Verney-Carron Vercar

A while ago I tested the new (to the UK) Verney-Carron V12N semi-auto. Whilst I found it to be an absolutely cracking gasser, the one thing I had against it was the slightly prohibitive price. But whilst V12N sales maybe slower than importers Garlands might like, I can’t see any reason why the uptake of the new Vercar shouldn’t exceed all expectations. Definitely to English tastes, where it differs from its more upmarket sibling is that whilst V-C are fully responsible for the design, construction of the barrel and woodwork (along with all the assembly), the components are manufactured to the French company’s specifications in Turkey.

Reason being it lets them keep the price down whilst still being able to produce a refined, versatile yet rugged smoothbore. The Vercar also becomes one of the first shotguns to be ‘Made in the EU’ due to the fact that over 15% of the whole is sourced from beyond the French border. Any less and it could lay claim to being totally French, a peculiarity of EU law and something other manufacturers capitalise on…

Plain and Simple

If you like fancy semi-autos forget it. When it comes to simplicity the Vercar has captured the market. The surface of the matte black, anodised, aluminium receiver is broken only by the white Vercar logo on the right side, the remainder including the bolt release situated below the ejection port, extended trigger guard, narrow blade, loading gate, lifter and forend back plate are all flat black.

Equally subdued is the small bolt lock situated to the rear of the shell lifter. Hard to see, it’s likewise a bit awkward to activate until you’ve got the hang of it. A vital control and something I’d like to see enlarged if only for safety reasons. Conversely and on the subject of security, the cross-bolt catch located to the rear of the trigger guard enjoys a partially shrouded position so ensuring that disengagement is a purposeful action, as the sliding bar is near unable to be caught accidentally.

Tube and Timber

Barrel wise although labelled a 28” it actually measures a continental 27½”. That said its steel-proofed, comes with a 7mm cross-cut vented rib, a set of three, flush-fit multi-chokes and whilst the finish isn’t quite as matte as the receiver it still continues the overall noir feel of the metalwork. Breaking the rather sombre mood is the Vercar’s woodwork, the semi-oiled walnut is nicely grained, chequered and finished, whilst the double fluted forend is held firm in position against the receiver courtesy of a contoured back plate.

With the forend removed the user gains immediate access to the variable though self-adjusting valve. Driven by two wide ports that exhaust directly through the single seal barrel ring, the 2-piece valve encircles the magazine tube. By removing the small rubber O-ring that forms an additional seal with that of the barrel ring, the forward section can be removed, rotated and refitted. Clear engraving indicates which way round it needs to be, dependent on load size. The valve as a whole is noticeably larger, the slide and recoil spring by necessity shorter when compared to the norm. To allow for this the spring tensions far earlier during compression whilst the oversized detent in the barrel’s extension doesn’t so much eject the empties as positively hurls them out of the ejection port. Bystanders you have been warned!!       

French élan

As soon as you hold the Vercar you realise there’s something positive about the gun, the balance is instantly apparent even held loosely in one hand. Weighing an exact 7lbs with a balance point directly beneath the 3” chamber, the Vercar embodies that rarest of things -usually only found in top end shotguns - in that it moves freely and with poise between the hands. Maintaining their grasp of stock dimensions, a goodly 14 1/8” length of pull coupled with a strong but crisp trigger weight of 6½ lbs are complimented by comb and drop dimensions of 1 5/8 and 2 3/8”, all of which translate into a series of weights and measures that suit nearly everyone.

Add into this the gun’s flowing dynamics and you have a semi-auto that positively comes alive on the more demanding targets. All you have to beware of is the easy movement of the muzzle, a slow defined push is all that’s required to transfer between diversely opposing birds. Swing too quickly and you’ll be through the target before you’ve had time to pull the trigger.

Shot around 50 of Rishton SG’s sporting targets, a straight on the first stand affirmed my initial impressions were well founded! The Vercar performing faultlessly with only the more distant clays requiring the transfer from ¼ to ½ choke. Extremely soft to shoot with felt recoil reduced to a minimum courtesy of the stock’s excellent angles and self-regulating gas system, 28g Express cartridges were more than tamed with the reversible valve left in the light/standard position.

It was only when further tests with 36g and above loads were carried out that the valve required reversing to the heavy/magnum setting. Lighter loads like Supreme Comps did not generate enough gas to cycle the Vercar with the valve in this position. Likewise, even when loaded with 50g BBs, the gun still retained its inherently soft and user friendly attitude with these snotty cartridges.   

Bargain Buy

With what I consider to be a bargain price of £780 or £805 for the alternative fully synthetic version, for anyone looking for an all-round semi that’ll handle virtually anything you can throw at it then the Vercar has to be it. Verney-Carron have delivered a no frills, gas/piston design that not only thinks but is able to prove its one of the best handling guns of its type to hit the UK market. For me; I wouldn’t hesitate adding a Vercar to my collection.

We Reckon!

• Good looking and well made
•As rugged as you’re likey to need
•At this price its serious competition for the Italians

PRICE: £780 srp (as tested)