2010 Shotgun Showcase

For reasons known only to those above my pay grade, the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show and the Safari Club International (SCI) Convention ran against each other this past January. SHOT moved to the old Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, while SCI stayed put in Reno. We all put in some airtime on the LAS/RNO shuttle to keep abreast of things.
In spite of the wobbly economy and the slight cooling off of pistol and black-gun sales from last year’s incredible highs, SHOT had its second-largest attendance ever at just more than 58,000 members of the trade. There were 1,633 exhibitors—125 of them international—using a total floor space of 700,000 square feet. With more than 1,800 journalists like us, it received a lot of coverage.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Nevada, SCI had more than 20,000 attendees and 1,100 exhibitors—also one of the organization’s best-ever shows. SCI is built around high-end guns and deluxe trips. It’s always an upbeat show.
In a recession it would be expected that sporting shotguns would be in more of a holding pattern until disposable incomes recover. But there was still some interesting shotgun stuff that you should know about. Here’s what I found that was new.

BENELLI USA
With the ultra-modern modular Vinci 3" 12-gauge recoil-operated autoloader nearing its first birthday, Benelli has gone small for 2010. New is the Benelli Legacy 28-gauge semi-auto ($1,989). Like the 12- and 20-gauge Legacies before it, the 28 has a blued upper receiver and bright machine-engraved lower to go with a satin-finished wood stock, crio-treated barrel and carbon-fiber rib. The difference is that, at 5 pounds for the 24" version (with 26" available), Benelli claims the scaled-receiver Legacy 28 to be “the lightest autoloader shotgun in the world.”
Benelli USA, 800-264-4962, www.bennelliusa.com.

BERETTA USA
The world’s oldest corporate entity is anything but old-fashioned when it comes to innovation. You can see this in the new A400 Xplor Unico ($1,725), a 3.5" gas-operated semi-auto that happily handles the full range of 12-gauge shotshells. By that I mean everything from 1,150-fps M-oz loads to the nastiest 3.5" turkey bazooka boomers. According to Beretta, a test A400 went an amazing 10,000 rounds between cleanings. In spite of the gun’s 6.6-pound weight, it is soft-shooting thanks to the optional Kick-Off hydraulic recoil-reducing buttplate and an extra interior hydraulic buffer. But you knew all that because I reviewed the gun in March/April . . . .
Beretta USA Corp., 800-237-3882; www.berettausa.com.

BLASER USA
Blaser’s personable CEO, Bernard Knobel, was kind enough to take me through the company’s new F3 Super Trap Combo over/under and un-single. Compared to the firm’s established F3 American Trap combo, the new gun adds a fully adjustable raised rib and adjustable stock. The pistol grip is a bit more vertical, encouraging a higher elbow, while the new adjustable comb has a touch more rollover for comfort. How adjustable are the new ribs? The 32" O/U goes from 50/50 to 100-percent high, while the 34" un-single goes from 70/30 to a whopping 120-percent. The O/U barrels are free-floating and adjustable for convergence, too. The gun weighs about 9 pounds, but weight and balance can be customized with the Blaser Balancer adjustable weight system in the stock plus separate front weight systems for both the O/U and un-single barrels. The F3 Super Trap Combo retails for $9,900, but it also can be had with just one barrel.
Blaser USA, 210-377-2527; www.blaser-usa.com.

LUCIANO BOSIS
This high-end maker from Italy did not show at SHOT or SCI, but the company has introduced a new gun for 2010 that you should know about. It is the Wild, a triggerplate O/U with a Boss/Perazzi-style action featuring bifurcated lumps and stub hinge pivots. Leaf springs power the hammers, which are cocked on opening. It will come in hunting, sporting and trap models with just about any amount of customization one could think of. Bosis can deliver the 12-gauge field gun at 6.6 pounds or less, while the target models are of appropriately higher weight. It’s hard to describe a gun like this, as it can be set up to your personal preferences as to dimensions, barrel lengths, wood and engraving. Bosis always has been an innovative premium maker, and this gun, though a boxlock, is no exception. The Wild starts at 18,000 Euros in the white before options.
Luciano Bosis Gunmaker, 01139-030-660413; www.bosis.com.

