A Truly Unique 12 Gauge Semi-Auto Shotgun
Welcome to the RIA VR82 Semi-Auto 20 Gauge Review. As a firearms enthusiast and hunter, I have had the opportunity to try out a variety of shotguns over the years. The RIA VR82 20 Gauge is one of the most unique-looking shotguns I have encountered.
In this review, we will share our experience with the RIA VR82 20 Gauge, highlighting its key features, pros and cons, and providing my overall opinion. We’ll try to help you decide whether the RIA VR82 20 Gauge is the right shotgun for you.
Table of contents
Confusion about who Manufactures the VR82
Armscor is the parent company of Rock Island Armory (RIA), which means that RIA operates as a subsidiary of Armscor. Armscor is a well-known firearms manufacturer based in the Philippines, and it produces a variety of firearms, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
On the other hand, Rock Island Armory is a subsidiary of Armscor based in the United States. RIA produces many firearms, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
Regarding the VR82 shotgun, it is manufactured by Rock Island Armory, which means that Armscor is involved in the production process in some capacity.
RIA VR82 20 Gauge
The RIA VR82 20 Gauge is a semi-automatic shotgun designed for hunting and sporting purposes. It features a gas-operated system that reduces felt recoil and provides reliable shotgun cycling.
The VR82 has a lightweight, compact design that makes it easy to handle and maneuver while offering a 20-inch barrel length that provides a good balance of accuracy and ease of use. The shotgun has a 5+1 capacity..
RIA VR82 Unboxing
When you receive your RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun, it comes in a cardboard box with the RIA logo and model information printed on it. When I first saw the shotgun, I was impressed! It’s a great-looking gun. When I started digging around in the box, I was impressed with the extras; the only thing missing was a hard case. The RIA VR82 20 features a gas-operated system, which reduces felt recoil and assists with the reliable cycling of the shotgun. Its lightweight design makes it easy to handle, while its synthetic stock and forend provide durability and weather resistance.
The Extras
Inside the box, you can expect to find the following items:
- The RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun: This will be the main item in the box, and it will likely be secured in a foam-lined gun case to prevent any damage during shipping.
- Owner’s manual and documentation: This will provide detailed instructions on safely and properly using and maintaining your shotgun.
- Magazines: Two 5-round magazines are included.
- Choke tubes: The RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun may come with a set of interchangeable choke tubes, which can be used to adjust the spread of the shot for different types of hunting or shooting.
- Gun lock: Some states require that firearms come with a gun lock, which can be used to secure the shotgun when it is not in use.
- Tools: The shotgun also comes with a set of basic tools that can be used to disassemble and clean the shotgun.
Overall, the RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun is packaged nicely with some extra goods and makes a solid first impression. The gun has a futuristic look, and I am looking forward to taking a closer look.
It is essential to review the owner’s manual and familiarize yourself with the proper operation and maintenance of the shotgun before using it.
VR82 Specifications
- Gauge: 20 Gauge
- Capacity: 5
- Action: Semi-automatic
- Barrel length: 20 inches
- Overall length: 42 inches
- Weight: 6.7 lbs
- Choke: Interchangeable choke tubes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder)
- Sights: Single bead sight
- Stock and forend: Synthetic
- Receiver: Aluminum alloy with Picatinny rail
- Finish: Matte black
VR82 Semi-Auto 20 Gauge Review
Action
The RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun utilizes a semi-automatic action. It automatically loads the next round into the chamber after firing without requiring you to cycle the shotgun manually.
The semi-automatic action of the VR82 is powered by a gas-operated system, which helps to reduce felt recoil and ensures reliable cycling of the shotgun. The gas system works by directing a portion of the gases produced by the fired round back into the action, which drives a piston that cycles the bolt and loads the next round.
The semi-automatic action of the VR82 makes it an ideal shotgun for a wide range of hunting and sporting purposes. Its fast cycling and quick follow-up shots make it well-suited for bird hunting, while its accuracy and low recoil make it a popular choice for sporting clays or trap shooting. Additionally, the semi-automatic action makes the VR82 a good choice for self-defense or home-defense situations, as it can quickly deliver multiple rounds of ammunition with minimal effort.
Overall, the semi-automatic action of the RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun is a selling point. Its gas-operated system ensures reliable shotgun cycling, while its fast cycling and quick follow-up shots make it a versatile and effective firearm for a wide range of applications.
Barrel and Handguard
The RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun features a 20-inch barrel and a synthetic handguard, which provide a balance of maneuverability and control for the shooter.
The barrel is constructed from high-quality steel and features a matte black finish, which provides a sleek appearance and helps protect the barrel from rust and corrosion. The length of the barrel is ideal for a wide range of hunting and sporting applications, as it balances maneuverability and accuracy. The 20-inch length also helps to reduce the overall weight of the shotgun, making it easier to carry for extended periods.
The synthetic handguard provides a comfortable and secure grip for the shooter, even in wet or slippery conditions. It features a Picatinny rail and M-Lok-compatible slots. Additionally, the handguard features a ribbed texture, which helps to improve grip and control over the shotgun.
