CZ 12ga Redhead on the way

[killermarmot]

Well I have been looking for an entry O/U for quite a while now and had been toying with the idea of a stoeger. I went out to Traders to take a look and they had the supreme combo (12ga and 20ga barrels included) for 600 bucks. I was certainly tempted but the fit and finished was slightly under what i was hoping. Still very nice for the money. Locked up tightly and the wood looked nice. The tang for releasing the barrel (pardon not knowing the real name) seemed like cheap cast steel and had some problems closing the gun because of some unknown reason. I assume it could have been worked out with a few hours on the work bench but i wasn't convinced. It fit nicely and everything seemed alright but I wanted to check out the CZs first and if they weren't worth the extra couple hundred dollars I would pass and come back to the Stoeger and upgrade later. I drove over to Canyon sports in Martinez and they had one 12ga redhead left and it was love at first sight. The fit was far superior, the wood was very nice, the action was smooth and locked closed with a resounding click and a thud. The pistol grip felt just like my buddies citori. The fit felt like that of the veronas or franchis. Needless to say I was extrodinarily impressed. So I put down the ole credit card and after my waiting period I will clean it up and be heading strait to the trap range and will give ya'll a full rundown. Ahhh so great to finaly have my much sought after O/U

 

[killermarmot]

Just for clarity I'm shooting the CZ redhead (the nickel receivered one) in the deluxe form which has ejectors and not extractors. Finaly got a chance to take the gun out to shoot some trap. When I first put it together it felt very tight, to the point i had to strain to open the break but after putting some oil in and working it open and closed a few times it was managable. So I shot 75 rounds through it and it loosened up immedietly. Ejected shells perfectly every time. I love that the safety doesn't reset everytime you open the breech. The other feature, I'm not sure if it's common because i'm not intimatley familiar with many O/Us, but when you only fire one barrel it only ejects that shell instead of both ejectors operating regardless of which barrel you fire. The lack of an inertia system to switch firing pins is great as well. Being able to select which barrel to fire first was invaluable shooting single clay trap because I started out with improved cylinder and felt like I wanted something a little tighter so I just switched the gun to fire the other barrel which had modified in it and I was in buisness in the middle of the round of trap. The gun is very solid, no play in the forearm, stock, or action. I only have two complaints just because I need to nit pick something 1)the recoil pad is mostly plastic except for the bottom 70% is a nice soft rubber, but the top half is plastic and wasn't the most comfratable thing. Granted I was wearing a T-shirt so may not be as bad, and it's something easily replaced. 2) (and this is a personal preference) The brass bead seems very low to the rib, i'm used to a slightly larger fiber optic bead on my benelli, however it makes sense they wouldn't put one on this gun since it is a more traditional style. but this bead combined with the lack of a mid bead caused me soem dificulty in the begining but it was easy enough to adjust to. This is a great buy and compared to guns slightly more expensive such as the ruger red label, the franchis, and some of the Veronas this is more then competitive. I'm just excited to get back out to the trap field and into the pheasant field as soon as possible

 

[Dave McCracken]

Sounds good. Many folks like the pads with the hard top, less likely to catch on the way up.

Enjoy....

 

[12 Volt Man]

Thanks for the report. I like my Woodcock 20 guage. I want to get the Redhead in 12 my next fall. Great guns.

 

[killermarmot]

It's funny you mention that Dave. I feel rediculous commenting negativley on it now because I remember trying out a few friend's O/Us and being bothered by all rubber recoil pads catching on my jacket lol well i guess that's one small compaint then I suppose. =)

 

[Dave McCracken]

The "Pocket" is as individual as a fingerprint, Marmot. Each of us has different issues on how to get the shotgun into the right place, and do so every time.

My mount doesn't slide the butt up into the pocket, I go a little forward and then back. The hard,slick top of a pad made thus doesn't help much because it doesn't come into contact until the weapon is positioned.

Like Brister, I find a little electrical tape wound around the sides of the pad helpful in reducing drag on clothing.

Look at the old butt plates of yesteryear.They often had a smooth and rounded heel at the top, smooth at the toe, and checkering or serrations in the slightly concave middle of the pad to help it stay in place once mounted.

HTH....

 

[ArmedBear]

Stoeger is a clunker. 20 ga is a waste; no advantage over the 12 since it's about as heavy. Be glad you saved the money.

CZ/Huglu are REALLY nice. Have fun with it!