The construction of the piston assembly is impressive, with
precision engineering.There is a larger bolt-handle, bolt-release and trigger guard.The grip offered good purchase with a nice, natural feel.The trigger unit has a polymer chassis and Mike found the
trigger pull adequate, if a little heavy.U C OSE
WINCHESTER SX4
l (
) r
y
S
f f
w
loaded o e c a be ou
using the bolt-handle.
I use a 20-bore for a lot of my
shooting now; in fact, most of my
game shooting is with a 20-bore,
and, increasingly, I use a 20-bore
over-and-under for recreational
clays. Because I have problems with
my neck and shoulder due to
previous injuries, I am always
looking for light guns that do not
beat me up too much. I am much
attached to my old gas-operated
Beretta 303 for clays, but I am
keen to discover an equally good
20-bore gas gun. So, this could be
a contender...
Technical
The receiver and mechanics of the
SX4 are a scaled down version of its
SX3 and SX4 12-bore stablemates.
We have noted the gas mechanism
includes an ‘active valve’ that
accommodates all normal 2¾"
(70mm) and 3" (76mm) cartridges.
When firing heavy loads, gasses are
vented both upwards and forwards
from the ‘Quadra-Vent’ ports in the
fore-end. Bolt speed is regulated by
the same means. The construction
of the piston assembly is impressive
with precision engineering evident
as well as large gas ports.
The usual two vents in the barrel
drive down an over-sized piston in a
gas collar to operate the working
parts. An enclosed design helps to
reduce fouling, and, according to
the makers, it reduces recoil and
improves reliability with the cleaner
operation (though keeping the
piston clean is always good advice
in any semi-automatic in my
experience). The trigger unit has a
polymer chassis and is secured by
two drift pins in the action.
There is a good-sized
reversible safety as well as the
larger than average cocking
handle, as mentioned, and an
over-sized bolt-release.
p
b ¾controlled – softer than many 20-bore
semis I’ve recently encountered.
Of course, physics is physics: recoil is
determined by weight of the gun,
cartridge payload, powder and chamber
pressure. But the sensation of recoil –
felt recoil for this user – did seem
reduced here.
I liked the stock shapes, which provide
good purchase with a nice, natural grip
shape and pleasantly slim but still
ergonomically effective fore-end.
The trigger pull was adequate but a bit
heavy; the general handling and shooting
qualities were sound. The balance was a
little forward.
I put 200 or 300 rounds through
the SX4 without any malfunction or
mishap whatsoever.
It would be an ideal gun for women or
young shots (though the comb might
need a raiser). It would also fit the bill for
anyone who wants a lighter gun that
doesn’t kick too much and which will not
break the bank.
The SX4 20-bore would be ideal in a
pigeon hide assuming they are still legal
by the time I return to Blighty.
The gun cycles very rapidly too.S OO G
I SS O S The stock form with improved
grip and slimmer fore-end
The enlarged bolt-handle,
bolt-release and safety
The low felt recoil The trigger pull was a little heavy.
A 30" version would be good.WE LIKE
WE DISLIKE
WINCHESTER SX4
Action type: gas-operated
semi-automatic
Bore: 20
Barrel: 28" (26" option)
Chamber: 3" (76mm)
Weight: approx 6¾lb
RRP: £849TECH SPECS