ATI Cavalry SX 12 Gauge O/U Shotgun 28in Walnut
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The ATI Cavalry SX is an over/under 12-gauge shotgun designed for American hunters and shooters who need a lightweight, mechanically simple upland or sporting clays gun that stays reliably field-ready for under $600. It uses a 7075 aluminum receiver instead of heavier steel to shave weight, paired with a 28-inch blued barrel set and a walnut stock that’s oil-finished from Turkish blank. The construction focuses on reliable core functions—a single selective trigger, automatic ejectors, and a set of five chokes—without the hand-detailing or adjustable stock geometry of higher-tier clay guns.
What is the ATI Cavalry SX used for?
This is a lightweight field and entry-level sporting clays gun. The 7.2 lb empty weight and 28-inch barrels make it fast-handling for upland birds or a 50-target sporting round, and the mechanical automatic ejectors reliably clear both spent shells with the break-open action. The included five choke tubes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, Full) cover everything from close-range doves to longer-range geese and trap singles. It is not designed for high-volume clay shooting like the 100+ round/weekend schedule that demands more durable, adjustable target guns like a Browning Citori or Beretta 686.
How does the ATI Cavalry SX compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The ATI Cavalry SX is lighter and less adjustable than the comparable Stevens 555 Sporting. The Cavalry SX uses a 7075 aluminum receiver, giving it an empty weight of roughly 7.2 lbs, which is about 0.8 lbs lighter than the all-steel receiver Stevens 555 Sporting 12 Gauge. For a shooter carrying it all day in pheasant fields, that difference is noticeable; for a sporting clays shooter who values consistent swing momentum and adjustable stock dimensions, the heavier Stevens is the better choice. The Stevens also features a more refined recoil pad and a slightly crisper trigger pull out of the box, but it retails for about $150 more, putting the Cavalry SX in the value spot for pure field work.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The shotgun weighs 7.2 lbs (3.27 kg) empty, with an overall length of 45.5 inches from buttpad to muzzle. The 28-inch barrels have a 14.5-inch length of pull from the trigger to the middle of the recoil pad—a standard dimension for most adult shooters. The receiver width is 1.4 inches at its thickest point, keeping the profile slim for quick mounting. The walnut forend is 9.25 inches long, providing a secure handhold, but shooters with larger hands may find it slightly short compared to the 10-inch forends on dedicated competition models.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not for the high-volume competitive shooter or someone needing a purely defensive tool. The aluminum receiver, while light, will show more wear over 5,000+ rounds than a forged steel receiver would and is not designed for the sustained heat cycling of intensive trap or sporting clays leagues. It's also not ideal for someone who requires extensive stock adjustability—there is no shim kit for cast or drop, and the comb is fixed. For a new clay shooter planning to shoot 500 rounds a month, I'd recommend stepping up to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U for its steel receiver and better recoil management.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun, five choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F) with a key, and a basic plastic hard case. The chokes are standard Beretta/Benelli Mobil threads, which is the most common system for imported Turkish-made shotguns, meaning aftermarket options from brands like Carlson's or Briley will fit. There is no cleaning kit, snap caps, or extra choke tube pouch included—common omissions at this price point. The manual covers basic disassembly for cleaning but has no detailed troubleshooting section, so keep a copy of the basic O/U maintenance guide bookmarked.
Is the ATI Cavalry SX worth it at $560.99?
Yes, if your primary use is upland hunting or casual sporting clays and you prioritize lightness and simplicity over adjustability. For $560.99, you get a functional, mechanically sound over/under that weighs just over seven pounds and includes a full choke set—a setup that would cost $300+ more from a legacy brand like Browning or Beretta. The trade-off is in finish refinement: the walnut is decently figured but the oil finish is thin, and the bluing on the barrels is functional rather than deep and lustrous. It won’t win a beauty contest next to a $1,500 Citori, but for a working field gun that you won’t mind scratching in brush, the value proposition is solid.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 7.2 lbs empty — 0.8 lbs lighter than the all-steel Stevens 555 Sporting O/U
- Includes 5 choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F) — covers all standard hunting and clays applications
- 28-inch barrels with a 14.5-inch length of pull — standard dimensions for quick shouldering
Trade-offs
- No stock adjustment shims included — cast and drop are fixed, limiting fit for non-average shooters
- Thin oil finish on walnut — provides less moisture protection than a thick polyurethane or lacquer finish
- Action is stiff initially — requires a 200-300 round break-in period to smooth out fully
Key attributes
| upc | 813393016134 |
| manufacturer | American Tactical / ATI |
| manufacturer part number | ATIGKOF12SVE |
| action | Over / Under |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 |
| chokes included | 5 |
| color | Blue |
| length | 31.2500 |
| model | Cavalry |
| package height | 3.0 |
| package width | 9.5 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Manual |
| shipping weight | 8.1 |
| sights | Brass Bead Front |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| state restriction (guam) | NO SALE TO GUAM |
| state restriction (pr) | NO SALE TO PUERTO RICO |
| state restriction (vi) | NO SALE TO VIRGIN ISLANDS |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this shotgun accept Benelli Mobil chokes?
- Yes. The ATI Cavalry SX uses standard Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke tube threads. All five included tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F) are this pattern, and aftermarket tubes from Carlson's, Briley, or Trulock in Mobil thread will fit. The threads are cut cleanly, but apply a light coat of grease before installing to prevent galling.
- Can I shoot 3.5-inch magnum shells in this?
- No. The chamber is specifically machined for 3-inch (76mm) shells, as stamped on the barrel flats. Attempting to force a 3.5-inch shell into the chamber will not only fail to close the action but can create a dangerous over-pressure situation upon firing. For 3.5-inch waterfowl loads, you need a dedicated magnum shotgun.
- How long is the break-in period for the action?
- Expect about 200-300 rounds for the action to smooth out fully. The hinge and locking lugs are machined with slight tolerances that initially create a stiff opening feel. After 3-4 boxes of standard target loads, the action will become noticeably easier to break open. Applying a dry lubricant like molybdenum disulfide to the hinge pin after the first 100 rounds accelerates this process.
- Is it compatible with aftermarket recoil pads?
- Yes, with minor fitting. The buttstock uses a standard flat-ground interface. A pre-fit 1-inch thick Kick-EEZ or Pachmayr Decelerator pad in a grind-to-fit configuration will require about 15 minutes of sanding to match the stock's slight curvature. The stock's length of pull will increase by approximately 0.75 inches with a 1-inch pad.