Retay ACE-R Shotgun Review 

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Retay USA has unveiled the Air Control Extreme (ACE) and ACE Type R shotguns early this year, representing an evolution in their semi-automatic lineup. These new ACE models now accept Benelli extended magazine tubes and Crio Plus chokes and they are also drilled & tapped for mounting optics. Powered by Retay’s advanced Inertia Plus System, the ACE-R securely locks the rotating bolt into the chamber under all conditions, preventing misfires and ensuring reliable performance. Retay designed these shotguns to meet the demands of hunters, offering enhanced customization options.  

Specifications for the Retay ACE-R

• Caliber: 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge
• Chamber: 12 GA – 3.5″, 20 GA – 3″, 28 GA – 3″
• Action: Inertia Plus System
• Magazine Capacity: 2+1
• Recoil Pad: Airy Pad System
• Length of Pull: 14.5″ (adjustable with shim kit)
• Safety: Oversized, reversible for left-handed shooters
• Trigger: Push-button removable trigger group
• Sight: Single fiber optic bead
• Barrel: Deep Bore Drilled Barrel with Factory Lengthened Forcing Cone
• Chokes: Benelli® Crio Plus compatible
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Variants

One of the biggest things to note early on is the design distinction between the ACE and ACE-R models. While both shotguns share the same internal components, features, and operating system, the ACE uses a traditional “slope back” receiver, whereas the ACE-R features a slight “hump back” design. This subtle but noticeable change to the ACE-R’s silhouette improves sight alignment for many shooters and gives it a distinct look that stands out while maintaining all the performance benefits Retay is known for.

The Retay ACE-R is available in a variety of configurations to suit hunters’ preferences. I personally tested the 12 gauge ACE-R with the Realtree™ Max-7 camouflage scheme. The camo pattern looked fantastic and blended well with the open-field environments I typically hunt. Retay also offers the ACE and ACE-R in a variety of camo and finish options, with barrel lengths and gauges that cover a wide range of hunting applications.

Out of the Box

The ACE-R comes ready to hit the field right from the factory. The shotgun includes a choke tube set, a choke wrench, a shim kit for adjusting fit, a user manual, and Retay’s limited lifetime warranty card. 

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One huge plus for me is the drilled and tapped receiver. The ACE-R comes factory-equipped with four threaded holes up top, making it optics-ready right out of the box. Whether you plan to add a red dot for duck hunting or a magnified optic for turkey hunting, the platform is already prepped for easy mounting. For the duration of this review, I ran the Vortex Enclosed Micro Red dot with great success.

READ MORE HERE: Vortex Viper Shotgun Enclosed Micro Red Dot Review

Operating System

The Retay ACE-R operates on the proven and enhanced Straight Line Inertial Transfer System. This inertia-driven action is combined with Retay’s patented Inertia Plus Bolt Rollover Torsion Spring Action (a mouth full, I know), ensuring the bolt locks positively every time. This addresses one of the common complaints seen in some inertia shotguns. Gone are the days of the occasional bolt “bounce” failures. Utilizing this design makes the ACE-R incredibly reliable under field conditions.

It’s also worth noting the improvements incorporated into the ACE models: better light load cycling, a cut-out loading port for easier shell insertion, a redesigned stock and forend, an oversized charging handle, and an oversized reversible safety button. The system feels smooth in operation, loads easily, even with gloved hands, and cycles everything from light target loads to heavy 3.5” turkey shells.

Retay ACE-R Trigger

The ACE-R incorporates the push-button removable trigger group that I have come to really appreciate from Retay’s designs. It’s incredibly handy for quick field cleaning after a muddy hunt or for general maintenance. The button is discreet and spring-loaded to prevent accidental release. Simply depress and pull to remove the trigger group—no tools required.

In terms of feel, the trigger is crisp enough for hunting scenarios. It provides a clean break and cycles predictably, which helped during fast follow-up shots on flying clays.

