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The 28 gauge has always had a devoted following among upland hunters who want something lighter and more precise than a 12 or 20 gauge, and the Retay ACE-R makes a compelling case for why. At just about 6 pounds and 46 inches overall with the 26" barrel, this gun moves fast on flushing quail and woodcock without making you feel like you left anything behind. The Mossy Oak Bottomland camo finish covers the synthetic stock and barrel from end to end, giving it a clean, field-ready look that blends well in just about any cover.
The heart of the ACE-R is Retay's Inertia Plus bolt system, and it deserves some real attention. Most inertia guns have a known weakness: bump or ease the bolt shut, and you risk a "click" instead of a bang. Retay engineered around this with an internal rollover torsion spring that forces the bolt head into full battery every time, quietly and positively. It's a legitimate improvement that addresses one of the most frustrating failure modes in inertia-operated guns. Pair that with the factory-lengthened forcing cone and the deep-bore-drilled barrel, and you have a setup built to put tighter, more consistent patterns on target. The trigger group is also worth calling out — it drops out with a single button push, no pins to fumble with. Cleaning this gun in the field takes minutes, not a toolkit.
The ACE-R's AIRY recoil pad uses an internal air pocket to absorb and disperse recoil energy, and real-world testing backs up Retay's claim of up to 30% reduction in felt recoil. That matters a lot more in a lighter 28-gauge gun than people expect, since the reduced payload means you may be burning through more shells on a full day in the field. The stock includes a shim kit for adjusting cast and drop, so fitting the gun to your mount is straightforward. The reversible oversized crossbolt safety and enlarged bolt release handle work just as well with gloves on, and the 3-inch chamber gives you flexibility across the full range of 28-gauge loads. Five MaraPro choke tubes come in the box — Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full — and the barrel threads are compatible with Benelli Crio-style tubes, so aftermarket options are easy to find.
Standard inertia guns can be jarred out of battery or fail to lock up fully if the bolt is eased shut slowly — a frustration familiar to anyone who has run a Benelli in cold weather. Retay's Inertia Plus bolt uses an internal rollover torsion spring that actively rotates the bolt head into full battery every single time, quietly and without the user having to slam it home. This design practically eliminates the classic inertia "click" misfire and reduces bolt rattle significantly. It's a meaningful engineering improvement, not just marketing language.
It's genuinely well-suited for it. At around 6 pounds with a 26" barrel, it swings fast on flushing birds without wearing you out over a long walk. The 28 gauge is a favorite among upland hunters who prefer a lighter, more refined option than a 12 or 20 gauge, and the ACE-R's build quality and wide choke selection make it capable across quail, woodcock, and pheasant scenarios. The adjustable stock shim kit helps dial in fit, which matters a lot when you're mounting the gun quickly on a surprise flush.
The ACE-R ships with five MaraPro flush-fit choke tubes covering Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full constrictions. Beyond what comes in the box, the barrel threads are compatible with Benelli Crio-style choke tubes, which opens up a solid aftermarket selection if you want a specialty tube for a specific application. A choke wrench is included.
There's a single push button located just forward of the safety on the right side of the receiver. Press it and the entire trigger group drops free — no pins, no punches, no tools needed. This makes field cleaning genuinely fast and practical after a muddy hunt. When the trigger assembly is out of the gun, the shotgun cannot be fired, which Retay also notes as an added storage safety benefit.
The AIRY pad uses an internal air pocket mechanism to absorb and disperse recoil energy, similar in concept to cushioned midsoles in performance athletic footwear. Retay rates it at up to 30% felt recoil reduction, and multiple reviewers who spent full seasons with the ACE series confirmed the recoil management is noticeably better than a standard rubber pad. In a 28-gauge gun where you may run a lot of shells in a day of upland hunting, that difference adds up. The soft comb pad on the stock also helps on cheek contact.
Yes. The oversized crossbolt safety is fully reversible, so left-handed users can switch it to a more natural orientation without any gunsmithing. The bolt release and charging handle are also oversized and easy to reach from either side. Retay designed these controls with ambidextrous use in mind across the ACE lineup.
| UPC | 193212045478 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | C-RACEMBL-26 |
| Action | |
| Barrel Length | 26" |
| Caliber/Gauge | 28 Gauge |
| Capacity | 3 + 1 |
| Color | Black |
| Product Type | Shotgun |
| Safety | Reversible Button |
| Shipping Weight | 0.0 |
| Sights | TruGlo Fiber Optic Front bead |
| Sights Type | Fixed Sights |
| State Restriction (CA) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
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