Ask Matt Nelson about the Turkish Kizilkaya RT25 competition-grade clays gun and the Texan tell you straight-up, in no uncertain terms, that it’s a clone of the legendary Olympian Beretta DT11.

But while the Beretta DT11 starts at around $10,400, you can get into the 12-gauge  Kizilaya RT25 for only $4,900. Certainly, Kizilaya isn’t the first Turkish gunmaker to knock-off Europe’s best at bargain-basement prices. However, Kizilaya has tackled the challenge of successfully reverse engineering the shotgun that took 14 of the 15 medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Kizilkaya RT25 receiver.

In the universe of Turkish shotguns, Kizilkaya remains overshadowed by bigger rivals such as Akkar, TriStar, Yildiz, ATA, Hatsan, Akdas and Huglu, which also private label shotguns for companies via large distribution networks such as CZ, Legacy Sports International, Webley & Scott, Mossberg and Stoeger.

Although Matt is now importing the Kizilkaya RT25 (along with Webley & Scotts), his educated opinion of the gun’s similarity to the DT11 is supported by a nascent group of enthusiasts outside the U.S. where it first appeared. 

U.K. gunsmith Roy Martin said in his popular YouTube video of June 2024 that the Kizilkaya RT25 “is a copy of the infamous DT11.”

The U.K.-based Gun Trader posted in September 2025 “This high quality Turkish built gun is very reminiscent of a very famous Italian gun with a Detachable Trigger but at a fraction of the cost. OK, it is not a ‘cheap’ Turkish shotgun by any means but the build quality is superb with well engraved action that features a removable trigger unit and well figured adjustable walnut stock.”

The Kizilkaya RT25.

The Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia reported on its web site that the Kızılkaya RT25 Victory trap gun “represents excellent value for money and from those I shared the RT25 with to shoot, several who use the original Italian Master noticed no real difference except for the Turkish brand being a little heavier.”

Here in the U.S., luxury sporting arms dealer Gordy & Sons of Houston, Texas says on it’s web site that “The Kizilkaya RT25 is the new best value in sporting clays guns, boasting a DT11 style wide receiver, dropout trigger unit, and chrome-lined barrels with extended forcing cones and Mobile Choke pattern factory screw-in chokes.”

When it came to the RT25, it’s as though after some 30 years of manufacturing firearms, Ömer Kızılkay and his two founding partners have hit their stride in the clays arena.

As Shotgun Life published in its story of April 2025 titled Are Turkish Sporting Guns Now a Better Deal Than Ever?“Most Americans don’t realize that Turkey has a large defense industry. As NATO’s second-largest standing army, it has also become an important weapons exporter. Turkey’s 2024 defense exports totaled $7.1 billion – a 29-percent increase over 2023, according to the country’s Defense Industry Agency. The Turkish defense sector reaches about 180 countries that need sophisticated technologies such as drones, war ships and electronic-warfare systems. Why does this matter to the weekend warrior in the dove fields? Because Turkish military research and development efforts, as in other countries, often translates into benefits for smaller manufacturing, healthcare and consumer companies.”

The dropout trigger group of the Kizilkaya RT25.

The Kizilkaya RT25 is positioned as a premium competition shotgun generally recognized for its excellent value, superior build quality and performance, especially for the price. It features a Beretta DT-11 style action, a comparable dropout trigger group, high-grade steel construction with chrome-lined barrels and a well-figured Turkish walnut stock. 

Despite the similarities, at this point in time the caveat remains durability. While Beretta’s DT11 has proven its torture-tested ruggedness over the past the 14 years on the international tournament circuit, the freshman RT25 remains a leap of faith. The RT25 raises the question, at half the starting price, could Kizilkaya cost effectively reverse engineer the DT11 with the same meticulous manufacturing tolerances and quality components to deliver the equivalent high level of consistency and reliability? 

For now, what we do know is that the Kizilkaya RT25 receiver, barrels and monobloc are machined from the industry-standard 4140 chrome-moly steel, which is noted for fatigue resistance on high-stress applications – contributing to strength and longevity. That said, Beretta’s proprietary Steelium barrel technology is a tri-alloy composition of nickel, chromium and molybdenum. As Beretta will tell you, their Steelium barrels deliver optimal balance, strength, flexibility and superior corrosion resistance – of course at twice the starting price of the RT25.

Although the barrels are interchangeable between the RT25 and the DT11, the drop-out V-spring trigger group of the RT25 is a hair wider to prevent it from locking into the DT11 receiver. On the RT25 you remove the RT25 trigger group through a sequence that involves the barrel selector/safety on the top strap and opening lever. The barrels are held in place by a Boss-style lock-up.

The RT25 LX/B Black model (without engraving).

Kizilkaya has adopted the DT11’s wide, buttressed receiver, ergonomic forend, barrel flare, drop block action and Mobile Choke system. The RT25 trigger blade has a 10mm range of travel for individualized comfort and feel. A crisp trigger pull rated at a desirable 3½ pounds approximates the DT11. Naturally, the RT25’s stock is Turkish walnut rated Grade 3. The wood is satin finished and features a pistol grip with palm swell and adjustable comb. The length of pull is 14¾ inches, which should accommodate the average guy. The checkering is 20 lines per inch. The forend authoritatively snaps in place with an Anson Deeley button. 

We shot the base, silver-plated Kizilkaya RT25 on the high-desert, 10-station sporting clays course of the Guitar Ranch in Spur, Texas. For starters, the shotgun is perfectly balanced on its hinge pin – preventing muzzle bias while shooting. The 10x10mm rib with fluorescent front bead offers an excellent site picture. Along with the right-handed palm swell, the RT25 felt controllable and easy to shoot – exerting enough influence to mitigate swinging through the target. The zero-creep mechanical trigger seemed hard-wired to your brain – enabling “see it, shoot it” execution. At 8½ pounds, the RT25 is only a few ounces lighter than the DT11, but given the excellent balance inherent in both guns the difference is imperceptible on the clays course in regards to swing and a ready-position mount.

The Kizilkaya RT25.

We experienced near-zero recoil and muzzle jump on the RT25 shooting 1-ounce loads – an especially important consideration when shooting marathon tournaments and simo pairs. 

Although we didn’t formally pattern the RT25, fitted with 32-inch barrels choked modified/modified the shotgun was a flat-shooter by easily pulverizing high outgoers with the adjustable comb in its out-of-the-box neutral position.

Matt’s WS Imports, LLC is importing three models of Kizilkaya’s RT25:  RT-25 SB (Solid Black frame) or RT25 SW (Solid Silver frame) retails for $4,900; the RT25 LX/B (Black frame with partial engraving) or RT25 LX/W (Silver frame, partial engraving) sells for $5,900; and the RT-25 SLX/W (Silver frame, full Engraving) is $6,900.

Given that Kizilkaya’s RT25 is a new entry to the U.S., a Kizilkaya U.S.A. web site is still under development. In the meantime, you can reach Matt Nelson directly at 325-513-3603 or wsimportsllc@gmail.com. Additional information about the RT25 is also available on  the Kizilkaya web site at https://kizilkayaarms.com.tr.

Irwin Greenstein is the Publisher of Shotgun Life. You can reach through the Shotgun Life Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shotgunlife#

Irwin Greenstein

Irwin Greenstein is Publisher of Shotgun Life. Please send your comments to letters@shotgunlife.com.

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