CZ O/U anyone?

[srvgtrfan]

Been looking at the CZ Red DLX O/U for occasional trap, or possibly even the Cz Mallard. Looking for opinions from those familiar with CZ shotguns. Also, can someone explain the Mallard (double trigger)? Not familiar with this style trigger system. What are the benefits/drawbacks of a double trigger? Everything on each of these guns looks/feels very similar, except for the trigger system, and price. $980 for the dlx and about $600 for the Mallard. Advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[anti]

budsgunshop has them way cheaper than MSRP and free shipping!

I'm also contemplating a CZ shotgun but what really threw me off was the fact that they're not actually a CZ - they're a Turkish Huglu imported by CZ. Look at Huglu's website and you'll see the guns look exactly the same sans the company names on barrels/receivers and maybe a few other minor things.

I've read for the price they're decent for the most part but they're very hit-or-miss when it comes to their quality control. I think I'd be better off saving a little bit more and picking up a used Beretta, Browning, or SKB. You know the saying: buy once - cry once!

[srvgtrfan]

Thanks much for the info. I appreciate it. Did not know those are not made by CZ. Will definitely be doing more research. Thanks.

[BigDogatPlay]

The CZ over unders, while Turkish made, have shown good quality across a number of examples I have handled. They seem to not be fragile like other entry level brands such as Mossberg and their crummy firing pins, and they fit together well as opposed to Stoegers which often loosen up quickly. That said, you can spend a bit more and get a quality gun, like a Tiger or an entry level Browning and have a gun that will last lifetimes.

A gun with double triggers is as handy as one with a single selectable trigger, IMO. In some respects double triggers might be easier since you won't have to think about which barrel you have selected, just get to the proper trigger and shoot.

[anti]

The CZ over unders, while Turkish made, have shown good quality across a number of examples I have handled. They seem to not be fragile like other entry level brands such as Mossberg and their crummy firing pins, and they fit together well as opposed to Stoegers which often loosen up quickly. That said, you can spend a bit more and get a quality gun, like a Tiger or an entry level Browning and have a gun that will last lifetimes.

A gun with double triggers is as handy as one with a single selectable trigger, IMO. In some respects double triggers might be easier since you won't have to think about which barrel you have selected, just get to the proper trigger and shoot.

and I believe with the cheaper stack guns a double trigger may be better since the lower-end selectable trigger mechs can be a little sketchy.

[redrex]

I actually have the shotgun you are talking about. I researched the hell out of my purchase first since I'm very budget minded and I can tell you that these guns are the single best value for the dollar out there.

Hit or Miss? I'd love to see the data backing that up. You can find whole discussion groups dedicated to how many issues their Citori has. Are their cheap Turkish guns? Sure, just like there are cheap American guns. But you will be hard pressed to find a single review who claims that the CZ products are "cheap".

This is the common crud on Calguns of people who believe that they can skip doing their homework on their gun purchases just by overspending on a "name brand gun". As if CZ was not a quality brand in it's own right. Look up the reviews on those entry model Brownings. They are not great. It's like the people who bought Chevy's in the 80's because they made great cars in the 60's. You can't just say, well it's a Browning and as such it's a great gun. Look at the Remy 770, what happened there?

What you need to do is read This Post over at ShotgunWorld.com This is a guy who, on a lark, documented every shot out of his Canvasback. That is the CZ one step down from the Readhead.

The first post is from Aug '09 and by Oct of '13 he had put 27,000 rounds through it with no problems. Yep certainly not a reliable lifetime gun there. And he is not alone, lots of other users chime in with their experiences. To get the same quality in your Browning or Weatherby you will either have to buy used and get someone else's problems or spend $1,600 (twice as much)

I bought it because I wanted something nice that would hold up to skeet and trap shooting but not break the bank as I just do it for fun and don't compete. You should also be able to negotiate with you LGS on the price. Mine is in Mt. View and their prices are normally pretty high do to their location and they still were able to sell it to me for $900. Anywhere else, heck everywhere else should be able to beat that price by no less then $50 if not $100. Just ask.

As to the triggers. They have gotten rave reviews for their triggers. The double trigger is just a simpler way, hence cheaper, to build a double gun. Mossberg and others do the same thing on their base model guns. If you decide to shoot skeet or other clay target shooting then step up at least to the canvas back. Double triggers gets to be a pain when you are trying move that fast.

[anti]

I actually have the shotgun you are talking about. I researched the hell out of my purchase first since I'm very budget minded and I can tell you that these guns are the single best value for the dollar out there.

Hit or Miss? I'd love to see the data backing that up. You can whole discussion groups dedicated to how many issues their Citori has. Are their cheap Turkish guns? Sure, just like there are cheap American guns. But you will be hard pressed to find a single review who claims that the CZ products are "cheap".

This is the common crud on Calguns of people who believe that they can skip doing their homework on their gun purchases just by overspending on a "name brand gun". As if CZ was not a quality brand in it's own right. Look up the reviews on those entry model Brownings. They are not great. It's like the people who bought Chevy's in the 80's because they made great cars in the 60's. You can't just say, well it's a Browning and as such it's a great gun. Look at the Remy 770, what happened there?

