Zoli or Caesar Guerini?

[ceh383]

Probably not the best place for this question, but here it goes anyway...

I'm thinking about buying a NEW shotgun in the next 3 ~ 6 months and am seriously looking at both Caesar Guerini and Zoli guns.
I understand fit is the most important thing to consider, however, no gun fits me off the shelf and either brand would need some alterations to fit properly so this is not part of the question.
In terms of overall quality, customer service and value, which company would provide the best bang for the buck?
I've shouldered several of both brands, while there is a difference in feel/balance, they both feel/balance very good/well...

So, with fit out of the question, which would you buy...and why?

[ysr_racer]

Zoli, is the softest shooting o/u shotgun out there. I shot one at the US Open last year, and was impressed.

It will be my next shotgun.

[RHann]

Well here's a vote for the Guerini.....I've had a Maxum Sporting Clays for a number of years now and it's the one shotgun that I will not part with. Workmanship is outstanding and the Guerini warranty/customer service is second to none. Shoots where you point it and is also a very soft shooter. Not really a Guerini fanboy, just like to give credit where it's due.

[ceh383]

So far it's 1 and 1.
I understand many people will recommend a product they own and had good luck with, I get that.
My understanding from everything I have read, is that both companies have outstanding customer service. It's also true that fit is important when it comes to felt recoil. Beyond these points, why should I give my money to one over the other? In other words, what makes one better than the other?
Is ones lockup better than the other, is ones design better than the other...etc...

[Thefeeder]

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Considering that you have moved through guns in the past ...Guerini for the resale value

[shovelon]

I spent some time with a Ceasar Guerini rep and was a able to down some sporting clays with their Invictus shotgun 30". Fit perfectly and recoil was minimal being an 8lb gun. Did not miss on the 12 shots.

The selling point for this shotgun is it is being touted as a million round gun. The frame is beefy with replaceable wear points. All pivots and breach faces are replaceable as well. Guerini will replace the wear point 3 times for free over the lifetime of the gun with turnarounds being a week or less. This is what they told me anyway. My only concern is whether the wear blocks are meant to wear fast to protect the rest of the gun. Would a similar gun last just as long? Don't know.

I could see my self having and shooting one of these right out of the box. Shot the Benelli 828 as well. No bueno.

[k1dude]

Shot he Benelli 828 as well. No bueno.

What was wrong with the 828?

[ysr_racer]

? In other words, what makes one better than the other?
..

Nothing, they're equal. You get to choose.

[ceh383]

Considering that you have moved through guns in the past ...Guerini for the resale value

Well, yes and no...
The first O/U I bought was a CZ, I bought it as a starter gun to find out if I would like the clay sports. I knew if I liked clay sports I'd need a better gun for the long run, if not, another toy in the safe to play with when the mood struck.
It turns out I like this sport, so I bought a better gun...so I thought. This gun has been at the factory service center for 9 months now, with no idea when they will be able to fix it properly and get it back to me .
I did buy a third gun that came with a set of Briley tubes, this is the gun I am using now, and the tube set is why I bought it in the first place.

Right now, I'm working on getting a refund on the gun that is at the service center...It may or may not happen, but either way, I need a new gun.

[ceh383]

I spent some time with a Ceasar Guerini rep and was a able to down some sporting clays with their Invictus shotgun 30". Fit perfectly and recoil was minimal being an 8lb gun. Did not miss on the 12 shots.

The selling point for this shotgun is it is being touted as a million round gun. The frame is beefy with replaceable wear points. All pivots and breach faces are replaceable as well. Guerini will replace the wear point 3 times for free over the lifetime of the gun with turnarounds being a week or less. This is what they told me anyway. My only concern is whether the wear blocks are meant to wear fast to protect the rest of the gun. Would a similar gun last just as long? Don't know.

I could see my self having and shooting one of these right out of the box. Shot he Benelli 828 as well. No bueno.

Terry, while very tempting, the Invictus series guns are just a bit out of my price range at the moment, I was hoping to keep it below 6k. An 8lb gun? that's light compared to what I'm now shooting...With tubes installed (or barrel weight on) it comes in at 9lb 3oz

[JagerDog]

The Guerrini can be had with a fitting...made to your measurements. Dunno about Zoli.

[chuckdc]

Hail Caesar!

I think the resale would be easier, and the service and dealer networks are better for Guerini.

[ysr_racer]

Resale? Hell I didn't get a dozen shotguns by selling them. And you shouldn't either

[shovelon]

What was wrong with the 828?

The 828 was way too light for me and kicked really hard even with low recoil 12ga shells. Because the back end was alum it did not feel balanced either. It did not shoulder well for me, and when closing it felt clunky and loose. The feeling I came away with was that it would not hold up. But I could be wrong. When I shouldered the Guerini it felt like home and shot like nobody's biz, with high velocity shot too boot.

But then the Benelli 828 was a field gun and the Guerini Invictus was a target gun. The Guerini also was manual safety, not so with the Benelli. The Benelli is a pretty gun though.

[Thefeeder]

Resale? Hell I didn't get a dozen shotguns by selling them. And you shouldn't either

Buy my CG Summit Sporting 20ga ...you can have 13