Coach guns have that cool, old-school vibe. So when American Tactical Imports brought back their ATI Road Agent, now with patented decocking hammers, I was definitely curious.
First Impressions
First off, the Road Agent comes in several versions. You’ve got the standard model in 12 and 20 gauge with a 18.5-inch barrel, and then there’s the “Prime” version, which sports longer 26-inch barrels and a flashier silver-toned receiver. I went with the classic 18.5-inch 12ga model with a blacked-out aluminum receiver.
Right out of the box, you notice the Turkish walnut furniture. It’s got a nice, dark finish that looks great against the metalwork. For a gun that you can find for under $500, the fit and finish are surprisingly good. The checkering feels more decorative than functional, though. The pistol grip dimensions work well for average-sized hands, though shorter shooters might find the 15.5-inch length of pull a stretch.
The receiver is made of a lightweight aluminum alloy, which helps keep the total weight down to just over 5 lbs. Some shooters might prefer steel construction for durability concerns.
The gun also features engraving. To me, it looks like an attempt to look fancy but it doesn’t quite land. You some people might like it.
The barrels are 18.5 inches of carbon steel with a non-reflective matte bluing.
Auto-Cock Action
This ATI shotgun isn’t your grandpa’s coach gun. It’s an Auto-Cock action. When you break the gun open to load it, the exposed hammers automatically get cocked. For CAS, where guns must be staged open, this is a time-saver. You just pop it open, load two shells, close it, and you’re ready to go without fumbling to manually cock the hammers.
Another feature is a three-position lever on the left side of the receiver. It acts as a safety, a fire selector, and a decocker. The decocker safely drops the hammers to a half-cock position preventing them from hitting the firing pins.
Shooting
Shooting the Road Agent is fun. The 18.5-inch barrels create a compact package that swings smoothly between targets, making it surprisingly nimble for rapid engagement. But the gun’s light weight comes at a price: recoil. With standard birdshot, it’s manageable, but if you load it up with heavy buckshot, the kick is substantial. The ventilated recoil pad does a decent job, but it’s still a punchy little scattergun.
AMERICAN TACTICAL IMPORTS Road Agent 20Ga Side by Side Shotgun
$514.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Action: Break-Action
- Caliber: 20 Gauge
- Barrel length: 18.5"
- Capacity: 5rd
- Weight: 7.05 lbs
By the way, ATI claims the 20ga Road Agent weighs in at 7 pounds. That extra 1.75 pounds would definitely change the balance and how it swings. You’d get a more stable, deliberate-swinging gun that tracks targets smoothly, but it would take a bit more effort to start and stop the swing compared to the lighter version. On the flip side, it would soak up more recoil and generally feel easier to shoot due to lighter 20ga loads.
The extractors work reliably, spent shells drop free without assistance. The chambers feature proper chamfering for smooth loading.
The triggers are surprisingly good for a budget firearm. There’s virtually no creep or take-up; you’re right at the wall, which makes for a crisp shot. The front bead sight is easy to pick up.
A couple of other owners mentioned the break-action lever being stiff right out of the box, though that’s something that might ease up over time. Mine was fine.
Final Thoughts
So, would I recommend the ATI Road Agent? Absolutely! It’s not a fancy heirloom shotgun you’ll be handing down to your grandkids. But for the price, it’s an incredible value. It’s a fun, good-looking gun that’s perfect for a day at the range or getting into CAS. The auto-cocking hammers and decocker are genuinely innovative features that set it apart from other coach guns in this price range. Just be prepared for the recoil.
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