS says Axiom's new AC20 20-bore won't miss a beat

REGULAR READERS will know that I have something of a soft spot for semi-automatic shotguns. Although I'm aware not everyone shares this feeling, I do believe that a decent semi has the potential to offer a lot for your money. Although my introduction to them was a Breda (the long recoil type based on the famous Auto-5 designed by John M Browning), it was the gas-operated models that were to really form the basis of my liking for semi-autos. With the Browning and Breda semis the barrel itself recoils to operate the action, bringing with it some quirks that would not appeal to everyone. Indeed, the ‘double-shuffle' felt as though a couple of pounds of steel recoiled rearward to then be thrust forward for the rechambering of the next round, which can be off-putting. Although these guns could also reduce recoil, if badly adjusted or over-oiled they actually felt worse than a conventional fixed breech shotgun, making them unable to lay claim to being particularly smooth to shoot.

Gas semi-autos changed all that. The gun best known for re-defining soft shooting standards was the Remington 1100, which 40 years on is still in production. These days, with the exception of a few that use the inertia system (namely Benelli), almost all semi-autos are gas-operated. By introducing a moving gas-operated breech to eject the spent shell and recock the action a spring returns the breech block back into the battery while picking up a fresh round from the magazine tube below the barrel. Extending the time over which the recoil energy from the fired round reaches the shooter's shoulder is largely responsible for reducing the felt recoil. The initial recoil energy is in fact the same, as it must be due to the energy produced by the cartridge. However, by introducing a few milliseconds of delay into the process things feel a whole lot smoother, especially when all is well set up, timed and balanced.

The Axiom AC20

Axiom is a new name in the market and is born of Armsan, a modern and forward-thinking company in Turkey. The company has made semi-autos for some years, and this is its latest development. It relies heavily on well-tried and tested principles that have appeared on well-known makes at one time or other. Armsan has not gone the route of hyper-complex self-regulating gas pistons or ports, using instead a simple conventional twin gas-ported barrel with alloy piston to operate the twin steel action bars. An all-alloy action sleeve keys into the forward end of the action bars and the breechblock also sits securely on a specially-shaped lug at the rear end. Twin bars avoid twisting, thus reducing wear and stress for smooth operation and long life. Using alloy for the piston and action sleeve means the parts that get thrown back pretty violently on firing are light, so they won't cause the ‘double-shuffle' that a long recoil system (or gas model with heavy components) can. The piston is heavily anodised to prevent undue wear while also making cleaning easier. Better still it is fitted with a steel piston ring, as in a car engine. This is the system used on the old Winchester Super X going back to the1980s, which became a legend for a well-built semi. It ensures positive and reliable operation, especially so as Axiom has taken the trouble to fit an ‘O' ring. The ‘O' ring is situated in front of the fixed gas cylinder below the barrel, so that the bulk of the gas can do its work. Regulation comes simply from the fact that as the piston is driven backward the piston ring is no longer sealed in the cylinder; as the action bar is driven rearward, so the excess gas is vented via slots in the forend.

This model is intended as an all-rounder and is dimensioned to be a good compromise for field or clay use. Being lightweight it appeals to youthful shooters, ladies, those of light stature and anyone who no longer enjoys carrying a heavy gun around or being kicked by an overly light conventional (fixed breech) shotgun. Axiom has clearly given this gun serious thought and UK importer Brocock has had some input into final specification. We don't know who was responsible for what, but this really is a sound little gun.

Woodwork

The woodwork is Turkish walnut with a tightness of grain and with some nice figure in it that would be acceptable on a gun three times the price. However, regardless of aesthetics the gun must fulfil its function - and so it does. Axiom has not skimped on the wood by providing a short stock, as some do. For comfort it has a proper recoil pad fitted that has a smooth, rounded top edge for snag-free mounting. The dimensions just pitched the shot pattern up enough for clays to remain just above the neatly cross-hatched raised and ventilated top rib and still be hit - probably one third of the pattern or a tad more above the sight line. This is fine for clay and general field shooting. Having fitted me almost perfectly, it should suit a wide range of shooters. However, it's easy to trim a little off the stock for those requiring a shorter pull length to the trigger. Keep that offcut though, to be replaced when you sell it (or grow!).

Pistol grip

The pistol grip is of fairly open curve, allowing a relaxed, laid-back wrist position. Although on the slim side, permitting my thumb to overlap my second finger by a margin, it's so profusely and neatly chequered that combined with the soft recoil it was easy to hold true for second barrel shots. The forend is long and slim (the magazine tube would hold four rounds but is restricted to hold only two to comply with UK SGC rules); it's also copiously and neatly chequered with fine-line (no doubt laser-etched) chequering.

The action body is milled from an alloy billet and is nicely finished in a simple gloss black top half with a matte-effect bottom. Excluding the maker's name and model, the gun has no other embellishment. Looking simple yet refined, it also allows money to be spent where it matters. It seems Axiom has done just this, as besides the superb wood the trigger pull was really rather good for a semi; a little softer than a good boxlock as you would expect, but quite smooth and not too heavy. The action drops out for cleaning after the removal of a single pin and is competently constructed by modern methods. It has a moulded action base with a pressed steel carrier with hardened pins for pivots points and steel wire springs. The hammer appears to be a stamping too but has been polished prior to chroming. The sear seems to have been hardened and ground.

Unscrewing a very modern-looking tapered and fluted end cap allows the forend to be withdrawn. Then, by pulling back the breechblock about 1" to unlock it from the barrel, the barrel can be withdrawn for cleaning. NB: do not pull the breechblock all the way back to where it locks, as the barrel cannot be removed in this way.

Sweet shooter

It felt odd taking the Axiom to the clay range for a trial. With the wind blowing a gale and the birds dipping, diving and sometimes standing still before going backwards, it proved to be a testing day. With a bit less shot in my 25g 20-bore SAGA fibre wad cartridges (the gun was tested at a fibre-only club) it seemed my excuses for having a poor day were already made for me, so off I set without a care. The club had a smaller than usual turnout due to the conditions but when all scores were gathered my name was called as top score for the morning. Not just by a single target, either: my 44ex-50 was six targets ahead of the next score. Clearly the Axiom's screw-in multi-chokes produced good, reliable patterns. I had also thoroughly enjoyed shooting with it.

The little Axiom evidently handles beautifully, otherwise I'd never have kept track of those clays. Balancing just on the barrel/breechblock
interface, it is basically neutral in feel. It also shoots extremely smoothly, never missing a beat - proving to me that you have no need to feel outgunned by 12-bore users in these circumstances. If I wanted another gun for informal clays and a bit of rough shooting then I'd definitely look hard at this one. It would be superb in a pigeon hide.

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