Masai Mara anyone heard of them?

[dmcdam]

Poor mans Benelli was a label given to Franchi buy those who did not want to pony up the cash for a Benelli. Beretta markets the Franchi brand as Franchi always did, and that a product geared toward upland hunters. The discontinuation of the 48 (upland semi) and the introduction of the new wave of Franchi semi’s (Affinity, Intensity) have allowed Beretta to introduce Franchi as an alternative in the waterfowl world. So basically, the Franchi lineup covers all types of wingshooting. Franchi’s inertia guns have set the bar as a lower to mid priced inertia semi. This turkish company will need to decide where their best chance of competing is. I believe they will fail in the short term if they think they can compete with Benelli’s premium offering or if they try to create a new segment that Franchi already is dominating. Then throw Stoeger into the mix, where I believe the company has the best chance of competing. But again, the lack of anything they bring to the table will make it a challenge for them if they dont come in at a price point well below to set themselves apart

Could be. I just think $1000 gap between a synthetic Affinity and the cheapest Benelli synthetics is pretty wide for someone offering premium finished wood and a (supposedly) improved inertia system. Going head to head with Stoeger for the lower end of the market means less margin which makes it tough unless you've got volume. If they have to produce a cheap gun to compete it means they'll just be looked at as another cheap Turkish gun. Why take a chance with one when it would be safer to buy a name like Stoeger?

Two very different strategies for sure and it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[1963beretta]

And this is exactly what I mean. They will need volumes and less margins to at first to build their brand. If they come out at price points of up to $1500, they wont have the volumes necessary to build their brand. Buyers have far too many options at that price point in the autoloader category, many of which are time tested with a proven design that are manufactured by companies with far greater brand awareness. In my opinion Masai Mara will be done before they get started if they come in to compete with a premium offering and at premium price tag. Retay’s only hope would be to jump on board with what all the other turkish gunnmakers are doing and that is building branded guns for other manufacturers or building no name low cost guns that seem to be flooding the market everywhere

 

[dmcdam]

And this is exactly what I mean. They will need volumes and less margins to at first to build their brand. If they come out at price points of up to $1500, they wont have the volumes necessary to build their brand. Buyers have far too many options at that price point in the autoloader category, many of which are time tested with a proven design that are manufactured by companies with far greater brand awareness. In my opinion Masai Mara will be done before they get started if they come in to compete with a premium offering and at premium price tag. Retay’s only hope would be to jump on board with what all the other turkish gunnmakers are doing and that is building branded guns for other manufacturers or building no name low cost guns that seem to be flooding the market everywhere

But there really aren't that many $1500 inertia guns, are there? Gas guns yes, but that's not where their competitive advantage is with their new inertia system. That's the gap I was referring to between the Franchi and the Benelli's. I think they're going to try and offer the premium quality of Benelli with a lower price tag. How many other Turkish brands have lifted themselves out of the 'cheap gun' realm by competing at the bottom end of the market? Companies like ATA have been making rebranded guns for decades but still get very little love on just about any shotgun thread I've looked at. You said it yourself that cheap guns are flooding the market, so why would anyone in their right mind want to play in that space? Your only choice would be to constantly cheapen the materials and workmanship to make profits, thus perpetuating the idea that Turkish guns = unreliable junk.

 

[stubblejumper]

From what I am seeing, inertia guns are fading in popularity, so that isn't a market that I would be aiming at with a $1500 shotgun.

 

[3macs1]

From what I am seeing, inertia guns are fading in popularity, so that isn't a market that I would be aiming at with a $1500 shotgun.

Agree .They have been for years unless one is too lazy to want to take the time to keep it clean
Cheers
fix the link some reading here

ht tps://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/gas-vs-inertia-shotguns/

 

[dmcdam]

From what I am seeing, inertia guns are fading in popularity, so that isn't a market that I would be aiming at with a $1500 shotgun.

Is that because of recoil or is it that gas guns have become more reliable? I certainly know in rifles we're much "softer" than previous generations. My FIL still shoots his old 30-06 that kicks like a mule and has a 1/8" plastic butt plate. Nowadays I read posts complaining about the kick from their .270 that has a 2" thick air chambered pad.

 

[stubblejumper]

Is that because of recoil or is it that gas guns have become more reliable? I certainly know in rifles we're much "softer" than previous generations. My FIL still shoots his old 30-06 that kicks like a mule and has a 1/8" plastic butt plate. Nowadays I read posts complaining about the kick from their .270 that has a 2" thick air chambered pad.

The new gas operated guns are reliable, they do better with light target loads, and they produce less felt recoil.

 

[1963beretta]

From what I am seeing, inertia guns are fading in popularity, so that isn't a market that I would be aiming at with a $1500 shotgun.

Beat me to it....just because its inertia, doesnt mean it will only compete with inertia guns. A shooter with $1500 in his/her pocket will consider all options at that price point. Many of who will also look to the used gun market

 

[savagefan]

So, six years later, what is the consensus on these Retays shotguns? Good value? Run don't walk away? Have they built a reputation?

 

[savagefan]

I bought one at the auction today, they've been unloading quite a bunch this year. I'll warm it up next week if I get the time- retirement is a very busy time indeed.