Roughly a year ago there was conversation on this site about the CSMC Revelation O/U. At that time, it was a relatively new model and CSMC was offering it at an introductory price of $1,995 or $2,345 for upgraded wood. Interestingly, they are still offering it at the same prices. I don’t know if that’s because it’s selling well and they don’t want to hurt demand by raising the price or because it’s selling poorly and they don’t want to hurt whatever demand there is. I’m aware of the negative stories out there about some of the company’s products and am not trying to stir any mud. Just seeking an update on this model if anyone has formed an opinion.

What limited info I can find online comes in two types: Negative stuff from shooters who haven’t necessarily used one, mind you, but who say “no way” because of problems with some of the company's prior products. And positive stuff from gun writers who all praise it, some faintly and others more strongly, and who all seem to conclude that it’s a lot of gun for the money. But we all know the relationship between the hook-and-bullet press and the companies that make the stuff we want is, if not incestuous, at least conflicted. And it’s always possible the example the writer gets to try out received special attention before he gets it and isn’t exactly the same as the one we’ll get if we order one. Nevertheless, I see Gray's Sporting Journal, a reputable source in my book, has graced it with a Best of 2019 award.

https://www.csmcspecials.com/category_s/204.htm

So my question is, does anyone now have any experience with this gun they didn’t have a year ago? Either because you’ve bought one, or at least shot or handled one? Or maybe someone you shoot with has one?

There is a small write up on it on the Parker forum, might be worth checking it out.

I think they are selling well. I called last fall for possibly getting one for a Quail Forever Raffle and they could not guarantee a gun given a 3 month lead time.

Thanks for that heads-up. I'm not in the habit of looking at the Parker forum but Googled it and I see someone has just recently posted essentially the same question I did here under the heading "Any thoughts on this offering?" I'm not that guy and they say great minds think alike but here's evidence that not-so-great minds do, too. Not sure if that's the write-up you referred to or not but I'm not a registered member there so that may be keeping me from seeing the whole site. So far, no one has written any discouraging words. I'll follow that thread to see if anyone adds to it. Meantime, I'd be pleased to read what others think here, too, if anyone is inclined to offer an opinion.

I think they are selling well. I live relatively close to CSMC, and I've hand a chance to see a number of them up close. Unlike some of their other guns which were priced low to begin with to help recoup the investment in production, these guns were designed and intended to be an above-average entry level gun at a relatively modest price (at least in comparison to their other guns). Imagine it as a 21st century Fox Sterlingworth or Parker Trojan over/under equivalent. So, I wouldn't view the price being the same as the introduction as an indication of anything other than their baseline. The upgraded wood does seem to make a difference with some of the stocks being noticeably nicer with the extra cost. I can tell you that the gun handles nicely and is exceptionally balanced and lively. Personally, I think that in that price category, it is hard to beat -- but I've always been drawn to their guns and the story behind them. I've wondered if they will eventually come out with 28 gauge barrels for a combination set. The gun is nimble and lightweight enough that it would work well in that combination. I've owned several CSMC guns and I've been extremely satisfied with each.

I wanted an American made cased pair for driven game.
CSMC is the only company that can do that.

It was $2000 to laser engrave the numbers one and two, and provide an off-the-shelf twin case.
Once that was known, there were better choices in the market.

In hindsight, I would not have enjoyed shooting one in any volume with performance 20 gauge loads, their lightweight would have been a handicap. And that was the purpose of the pair.

I believe if you keep exploring, you will find they arrive with the same initial quality and customer service as all recent CSMC shotguns have.

I have one with upgraded wood. I have not shot it much but did some hunting with it and it handles well. It is (mechanically) a Rizzini clone, I think. Barrels hinge on trunions, locks up with a sliding under bolt like Browning. Got the 28" barrels and straight-hand stock. The case hardening seems well done and I don't miss engraving.

If you compare it to something like the Rizzini BR110 (which I own) @$2K MSRP you are getting a whole lot more for your money. But the Revelation doesn't come in 28 gauge, and the BR110 does. If you move up to the Aurum in that line you're talking $3.4K. So $2.4K with the wood upgrade is in a sweet spot. Don't have enough trigger time to provide more endorsement and I hope I never need their customer service.

Bought it for my 65th birthday and because I am originally from New Britain. Delivery took a couple of months. We didn't have any long soulful conversations, I ordered it on line and they emailed me for my FFL when it was ready. The first time I called whoever answered the phone could not describe the action to me so I held off until the gun was reviewed in Shooting Sportsman, which was very positive and provided the missing information, after which I placed my order.

https://shootingsportsman.com/connecticut-shotgun-revelation/

Bruce

Thank you Bruce, good review. That’s exactly the configuration I’ve considered.