All –
I started the thread on this subject in June of 2008 -- and now, this will probably be my last entry on the subject ….. Let it be a warning to all. The problem of barrel regulation in my B. Rizzini, 20 Ga, O/U is coming to an ugly end …. without resolution.
You may recall that I encountered a barrel regulation problem with the B. Rizzini, 20 Ga., O/U, in that, the point of impact for the two barrels diverged by about 16 inches at 40 yards. This is unacceptably poor regulation for a double gun. The maximum divergence for the point of impact for the barrels on a double gun should be no more than 3 to 4 inches at 40 yards.
Regrettably, I detected the problem after the 1 year warranty expired. Thus, my only tenable option was to agree to purchase a new barrel set – but, I insisted that the new barrels meet the 3 to 4 inch divergence criteria. Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Co (CSMC / Galazan) represents B. Rizzini in the US, so my communications were with and through CSMC. But, the represented B. Rizzini’s position was that they would only guarantee a divergence of approximately 6 inches at 40 yards. This is a very poor excuse for an acceptable standard.
I sent my gun to CSMC in July of 2008, with the understanding that the barrels would be replaced and fitted – with the gun returned to me in September. That was the CSMC / B. Rizzini stated plan in any event. It never happened.
Well, the saga dragged on interminably. The order was “handed off”, sequentially, to three CSMC representatives. The first was fired or quit. The second misplaced …. and found my gun twice with prompting via resending of the e-mail history. He could not seem to remember the order for the new barrels -- when I contacted him several times by phone or e-mail. I had to bring him up to speed on each subsequent contact. He could not remember what the order was all about.
The third CSMC representative, who took over in September, indicated that that the barrels would be delivered in November. When the November date passed, I contacted him and he indicated that the barrels had not been delivered by B. Rizzini at the expected date. I then had to ask him - press him for a revised plan for the date of delivery. He had no definitive response -- other than to say it should not be more than 60 days. Well, you can all guess that after 60+ days I contacted CSMC. This third CSMC representative indicated that he had no date, yet, for the delivery of the new barrel set from B. Rizzini …. and unbelievably …. he had lost the “thread” and forgotten that the gun was still in the possession of CSMC. So, he suggested that I would have to send the gun to CSMC for barrel fitting. He had never carefully read my multiple notes to him with the complete transaction / communication history over several months. I had to ask that he try to relocate the gun, yet again. It now appears that he has found the gun.
At this point I have asked for the return of the gun ….. with the belief that the situation was truly beyond any reasonable expectation of resolution.
Clearly, CSMC / Galazan demonstrated very “scattered” business practices, having apparently extremely poor business controls and processes. To my great surprise they seemed completely incompetent. I had certainly not anticipated this result, given the image that CSMC wants to portray and their reputed position in the industry . I had not anticipated the B. Rizzini shotgun patterning problem, based on their advertised emphasis on "machining precision".It seems that in this instance that both the gun manufacturer (B. Rizzini) and their US sales representation (CSMC) are sorely lacking in technical and business competency. Absolutely, unbelievable!
When I started my odyssey to own a “good” grouse and woodcock gun a few years ago, I did not expect the project would be all that difficult. But, this odyssey began because my previous shotgun, also, had a barrel regulation problem. At the time I thought that this problem was unusual – perhaps singular. So, I naively purchased the B. Rizzini shotgun. I was in error on multiple counts. Finding a gun that shoots where it points appears to be a non-trivial task. I hope this documentation of my trials and tribulations is helpful to you all and acts as a warning. Buyers beware!
Best Regards,
Don Henderson
Last edited by Don Henderson; 02/01/09 02:07 PM.
