The AR platform is still immensely popular. There are many weapons designers and manufacturers who apply the system’s look and feel to their own rifles and shotguns, because of the its prevalence. The VR80 semi-automatic shotgun by Rock Island Armory definitely fits that bill.
A semi-auto shotgun, especially one which is box-fed, is – more often than not – versatile and highly manageable. Lots of shooters out there are familiar with the AR setup, and in some cases, it’s just what they are used to. With a shotgun like this, the differences are noticeable, yet it retains a highly familiar kind of feel. So, let’s take a closer look at the RIA VR80!
The first thing you probably notice about this shotgun, aside from the striking AR look, is the way this piece of weaponry is built. It is solid and highly dependable in its construction, and you can feel that when you handle it. Obviously, there can be some kind of a production line defect, but overall the VR series is considered to be well-made and reliable.
Rock Island’s VR80 is a 12 gauge, semi-auto, magazine-fed shotgun. The build is mainly 7075 T6 aluminum (the receivers and handguard, for example), with some polymer thrown in (mainly in the stock). The stock has a rubber buttpad, and the grip and stock are connected to form a thumbhole stock.
VR80 Shotgun
This weapon comes with flip-up sights – which are not bad at all for closer encounters – situated on a 1913 Picatinny (M-Lok compatible) rail. Other build features include a reversible charging handle, ambidextrous mag release button, and a ‘black chrome’ finish on the whole thing.
This weapon operates using a gas system (as opposed to a recoil-operated system). Gas systems have more moving parts, and this can make them a bit heavier and less reliable – but the weight helps to distribute energy and reduce recoil, and the materials used in the manufacturing of this particular gas-operated system are exceedingly functional.
Furthermore, you get the advantage of a system which is better-suited for heavier loads. More suited than recoil ones, anyway. Two different gas pistons are provided with the shotgun, which accommodate lighter/heavier loads.
The VR80 comes with a 5-round mag (9-round mags, or more, will be made available as an aftermarket item). Three chokes are provided with the VR80: modified choke, full choke, and cylinder bore choke. The barrel is shrouded, which doesn’t add much functionality but is nevertheless very pleasing to the eye. Though some may consider it useless, aesthetics goes a long way!
Rock Island Armory imports these shotguns from Turkey, a country which has a fairly respectable reputation among firearms dealers and importers around the world. Derya Arms manufactures the VR80, a successor to its popular VR60 model. The older shotguns in the series resembled the AR platform as well, but to a lesser degree.
Derya, which specializes in shotguns, was established in the late 90s in the Turkish province of Konya. The company is known for its use of quality materials, and for its adherence to some of the strictest industry standards around. Rock Island Armory currently has exclusivity on the VR80, but the older models are available for purchase through many shops and websites.
VR60 Shotgun
VR80 Performance
I have difficulties using the term “break-in period”, because these words can be severely misinterpreted, or worse – they can be used as a way to cover up bad design or craftsmanship. From what I have seen, this shotgun really does require some kind of break-in period. I have no formula to provide you with, unfortunately, but I say this for those who may be discouraged when they first handle the gun and label it a dud.
This shotgun is a pleasure to shoot. Its ease of use makes it a viable option for home defense purposes, even with its decreased ammo count (compared, say, to a Glock or actual AR-15). It manages to cycle all kinds of brands, which is not a given.
Again, there is a chance that you will have to break this shotgun in before it accepts certain brands of ammunition. From what I have seen, the VR80 is consistent and knows how to deliver, but that is not everyone’s initial experience.
I do have a complaint, though. The trigger. I do not care for it. Maybe it’s just me. Probably not. I am not a fancy-trigger-only person, not in the least, but I need a better trigger than the one they have on there. Too much weight on that trigger pull, in my opinion. I like it faster sometimes, and I speculate that those who are interested in using the VR80 in competitions will be the first to swap out that trigger. Time will tell.
Accessories
The ample amount of railing on the top, plus the forward rails at the 3-, 9-, and 12-o’clock positions – they provide a wide range of options and configurations. Those who want to add lights, optics, a scope – or anything else, really – will probably find the space more than adequate for any standard purposes and accessories.
Thanks to its AR-like build (right down to two takedown pins and a carbine buffer tube!), modifying the gun becomes fairly easy. Whether you are adding a new stock, grip, compensator, magazine well, etc., you’ll find that it is usually pretty intuitive and easy to accomplish.
