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I am looking for input/experiences with the Rizzini shotgun as represented now by CSMC. I have handled their Aurum model in 20 ga. with rounded knob PG stock and the external finish of the gun appears good. Gun might be used for high volume dove shooting.

Thank you.

I have two B. Rizzini guns, both a round action.
I think they are well made and very nice guns.
One is the EL, the other is the EM.
Wood is very nice with plenty of figure.
It mates the metal well.
The actions are relatively small, the 28 ga action is scaled down comparative to the 20 ga.
Engraving is very clean.
Nice set of barrels.
Function fine, no problems although I cannot say I have shot them a lot.

I have the emel 292 20ga which is one of the hand finished models. Use it for skeet and sporting clays (bit light for that.) It has functioned flawlessly through quite a few flats of ammo. Finish on the premium guns is beautiful inside and out. I would certainly recommend these guns in all grades compared to their competitors. Price has risen sharply with the exchange rate against the Euro. William Larkin Moore has them in stock too.

I have two Sig-Rizzini SA5's, by B. Rizzini but pre-Cole and pre-CSMC. Nice guns, and better looking than the comparable Beretta items. Doubt they are any stronger or more reliable than the Berettas, though. I like them both.

I owned a B. Rizzini Aurum Teutonic 20 bore, it had 30" barrels and I shot it alot. It was well finished, function was flawless, but I shot the gun probably more than it was designed to be shot, so I sold it and replaced it with a Zoli Z-gun. Back to the Rizzini, I kick my self in the shorts everytime I think about pulling the trigger on those Rizzini barrel and forend sets that Rich Cole had on closeout about two years ago, He had a set of 28 gauge, 30" tubes with the forend and he only wanted $500 for it! If I bought that barrel set, I would probably still own that gun. I think much more of the B. Rizzini than the FAIR guns, I just think that they are better finished and better balanced. I would not hesitate to buy another one.

Dustin

LeFusil; You mention "I probably shot the gun more than it was designed to be shot, so I sold it and replaced it with a Zoli-Z gun." I plan on using this gun for high volume dove shooting and will put at least 5000 rds. through it the first year of ownership, and perhaps 2000 rds. a year thereafter since I only shoot 20 ga. guns due to shoulder issues. Did your gun loosen after shooting? Were there parts breakage? If you would prefer to PM me that's fine since I really would like to know what caused you to switch to another gun.
Thank you.

Couldn't agree more. The FAIR guns just feel......cheap.
What is your opinion of the Z-Gun? I've been toying with the idea of a 32" 20.

Larryguy,
Like I said, I really enjoyed the gun alot, just seemed that I was using it more for clays than hunting. When it came to picking a gun to take along hunting, I usually took another gun, by no fault of the Rizzini, just so happens that 99% of the time I took a SxS or model 12 into the field. For high volume shooting, I think the Rizzini is a little too light and the balance of my gun was in between the hands (even with the 30" bbls), perfect for a hunting gun, but on a clays gun or dedicated dove gun, I like the balance to be just a tiny bit forward, not alot, but just a tiny bit. I owned my Rizzini for around 3 years and when I sold it, it opened and closed like a Ruger Red Label, but the lever was in the center and the gun still tight and on face. Nothing went wrong with the gun when I owned it, trouble free. I did have the gun apart one time to see what the internals looked like, nothing special, nothing fancy, pretty robust, but parts were starting to show some wear, especially the locking bolt.
Like I said, I wouldn't hesitate to own another B. Rizzini, they are nice guns and they make great field guns.

Ken Nelson,
I absolutey love my Z-gun. I have a 20 bore, Z-gun Expedition with 29.5" bbls. I like the aesthetics of the gun and the handling is exactly what I wanted, I have made no alterations to the gun and I shoot it well. I personally think its one of the "steals" out there in the gun market, it oozes quality and its built like a tank, its loaded with options that would cost alot of dollars from other makers, the barrels (which Zoli makes in house) are absolutely perfect. Rich Cole gave me a quick over the phone tutorial on the Z-gun and I was sold in about 15 minutes, he thinks very highly of them and I can see why. The Zoli is highly thought of in Europe as well, its been a winner across the pond for awhile now..its called the "Zoli Kronos" over there. Try one out, I think you'll like it.

Dustin

I have the same Sig-Rizzini SA5, by B. Rizzini, that "Replacement" has above. I bought it "slightly used" from a young doctor in Texas after he had Briley's do a looooong 4" forcing cone on both barrels and added several more choke tubes. It turned out he didn't "fit" the gun, but did not discover that until after he had the work done. It's a 20 gauge, and I just can't seem to miss with it. It's absolutely the best shooting gun I have as far as hitting my target (wingshooting mainly, and a bit of sporting clays) is concerned. Nice wood, very good fit and finish everywhere. Whereas many of the guns I own and enjoy would in truth be available for sale or trade, this one is not!!

If you want a gun more suited to lots of clays shooting with a little more weight forward, Rizzini does have a sporting clays version which would fill that role as well as any. I have been thinking about getting one but keep dropping my gun money on other opportunities which come up.