Back in ’09, my college buddies and I spent the occasional afternoon at the local trap and skeet club. One of our crew shot for our school’s rifle team; he busted clays with a gorgeous Beretta 686 Onyx. While he was generous with his trigger time, pride (and greed) demanded that I buy my own shotgun. Uncle Sam’s tax refund check (a.k.a., my federally-funded contribution to the firearms industry) hadn’t been quite as healthy as usual; I was strapped for cash. So I sought alternative solutions. Enter the Yildez SPZ ME 12-gauge over-and-under shotgun . . .
A shooter outside our circle rocked-up to the range one day with a Yildiz O/U shotgun. I shot it side by side with the Beretta. I was smitten. The Turkish-made firearm wasn’t quite as polished as its European cousin—in the sense that a Swatch watch lacks the refinement of a Patek Phillipe Calatrava. But the $1400 price differential between the two guns clearly said “we don’t need no stinkin’ refinement!”
Also true: I like a gun that’s a work horse, not a race horse. Truth be told, I’m sometimes less than responsible with my guns’ care and feeding; I’ve been known to go a few days before I clean them. OK, a week. Sometimes two. My guns have also been known to ride around the ranch in my pickup uncased. Ding! And needs must; I’ll shoot any ammo I can get my hands on.
So the Yildez joined my firearms family, impoverished as it was. Academy Sports and Outdoors provided the gun. As the markings on the gun indicate, they’re the sole American importer of these Turkish guns. Not available on-line. So if you’re a bargain-hunting shotgunner, here’s hoping you live in or near Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee or Texas.
Your $400 buys you the gun (obviously) and five chokes (two in the barrel, three in the box, from modified to full). You also get a choke tube tool. And that’s it. But hey, we’re talking a real walnut stock (nothing synthetic) in a shotgun that’s a genuine joy to move through the air.
The Yildiz SPZ ME is perfectly balanced; unlike a number of, uh, value-priced guns, it’s neither nose or ass heavy. She swings like a couple at Plato’s Retreat (RF’s reference). I’ve shot 200 rounds through the 5.8 lbs. Turkish shotgun in a single session without fatigue. The sight picture is easily acquired. Do I wish the gold bead was a bit easier to see? Evet! But, I don’t often find myself shooting clays at night, so it is a non-issue.
Of course, you don’t get what you don’t pay for. When I first took delivery of my Yildiz, I noticed the following.
The shotgun’s action is stiffer than a double shot of moonshine. This gun ships DRY. Unlike your Nagant, buyers need to take the Yildiz home and start adding chemicals. I oiled all the pivot points, trigger, and firing pin assemblies from the start. And . . . it’s still tight. It starts to loosen after a few hundred cycles, but $2000 Beretta smooth it is not.
Barrel selection is not marked. Maybe I’m nitpicking, but I only shoot the gun a few times a year and I often forget which barrel is going to go boom first. Safe is the position to the rear. Select either top or bottom and slide forward for Fire. This control is extremely crisp with positive feedback and an audible click to let you know what position you have it in. To open the breech, swing the lever counterclockwise. This might be an awkward movement for you lefties.
As you can see in the pictures, I have mounted an aftermarket recoil pad. At only seven pounds, with no real factory pad to speak of, this thing kicks like a mule. I shot the first twenty-five shells and immediately drove to my gun store to pick up a recoil pad. The pad added about an inch to the length of pull, making this gun fit like a dream. It already felt good in the store, but that extra inch took it to the next level. [ED: So to speak.]
The Yildiz SPZ ME has treated me extremely well. Bystanders not so much. The Turkish shotgun ejects shells like a Marine unit lobbing mortars. Anyone standing within five feet of the shotgun may get shelled. More importantly (for the shooter), in the last two years, the Yildiz has had zero reliability issues. Any gun that can hold its own against a $2k shotgun for less than a quarter of the price gets my vote. At least until I can afford the alternative . . .
SPECIFICATIONS
Metal Finish: Blued
Action: Break
Product Weight: 5.8 lbs..
Stock: Walnut
Barrel Length: 28 inches
Total Length: 45.5 inches
Capacity: 2 (3” chamber)
MSRP: $399
RATINGS (Out of Five Stars)
Accuracy *****
The only time I don’t hit my target is when I forget how to swing a shotgun through the air or when my targets escape the useful range of my ammo. Otherwise, it seems to be dead on.
Fit and Finish *** ½
Everything fits together really well. In fact, it can fit together a bit too well. It is pretty easy to ding surfaces trying to put the gun together if you store it in two pieces. Additionally, the chokes are not of stainless steel and can corrode easily if stored in a humid environment or not properly oiled to prevent such things
Ergonomics * * * *
I can barely tell the difference between this and a much more expensive gun. The length of pull might have been a bit too short, but the recoil pad remedied that problem.
Reliability * * * * *
A breech-loading shotgun doesn’t exactly lend itself to having reliability issues. In hundreds of shots, I have not had a single FTF or FTE. It eats anything that you put in the cylinder.
