Caesar Guerini

[philpot]

I had the chance to let off a few shots last weekend with the Caesar Guerini trap at ball trap. My first impressions were that the gun felt really well balanced with a feel good factor about it. I had never shot a gun with a raised rib before but I did not feel the real need to change my stance very much at all.

Did I like it ?--------Oh yes, loved it. Now at the top of my hit list.

http://www.gueriniguns.co.uk/trap_guns/trap_images/maxum_AT_trap_large.jpg

Do any of you have one or heard much about them.

Phil

 

[ExSCA]

I think Adamantine from here has just bought (or is still waiting for) a new Guerini - he may have some comments.

 

[TobyM]

Looks lovely, I like the side plates

 

[Westward]

Tried a standard Maxum sport at a CG open day and thought it was very nice to shoot. They have a high standard of fit & finish too. Last summer a regular at Hollow Fosse bought a Summit Impact which is mechanically the same as the Maxum. He didn't get on with it and quickly replaced in with a 32" Prevail which he's happy with.

Personally I'm not a fan of the Rizzini action. I just can't see it having the durability/rebuildability of competitors like Miroku or Beretta, and despite the level of finish, I wouldn't choose a CG over a similar priced Beretta. Also, I've just been round the houses shortlisting and then choosing a new gun and I couldn't help but notice the enormous number of used CGs on the market, some at way below new price. At 1st look it does seem that people don't keep them for long.

On the other hand they've gone down a storm in America where there's an enthusiastic following, and CG has become the 2nd largest shotgun maker in Italy as a result. The Americans are raving about them but then they get 3 free services and a 10 year warranty but I have to ask: Why would it need 3 services? Berettas don't.

 

[philpot]

Hmm, very interesting Westward. I do remember the many comments when Beretta brought out the first 56 & 58 series guns that they were not built to last but as we all know that could not be further from the truth.

I am the first to say that I am not familiar with the Rizini action and I did not know they used that action. Having looked up past reviews on these guns, the writer compared them to Beretta's quality and a true alternative to them. I have looked around the larger gunshop web sites in the north with very few s/h examples, where are you based and what shops are you looking.

Having been away from shooting for 5 years, I am looking at these guns with fresh eyes and openly admit to having no personal feedback, good or bad, I will however take a very close look at them at the shooting show this month. I can say the guy whose gun I tried was extremely happy with it.

Thank you for the feedback guys because you will all be better informed than myself simply due to me being out of the picture for so long. It is really important to get the right info as I am not just looking for one gun but also one for my wife as well. We are not in any rush as we have guns at present so am happy to wait in order not to make a big mistake. Please keep the comments coming.

Phil

 

[Adam]

I have indeed just got one, Last Friday I took delivery of a 34" maxum Impact. Very nice gun, well balanced a handles very well indeed. Only shot one registered shoot with it so far and a couple of hundred practice targets so its early days. Yes they have had there problems but so has everyone else and they are a young company (around twelve years old I gather) so I don't mind giving them a little leeway.

 

[Westward]

Phil,

Put it down my cautious nature. Years ago I had a couple of poor examples of Rizzini action guns. No doubt with modern CNC machinery and good steel they would have faired better.

CG has done a superb job of setting up a good range of guns and marketing them properly. Every other SG maker bar none, could learn from CG's approach.

As for the used market for CGs, back in December there were over 100 on Guntrader although it's gone down a bit since. It seems high as there aren't that many around the grounds just yet.

 

[Maxum]

I have shot My Summit sporter for the last 5 years and have put probably 40 - 50 000 shells through it with no problems at all.

I also have one of the 1st 32" 20 bores that they imported. Hence Maxum.

Love em !!!

 

[Hamster]

CG has done a superb job of setting up a good range of guns and marketing them properly. Every other SG maker bar none, could learn from CG's approach.

Absolutely spot on, they have done an impeccable job of re-inventing themselves with a long term game plan. They did America first which is as it should be because that's where the numbers are and the US guys love their guns and they love good service.

