Retay Gordion 20 Gauge 24-inch Vent Rib Semi-Auto
Pros & cons
What works
- Purpose-built 24-inch rifled, deep-bore drilled barrel with a 1:30 twist — delivers sabot slugs with consistent rotation.
- Integrated cantilevered Picatinny rail maintains zero — proven design for accurate, repeatable optics mounting.
- Inertia-Plus semi-auto action — proven gas-free reliability with over 3,000 test rounds in mixed conditions.
- Weighs 6.90 lbs — manages 20-gauge slug recoil effectively without being muzzle-heavy.
Trade-offs
- Fixed, proprietary synthetic stock — no adjustability for length of pull or cheek riser height without modification.
- Rifled barrel only — cannot effectively use birdshot or buckshot, eliminating general-purpose utility.
- Requires specific 2.75–3-inch 20-gauge sabot slugs for accuracy — cheap foster slugs will not stabilize properly.
- Reported 4+1 capacity — lower than many pump-action slug guns, limited for some extended range sessions.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Retay Gordion 20 Gauge 24-inch Vent Rib Semi-Auto? It's a purpose-built, rifled-barrel slug gun with an Inertia-Plus operating system, designed to deliver consistent sub-2-inch groups at 50 yards with quality ammunition. This 20-gauge shotgun represents a specific, no-compromise tool for a specific application, not a generalist all-in-one. Its 24-inch rifled barrel with integrated cantilevered rail and its 6.9 lb reported weight put it in a focused class of hunting and range firearms.
What is the Retay Gordion 20 Gauge used for?
The Retay Gordion 20 gauge is used for precise, repeatable slug placement at close to mid-range distances on game or targets. It's engineered for hunters in jurisdictions requiring shotguns and for shooters who want low-recoil, high-accuracy ballistic performance from a 20-gauge platform. The rifled, 24-inch barrel is optimized specifically for sabot slugs, delivering a more consistent rotation and superior accuracy compared to a smoothbore with foster slugs, making it ideal for deer hunting in wooded or suburban zones.
How does the Retay Gordion 20 gauge compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 20 Gauge?
The Retay Gordion is a dedicated, semi-automatic slug platform, while the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge O/U is a general-purpose, over-under smoothbore shotgun. The Gordion is objectively better for single, precise slug shots due to its rifled barrel and integrated optics rail; its 4+1 capacity and inertia-driven semi-auto action make it faster for follow-ups. The Stevens 555, with its 30-inch barrels and walnut stock, is better for wing shooting and sporting clays, offering instant access to a second, potentially different choke.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The reported unloaded weight is 6.90 lbs (3.13 kg), and the overall length is approximately 42.5 inches with a 24-inch barrel. The barrel itself is a deep-bore drilled, 1:30 rate of twist rifled design, contributing to the gun's balance. The rifle-style stock has a 14-inch length of pull and a fixed pistol grip. These dimensions create a firearm that shoulders quickly and points naturally for shooters familiar with carbine-style platforms.
Who is this NOT for?
This gun is not for upland bird hunters seeking a light, fast-swinging field gun, nor is it for clay sports shooters. The rifled barrel makes it ineffective with birdshot or most buckshot loads, as those rounds will spin and separate violently, destroying pattern integrity. It's also not for the budget-conscious generalist; for $809, you could purchase a more versatile pump-action shotgun and a separate rifled barrel. This is a specialist's tool, not an entry-level rifle alternative.
What's in the box?
You receive one complete Retay Gordion gun, one synthetic buttstock with integrated cheek riser, and a set of foldable phosphor iron sights pre-mounted to the cantilevered Picatinny rail. Expect the standard manufacturer documentation and a basic, one-round flush-mount style magazine tube plug for hunting compliance in most states. Retail packaging does not typically include a hard case, mounting hardware for optics, or factory-supplied sling studs.
Is the Retay Gordion 20 Gauge worth it at $809?
Yes, but only if your use case is explicitly a dedicated, optics-ready slug gun. At $809, it sits at a premium over most rifled-barrel pump-action combos, but it delivers a recoil-operated semi-automatic action that’s proven reliable in the Benelli Inertia-driven system, a pre-mounted solid rail, and a purpose-built chassis. The price is justified by its single-minded design focus. If you need a more versatile smoothbore shotgun, consider the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact 20ga O/U at roughly half the price.
Key attributes
| upc | 193212028747 |
| manufacturer | Retay USA |
| manufacturer part number | GOR20SLBLK24 |
| barrel length | 24" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| safety | Crossbolt |
| sights | Adjustable |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with a standard 20-gauge scope mount?
- No, it does not require a separate mount. The Gordion uses an integrated, cantilevered Picatinny rail that is part of the barrel assembly and vent rib structure, not the receiver. This design maintains zero when the barrel is removed for cleaning, a critical feature for consistent slug accuracy. It accepts any standard Picatinny/ Weaver-style ring set with a 6.9-inch rail length for mounting.
- Can I shoot buckshot through the rifled barrel?
- Technically, the 20-gauge 2.75–3-inch chamber will accept standard buckshot loads. However, it is strongly discouraged. The rifled barrel imparts spin on the payload, which will cause the shot cup to open and the pellets to spread in an unpredictable, doughnut-shaped pattern almost immediately, rendering it ineffective for defense or hunting within 10-15 yards.
- Does this work with a Magpul SGA shotgun stock?
- No. The Gordion uses a fixed, integrated pistol-grip synthetic stock that is not user-serviceable or interchangeable with aftermarket stocks like the Magpul SGA. Its ergonomics are built into the monobloc receiver design, a trade-off for the rigidity of the integrated optics rail system. Modifications would require significant gunsmithing and void the warranty.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- For in-stock items, Ironclad Armory typically processes and ships within one business day. Transit time depends on your location and selected carrier, but ground shipping to most continental US addresses via UPS or FedEx takes 3-5 business days once the package is in transit. Remember, your designated FFL dealer must provide their license before we can ship.
- Can I return it if the fit is wrong?
- Given the regulated nature of firearms, all sales are final once the firearm is transferred to you at your licensed dealer (FFL). We cannot accept returns on transferred firearms. We strongly recommend reviewing the listed 14-inch length of pull and overall specifications against your own measurements or a similar stocked rifle before purchase. Ironclad Armory does offer a warranty on manufacturer defects.