Overall Rating * * * *
The stiff action, recoil, and lack of barrel markings prevent the Yildiz from getting the full five stars. These are all really small squawks that can be easily corrected. I have been extremely impressed with my gun, as have other shooters. When ya guy who owns a $2000 Beretta admits you have a nice gun, you must be doing something right.
Thanks for the article. I’ve seen these in the stores, they have not really been on my radar, so to speak.
I’m pretty much at a “beginner” level when it comes to trap and skeet. Nonetheless, about 6 years go I had some spare cash so I bought a Beretta Silver Pigeon III over & under and started shooting trap and skeet at the local range. Its hard to me to comment on how good it is (or isn’t) because I don’t have much of a frame of reference for comparison. I *think* most experienced shotgunners will tell you that its more about how any one particular gun model “fits” you that matters more than anything else. But again, that a “beginner” talking…
In any event, I decided to purchase some after market chokes from Kicks Industries -mainly because I thought they looked cool. They call their model the “smoke choke”: http://kicks-ind.hostasaurus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Kicks&Category_Code=12GaugeSmoke
I was really amazed at the dramatic increase in my scores using these aftermarket chokes as compared to the factory chokes. On top of getting more hits, the hits I did get were often more dramatic (the clay seemed to vaporize as opposed to merely cracking into two or three pieces as before – an obvious sign that more shot is hitting the target). The only downside is that they are rather time -consuming to get clean, but that seems like a small price to pay for such a dramatic improvment in performance.
I’ve paid that for used OU guns, so that’s a decent deal. It seems better than the cheap Russian OU guns sold at Dicks
I have had one of these for about 5 years now. It has been a great OU shotgun for me. Saying it kicks like a mule is a bit of an understatement. I managed to get though a box of shells before I decided for a trip to the gun smith. I had a limbsaver recoil pad installed on it and afterwards I poured #8 shot in the stock where the bolt that attaches the receiver to the stock runs. For a cheap fix it does help out, and makes a great balance even better. Finally I added a HighViz fiberoptic sight on the front of the gun (held on with a magnet). The only other thing that I might do to mine is get the barrels ported (have yet to decide on it). Overall if you are wondering wither or not to get it, don’t hesitate it’s a great gun and I would do it all over again just getting a recoil pad earlier.
I just bought this gun, haven’t shot it yet. Will it shoot any 12 gauge shell I throw in it or only 3″ or what?
I shoot 2 3/4″ with no issues
Thanks for the review. I want to buy this gun, but live in Michigan… thinking of taking a family trip to Nashville so I can pick one up! Couple questions, how much was the recoil pad and where did you get it? Does it make the gun look ugly? Thanks, Mike.
I think I paid $25 at my local sporting goods store. The pad is shown in the photos. If you think it looks ugly, then It very well might be ugly.
LimbSaver makes one that can be screwed on. You don’t have to get the one that slips on.
Mike, have you taken your trip to Music City yet?
Mike, have you taken your trip to Music City yet?
Are you still interested in getting one?
Pingback: Online Christmas Shopping Numbers, Extending WiFi Range, and Shotguns
I have purchased 2 yildiz guns, an O/U 12 for myself and a SxS 20 for my wife. We are in our 70′s and love shooting these guns. They are even worth having just to look at.
Can you shoot buckshot through the Yildiz???
You can shoot buckshot
I would like to buy the Yildiz 30” O/U, would u know where i might get one. (FOR SKEET)
Only come in 28 in.
you can get chokes for the gun that extend out an inch and make it 29″ thats what my dad did for me
Thanks for the review I am looking for a O/U shotgun but could not afford the prices of the name brand ones. I saw this one on the Academy website but the name threw me off as I had not heard of it. Thanks for this awesome review.
TX
I live in illinois, and i am very interested in getting an YILDIZ SPZ ME/12. cAN YOU PLEASE IF YOU DON’T MIND TELL ME WHERE I CAN PURCHASE ONE FROM, AND HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING IT? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Purchased a yildiz over under model sp2me The thumbreak does not return to the middle. It stays off to the right. Its even taking off the finish of the walnut.Looks wrong. Is this normal?
They do tend to stay off to the right of center. Both of ours do.
A good article.. I have owned this gun in Pakistan and whenever I visit there, I have gone clay shooting and hunting with it. It does fit really good but as mentioned on top, has a bad recoil. I will consider taking the recoil pad with me this year. I have had issues with it where it wouldnt eject the empty shells properly but I think that might be due to the low grade shells available in the market over there. When I try a better quality or ‘imported’ shells, it doesnt have any problems.. So I guess, it may be the shells then..
Overall, I am very pleased with the gun – though little expensive there (around $1000) than i could get it here for but again I cant complain.. While ejecting the empty shells, you can seriously hut someone.. though its funny and i brag about it to my friends over there in the US we measure the gun’s worth by the distance it ejects shells to. A youtube video where a friend of mine borrowed the same gun to shoot some ‘thing’ can be seen here with shells being ejected to at least 4 feet..