Customized VR80 Shotgun
Popular accessories are red dots and grips. Triggers are not yet available, but they are slated to appear later in 2019. I read somewhere that at least two companies at SHOT Show 2019 said they were planning on producing aftermarket triggers for the VR80. I hope that the aftermarket triggers are good ones, because it would seriously upgrade this system.
Rock Island Armory VR80 for sale
The VR80 is said to be available from mainstream retailers starting on the 1st of March. In some cases, it will probably be later than that. Either way, it is scheduled to make an appearance sometime during 2019.
As for the legality issue, there is a chance your state will not allow such systems. You will have to make sure that the VR80 is allowed in whatever configuration you are interested. Judging from history, the 5-round mag will be allowed in all states, but this may not be the case with the higher-capacity magazines.
Conclusion
A semi-auto shotgun is not for everyone. I feel it really is an acquire taste, because some may see it as a jack of all trades which is a master of none. The VR80 could be used for competitions, for home defense, and for target practice – but there is no denying that there are other options, some of them cheaper and more widely available.
The AR look and feel matters a lot, especially in a market which is so saturated with AR-like weapons and systems.
It comes down to your tastes and your needs. If the VR80 sounds like something you could go for, you should get in touch with a range or retailer and grab hold of one. Some ranges will allow you to test-fire a weapon. If that is an option, don’t hesitate to do it. If nothing else, you will get a chance to fire one of the more advanced semi-auto shotgun the industry has to offer.
Sam M
Sam is an avid firearms enthusiast who loves sharing his knowledge and experience with fellow gunivores.
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hi, i have yet to shoot my VR80. i have 2 3/4 inch 1 oz 1325 fps steel shells. can i shoot them without fear of harming the barrel? has anyone broken in their gun without usnig 3 inch high brass shells?
The VR-80 I am describing here would not cycle anything that was not high brass. It would be a great gun if and only if the assemblers in Turkey knew how to smooth out each action parts corners and ridges and properly fit. If you do a ammo waste break in and then disassemble it completely you will see that the parts broke in by slicing and dicing leaving gouge and hack marks. This is bad. RIA should speak to the Turks. My advice is to take the VR-80 completely apart and then hand work each part. You cannot get there by just buffing. Buffing is after you get the gun to function. Get an empty fired shell and load it and you will see that the gun has a difficulty to extract shell casing, including cold casings, which is its major problem. Three major problems I discovered was 1. The bolt lock, as released is too high and would/will jam on the ledge and not unlock. After shooting slugs through it and taking it apart I witnessed the hack and gouge marks on the top of the bolt and receiver where the lock up is. 2. There is a ridge inside the receiver end of the chamber that when the shell is loaded into the chamber the extractor pushes the shell into the ridge and with expansion (fired) is locked into the chamber. With a fired aluminum shell on examination you can see the ridge mark and the expansion as a small bulge between the shell rim and chamber ridge causing the shell casing to be stuck/jammed into the chamber. The extractor is pulled over the rim or the bolt jams in position which takes great force to eject the shell. You must hold the bolt in the extract position and slam the butt onto a solid surface to eject the shell. 3. On the barrel one of the gas vents was not bored completely through which I did drill and clean. Also, not to relate the buffer system to the problems, but, the tube was full of dirt and debris. The tube evidently was not cleaned following manufacture. And as a tip, do not fill the piston grooves with grease. The ledges are for max area for the gas to work upon. In the end it is obvious that the guns are assembled in extreme hast to ship and not finessed by the assemblers or inspected by a Quality inspector.
I’m wondering if they make any chokes for steel shot for this gun for duck hunting ?I’m wondering what kind of aftermarket steel chokes they sell for the vr 80
I am looking to purchase the VR80 for deer hunting , was wanting to make sure it can shoot slugs through the gun without any problem. Also what to know what choke to use shooting slugs.
Hi Douglas, thanks for reaching out. To my knowledge, the VR80 is totally fine with handling slugs but you can’t use any choke tighter than Improved Cylinder. I would probably go with a standard cylinder choke from the Mobil Choke System
Hi my name is Scott I bought one the third week of September it’s stove-piped on me for about 20 rounds then she started running smoother by the end of 50 rounds I could squeeze the trigger as fast as I could no misfires no jams one hell of a gun just give it some time and she will purr like a kitten
I just bought one, when I first took it to the range I loaded 5 slugs. It would only shoot single action, not auto. I put 5 more through it with the same result. Is this normal when you first shoot it? I’m wondering if this what you refer to as a breaking in period?
