doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Rizinni BR550 SXS

Anyone know what quality they are and value, particularly 20 guage with screw chokes? Thanks

There are a bunch of gun builders named Rizzini, here is some information concerning the Rizzini that builds the BR550.

"B. Rizzini The company's advertising material claims that B. Rizzini is "The Original Rizzini". That claim must be justified by the fact that it was founded in 1965, before any of the other Rizzini companies that are still in operation. The company makes O/U shotguns and double rifles in a variety of models and grades, in medium-to-high quality and price ranges. In the past their guns have been imported to the USA by William Larkin Moore, New England Arms Corp, and Sigarms, and they are now imported by Rizzini USA.

Rizzini made a model distributed by Sig and known as the Sig SA5 (but not the Sig SA3) and later (beginning about 2000) produced several models generally referred to as Sig Rizzini. Based on Sig's projection of how many guns they could sell, Battista Rizzini invested in computer-controlled machine tools capable of a high production rate. Unfortunately, Sig's orders from Rizzini were a small fraction of what Battista expected, and their contract did not specify a minimum that Sig had to take. As a result, by 2003 Battista had to find another way to sell guns in order to generate the volume it took to pay for the tooling.

Enter Rich Cole, of Cole Gunsmithing. Rich and Battista formed some sort of partnership and founded Rizzini USA to import and distribute a line of guns that were based on the same action as used in the Sig line, but included more models and options. Rizzini USA initially operated out of Cole's building and Cole Gunsmithing was the official factory service center and custom shop, as well as one of the retail dealers for Rizzini USA. As a result of a disagreement between Rich Cole and Battista Rizzini over business practices, Cole has now completely separated himself from Rizzini USA, they have moved to a new location, and Rich sold off the remaining Rizzini inventory held by Cole Gunsmithing. Since Cole is no longer the factory-authorized service center, they cannot honor Rizzini USA warranties, and Rizzini USA has made other service arrangements. In the meantime, Sig got really ticked at Battista Rizzini for bypassing them and going with Cole, and they didn't like having to compete against Rizzini USA. Therefore they dropped the Rizzini line and sold off their remaining inventory, largely through CDNN. However, Sig will continue to honor warranties still in effect on Sig Rizzinis (although as far as I know neither Cole nor Rizzini USA will honor Sig's warranties). The Sig Rizzinis are so similar to the guns distributed by Rizzini USA that parts for them should not be a problem.

Battista Rizzini's company has been very successful in recent years. So successful, he recently bought Ferlib, a very small manufacturer of high-quality, hand-crafted, expensive shotguns. Ivano Tanfoglio, former owner of Ferlib, has collaborated with Battista in such projects as Rizzini's round-body game gun.

The Guerini brothers (I don't know their first names) worked for their Uncle Battista Rizzini for some years and were credited (by some people in the industry) with a large share of the success of the company. The scuttlebutt has it that they decided to ask Battista to allow them to invest in the company and eventually own a share of it. Within minutes after broaching the subject, they found themselves out the door and out of a job. Battista himself is nearing retirement age, but he has a couple of children who might take over the company. The scuttlebutt is that he is grooming his daughter Moira to take over.

It was widely reported that the Guerini brothers were both shocked and hurt by Battista's action, because they felt a genuine affection for their uncle. (I know, that sounds like the Guerini side of it - every story has two sides.) But life goes on, and they needed to make a living, so they secured financial backing to go into business for themselves, naming their company Caesar Guerini, after one of their ancestors. They have been quite successful in competing with their uncle."

While not a direct quote the bulk of this information came from Shotgunworld.com, they cover all shotguns not just doubles and some very knowledgeable people over there.

Good info in the above post. To reply directly to your question about the quaility of the B Rizinni BR 550 sxs:

I bought several of them (4 or 5 I cannot remember) for sale. The fit and finish was very good as was the "feel" of the gun. Howsomever, there were some quality control issues with the production guns. As in, the damn things would not open, or cock when openned or one would not fire one ejector. One or 2 worked out and the buyers were very happy.

A real shame as the guns handled very well and were very attractive. I had one of the case colored ones which was particularly nice. It had some problem and was sent back.

So, IMHO, if you can find one that works, you will probably be pleased.

So far as I know, they are NOT now imported into the US.

Best,

Great information fellows. I thank you very much.
Quailnut, that is exactly what I suspected. I looked at one and the lever will stay extremely right of centre when closed. I mean extremely right of centre and cannot be forced to the left by hand. The gun is as new and feels very good but at $2300 plus 13% tax I will pass as I suspect a problem.
Once again thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Gerald now if it was this Rizzinni you were asking about, F.lli Rizzini, a two word explaination would have sufficed....a 'Frickin Masterpiece'!!!!

Oh, that's right, three words, my bad!!!

Uh, three words...

Gerald-

I understand that when CSMC took over the Rizzini USA line they returned their BR 550's for quality control issues. I don't think they plan to carry that model even though it is in their current catalog.

Sounds like your passing was a good idea.