The master stroke they have pulled is taking each and every complaint and return seriously with a quick turn around, the word soon travelled so more and more slowly bought into the service as well as the quality which in truth doesn't have to be on a par with the very best, it is after all less than half their price.

The guns look right and they are pitched just about right price wise too. The Impact could be a touch cheaper I personally think. Kevin Howland has been shooting one now for a good few weeks and tells me his scores are as good as before which bodes well, I handled his Impact 32"and it feels well balanced and he's on a promise to let me have a good go when we're not in the middle of a comp. I asked him about the rib feature and whether it makes any difference in reality and he assures me it does as initially he found it threw a little too high for him which he's cured by levelling the rib a little.

Other makers could definitely learn a trick or two on marketing here, some I could mention are truly clueless in that department.

 

[philpot]

Thank you Westward, I never thought about 'Guntrader' still tend to stick to the shops.

Forgive me here but do I take it that CG was known as another company in the past Hamster.

With the comparision to Rizini, I seem to recall that there was a B.Rizini and a E.Rizini and I know one was held in much higher regard than the other but I can't remember which was which. Is CG a rebirth of one of them.

Phil

 

[Hamster]

I'm not an expert by any means but I believe that CG were known as such before hand, what I meant by re-invent was simply that they fast-tracked themselves and consciously sought to become a major clays gun player. This is something others have done and failed miserably.

A case in point is Blaser who despite having the might of an established brand behind them, and starting with a clean sheet, could and should have made a damn good go of it but simply went on to make one too many errors early on and have so far not quite managed to make up for it.

The next people to try and make an impact are Zoli, there are a few do's and don'ts that'll determine whether they go on to make any inroads over here or America where the real money is.

 

[Adam]

A bit of CG history

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=122&t=271399&sid=390e032d7564fcd880a63fb98f53026d

 

[Guerini Guy]

As you may have guessed from my forum name, I am the extremely proud owner of a Caesar Guerini Apex Sporter.

http://www.gueriniguns.co.uk/sport_guns/sport_images/apex_sporting_large.jpg

I am aware that CG did not have such a good name in their very early days, but in my opinion their build quality is now simply excellent. It handles like a dream and is, without doubt, the prettiest shotgun I have ever owned. Would recommend to anybody but of course, especially with guns, it is always a personal choice.

 

[Maxum]

If you want to know anything about the Guerini gun range just contact either Mike Mansfield or Kevin Gill as they are the importers of these guns and are very approachable guys.

The Guerini uk website shoud give you their contact details.

 

[philpot]

Thanks for that. I have phoned CG and spoken to Mike (I think ) who was very helpful. I need to give them a bell just prior to the shooting show and they will try to have a trap gun for me to try.

Phil

 

[Maxum]

There you go Phil. How's that for service. Have a go with their 28 bore 32" if you get the chance. )

 

[Fuzrat]

There you go Phil. How's that for service. Have a go with their 28 bore 32" if you get the chance. )

I'll second that Mrs fuz had a crack with one and shes smitten :wub: Told her she aint getting one til she can use her 12 properly, that should hold it off for a year or 2 hopefully

 

[philpot]

Hey fellas, I have to consider two guns as it is, a 28g, 32''. My dear beloved will want one of those as well or worse still my daughter could well fancy her chances.

Oh I think I'm getting a bad head at just the thought of my bank balance-----what balance :huh:

Phil

 

[bigmac1]

I owned a 32 inc barrel Caeser Geurini Sporting Maxum and found it to shoot very flat. A lovely looking gun but I counld'nt get on with it. When I decide to exchange it most gun dealer's seem to shy away from it saying I'd be better off selling it privately. They didn't want to know. One dealer told me it's like the Skoda car! it's got that stigma attached to it. Although the car is better these day's people are still a bit weary of them. I now own a new Browning Heratige 12 bore. BEAUTYFULL gun and it fit's like a glove and shoots even better (The gun that is)