Hi Scott, Thanks for reaching out. I can’t say for sure in your case. It’s obviously not going to fire automatic, it is a semi-auto, so I’m quite sure what you experienced.
500 round break in, it’s in the manual. did you change the choke tube out to the 5 star one? it’s the only one to be used with slugs. also tells you to shoot some high pressure 1300or so fps first then go to lighter loads.
hi, i have yet to shoot my VR80. i have 2 3/4 inch 1 oz 1325 fps steel shells. can i shoot them without fear of harming the barrel?
has anyone broken in their gun without usnig 3 inch high brass shells?
The VR-80 I am describing here would not cycle anything that was not high brass.
It would be a great gun if and only if the assemblers in Turkey knew how to smooth out each action parts corners and ridges and properly fit. If you do a ammo waste break in and then disassemble it completely you will see that the parts broke in by slicing and dicing leaving gouge and hack marks. This is bad. RIA should speak to the Turks. My advice is to take the VR-80 completely apart and then hand work each part. You cannot get there by just buffing. Buffing is after you get the gun to function. Get an empty fired shell and load it and you will see that the gun has a difficulty to extract shell casing, including cold casings, which is its major problem. Three major problems I discovered was
1. The bolt lock, as released is too high and would/will jam on the ledge and not unlock. After shooting slugs through it and taking it apart I witnessed the hack and gouge marks on the top of the bolt and receiver where the lock up is.
2. There is a ridge inside the receiver end of the chamber that when the shell is loaded into the chamber the extractor pushes the shell into the ridge and with expansion (fired) is locked into the chamber. With a fired aluminum shell on examination you can see the ridge mark and the expansion as a small bulge between the shell rim and chamber ridge causing the shell casing to be stuck/jammed into the chamber. The extractor is pulled over the rim or the bolt jams in position which takes great force to eject the shell. You must hold the bolt in the extract position and slam the butt onto a solid surface to eject the shell.
3. On the barrel one of the gas vents was not bored completely through which I did drill and clean.
Also, not to relate the buffer system to the problems, but, the tube was full of dirt and debris. The tube evidently was not cleaned following manufacture. And as a tip, do not fill the piston grooves with grease. The ledges are for max area for the gas to work upon.
In the end it is obvious that the guns are assembled in extreme hast to ship and not finessed by the assemblers or inspected by a Quality inspector.
Is the VR80 a self regulating semiautomatic shotgun?
Not to my knowledge.
I’m wondering if they make any chokes for steel shot for this gun for duck hunting ?I’m wondering what kind of aftermarket steel chokes they sell for the vr 80
i have steel shot round for my Mossberg. are you saying i can’t use them in the VR80?
I am looking to purchase the VR80 for deer hunting , was wanting to make sure it can shoot slugs through the gun without any problem. Also what to know what choke to use shooting slugs.
Hi Douglas, thanks for reaching out. To my knowledge, the VR80 is totally fine with handling slugs but you can’t use any choke tighter than Improved Cylinder. I would probably go with a standard cylinder choke from the Mobil Choke System
The choke you want has ***** stamped on it and comes with the gun along with a Full & Modified
Hi my name is Scott I bought one the third week of September it’s stove-piped on me for about 20 rounds then she started running smoother by the end of 50 rounds I could squeeze the trigger as fast as I could no misfires no jams one hell of a gun just give it some time and she will purr like a kitten
I just bought one, when I first took it to the range I loaded 5 slugs. It would only shoot single action, not auto. I put 5 more through it with the same result. Is this normal when you first shoot it? I’m wondering if this what you refer to as a breaking in period?
Hi Scott, Thanks for reaching out. I can’t say for sure in your case. It’s obviously not going to fire automatic, it is a semi-auto, so I’m quite sure what you experienced.
500 round break in, it’s in the manual. did you change the choke tube out to the 5 star one? it’s the only one to be used with slugs. also tells you to shoot some high pressure 1300or so fps first then go to lighter loads.
Will I be ok with a 1645fps slug in this?
This is a Semi-auto weapon … not a Full Auto. This guy was kidding, right !
How come people don’t bring up hunting with it? I’ve taken it hunting for dove and it’s been. Blast! As accurate as my brothers hunting shotguns.
Bought the VR80 in March hands down, loved shooting it smooth like butter