What you need to do is read This Post over at ShotgunWorld.com This is a guy who, on a lark, documented every shot out of his Canvasback. That is the CZ one step down from the Readhead.

The first post is from Aug '09 and by Oct of '13 he had put 27,000 rounds through it with no problems. Yep certainly not a reliable lifetime gun there. And he is not alone, lots of other users chime in with their experiences. To get the same quality in your Browning or Weatherby you will either have to buy used and get someone else's problems or spend $1,600 (twice as much)

I bought it because I wanted something nice that would hold up to skeet and trap shooting but not break the bank as I just do it for fun and don't compete. You should also be able to negotiate with you LGS on the price. Mine is in Mt. View and their prices are normally pretty high do to their location and they still were able to sell it to me for $900. Anywhere else, heck everywhere else should be able to beat that price by no less then $50 if not $100. Just ask.

I agree that there's plenty of FUD online and all you mainly hear are complaints about anything in general because those who are satisfied are out doing their thing.

I understand you're defensive of your purchase and that's cool, but I wouldn't say watching one thread and one guys' success with HIS particular gun is "doing your homework". Glad to hear they're doing alright, though, because I too may buy one. You will find bad and good for just about every gun, but let me ask you something... do you think the popular Turkish guns are better quality than the popular Italians or Americans? Remember, 99% of the time you get what you pay for. I personally would rather spend the extra few hundred on a used Citori or 686, but I'm considering giving the CZ a try. Still, I guarantee you there are more Turkish guns being sent in for repairs than Brownings or Berettas.

[Newshooter]

The first post is from Aug '09 and by Oct of '13 he had put 27,000 rounds through it with no problems. Yep certainly not a reliable lifetime gun there. And he is not alone, lots of other users chime in with their experiences. To get the same quality in your Browning or Weatherby you will either have to buy used and get someone else's problems or spend $1,600 (twice as much)

27,000 rounds over a four year period is hardly what I would call a "lifetime" gun. I know gentlemen who shoot 27,000 rounds a year and I am doubtful the gun you are describing is built to withstand that kind if abuse. I have shot the Huglu and while I did break targets with it, I felt the fit and finish is not the quality in what I would determine to be a lifetime gum.

You will probably also have a tough time finding parts if you needed to. Guns like this do not have the support other manufacturers have when it comes to potential service requests.

Not everyone on this site is solely dedicated to tactical / HD "shotty's" (which is a term I can't stand). There are a lot of very experienced and knowledgeable shotgun shooters on this site who's input is greatly appreciated by many, myself included.

[redrex]

I'm not defensive of my purchase, if it was junk I'd be the first to say stay away from it. I'm just offended by this attitude on CG that "you get what you pay for". I'm sorry but that just is not true, if it were then you wouldn't need reviews or even this discussion. You do the work and find out who is making the best gun/product at that time and then decide your cost/benefit analysis.

And as I pointed out, and had you read said thread, you would have noted that , yes, it did revolve around one guys experiences but it also incorporated hundreds of other posts by other people who actual, shoot this gun.

Every single overtly negative post that I could find about these guns has been by people who do not own these guns and have never even shot one. Inevitable making very insightful comments like how they would not trust something so cheap, or the triggers are bad (how do they know this again) and that if it was up to them they would buy a used citori or similar. Now these are people who are defensive of the $2k they put into their guns and don't want to believe that you could get the same value for less then half that.

I do think that CZ's are better quality then any US gun at their price point. Not all Turkish guns mind you but CZ asks for and pays for better quality. And every single review of these guns says the same thing. The only and I do mean only people you will find who knock these guns are the guys who don't own them and who are trying desperately to justify their own purchases. They never provide any real world data just the same old, "Well everyone just knows it" kind of logic.

As to Newshooter, yes, according to any pro in the industry, a gun that lasts 20k rounds is a "lifetime" gun. And if you in fact do know of anyone who shoots more then 27k a year then I'm sure that they have already informed you of the absurdity of trying to use them to justify your definition on this sort of gun. You have just embodied the worthlessness of debating with anyone on calguns. All we need now is someone to chime in with "Get a Glock" and "Real men shoot 1911's" as you have replaced actual data with the equivalent of a fish tale.

And as to parts. Yes your right, CZ who is isn't world renowned for their customer service and hasn't been in business since 1859 is likely to go under at any moment and then you'll be up **** creek. Face+Palm

The OP asked about a gun where he was looking to spend $900 and the comments so far from you guys is that he should dismiss the guy who has documented every shot for 4 years and +100 other people who posted on there as well, as well as every other CZ owner who posts on this board and actually has shot the gun more then once, myself included because these are just anomalies as you say and that he should spend twice as much on a "better" gun because you know some "gentlemen". Wow, who could argue with that.