I own two Beretta’s 687-12 & 28. But I wanted a .410 O/U. I was in Academy and saw the Yildiz-shouldered it and was hooked. Love the little gun so I bought two, one for home and one for my daughter so I can shoot it when I visit!! Use it for skeet & Whitewings. Two year warranty, Briley Mgf. for any repairs if needed.
2011 Gun of the year in England.
Thanks for the initial review Tyler and to everyone else for that matter. I am new to Trap Shooting and after my first time I was hooked. So much fun. Like others I had a limited budget and it was my boss (avid trap shooter) who suggested I look at Yildiz. Great price range and looks amazing, so I went for it and we ordered the SPZ M. I love it and yesterday had it out at the range for the first time. I wouldn’t consider myself a girly girl but was a little taken aback by the recoil. I thought I’d been standing behind a donkey. But in saying that a lot of the problem was me!!! Normally a rifle shooter, my stance and holding were wrong and it took me a little while to get my arm in the correct position. With a little advice from the boys, I was soon on target and enjoying it. For anyone interested in getting one, it is a really good price (a little higher here in Canada) and even though she kicks, its not enough to put me off singing its praises. I am going to shorten the stock a bit and add a recoil pad, but I can’t wait for next Sundays shoot. Bring it on…..
Pingback: Remington 11-87 - City-Data Forum
I am considering this gun, however have been told conflicting information. Since you guys have owned these guns, can you tell me that with a Yildiz 12GA O/U after first shot is fired does it automatically shift to the second barrel or do you have to manually move the switch?
Thanks,
Eddie
Automatic. By recoil.
Does it always recoil to the next loaded barrel whether I start from top to bottom or vice versa?
Thanks
JC
Doesn’t matter which one is first.
The slide is not marked…is upper barrel right or left? I use my shotgun for home protection and it’s important which load goes off first.
Left is the upper barrel. Might sound strange but I remember it since the words “left” and “over” have the same number of letters, just as “right” and “under” do. I’m odd that way though.
Ah yes, mnemonics are king!
I’ve owned this little Y gun for a few years now and have fired probably 10,000 rounds through it from hunting to skeet and trap. Awesome is the only word that comes to mind. Am planning on buying one for my new lady so we can knock down some grouse this season. The only thing I’d recommend for folks is have a good recoil pad installed (as mentioned above) and if you’re serious about it invest in a reloader and look up Case’ Load over at shotgunworld dot com. I load my own and that load makes this light weight shooter recoil like a BB gun while still being able to knock down just about any upland bird you want to shoot at. Well….. maybe not pheasant.
would any one recommend this gun for a small 11 year old who can shoot we are looking at the A71 in a semi auto 20 GA.?
Let him enjoy the .410. It willmake hm a better shot, so what ifhe mises.
hi,my 12 year old has no problem using my yildiz.i would recommend this gun highly as i own one for 3 years.your 11 year old should have no problems with this as its nice and light.
Pingback: Gear Review: RedRing Shotgun Sight | The Truth About Guns
i have one of these guns for 3 years now and have to say its never gave trouble and always enjoy going hunting with it.nice and light for a quick swing.highly recomend it to any one.we are lucky hear in ireland nearly all gun shops stock these.
I’m a new gun owner and recently brought me a Remington 700 .270 and looking at a shotgun for my next purchase. Saw the Yildiz at Academy and base on the review and everyone’s comments, going to go purchase me one along with the recoil pad.
How much does the gun weigh? In your review you mentioned 5.8 twice and 7.0 once. On Academys web site they have 3 models, the ME which they say weighs 7.0{$430), the ME special at 6.2($680), ME special L at 6.4($1600). The sales guys at my local stores only know it is a gun. Is there any one at Academy or any where who REALY knows this gun and answer my questions. I want to buy one but I want to know the differances before I decide which one to buy. Barry Markham,Nederland,TX
I have a Winchester 101, and wanted a second o/u for the wife. I found an NRA excellent Yildiz at the local pawn shop (!) and sucked that baby into the closet in a nano second for $400. It is stiff out of the box, unfired, and needs lubrication right away, so I gave it short drinks of Break Free to fix that. I love the switching barrel system with one trigger, and the finish is very good to excellent. The woodwork is great (I hand checker my arms) and overall, well worth the $400. I am in Texas, of course, and so the Yildiz is no mystery arm here. I regret that the gun’s reputation is now spreading, since that will change the market place before I can acquire some of the other models, notably the .410 in o/u, of which I lust and wish I were as rich as King Obama thinks I am. Great gun, seriously, for collectors to have… I still love my Winchester 101 more, but that is the way with old loves… they persist in our hearts.
Doc.
I purchased a Yildiz O/U about 3 months ago, i have shot 1000s of rounds through it already in competition and practice, my score on a hundred has improved with this shotgun, it just so happens with a recoil pad it is the perfect length for me recoil pad to trigger. the balance is supurb and i have shot as many as 500 rounds in a day without needing medical attention afterwards. For the money its tough to beat i just bought a second for my son due to the reliability By the way I own a super sport and now i prefer the Yildiz over the Bennelli any day!