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CVA just released its first 28-gauge shotgun. In this quick look, we share our initial impressions of the CVA Scout Spur and what stands out so far.
A couple of years ago, we shared a look at the CVA Scout single-shot shotgun in .410 and spent a good amount of time shooting it. While we didn’t end up tagging a turkey with that one, we still had a lot of fun and walked away impressed with the simplicity and shootability of the platform.
Fast forward to this year, and CVA has officially released their first-ever 28 gauge shotgun—the CVA Scout Spur. If you’ve followed us for any amount of time, you already know we’re big fans of the 28 gauge, so when CVA asked if we wanted to check one out, that was an easy yes.
We’ve had the Scout Spur in hand for about a week now, and while we haven’t had a chance to get it to the range or into the turkey woods yet, we wanted to share a quick look and our initial impressions—especially since CVA made several notable upgrades compared to the earlier Scout model we used in the past.
The CVA Scout Spur is a single-shot, break-action shotgun built around simplicity, compact dimensions, and lightweight handling. In the 28 gauge configuration, the gun measures just over 38 inches in overall length and weighs right at 7 pounds, which is a little heavier than some 28 gauges—but that added weight may end up being a good thing when it comes to recoil.
This model is available in two configurations:
Right away, the stock feels solid and well-built. CVA added textured grip areas on both the forend and the grip, which should help maintain control in wet or cold conditions—something turkey hunters deal with regularly.
The Scout Spur also comes equipped with a thick CrushZone recoil pad, which should help soak up recoil, especially when shooting heavier TSS loads. Front and rear sling swivel studs are included, making it easy to add a sling for field use.
One of the biggest upgrades CVA made to the Scout Spur is adjustability.
Out of the box, the length of pull measures 14 inches with the recoil pad installed. Included is a 1-inch spacer, which can be removed to bring the length of pull down to 13 inches—a nice option for shorter shooters or anyone wearing heavier clothing during spring turkey season.
In addition to the length of pull adjustments, the Scout Spur also features an adjustable cheek comb. Included are two different comb heights, allowing you to dial in a proper cheek weld whether you’re running a low-mounted red dot or opting for a scope.
The grip design on this shotgun really stood out to us.
For the past few seasons, we’ve hunted turkeys with thumbhole stocks or pistol grips because they’re simply more comfortable, especially when you’re sitting and waiting on a gobbler to close the distance. The Scout Spur uses a semi-vertical grip design with a short trigger reach, giving it a similar feel to a pistol grip without fully committing to one.
The hammer is also easy to manipulate from the shooting position, even for shooters with smaller hands. That’s a small detail, but it matters when you’re trying to stay quiet and ready in the turkey woods.
The trigger on our Scout Spur felt surprisingly good. We measured it at just under 2.75 pounds, and it breaks smoothly—something you don’t always expect on a single-shot shotgun.
As a break-action, the Scout Spur is easy to open thanks to its heavier barrel profile, and loading and unloading are straightforward and intuitive.
The 28-gauge Scout Spur features a 22-inch barrel with a thicker, heavier profile than most other 28-gauge shotguns we’ve used. CVA includes a factory-installed Picatinny rail, making it extremely easy to add a red dot. As long as you torque it to spec, you’re ready to go.
We currently have an Athlon Midas Beam red dot mounted on this shotgun, and we’ll be testing that setup this season.
The barrel uses an Invector thread choke pattern and comes with a proprietary CVA Trulock choke with a .515 constriction, which should be well-suited for handling TSS turkey loads.
So far, the only thing we’d really like to see done differently is the barrel finish on the OD Green model. The blued barrel looks good, but we’d personally prefer a Cerakote-style finish for added protection from the elements. Spring turkey season often means wet grass, mud, and surprise rain showers, and a more weather-resistant finish would offer extra peace of mind.
Of course, if you're thinking the same thing, they do offer the Mossy Oak Bottomland and Cerakote Patriot Brown option.
Some of the other 28-gauge shotguns we’ve shot still had noticeable recoil when using TSS. We’re hopeful that the Scout Spur’s heavier overall weight, thicker barrel, and CrushZone recoil pad will help keep recoil manageable—even with the shorter barrel length.
We’ll be taking the CVA Scout Spur 28 Gauge to the range very soon to pattern it and get a better feel for how it shoots. Once we do, we’ll update you with a follow-up video and article.
A: Based on our initial impressions, yes. The lightweight design, adjustable stock, optic-ready Picatinny rail, and included TSS-friendly choke make it a strong candidate for turkey hunting. We’ll confirm performance once we complete range and field testing.
A: Yes. The Scout Spur uses an Invector thread pattern and includes a proprietary CVA Trulock choke with a .515 constriction, which should work well with TSS loads.
A: Yes. The shotgun comes from the factory with a Picatinny rail installed, making it easy to mount a red dot or other optic. For piece of mind, we usually just torque the rail to CVA’s recommended specs before mounting your optic.
A: Out of the box, the length of pull measures 14 inches with the recoil pad installed. CVA includes a 1-inch spacer that can be removed to reduce the length of pull to approximately 13 inches.
A: The adjustable length of pull, shorter overall length, manageable weight, and easy-to-reach hammer make it a solid option for smaller-framed shooters or anyone who prefers a more compact shotgun.
A: We haven’t completed recoil testing yet, but the heavier barrel profile, overall weight, and CrushZone recoil pad should help keep recoil manageable—especially compared to lighter 28 gauge shotguns shooting TSS.
A: Absolutely. Once we’ve patterned the gun and spent time hunting with it, we’ll update this article with real-world performance, recoil impressions, and range results.
At this stage, the CVA Scout Spur 28 Gauge is shaping up to be a very interesting option for turkey hunters who want a simple, compact, and adjustable single-shot shotgun. We like the upgrades CVA made, especially the adjustable stock features, grip design, and optic-ready setup.
Once we get it to the range and into the field, we’ll be able to speak more confidently about recoil, patterning, and real-world performance. We’ll be sure to update this article as we spend more time with it.
Robbie has enjoyed the outdoors since he can remember. His earliest memories include hours upon hours of squirrel hunting and learning how to enjoy all aspects of hunting season in God's wonderful outdoors. Now he is always working hard and testing gear in the field to give you the best review and most thorough information he possibly can.
As you read this article, please remember that this review is from your average, everyday shooter's perspective. We do not claim to be experts by any stretch.
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