Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Retay shotguns, maintenance, warranty, and more.
Table of Contents
1. What choke thread pattern does a Retay use?
Most Retay shotguns use our semi-proprietary Retay/MaraPro™ thread pattern. The thread pitch and outward appearance are identical to a Benelli Crio Plus, but the thread and collar outer diameters are slightly smaller. While sometimes a Crio Plus will fit into a Retay firearm, we do not guarantee all Crio Plus chokes will fit nor do we recommend using such.
Several aftermarket choke manufacturers offer RETAY specific chokes. Please only use Retay-specific chokes and aftermarket chokes made for Retay shotguns in your shotgun.
Anyone stating Retay shotguns use Crio Plus choke is FALSE.
The following Retay shotguns use the Marapro choke pattern:
ACE and ACE-R (all gauges), Masai Mara (all gauges), Gordion (all gauges), Antalya (12ga), GPS-XL (12ga), GPS (2023+ TAC-18s and 28" hunting models), Gamelander (20ga only)
The following Retay shotguns use the Mobil choke pattern:
GPS (2021-2022 models only)
The following Retay shotguns use the Invector Short choke pattern:
Gamelander (.410 bore)
2. Can I shoot steel through my Retay chokes?
The factory Retay C, IC, and M chokes are rated for steel shot. The factory IM and F chokes are not.
WARNING: SHOOTING STEEL AND/OR TUNGSTEN THROUGH THE FACTORY IM AND F CHOKES MAY CAUSE IRREPARABLE HARM TO THE FIREARM AND/OR SHOOTER
3. Can I shoot slugs through my Retay?
Retay shotguns can handle slugs. For solid slugs, ONLY use the C choke. For rifled slugs, ONLY use the factory C or IC chokes.
WARNING: SHOOTING SLUGS THROUGH THE FACTORY M, IM, AND F CHOKES MAY CAUSE IRREPARABLE HARM TO THE FIREARM AND/OR SHOOTER
4. Can I shoot buckshot through my Retay?
Yes. The factory Retay chokes can handle buckshot. See question 2 regarding steel buckshot.
5. What is the minimum load a Retay will cycle?
Retay Inertia-operated shotguns feature our factory-lengthened forcing cone in the barrel which greatly enhances pattern density and consistency as well as reduces back pressure and felt recoil. Our forcing cone works by eliminating the sharp forcing cone angle found in most shotguns allowing the shot to be conditioned as it smoothly transitions from the larger breach to the tighter bore.
The resulting smooth transition reduces pellet collision and pattern deformation. The low angle of the Retay forcing cone also reduces the recoil shockwave that is transferred to the Retay patented Inertia-Plus™ action.
Minimum load requirements:
- Masai Mara 12ga 3.5": 3.25 DRAM minimum (e.g., 1-1/8th oz shell at 1250FPS)
- Masai Mara 20ga: 3 DRAM minimum (e.g., 7/8oz shell at 1250FPS)
- Gordion 12ga 3": 3 DRAM minimum (e.g., 1oz at 1200FPS)
- Gordion 20ga 3": 2-3/4 DRAM minimum (e.g., 7/8oz shell at 1250FPS)
As a rule, a heavier load weight will require less velocity to properly cycle in any inertia shotgun. Always use ammunition powerful enough to fully cycle your Retay shotgun.
6. How do I submit a warranty claim?
Please fill out an online support ticket through our website (Contact Us) and describe the problem(s) you are having with your Retay. Please include your model and gauge in your support ticket.
If you are having cycling issues, please also include the shell brand, load weight in ounces, and velocity rating printed on the box. A Retay USA representative will respond to your support ticket within 48 hours.
7. I lost my Owner's Manual, how can I get one?
Owners' Manuals can be viewed and downloaded from our website: Click here for Manuals
8. My Retay does not fit me. How can I shim it?
The Retay Masai Mara and Gordion both come with stock shims to adjust your stock cast and drop at heel. Depending on your shooting stance, you may need to swap shims in order to properly mount the firearm.
Please refer to the Drop Change Schedule on page 92 of the pre-2021 user manuals, and page 20 of the 2021-current user manuals for drop change values.
9. I want to change the front sight on my Retay. What thread does it have?
The front sight base is threaded for M3x0.5/3-56"
10. My bolt handle won't come out. What do I do?
Retay autoloading shotguns manufactured after April 2021 have an adjustable set screw to set the preferred tension of the bolt handle. An instructional video can be found on our YouTube page.
11. There is a large spring freely moving back and forth inside my bolt. Is this normal?
This spring is the Inertia Spring, and is key to the Inertia-Plus™ action. When the bolt group is not in battery, the Inertia Spring is free to move back and forth inside the carrier. Tension is only placed on to the Inertia Spring when the bolt group is fully in battery.
12. What kind of maintenance do I need to perform on my Retay?
Proper care and maintenance are key to the longevity and reliability of your Retay shotgun. Retay USA recommends the following maintenance:
- Bore: Run dry cleaning patches until clean after every outing
- Choke: Remove choke, clean carbon and powder fouling, apply choke lube/oil after every outing
- Bolt group: Clean carbon and powder fouling as necessary, oil bolt rails and cam lug surfaces as necessary
- Trigger group: Clean carbon and powder fouling as necessary, oil hammer spring as necessary
- Recoil assembly: Detail-strip, clean, and oil at the end of every season, or any time the buttstock or receiver are submerged in water
13. What does the Retay Warranty cover?
The Retay USA 5-year warranty covers any factory mechanical defects in materials or workmanship ensuring the functioning of your firearm.
