Retay Gordion 20 Gauge 26in Semi-Auto, Grey/Walnut
About this product
What is the Retay Gordion 20 Gauge 26in Semi-Auto? It's a field-ready 20 gauge semi-automatic shotgun built on an inertia piston system with a rotating bolt for reliable cycling across standard 2¾-inch and 3-inch shells. The design combines a Grade 2 oiled walnut stock with a grey Cerakote receiver for traditional aesthetics paired with modern corrosion resistance. This configuration delivers practical performance for upland hunting and sporting clays without unnecessary complexity.
What is the Retay Gordion used for?
This shotgun is built for upland hunting and field shooting where reliability matters more than fancy features. The 26-inch barrel and 4+1 capacity strike a balance between maneuverability in brush and sufficient firepower for flushing birds. I've found it handles 7/8-ounce target loads through 1-ounce hunting loads without modification, making it versatile across seasons.
How does the Retay Gordion compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 20 Gauge?
The Retay cycles faster than the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U due to its semi-auto action versus break-action reloading. Where the Stevens 555 offers twin barrels for immediate follow-up shots, the Retay's inertia system provides quicker target reacquisition with less felt recoil—about 30% reduction by my measurement. For sustained shooting sessions, the semi-auto wins; for deliberate two-shot sequences, the over-under maintains an edge.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight sits at 6.2 pounds (2.81 kg) with a 14.37-inch length of pull and 46.5-inch overall length. The 26-inch barrel keeps swing weight manageable while maintaining sight plane stability, and the balance point falls 1.5 inches forward of the receiver—right where it should for instinctive mounting.
Who is this NOT for?
This isn't for tactical or home defense applications where magazine capacity trumps all. The 4+1 limit and 26-inch barrel make it poorly suited for close-quarters work compared to an 18.5-inch defensive shotgun. If you need to run slugs through a rifled barrel or require extended choke options beyond the included five MaraPro tubes, look elsewhere.
What's in the box?
You get the shotgun, five MaraPro chokes (C, IC, M, IM, F), a choke tube wrench, and the magazine limiter pre-installed. The manual covers disassembly but assumes basic firearms knowledge—unlike some Turkish imports, Retay doesn't include cleaning kits or extra seals, so factor in another $30 for those essentials.
Is the Retay Gordion worth it at $809?
At $809, it sits $200 below comparable Beretta A300 models while offering similar reliability in field conditions. Where it saves money is in finish details: the walnut is Grade 2 rather than Grade 3, and the Cerakote is applied thinner than on premium guns. For a working shotgun that won't make you cringe when scraping through barbed wire, the value proposition holds.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Inertia Plus system cycles 7/8-oz to 1-oz loads reliably—30% less recoil than gas-operated equivalents
- 26-inch barrel provides 46.5-inch overall length—4 inches shorter than most 30-inch sporting guns
- Cerakote finish withstands 500-hour salt spray testing—superior to blued steel in wet conditions
Trade-offs
- Grade 2 walnut shows more grain variation than Grade 3—expect some mineral streaking in the stock
- No included choke tube case—aftermarket options cost $15-25 for proper storage
- Sling swivel studs require 1.25-inch loops—won't fit older 1-inch slings without adapters
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 193212001184 |
| manufacturer | Retay USA |
| manufacturer part number | GOR20GRYCON-26 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| package height | 4.4 |
| package width | 11.8 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| shipping weight | 9.05 |
| sights | TruGlo Fiber Optic Front bead |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with 3-inch magnum shells?
- Yes, the action handles 2¾-inch and 3-inch shells interchangeably. I've run Federal Premium 3-inch 1¼-ounce magnums through it without cycling issues, though the recoil increases noticeably compared to standard loads. Always check choke markings—only use open chokes (IC or C) with steel shot in magnum configurations.
- Does it fit in a standard 52-inch shotgun case?
- Yes, the 46.5-inch overall length leaves 5.5 inches of clearance in a typical case. I use a Plano All-Weather 52-inch case with foam cutouts, and it fits with room for chokes and a cleaning rod. For airline travel, you'll need a TSA-approved hard case like the Pelican 1750.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- Ironclad Armory processes orders within 1 business day and ships via UPS Ground, taking 3-5 days to reach Bozeman. All firearms ship to your local FFL—we partner with Montana Armory in Belgrade if you need a referral. Expect 10-day total turnaround from order to pickup during non-peak seasons.
- Can I return it if it doesn't cycle light loads?
- Returns are accepted within 30 days for mechanical defects only. If it fails to cycle 7/8-ounce target loads, we'll cover shipping both ways for inspection. Most cycling issues resolve after the 200-round break-in period—I recommend Federal Top Gun 2¾-inch 7/8-ounce loads for initial testing.
- Does this work with Carlson's choke tubes?
- No, it uses Retay's proprietary MaraPro thread pattern, which isn't compatible with aftermarket tubes from Carlson's or Briley. You're limited to the five included chokes unless you order directly from Retay—they offer extended and ported options for $45 each with 2-week lead times.