Gunner Quinn
Truth be told, there are few repeating shotguns made in the United States. There are multiple reasons why, but the conspicuous one is that imported shotguns from countries such as Italy, Japan and Turkey can be as good as, if not better than, those produced domestically—and they’re usually less costly, to boot. The latter country, in particular, has made significant inroads in recent years. Why? Look no further than the subject of this review, the Impala Plus Carbon.
Manufactured by Istanbul Silah in Turkey, the 12-ga., 3″ Impala Plus Carbon semi-automatic shotgun employs an inertia-powered operating system (a.k.a. kinetic reaction system) made popular by a certain Italian manufacturer. The key to its operation is the “bolt slide group,” as it’s coined. It’s visually similar to others of its ilk, however, the rotary bolt differs markedly. Instead of the emblematic two-lug rotary bolt, the Impala Plus Carbon uses a six-lug unit. Why? Because its 15 degrees of rotation requires less energy for operation, thereby resulting in faster cycling. It’s also described as being stronger.
Although the barrel, receiver and synthetic furniture (l.) of the KFI USA Impala Plus Carbon shotgun all appear to have been constructed from carbon fiber, it is actually just a well-executed finish that mimics that material’s appearance. Unlike most other inertia-powered shotguns, the Impala Plus Carbon’s rotating bolt head (r.) has six lugs instead of the usual two, allowing for faster cycling.
The bolt slide group is housed in an aluminum receiver with modern, if not futuristic, lines and an eye-catching, well-executed carbon-fiber finish. Inside, on the left receiver wall is a spring-loaded ejector. Stainless-steel rails within the receiver add rigidity and minimize abrasion from the reciprocating bolt. A wonderful addition is an inventive cocking handle. Featuring aggressive checkering and sized suitably, the control is easily grasped. What sets it apart from others, however, is that by rotating it from the vertical to horizontal position it can be easily removed.
The receiver’s top is drilled and tapped for scope bases, and an oversize, triangular carrier latch button is on its right side. Secured to the bottom is the trigger group, and contained within it are the fire controls, including a crossbolt safety, a disconnector and the single-stage trigger. On our test sample, the trigger broke at 5 lbs., 15 ozs., with only the slightest hint of creep.
The shotgun ships from the factory with a set of five flush-fitting choke tubes of the Browning Invector-Plus pattern (above), and the end of the chrome-lined, vent-ribbed barrel (l.) is topped with a red fiber-optic pipe for aiming.
Barrels for the Impala Plus Carbon, which are available in 28″, 30″ and 32″ lengths, are drilled from 4140 steel and examined via magnetic resonance for cracks. The barrel extension is relatively short and, to accommodate the unique rotating bolt, distinctive. Topping the chrome-lined tube is a ventilated rib ending in a TruGlo fiber-optic sight. The barrel, which has the same finish as the receiver, is threaded to accept Browning Invector-Plus choke tubes, and five flush-fitting tubes accompany the shotgun.
Consistent with the rest of the gun, the synthetic fore-end and buttstock appear to be made from carbon fiber but aren’t. Rather, it’s a fine finish—well-executed enough to fool all who see it. As for the fore-end, the combination of a swelled lower half, channels (one per side) and anti-slip texturing enhance purchase of the otherwise smooth surface.
The Impala Plus Carbon’s receiver (l.) is drilled and tapped for the mounting of an optic, and a removable raised cheekpiece (r.) provides better alignment when one is installed.
The buttstock is equipped with a removable cheekpiece. As requested by a previous importer (and still available) it’s reminiscent of a Monte Carlo-style rifle stock, which is impractical for most shotgunners. Fortunately, by removing the pliable recoil pad, snugged by two screws, and a screw securing its front, the cheekpiece can be taken off. Then just re-install the recoil pad and you’re done—which is exactly what we did before hitting the range.
KFI USA, which currently imports Impala Plus shotguns, changed this to a parallel comb, only slightly elevated, which is a much better choice. Shims and a spacer are provided to further adjust for fit. The swell-less pistol grip has texturing mimicking that on the fore-end, and an integral sling attachment point on the buttstock works with a sling swivel stud on the magazine tube cap for the installation of the provided sling.
According to the owner’s manual, “Istanbul Silah Sanayi advises the use of minimum 28-gram (1-oz.) 2 ¾” and maximum 52-gram (1.83-oz., essentially 1 7⁄8-oz.) 3″ cartridges” in the Impala Plus Carbon. As such, we opted to pattern test the sample using 12-ga., 2 ¾” NSI Due Europe loads containing 1 oz. of No. 7 ½ shot at 1,250 f.p.s. The supplied modified choke tube was used. The results are tabulated nearby.
Once completed, we headed to a local sporting clays course to engage a variety of targets both near and far. Here, we found the 7-lb. shotgun lightning-quick to the shoulder from the low-gun position and that it swung effortlessly. Crushed clays were the rule; steep angling or distant crossers were no match. This continued on an illuminated skeet field, where an evaluator connected with 23 targets on the first and only attempt. Cycling with the NSI loads, as well as Estate Super Sport Competition 1-oz. No. 8s at 1,290 f.p.s. and Federal Field & Target 1 1⁄8-oz. No. 7 ½s at 1,200 f.p.s., was flawless. We also function tested the Impala Plus Carbon with an assortment of hunting loads—in 2 ¾” from 1 ¼-oz. to 1 ½-oz. and in 3″ from 1 1⁄8-oz. to 1 7⁄8-oz.—and all loads fed, fired, extracted and ejected flawlessly.
As evidenced through our exhaustive testing, the KFI USA Impala Plus Carbon is a rugged and reliable semi-automatic shotgun that’ll be at home on the back forty or in serious competition. It offers everything desirable in a kinetic-reaction gun at a reasonable price.
Read the full article here