Mike:
I think the Dakin imported Zolis from the 60s to be a real bargain in the used gun market. For some reason (perhaps confusion about which Zoli is which), Zolis do not seem to have appreciated the same way as some of the equivalent quality guns from the same era have. Oh well, more for me then.
I've actually owned this Zoli twice, having bought it originally for my wife and then traded it on a double rifle in the late 80s. It sat forlornly on the dealer's shelf for over a year, priced too high, and I finally made them an offer of about 50% of the price on the tag. I guess they were tired of looking at it (and probably forgot they had taken it in from me), because they took the offer and it came home with me again.
I've had the stock refinished and recheckered, but the bluing on the barrels and trigger guard and the coin finish on the receiver are still in 95%+ condition. I doubt I could get $700 for it, but I'd be happy to stand it up against one of comparable Ithaca/SKB or Browning BSS models, none of which I could touch for that money.
I'm hoping that the new Zoli target guns raise all Zoli boats as people become more familiar with Zoli quality.
I agree on magnums, too - I have a .32 H&R, a .357 and a couple of .41s, but only the .32 ever sees magnum loads. None of my rifles are magnums, but I wouldn't turn down one of the Coopers in .17 HMR, which would be a wonderful southeastern PA (rimfire only territory) woodchuck rifle.
