RETAY ACE 28 Gauge 26″ Mossy Oak Bottomland

About this product

The RETAY ACE 28 Gauge 26″ Mossy Oak Bottomland is a lightweight, inertia-driven semi-auto shotgun designed for upland hunting and field use. It's engineered for fast handling with a specific 6-pound 6-ounce balance point and a 14.5-inch length of pull that can be adjusted with the included shim kit. This is not a high-volume target gun, but a purpose-built field tool with a camo finish and simple mechanics intended for rough, unpredictable terrain where reliability matters more than ornamentation.

What is the RETAY ACE 28 Gauge 26″ used for?

This shotgun is intended for upland game hunting over pointing dogs and fast, snap-shooting in dense cover. The first-sentence answer is that it's a specialist's tool for pheasant, grouse, and woodcock where weight matters and shots are under 40 yards. Its 28-gauge chambering produces less felt recoil than a 20-gauge, which is valuable after several hours and dozens of shots in the field. The Mossy Oak Bottomland pattern and synthetic stock are explicitly for durability in briars and wet weather, not for show.

How does the RETAY ACE compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 20 Gauge?

This inertia-driven semi-auto is better for fast follow-up shots in variable field positions than the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge O/U, which is better for deliberate, formal clays shooting. The key mechanical difference is the action type: Retay’s Inertia Plus system cycles 2.75-inch to 3-inch shells reliably without adjusting a gas piston, while the over-under Stevens has no cycling concerns but only two shots before reloading. For a walking hunter covering ground, the Retay’s 6 lb 6 oz weight and five-shot total capacity (4+1) is a tangible advantage; for a station-based shooter wanting perfect point-of-impact consistency between barrels, the Stevens is superior.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The shotgun weighs 6 pounds 6 ounces (approx. 2900 grams) and has an overall length of 46.5 inches. The critical dimension is the 14.5-inch length of pull, which is adjustable via the included shim kit to alter drop and cast. The 26-inch barrel has a vent rib that’s 8mm wide, and the receiver is 3.4 inches long from the breech face to the rear of the ejection port. These numbers create a handling profile that swings quickly but may feel short for shooters over 6'2" with long arms.

Who is this NOT for?

This shotgun is not for high-volume trap or skeet shooters who will fire 200+ shells in a session. The inertia action is reliable but transmits more felt recoil straight to the shoulder than a well-tuned gas-operated system, which becomes noticeable around shell 75. It's also not for waterfowl hunters requiring a 3.5-inch chamber or non-toxic shot compliance beyond standard steel—the chamber is 3 inches only. Finally, if your primary use is deer hunting with saboted slugs, a dedicated rifled barrel firearm like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win is a more precise tool.

What's in the box?

You receive the shotgun, five MaraPro choke tubes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, Full), an adjustable shim kit with three shims, an oversized reversible safety button, and the factory manual. The chokes are keyed and marked, not the extended-target style. The shim kit allows approximately 0.25 inches of drop and cast adjustment, which is sufficient for most shooters but not a full custom stock fitting.

Is the RETAY ACE 28 Gauge worth it at $1079?

At $1079, this shotgun is worth it for the dedicated upland hunter who values a camo-covered, reliable inertia system and will use the included choke set across different cover types. You are paying for the Inertia Plus action and the Mossy Oak Bottomland finish, not for fancy wood or engraving. The comparable value is against other semi-auto 28-gauges; it comes in about $250 less than a Beretta A400 but without that gun's self-cleaning gas system. If you shoot less than 500 shells a year and need a tough, lightweight tool, the price is justified. If you're a casual shooter or want a multi-role gun, a less expensive 20-gauge pump or the Stevens 555 Compact is a better investment.