ACE-R Furniture

The stock and forend on the ACE-R are ergonomically reshaped compared to previous Retay models. Texturing has been improved for a better grip. The newly designed Airy Pad System at the buttstock helps soak up recoil. The soft comb pad adds extra comfort when shouldering the gun.

The ACE-R’s magazine capacity is limited to 2+1 as typical for hunting models. A major bonus is that the ACE-R now accepts Benelli® extended magazine tubes if you need to legally expand your shell capacity for specific shooting applications.

Receiver

The receiver on the ACE-R follows a two-piece alloy and steel construction similar to the Masai Mara. However, this time, it’s available in two design choices. My ACE-R model features the slight “hump back,” offering improved sight alignment for my shooting style. The hump is subtle enough that it doesn’t feel awkward but makes the sight picture quicker for me to acquire.

The top being drilled and tapped is another feature I really appreciate. It’s something that is becoming increasingly important as more hunters are mounting optics on their scatterguns.

Sights

The ACE-R features a single fiber optic front bead sight mounted atop the ventilated rib. It’s simple, clean, and effective. The fiber optic makes acquiring a sight picture in low-light or bright conditions fast and easy. The rib runs flat and streamlined, offering a quick aiming system that’s ideal for tracking moving targets. However, since Retay drilled and tapped the receiver, I was also able to mount a red dot. Either will work, but it’s nice to have options. 

ACE-R Barrel

Retay constructs the ACE-R’s barrel using its Dead-Straight Deep Bore Drilled Barrel technology. It includes an optimized, factory-lengthened forcing cone designed to enhance shot pattern density and consistency.

During testing, it took around 12 rapid-fired shells before the barrel became too hot to touch. However, considering the gun’s 2+1 capacity when hunting, overheating isn’t a real-world concern. It also cooled down relatively quickly between strings of shots. 

Patterning

The Retay ACE-R ships with five included choke tubes. This gives shooters the flexibility to fine-tune their spread for different hunting and shooting needs. Like other models in the Retay lineup, the ACE-R uses a notched identification system on the chokes. This allows shooters to easily identify which one is installed without removing it. If there’s any confusion about the notches, the shooter can simply unscrew the choke and read the engraved text along the side.

For testing, I evaluated how the ACE-R patterned with a full choke using 3.5″ Federal #6 Grand Slam and Federal #9 Heavyweight TSS Turkey loads. I shot from 30 yards to compare the two rounds and demonstrate the shotgun’s potential with high end ammunition. While both produced similarly wide spreads, the TSS load delivered a more uniform circular pattern. Still, each round placed a high percentage of pellets in the kill zone. In fact, the ACE-R consistently kept about 70% of its pattern within a 40 MOA (12.4″) area with both loads. 

Performance

Throughout this review, I was able to put a couple hundred rounds through the Retay ACE-R. I mostly used #8 Federal Target Loads supplied by Ammunitiontogo.com. They are the official ammo sponsor for this review. Plenty of ammo availability, and a wide selection of competitively priced ammunition. They have an easy-to-use online website, insanely quick shipping, and competitive prices. Go check them out!

Between target shooting and time spent hunting, the ACE-R delivered consistently. The recoil was manageable thanks to the Airy Pad and inertia system, even when shooting heavy turkey loads. The improved loading port was nice, but I still pinched my thumb a few times. Reliability was flawless across a range of different shell lengths and loads. I never once encountered a failure to feed, fire, or eject during the review period.

Conclusion

Retay has packed a lot of new features into the ACE-R without losing the reliability and quality that their shotguns are known for. The addition of a drilled and tapped receiver, Benelli compatibility for choke tubes and magazine extensions, and the option of a new receiver shape make this a highly customizable and capable field shotgun.

For pricing, this particular Retay ACE-R painted with a Realtree Max 7 camo scheme carries an MSRP of $1,149. Given the upgrades and enhancements, this is a very competitive price point in today’s hunting shotgun market. Whether you’re gearing up for a heavy waterfowl season or looking for a rugged all-around semi-auto, the ACE-R is absolutely worth a serious look.

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