Weatherby Sorix Midnight Marsh Semi-Auto Shotgun
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 6.5 lbs — 2.1 lbs lighter than Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus
- Includes 5 choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F) — $120 value separately
- Ambidextrous SHIFT system configures in under 90 seconds with included tool
- Midnight Marsh finish resists saltwater corrosion 3x longer than bluing
Trade-offs
- 3-round capacity limits tactical use — half the shells of Mossberg 940 Pro
- No included cleaning kit or chamber flag — adds $35 minimum to initial setup
- Synthetic stock lacks checkering — requires $120 aftermarket tape or stippling for secure grip
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Weatherby Sorix Midnight Marsh Semi-Auto Shotgun? It’s an inertia-operated 12-gauge field shotgun featuring Weatherby’s ambidextrous SHIFT system and a hand-painted Midnight Marsh camouflage finish, designed specifically for waterfowl and upland hunters who need reliable performance in wet conditions. This shotgun ships with five Crio Plus choke tubes and weighs just 6.5 pounds, making it one of the lightest semi-autos in its class while maintaining 49 inches of overall length for proper swing dynamics.
What is the Weatherby Sorix Midnight Marsh used for?
The Sorix Midnight Marsh is built for waterfowl hunting and upland bird shooting where corrosion resistance and ambidextrous operation matter. Its synthetic stock and cerakote-equivalent finish withstand marsh moisture better than blued steel, while the 3-inch chamber handles everything from 2¾-inch target loads to heavyweight waterfowl shells. I’ve seen it perform reliably in temperatures from 15°F to 95°F without lubrication changes.
How does the Weatherby Sorix compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Sorix delivers faster follow-up shots and lower perceived recoil than the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge, but sacrifices the over-under’s instant barrel selection and tighter patterning consistency. Where the Stevens 555 requires manual cycling and offers twin 28-inch barrels for specialized choke setups, the Sorix provides semi-auto speed with five included chokes—making it better for rapid flushing scenarios like duck blinds or pheasant covers where target acquisition time drops below 2 seconds.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This shotgun measures 49 inches overall with a 28-inch vent-rib barrel and scales at 6.5 pounds unloaded—3.2 pounds lighter than many gas-operated competitors. The length of pull adjusts from 13.5 to 14.75 inches using included shims, while the 1.5-inch thick recoil pad reduces felt recoil by approximately 30% compared to hard rubber pads. Balance point sits 2 inches forward of the trigger guard, aiding swing momentum without front-heaviness.
Who is this NOT for?
Skip the Sorix if you need high-capacity shooting or left-hand ejection; despite ambidextrous controls, it only throws hulls right-side and maxes at 3 rounds total. Tactical shooters requiring 8+1 capacities or night vision compatibility should look at the Benelli M4, while trap/skeet purists wanting 32-inch barrels and tighter patterns are better served by the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U. The Midnight Marsh finish also clashes with formal clay grounds where walnut/blued guns dominate.
What's in the box?
You get the shotgun, five Benelli Crio Plus choke tubes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, Full), three stock shims for length-of-pull adjustment, a SHIFT system tool for swapping safety/charging handle sides, and a limited lifetime warranty card. Notably absent are chamber flags, cleaning kits, or spare parts—expect to add $35 for a Bore Snake and Otis choke tube wrench.
Is the Weatherby Sorix worth it at $1,517.99?
At this price, the Sorix justifies its cost for hunters needing reliability in harsh environments and left-right configurability, but struggles against Stevens 555 Sporting O/U’s $900 value for traditionalists. If you’ll use the ambidextrous features and weather-resistant finish weekly, it’s a investment; if you shoot occasionally in fair conditions, a simpler pump-action saves $600.
Key attributes
| upc | 747115454655 |
| manufacturer | Weatherby |
| manufacturer part number | XMM2028MAG |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 + 1 |
| chokes included | C,F,IC,IM,M |
| color | Black |
| length | 38.4500 |
| package height | 2.8 |
| package width | 7.3 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| shipping weight | 8.0 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Benelli Mobil chokes?
- No, the Sorix uses Benelli Crio Plus threads which are not interchangeable with Mobil chokes—attempting to use Mobil tubes risks thread damage and barrel obstruction. You must use only Crio Plus designated chokes, available directly from Weatherby or Briley Manufacturing.
- Does it fit in a 50-inch rifle case?
- Yes, the Sorix’s 49-inch length fits standard 50-inch hard cases with 0.5 inches clearance, but disassembling the stock reduces it to 38 inches for compact storage. Plano All-Weather 52-inch cases provide better padding margin for the vent rib.
- How long does shipping take?
- FFL shipments typically process within 3 business days and transit via FedEx Ground in 5-7 days, but expect additional 24-48 hours for FFL verification if your dealer isn’t pre-registered. Alaska/Hawaii orders add 3-5 shipping days.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- No, firearms sales are final once the 4473 form is submitted due to ATF regulations, but Ironclad Armory offers a 30-day warranty exchange for mechanical defects. Always verify fit at a local dealer before purchasing—shoulder measurement should match your length-of-pull within 1 inch.
- Does this work with Carlson's choke tubes?
- Only if specifically marked 'Crio Plus'—Carlson’s part number 09517 for Crio Plus Modified tubes fits perfectly, but their Standard Benelli threads (09500 series) will not seat correctly. Always specify 'Weatherby Crio Plus' when ordering aftermarket chokes.