Weatherby Orion
Weatherby, Inc. · Shotgun · In Production · 1982
Overview
The Weatherby Orion is a 12-gauge boxlock over/under field and sporting shotgun built on a solid steel receiver. It pairs a single selective mechanical trigger with automatic ejectors, chrome-lined ventilated-rib barrels threaded for screw-in choke tubes, and an 'A' grade walnut stock with a high-gloss finish. Light and well balanced, the Orion is aimed at upland hunters and clay shooters seeking a quality double gun at a competitive price.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3260 g (115.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1162 mm (45.75") |
| Barrel Length | 711 mm (27.99") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 28 N (6.3 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | High Gloss Blued |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12 ga, 12 bore
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Safety mechanisms: Tang Safety, Barrel Selector
- Features: Over Under Barrels, Single Selective Trigger, Screw In Chokes, Ventilated Rib, Automatic Ejectors, Tang Safety, Chrome Lined Barrels, Walnut Stock
Production
Production years: 1982-2007 (original SKB), 2015-present (current ATA Arms)
Original generation built by SKB Arms (Japan); current generation built by ATA Arms (Turkey) for Weatherby.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
The original Orion over/under was introduced in the early 1980s and built by SKB Arms in Japan (production ran into the 2000s), with a short-lived Italian-made run by Fausti Stefano thereafter. The current Orion line was reintroduced around 2015-2019, manufactured for Weatherby by ATA Arms in Turkey but assembled and marketed by U.S.-based Weatherby, Inc. Orion I: 26" or 28" barrels, ~7 lb (3260 g), high-gloss A-grade walnut, single mechanical trigger (~6.31 lb / 28 N pull), ships with IC/M chokes plus a Full tube; MSRP ~$1,099. Orion Sporting: 30" ported barrels, ~7.5 lb, four-way adjustable comb, five extended choke tubes (SK, IC, M, IM, F). Orion Upland: field-oriented variant. Also offered in 20 gauge. Dimensions given are for the 12-gauge 28" Orion I (overall length 45.75").
Background
The Orion name has anchored Weatherby's over/under shotgun line for decades, bringing the company's reputation for premium hunting arms to an affordable double gun. Its multiple generations span Japanese, Italian, and Turkish production while staying true to the same classic boxlock O/U formula.