I mean how do you compete with that logic. While I actually do own this very gun. I'm only 45 and grew up duck hunting in Iowa and might, when I'm not being humble actually consider myself fairly knowledgeable about the 40 or so shotguns that I have owned over the years. And then there is the 2,800 threads in the Huglu (The company that builds the guns for CZ) forum over on what was it, oh yes, shotgunworld.com but I am guessing that is once again just a bunch of people defending their purchases.

Who could I find that would be a world renown expert who thinks shoots CZ all the time.... Oh yeah, Tom Knapp.

Sorry, it's late and I'm in snarky mode because people come to this board asking for genuine help and they get the same old bs all the time. You guys can't accept that a sub $900 gun can be a good quality gun and then you make up excuses to ignore real world data so you can then instead insert vague faux wisdom.

[ceh383]

For the money, the CZ-USA shotguns are a good deal. Up until 2007, the Huglu built guns had firing pin problems. Since then, the issue has been resolved. Beyond that, there have been very few issues with them. While they may not be the "BEST" shotgun out there, they are a very good value for your money. They are also backed by a five year warranty, and CZ's customer service is among the very best in the business.
I own a CZ Upland Sterling, a Browning Gold and a Remington 870, I find myself shooting the CZ the most...Why, because it works better than the other ones. I've owned it for 6 months now and have put over 1500 rounds through it so far, the function has been flawless.
If you want to see some truly fine Huglu guns, look HERE...

[rice_man]

I'm going to agree with just about everything redrex has posted. Last summer I was also looking to get into an entry level O/U for my introduction into clay shooting. I did my research into what type of gun I needed at my price point. I shot as many of those as I could get my hands on. Everything came down to the CZ Redhead. So I refined my research on that particular gun. And as you can see from the very small sampling here there are lots of differing opinions. Most of the negatives about the Redhead I read (and you probably have also if you have done your homework) had to deal with firing pin issues. But if you waded through it those had to do with guns manufactured prior to 2012. I have yet to hear of any of the same issues with guns manufactured after that. The point is - as mentioned already on this thread - CZ did take care of those issues. It also sounds like they took care of people who did have those issues.

With all that said I got a tremendous deal on a Redhead on gunbroker last August. Since then I've put approximately 1,000 rounds of casual trap shooting through it without any issues. The only downside I had with the gun was the nonexistent recoil pad. I have since replaced it with a slip on Limbsaver. That combination absolutely works for me. I shot 5 rounds of trap yesterday over about 2 hours time. Finished my last three with 24, 25 and 23. All I have to say is try one out and if it fits you well I doubt you will have any buyers remorse.

[srvgtrfan]

Thank you all for the responses. I guess I should have stated in my original post that I absolutely have no interest in competing, and would really prefer to keep the cost down to under 1K or less, if at all possible, and still have a reliable, fun trap gun, that I could even hand down one day to my kids. I cannot justify spending $1500-$2500, or more on a trap gun just based on the fact that I am sure I will never shoot it THAT much to truly even appreciate that type of gun. Where the problem lies is the fact that the comment earlier about "Buy once, cry once" really does ring true in so many cases I have heard about, and that obviously raises concerns over price point/build quality for me.

If this were a discussion about guitars, and I were wanting a Taylor($2-3K, but could only afford a Seagull($3-$500), I would have absolutely no problem buying the ugly Seagull (no offense to anyone out there BTW), and have complete confidence that this guitar would perform well, and not have to worry about it falling apart after a year, or even 10-15 years or more. That being said, I have seen plenty of guitars in the $3-500 range, and guitars down to $100-$200, which I would never even consider, just based on how they are built. Then again, I have SOME knowledge about guitars, and NONE about shotguns, so maybe in the end I need to do more research on how these O/U's are built, parts availability, and of course, track records.

Thank you all again for all of your suggestions and responses. I appreciate it very much.

[Newshooter]

Get a Glock

[Dattebayo]

I also agree with the other CZ supporters. I like all the products CZ has put their firearms on. I do not have one of their o/u, but I do have their semi-autos and I must admit that their quality is top notch. I have over 10,000 rounds through it and it is still in perfect condition. It uses Benelli aftermarket parts and I find CZ has always been the one of the best values ever.

[Iskra]

I have the Canvasback. I usually hunt ducks with a semi, and shoot clays with a Beretta Silver Pigeon. But now that my sons both hunt with me, we have plenty of firepower in the blind, and I really like the discipline hunting with only 2 rounds produces. So I bought the Canvasback, thinking I wasn't risking much, or my sons could use it for trap, or if I dropped it in the marsh I wouldn't feel too bad...

And I ended up not even picking up another gun throughout duck season. The selectable barrel system works perfectly. I like that I can have a #3 in one tube and a #2 in another, and even install choke tubes to match those shot sizes perfectly. I did not miss many ducks with that gun.

Sure, the wood is a little plain, and the black finish is nothing special. But I got exactly what I wanted, which is a low-maintenance, easy-pointing, inexpensive OU that kills ducks.