doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Pre-shopping Italian O/U's

Good morning, all. I am thinking about buying a mid-range Italian gun as an "all around" gun for clays and occasional hunting. I don't shoot a ton due to time constraints but am looking for something to hold on to for a few more years than I previously have with other side by sides and over unders. Quality is important. My budget will likely be around 5K, once I unload a couple of guns.

I have previously owned a Beretta 686 sporting (90's model), 3 Citoris in various configurations, and a Cynergy CX (in addition to a bunch of side by sides). I like the low profile action of the 686 (and the Cynergy) compared to the taller actioned Citoris. The Cynergy broke clays well, but would have been too clunky for a field gun.

Because I do not anticipate being a high volume shooter at any point in the near future, I do not want a hardcore clays gun because I want to occasionally carry it in the field. I was thinking something that weighs no more than 7.5 pounds. I want it to have a recoil pad and 30 inch barrels. I like lower ribs. One of the guns that I looked at in my LGS was a 20 ga Guerini Summit sporting. It seemed to check all of the boxes until I read it was similar to Citori underbolt action. All of my previous guns were 12s so the action profile might be slightly less of a concern in a 20?

The Rizzini roundbody looks great, but seems like it is a dedicated field gun. I think it also does not have a recoil pad. Also, I know support for Rizzini may be spottier.

I am just curious if there are any really good non Beretta/Browning options that I am missing other than the CG Summit and the Rizzinis. Also, if you have a CG or Rizzini model and use it as an all arounder, I would love to hear about how you feel about that as well.

TIA

Zoli.

I own and shoot some B Rizzini's. A Round Body Deluxe 28 bore and a Round Body sideplate 20 bore Deluxe.They shoot very well and never had issues with them.

Lots of Beretta’s, Guerini’s, B. Rizzini’s, and Browning’s locally. Solid secondary market.

The Blaser f-16 is a well engineered gun, but never seemed to take off like the others.

For an all-rounder, the 680 series Beretta’s are a solid lighter weight choice for many.

The Italians tend to copy each other, so it comes down to available parts and service when something breaks.

If you plan to shoot 1 gun a lot, it will need servicing.

Thanks, guys. I expected stronger feelings and advocacy for various options like the Guerini and the Rizzini versus competing Browning/Beretta camps. Interesting.

Let me ask this: what new stackbarrel would you buy for 5K, if you intended to shoot mostly clay and some game with it if you walked into a well inventoried gun shop this fall?

Bluestem typed one word: ZOLI

Look at the Pernice (round body) or Expedition models. Wonderful guns. If you’re patient and start looking around, you’ll find one for under 5k. These are premier quality guns that are often over looked.

I owned a very nice Expedition model years ago. I no longer own it. Wish I still did. Built like tanks, excellent weight and balance for gauge, barrels are top quality and service and parts are available through shops like Coles.

Dustin

Whatever you narrow it down to, do yourself a favor and actually shoot some of them before buying. I shoot Italian O/Us exclusively for serious clay shooting, and doves when not using a S X S. I've shot every major brand of Italian O/U guns, and own three different brands, Perazzi, Beretta and FAIR. All the others are stocked too high for me to get them to shoot flat. Zolis, Guerinis, etc. all are fine, well made guns but all of them are stocked too high for me, as built. As someone who takes missing seriously I refuse to "float the bird" over the muzzle to compensate for a high shooting gun.

Not trying to talk you out of any brand, but just be aware that some brands tend to be stocked higher than others.

.

Look at a used Perazzi MX8, Mirage, MS80, etc and have rebuilt if necessary. It would be good to go for another 100,000 rounds. If you have to have a new one a Beretta 680 series is hard to beat. A shooting buddy has a B Rizzini and it’s a well build, durable gun.

Upland Gun Company might be worth a look. Custom built and in your price range.