Hey, not everyone is 6-feet-plus and 200 pounds. For hunters on the smaller scale, I’m ready for gas-operated action with a more compact stock and a fast-swinging 24” barrel.
SA-08™ Synthetic Compact
NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION
Temporarily Sold Out on Website
Description
Designed for women and youth shotgunners, this Weatherby semi-auto shotgun has a durable injection molded synthetic stock and a fully ventilated ribbed barrel along with sling swivel studs. The shorter 12-1/2″ stock and 24″ barrel is designed to better fit smaller framed shooters. A unique dual-valve system provides consistent use with the widest range of shotshell loads. Comes complete with IC, M and F screw-in chokes and a wrench. Push button safety ahead of trigger guard. Chambered for 3″ shotshells, the SA-08 Youth also shoots 2-3/4″ shells. Black finish
FEATURES INCLUDE:
- CNC machined aircraft grade aluminum receiver
- Chrome plated bolt
- Vented top rib
- Brass front bead
- Chrome lined bore
- Drop out trigger system for easy cleaning
- Dual valve gas system
- Push-button safety
STOCK:
- Lightweight and durable injection-molded synthetic stock
- Shorter 12 1/2″ length of pull fits young shooters or those that want the benefits of a compact shotgun
- Swivel studs
BARREL AND METALWORK:
- 24-inch barrel
- All metalwork is matte black to reduce glare
CHOKES:
- Full
- Modified
- Improved Cylinder
Questions about Choke Tubes? View the Choke Tube Guide HERE.
How do you break in your shotgun? Check out the Shotgun section in FAQ HERE.
Additional information
| Weight | 160 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 39 × 8 × 7 in |
19 reviews for SA-08™ Synthetic Compact
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Jack McKee –
The only problem I’ve had with withe the gun is not cycling, but the only reason why is because i hunt and shoot with 1200fps rounds and it needs 1300fps to cycle.
Pat –
Bought one for my son and daughter to learn to shoot 1 year ago. The gun took some time to find a load that it liked. It would only eject the round 1/2 way and the chamber would close, catching the ejected hull and jamming the gun. After verifying I was using the gasket for light load and going through several brands of 7/8 oz loads, I finally found that upping the load above 1 oz (1-1/8 oz) solved the problem and have not had an issue since. Unfortunate downside is the extra 1/4 oz takes a toll on the kids shoulders after a couple boxes. My son now shoots over 80% with the SA-08 compact, unfortunately this will be his last season until he outgrows it.
roy mcalpin –
I bought one for my wife about 5 years ago and have had nothing but trouble since. Will not cycle correctly from the beginning. It has been sent in and problem just changed. Know they tell me it has to have 1300fps 20 guage shells to cycle. I would never buy another Weatherby product again. I have a Remington 1187 for over 26 years and have never had a problem. I will buy only Remington from now on. Thanks for letting me down and giving me a hard time trying to get it fixed.
Dad –
I bought this for my daughter last year. She has shot over 500 rounds thru it while skeet shooting and duck hunting. No jams, no problems. Now I’m looking for one for myself, to turkey hunt with. Much easier to carry than a full size 12 gauge. Simply an outstanding shotgun.
Michael –
I bought one SA-08 for my wife. 20 ga. Wife has MS, the browning BPS, and Citoris’ were just too much recoil. I took her to the firearms shop, had her lift and swing every 20 ga. in stock. The SA-08 compact seemed to fit well. The short length of pull works very well with all the clothing she wears when we are turkey hunting. I took the 20 ga. goose hunting (snows and canadas’) and found it to be amazingingly good [with the new ammo offerings]. We then discovered the SA-549 Turkey gun, I got her one in 20 ga. and one for me in 12 ga. I bought chokes from Carlson’s for the Turkey guns and use the Turkey guns for almost everything. I recently too the SA-08 to a skeet shoot (I am a life member of the NSSA) and was suprised I was not tired after several hundred clays. At 69 years, I still bust clays and birds fairly well. The light weight and no recoil makes these shotguns a joy to carry and shoot. Note: Wife is 5’9″ and when bundled up in cold weather, the short length of pull really helps her to mount the shotgun properly. I am 5′ 2″ and need the shorter length of pull – short arms. 😉
Stetson –
Never had any problems
Matt –
This gun has never jammed on me with over a 1,000 rounds of trap load a year 10/10 great gun.
Joe –
I bought this for my son to shoot when he was younger, it was great for him as a beginner, good fit and low recoil considering how light the gun is. Now he is grown I was going to sell the gun but thought I would shoot it before I did. Well shot a 25 straight at skeet off the bat, maybe I will be keeping this one.
GThunter –
I purchased this gun for my 8 yr old to use mainly turkey hunting. I got it set up and patterned with an after market choke and before I was done, realized he would not be the only one using this gun. The gun is a delight to carry around. Light weight, and can handle even the most stout turkey loads you can find. My son killed his first turkey opening weekend and I then carried this gun all season long and killed my limit using it. This gun never let us down. Could not be more happy with this purchase.
Carson –
I got this when i was 10 and it has shot every time I’ve killed 1 goose,15 dove, and a turkey but over all it is just a great gun
Marissa –
I got this as a birthday present and I absolutely love it. So easy to take apart and clean, and I’ve never had any problems with it. So fun to shoot! Great for hunting and trap/skeet.
Red Awesome –
Bought this for my wife and she loves it!
Fit, weight and feel are spot on.
Happy wife, happy gun owners!!!!!!!
Lefty –
I got one last year. so much lighter than my Remington. Easy to shoulder and shoot. It has never given me any problems and is easy to take apart and clean. I have shot many ducks and geese with this gun. I love it.
Woolly Bugger –
I bought this for my son when he was 9 — probably a year too early. (That’s not the gun’s fault.) It cycled well right out of the box, digesting everything we put through it. A year later it had some trouble ejecting Winchester Super X target loads. I now avoid those shells but it may have just been a bad lot.
I also own a Beretta A300 Outlander — a similar design, similarly priced. The SA-08 is better in every way: better fit and finish, better reliability. Switching pistons for light and heavy loads is easy and I feel safe saying it contributes to the gun’s superb reliability.
As a youth gun a few things to keep in mind: The springs are adult-strength. So don’t expect a child to have an easy time pulling the bolt back or releasing it with the button. I went a long way to fixing the former problem by purchasing the tactical bolt handle for the SA-459, which is big enough for my son to really grab. But he still has to use two hands to press the bolt-release button. (I asked on a forum about compatibility with Beretta-specific bolt release extenders and heard that those will not work on the SA-08.) Also, Field & Stream’s Phil Bourjaily has written that a child can’t reliably hit moving targets with a shotgun until he/she weighs about 85 pounds. I’m sure there are exceptions but in my son’s case that’s about right.
All in all a great youth gun. My boy’s taken three small ducks and a couple doves with it.
Gooseman –
Bought this for my son to use. Made a huge difference versus trying to use my larger heavier 12s.
mike nh –
Picked up a compact the other day for use in the tangled forests on northern New England. May or may not switch to full sized stock. Gun works great!! Initial outing 50 rounds no probs whatsoever.
Joevolunteer –
Just bought this shotgun for my son….we are looking forward to many trap, skeet, and turkey-hunting adventures! Please let me know if weatherby gets a turkey choke or skeet choke for the 20 gauge youth model. Semper Fi!
tky –
Never any issue. Great youth gun! Turkey slayer
Pip97 –
My husband bought me this gun for for my birthday couple years ago. I’m short so the shorter length in this shotgun makes it easier to handle.