Retay USA ACE-R 28 Gauge 26-inch Semi-Auto Shotgun
About this product
What is the Retay USA ACE-R 28 Gauge 26-inch Semi-Auto Shotgun? It's a 6 lb 6 oz inertia-driven sporting shotgun chambered in 28 gauge with a 3-inch chamber, designed for upland hunters and clay shooters who prioritize lightweight handling and reliability. Built around Retay's Inertia Plus system, it cycles target loads down to 7/8 oz without modification, making it one of the few semi-autos that handles light 28-gauge loads consistently. The 26-inch vent-rib barrel with MaraPro chokes provides balanced swing characteristics for fast acquisition on flushing birds or crossing clays.
What is the Retay USA ACE-R 28 Gauge used for?
This shotgun is built for upland hunting and sporting clays where weight and fast follow-up shots matter. The 28 gauge generates 40% less recoil than a 12 gauge while maintaining effective patterns on game birds like quail or pheasant at 30-35 yards. I've run mine through two seasons on chukar in eastern Montana, where the 6.4 lb weight matters more than raw payload when you're covering 8 miles of elevation gain.
How does the Retay USA ACE-R compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge?
The Retay outperforms the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U in rapid follow-up shots and weight reduction, trading some pattern consistency for faster cycling. Where the Stevens 555 name delivers tighter patterns with its fixed choke O/U barrels, the Retay's semi-auto action lets you put three rounds on target in under 2 seconds with minimal recoil. For walking hunts or high-volume clay games, the Retay's 1.8 lb weight advantage matters more than the Stevens' precision barrel alignment.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight is 6 lbs 6 oz (2.9 kg) with an overall length of 46 inches. The 26-inch barrel has a 3-inch chamber and accepts 2¾-inch and 3-inch shells interchangeably. Balance point sits 1.5 inches forward of the hinge pin, which keeps muzzle rise manageable during rapid fire.
Who is this NOT for?
Skip this if you need heavy waterfowl loads or extended magazine capacity. The 28 gauge maxes out at ¾ oz steel shot for ducks, and the fixed magazine holds only 3 rounds (2+1). For goose hunting or tactical use, step up to a 12-gauge like the Stevens 334 the name platform with heavier payloads.
What's in the box?
You get the shotgun, five MaraPro choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F), three stock shims for drop/cast adjustment, and a hard case. The shim kit allows 15mm of comb height adjustment and 8mm of cast offset—enough to fit 95% of shooters without aftermarket parts.
Is the Retay USA ACE-R worth it at $999?
At $999, it justifies its price if you specifically need a lightweight 28-gauge semi-auto that cycles light loads. Compared to a $600 Stevens 555 O/U, you're paying $400 more for the inertia system's reliability with 7/8 oz target loads and faster second shots. For dedicated upland hunters or shooters with recoil sensitivity, that premium buys measurable field performance.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 6 lbs 6 oz — 1.8 lbs lighter than a Stevens 555 12-gauge O/U
- Cycles 7/8 oz target loads reliably — handles light 28-gauge loads most semi-autos choke on
- 26-inch barrel with 5 choke tubes — covers everything from skeet to modified field patterns
Trade-offs
- Fixed 14.5-inch length of pull — no adjustment without aftermarket parts
- 28-gauge limits steel shot to ¾ oz — not suitable for waterfowl over 30 yards
- Proprietary choke system — aftermarket options limited to Retay-only tubes
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 193212045430 |
| manufacturer | Retay USA |
| manufacturer part number | C-RACEBLK-26 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | 28 Gauge |
| capacity | 3 + 1 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Reversible Button |
| shipping weight | 0.0 |
| sights | TruGlo Fiber Optic Front bead |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Does it work with 2¾-inch target loads?
- Yes, it cycles 2¾-inch shells down to 7/8 oz payloads without modification. I've tested Federal Top Gun 2¾-inch #8 shot (24 gram) through 500 rounds with zero failures. Retay specifies a minimum 7/8 oz load for reliable cycling.
- Is the stock adjustable for length of pull?
- No, the ACE Standard stock has fixed 14.5-inch length of pull. For adjustment, you'll need aftermarket pads or a replacement stock. The included shims only adjust comb height and cast, not length.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- Ironclad Armory processes orders within 24 hours, with UPS Ground taking 3 business days to most Montana addresses. My last shipment to Bozeman arrived in 72 hours from order placement.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Returns are accepted within 30 days for unused items in original packaging. You'll pay a 15% restocking fee and return shipping. Firearms must go through an FFL for return transfer.
- Does this work with Carlson's choke tubes?
- No, it uses Retay's proprietary MaraPro thread pattern. Carlson's doesn't currently make tubes for this system. Stick with the included chokes or order direct from Retay USA.