The Retay USA warranty does not cover:
- Misuse or accidents
- Failures to provide proper care or maintenance
- Failure to comply with instructions in the manual
- Normal wear and tear resulting from the use of the firearm, including scratches, dents, and other cosmetic damage to the surface or finish parts in metal, wood, plastic, rubber, or other materials
- Rust or corrosion
- Obstructions in the barrel
- Use of ammunition not compliant with SAAMI standards and/or loaded manually and/or reloaded
- Products, parts, or services not manufactured, licensed, or supplied by Retay USA
14. I adjusted my shims now my gun will not cycle.
Please refer to your owner's manual for proper shim installation. The shims must be installed correctly for the action to cycle properly. If you continue to have issues after verifying proper installation, please contact us for assistance.
15. What type of shot can I shoot through the Retay factory chokes?
Please refer to questions 2, 3, and 4 above for detailed information about shot types compatible with Retay factory chokes. In summary:
- Lead shot: All factory chokes (C, IC, M, IM, F)
- Steel shot: C, IC, and M chokes only
- Tungsten: C, IC, and M chokes only
- Slugs: C choke only (solid slugs) or C/IC (rifled slugs)
- Buckshot: All factory chokes (see steel buckshot restrictions)
16. What are the shell limitations for Retay Shotguns?
The loaded length of shotgun shells can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and even lot to lot. This is especially true for 12ga 3.5" shells as 3.5" references the unrolled length of the shell casing and there is no loaded or "rolled" case spec. Extra long length 3.5" and 3" shells are more often found in roll-crimped TSS turkey loads.
Shell length limitations:
- GPS-XL: Cannot feed 3.5" shells that measure over 3.1" / 3-1/8" unfired
- Gordion, Antalya, and GPS: Cannot feed 3" shells that measure over 2.7" / 2-11/16" unfired
- Masai Mara 12ga 3" or 20ga 3": We have not yet found 3" shells that will not feed
17. What are the threads/optic cut on the RXP-22 pistol?
The RXP-22 pistol is pre-cut for directly mounting RMR and RMSC optics.
- RMR screw holes: Threaded for M3.5×0.6
- RMSC screw holes: Threaded for M3x0.5
- Universal optics plate: All screw holes are M3x0.5
- Muzzle threads (threaded-barrel versions): Standard 1/2×28 threads
An additional universal optics plate is provided for most other optic footprints, but we cannot guarantee all optics will be compatible. As different optics require different screw types and heads, Retay USA does not provide mounting screws for any optics.
Specific M3.5×0.6 and M3x0.5 screws for your optic can be purchased from McMaster-Carr and other hardware retailers.
18. Where can I buy spare RXP-22 magazines/spare parts for my Retay?
RXP-22 magazines and other Retay parts can be purchased on our parts webstore: www.shopretay.com
19. What holster will fit the Retay RXP-22?
No dedicated aftermarket holsters are available for the RXP at this time, but the N8Tactical Multiflex Full Size holster by Crossbreed fits almost perfectly.
20. Will you be offering a pistol grip stock for the Masai Mara or ACE line?
We have no plans to introduce a pistol grip for the Mara or the ACE. The reason being the pistol grip will interfere with the patented "quick release" trigger system, thus causing the buttstock and grip to need to be removed before removing the trigger assembly, defeating the entire purpose of the "quick release" feature.
21. My bolt handle is too loose/too tight, how can this be fixed?
On the front of the bolt carrier of all Retay autoloaders circa 2021-current production, there is a 2.5mm allen set screw that adjusts tension on the bolt handles. Simply turn the screw and set it to your desired setting.
If your Retay shotgun is an older-generation and does not have this upgrade, please contact us if you are having issues with bolt handle retention.
22. What is the thread pitch on the ACE optic screws?
The ACE and ACE-R 12ga are pre-drilled and tapped to use the Benelli M1/M4 footprint for optics rails and is threaded for M4x8 screws. Mounts and rails are widely available on the aftermarket. The subgauge ACE models are not drilled and tapped.
We initially planned for the subgauges to be drilled and tapped like the 12ga but that would mean making the barrel sleeve out of steel which would add about 1lb to the weight resulting in cycling issues due to it being inertia-driven. We chose cycling over optics.
23. Does Retay offer any options for a lefty?
Yes! Our only current left-eject model is the Gordion 12/28 Extra Black LH. More left-eject models and gauges will follow should this initial offering sell well.
All ACE and ACE-R models feature a reversible safety but are all right-eject.
If you have a legacy model that does not support a reversible safety, a reversible safety upgrade kit can be purchased on our parts webstore: www.shopretay.com
GPS and GPS-XL pump models are right-eject and right-hand-safety only at this time.
24. Can the Airy™ buttpad be swapped out for a short/longer length of pull?
Yes. The Retay Airy™ buttpad uses the Comfortech Plus mounting standard. Any Comfortech Plus buttpad will mount to an Airy™-compatible stock, but the buttpad footprint may be larger than our stock geometry.
25. What magazine extensions are available for Retay shotguns?
The Retay ACE and ACE-R lines accept Benelli/Breda magazine extensions. 922(r) rules apply.
The Retay Masai Mara, Antalya, and Gordion cannot accept magazine tube extensions.