I just bought a CZ 912 autoloader! (w/ Range Report)

[sd_shooter]

I've been on the lookout for a semi auto shotgun within the $500 price range. Someone on this forum mentioned the CZ 912 and sure enough, it's a good looking shotgun with a nice feature list! I found a dealer who carries it here in San Diego (Discount Gun Mart) and DROSed it last night.

There wasn't much info online in terms of reviews but here's what I'm expecting:
- 28" chrome lined barrel
- 5 chokes included (C, IC, M, IM, F)
- Semi auto action that can handle 2.75-3" shells. Should break it in with heavier loads and will shoot Federal wally world target ammo reliably
- Excellent fit & finish
- Good all purpose gun for busting clays and hunting rabbits/birds

That's what I was looking for and end up paying at least 50% less than the more popular brands. However I've owned a CZ452 and CZ75B and both served me well.

It's still in jail but I'll post my own pics once I pick it up:

[xtra870]

Let us know how it is in 10 days. I have had my eye on one for a while now but cant find a place to have one in stock.

[sd_shooter]

Let us know how it is in 10 days. I have had my eye on one for a while now but cant find a place to have one in stock.

None of the local dealers had it in stock either, it's a special order. I went through the "Dealer Locator" on the CZ website. Bud's has them for $460, cash price.

Edit: I have since found out that Parallax Tactical in San Diego can get them for < $500

[xtra870]

Yea they are a great deal and look beautiful too!

[Sleighter]

Let us know how it is in 10 days. I have had my eye on one for a while now but cant find a place to have one in stock.

What he said! I want one but can't find one. Can't wait to hear your opinion.

[sd_shooter]

Ugh, another week in jail:

[bjl333]

Congrats!!!

[tuna quesadilla]

CZs are easily the best-kept secret in the firearm world.

[Javi]

Haha your tempting me to get one again. Beretta will not be happy with me.

[Sleighter]

Anything new to report? Can't wait to hear how it goes.

[sd_shooter]

Anything new to report? Can't wait to hear how it goes.

I brought it home! No pics yet, but I will take some when it's convenient (wife & kids think I'm crazy, I need to wait till they are out of the house...)

First impressions:
- Overall fit & finish is very good for a $500 shotgun. For example the barrel seems flawless and the rolls marks are crisp and clear (reads Huglu 12ga 3" since the gun is made in Turkey.) The sight post is a short piece of fiber optic material and looks bright. Barrel appears to be blued. The bore was shiny, apparently chrome lined but I couldn't tell
- The wood is walnut, very nicely cut checkering with a matte finish. On the inside of the fore-end one can see some burrs in the wood where they could have sanded a bit more, but it's not a biggie. My neighbor was impressed and immediately thought it was some high end European shotgun (he has Berettas & Brownings...)
- The receiver is aluminum and finished with a black glossy coating. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1=Crappy Saiga paint and 10=Melonite, I'd rate it a 5. I would be surprised if it can stand up to real punishment but you won't be scraping it off with your fingernail either. Time will tell.
- Internals seems to have decent fit & finish. There are no coarse machining marks and the bolt & carrier appear to be chrome plated. It doesn't look like a swiss watch but it doesn't look cheap either.
- It indeed came with 5 chokes and a key, the chokes fit flush with the end of the barrel. They appear to be chrome lined.

To field strip per the manual:
- Start with the hammer cocked and safety ON
- Unscrew the aluminum magazine cap. The 3-shot plug is now accessible and can be pulled out without any further disassembly.
- Pull off the fore-end.
- Pull off the barrel while holding onto the gas piston (the piston flange is visible just below the gas block on the barrel), othewise the piston will tend to come off with the barrel and may fall on the floor.
- Pull off the gas piston

To strip even further:
- Push in the small detents on the magazine plug. The plug, spring and follower now can be taken out of the magazine tube.
- Align the bolt handle with the notch in the bolt. Give the handle a firm pull and it will pop right out.
- Pull the action bars and bolt through the front of the receiver

You can now clean 90% of the gun very easily. It is possible to drop the trigger group as well by driving out a single pin that holds it in place, but I doubt I will ever do that. Similarly it is possible to remove the main spring that resides in the stock, but that will not need service very often either.

Reassembly:
- Reassemble bolt and action bars and slide them back into the receiver. Push down on the bar at the rear to guide it over the hammer and into the 'cup' that attaches to the main spring. A drop of oil on each action bar.
- Align the bolt notch, push in the bolt handle
- Reassemble all the magazine pieces in reverse order while adding a light coat of lube.
- Install the barrel while pulling back on the bolt to allow proper engagement. Let the bolt push forward under spring tension.
- Install the fore-end and magazine cap. Done!

I could probably take it apart in 1-2 minutes, it is actually no harder than my 870 clone.

It was interesting to see the gas operating mechanism. It is in fact a "Direct Impingement" system since the gas strikes the piston which pushes on the action bar cage. I expect cleaning to be quite easy since there is only the piston and magazine tube to wipe off.

Can't wait to shoot it! I already scheduled a pumpkin busting trip the desert, plan on starting with some slugs and buckshot and then settle down to Federal bird shot from Wally world.

[Sleighter]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear you sound happy with the purchase! The fact there aren't any glaring issues leads me to believe it should work out just fine for my needs. Update more with pics and pumpkins when time permits!

[Highlands858]

I love my CZ, but I'm not into hunting or shooting clays. Is there a way to buy this shotgun with a shorter barrel already installed? 18-20" would be perfect for me.

[Javi]

I love my CZ, but I'm not into hunting or shooting clays. Is there a way to buy this shotgun with a shorter barrel already installed? 18-20" would be perfect for me.

There is the CZ 712 "Utility":



20" barrel. I've never heard of them switching the barrel of their longer hunting/sporting models with this shorter one.

[john.t.singh]

Have you gone out and shot plates yet? I was looking at that for awhile. DAS had a bunch but way more than $500. I didn't know Parallax was ordering those now. I might have to go in and talk to Jeff.