The VR82 also features a Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver, which allows for easy mounting of optics or other accessories. This can help to improve accuracy and provide additional customization options for the shooter.
Overall, the barrel and handguard of the RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun provide a balance of maneuverability and control.
Magazines, Gauge and Capacity
The RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun has a magazine capacity of 5+1. It can hold five rounds in the magazine and one additional round in the chamber. However, RIA offers magazines with higher capacity.
The 5+1 capacity of the VR82 is a good balance between capacity and weight. It provides enough rounds for most hunting, self-defense, and sporting applications while still being lightweight and easy to handle. Additionally, the VR82’s semi-automatic action allows for quick follow-up shots, which can be especially useful in hunting or self-defense.
Controls
The RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun features intuitive and easy-to-use controls. It is a user-friendly firearm for shooters of all skill levels. The selector/safety switch is ambidextrous and easy to reach.
The VR82’s magazine release is located on the right side of the receiver. It is oversized, making it easy to reach. The magazine release design is simple and easy to operate, making it ideal for fast and efficient reloading.
The VR82’s magazine release is located on the right side of the receiver and is oversized which makes it an easy reach.
The magazine release design is simple and easy to operate, making it ideal for fast and efficient reloading in the field or on the range.
The VR82’s bolt release is located on the left side of the shotgun, just above the trigger. The bolt release can be easily pushed forward to release the bolt. The bolt release design is simple and easy to operate.
The VR82’s charging handle is on the shotgun’s left side. The charging handle can be easily pulled back and released to load the first round into the chamber. The charging handle design is simple, easy to operate, and felt great.
Ergonomics
The RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun is designed with ergonomics in mind. Comfortable and easy-to-handle firearm for shooters of all skill levels.
Starting with the stock, the VR82 features a polymer stock designed to be lightweight and durable. The stock is textured to provide a secure grip, which helps to reduce slippage and improve accuracy. Additionally, the stock has a raised comb and a rubber butt pad, which helps to reduce felt recoil and improve shooting comfort.
The VR82’s forend is also made from durable polymer, which provides a secure grip and helps to reduce weight. The forfend is textured to provide a non-slip grip, which helps to improve shooting accuracy and control.
The VR82’s overall design is sleek and streamlined, with a low profile that helps to reduce weight and improve handling. The shotgun’s receiver is also made from lightweight and durable aluminum, which helps reduce overall weight while maintaining strength and durability.
Finish
The VR82’s receiver is finished with a matte black coating. The receiver’s matte finish helps to reduce glare and reflection, which can be important when hunting or shooting in bright sunlight.
The shotgun’s barrel and magazine tube are also finished with a matte black coating.
The VR82’s polymer stock, which provides a secure and comfortable grip for the shooter.
Overall, the RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun features a durable and attractive finish that enhances the firearm’s overall appearance while also protecting against wear and corrosion.
Safety
The RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun has several safety features to ensure safe and reliable operation. It has an AR-15-style ambidextrous manual safety selector. The safety is easy to operate and provides a positive and audible “click” when engaged or disengaged.
The VR82 also features a trigger disconnect safety. It prevents the shotgun from firing when the trigger is not fully depressed. This safety ensures the gun will not fire accidentally if the trigger is only partially pulled.
In addition to these manual safety features, the VR82 also features an automatic safety mechanism. It engages whenever the shotgun is opened for loading or unloading. This mechanism prevents the gun from firing while the action is open, preventing accidental discharge while handling or loading the firearm.
Overall, the RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun’s safety features are reliable and effective.
Sights
The RIA VR82 20 Gauge shotgun has a great set of folding sights, and they provide a quick-sight picture and offer the advantage of folding down. With the front and back Picatinny rails, many additional sight options exist.
The Picatinny rail on top of the receiver will allow easy mounting of various optics and sights. This rail provides a secure and stable mounting platform for accessories such as red dot sights or scopes.
The combination of the folding stock sights sight and Picatinny rail make the VR82 a versatile shotgun.
VR82 Semi-Auto 20 Gauge Review Final Thoughts
This 12 Gauge is well made across the board, it looks badass, and feels great.
The shotgun’s lightweight aluminum frame, comfortable ergonomics, and versatile tri-rail forend allow easy customization and accessory mounting. The VR82’s effective sighting system and intuitive controls are also a winner. We look forward to a trip to the range, but for now, the VR82 seems like an excellent deal for the money!!
VR82 Semi-Auto 20 Gauge Review FAQs
Users have generally reported that the shotgun is accurate and easy to aim. With the effective front folding sights and Picatinny rail providing reliable and accurate sighting options.
Most users have reported that the recoil on the VR82 is manageable and not too severe.
Yes, the shotgun features a tri-rail forend allowing easy shotgun accessory mounting. The Picatinny rail on the receiver provides additional options for accessory attachment.
Yes, the shotgun is fairly easy to disassemble and clean, with most users reporting that it is a straightforward process.
