I have a 1966 Matador 16 that has given me trouble free service and it has been around the block a few times. I don't recall hearing of a trigger problem with them. It is the same design Aya had on some of their older high end guns. Aya seemed to get the reliable design early on whereas other Spanish makers didn't.
I have heard of one the Sears 100 having a trigger problem but it was designed a little different and was non-selectable which is usually more dependable.
The Matador came on the American market a couple of years after the 100 which was dropped and was basicallly the gun Aya used to break into the American market.
The Matador has selective ejectors, chopperlump barrels and my barrel regulation is smack on.
In my opinion, it is a very good quality gun for the price. The thing that knocks down the price on them is the PG and beavertail forend, although the Matador I has a more open grip than the II and III. The forend is a close hugging semi beavertail.
Hi all, PUSA pretty much hit the nail on the head as far as my experiences go with these models. While these guns are far from the classic game gun style, they are very good reliable and solid guns. My biggest complaint with these guns is they are very heavy as a rule. I had a 12ga Matador that tipped the scales at 7lbs 9oz and a 20ga Matador III which weighs in at 6lbs 8oz. I sold the 12ga (because of the weight factor) but I have the 20ga still today. Well it's not mine anymore I gifted it to my son. The ejectors on these guns are some of the most powerful I've ever seen. As for the SST, I have never had one problem with the AyA triggers. I used that 20ga as my primary upland gun for close to 30 years, as I said not one problem. It does seem that AyA SST's are more reliable than other makers.
I would take a Matador over any Savage/Stevens 311 anyday and quite a few other makers as well.
IMO a price range of $400 to $600 is about right. If it were not for the weight, I'd get another one.
All the best!
Greg