BROWNING ARMS
John Browning’s folks fine-tuned existing models for 2010. All the field 12s and 20s in both the Citori and Cynergy O/U lines now have the Vector Pro 2.5" lengthened forcing cones, completing the modern barrel triumvirate of screw chokes, .742" overbore and long cones. The combination is claimed to improve patterns by deforming less shot.
This year’s model tweaks include a new look for the Citori Lightning field model ($1,869 in 12 and 20, $1,939 in 20 and .410), featuring a blued receiver with computer engraving reminiscent of the pattern used on the sainted Grade I Belgian Browning. The same pattern in a silver-nitride finish is on the new Citori White Lightning field model ($1,939 in 12 and 20, $1,999 in 28 and .410). Both come in 28"- and 26"-barreled versions.
The Cynergy Classic line has been cosmetically upgraded with the Cynergy Classic Field (starting at $2,399) and the Cynergy Classic Sporting (starting at $3,469), showing new engraving on the silver-nitrided receivers, plus jeweled monoblocks. Both come in all four gauges and have standard-looking stocks and forends, unlike the original Cynergy, but retain the Cynergy’s swoopy action profile and trigger guard. The Cynergy Classic Sporting is also listed with an adjustable comb in 12 and 20 gauge for $3,739 with either 28", 30" or 32" barrels.
For those who want a change of scenery, the Mossy Oak BreakUp Infinity camo pattern has been added as an option on the 12-gauge Browning Silver semi-auto ($1,349), the 10-gauge Gold Light autoloader ($1,619) and the 10-gauge BPS pump ($839).
Browning Arms, 801-876-2711; www .browning.com.

CONNECTICUT SHOTGUN MFG. CO.
Connecticut Shotgun continues to amaze. That’s what I said last year, and it continues to be true. With completion of the RBL boxlock side-by-side production, Tony Galazan again surprised the shotgun world by announcing that his next effort would be a sidelock over/under. A sidelock O/U is a big deal. Just ask Woodward, Boss, Fabbri and Beretta. Galazan’s gun is called the A-10 American, and it comes in 12- and 20-gauge receiver sizes with enough options to please anyone. CSMC had booths at both SHOT and SCI with a dozen or so impressive samples. For more information, a Website is devoted to this gun: www .a10american.com.
I expect to review the A-10 down the road. The price of the Standard model 12-gauge A-10 is $7,995, but it was initially offered with $4,000 in discounts for a total of $3,995. In April, $1,000 in discounts were eliminated, raising the price to $4,995. Further discounts may, or may not, be removed by the time you read this. The basic 20-gauge is $500 extra. All of the other sidelock O/Us sold today are very much more expensive. There are also upscale Deluxe, Rose & Scroll and Platinum A-10 versions. The A-10 is definitely interesting and then some. Galazan has done it again.
Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. Co., 800-515-4867; www.connecticutshotgun.com.

CZ-USA
Ceska Zbrojovka is bringing in a couple of new Huglu shotguns from Turkey. The Upland Ultra Light ($749) is a 12-gauge O/U with an aluminum-alloy receiver weighing a claimed 6 pounds. It comes with 26" or 28" extractor barrels, screw chokes and a black anodized plain receiver. CZ’s new Ringneck Competition ($2,999) would be right at home at the Vintage Cup or Southern Side by Side sporting clays shoots. It is a sideplated boxlock target side-by-side with 28"ported barrels, an adjustable comb, a pistol grip, a beavertail forend, long forcing cones, extractors and even a center bead to guarantee hits.
CZ-USA, 800-955-4486; www.cz-usa .com.

FAUSTI USA
For 20 years Fausti shotguns have been imported into the US, but seldom under their own aegis. Currently Weatherby sells them in its Athena d’Italia and Orion d’Italia side-by-side and over/under lines. Finally Fausti has set up its own US arm to import a complete line under the Fausti name. There is a full service center in Virginia—with all of the spare parts and Fausti-trained gunsmiths using machine tooling that mirrors that at the factory.
One of the most interesting of the new Fausti USA guns is the Dea Duetto ($4,995). It is a cute A&D boxlock side-by-side two-barrel set. It has an EDM-cut, case-colored 28-gauge-sized receiver with extra .410 barrels. It comes with an English stock, splinter forend and single trigger. The 28-gauge barrels are screw choked, while the .410 barrels are fixed Modified & Full. Barrels are 28", and the weight is right at 5 pounds. With only one barrel set it is $3,749. A sideplated 28-gauge version is available as the Dea SL.
Fausti side-by-sides have unique patented ejectors. Both ejector arms have trianglular cross-sections, together forming a square. They fit together in a square EDM’d hole between the barrels. The angular cross-section prevents turning and obviates the need for the usual second upper-support rod behind the ejector. Very clever.
The Fausti Caledon ($1,999) is an attractive entry-level O/U in 12 and 20 gauge. Both gauges have 26", 28" and 30" screw-choked barrel options. There’s also a 28" 20-gauge youth version. Every part on this modestly priced gun is machined except the opening lever and inertia block. The machine engraving is attractive, as is the oiled wood finish and the slightly rounded receiver that gives it a good carry.
Fausti also showed its first inertia-operated autoloader: the Progress LX. It has a rotating bolt head, a recoil spring up front, a bright receiver with gold gamebirds, and nice wood. It comes in 12 and 20 gauge. The price had not been set at press time.
Fausti USA, 540-371-3287; www.faustiusa.com.

CAESAR GUERINI USA
Sporting clays is following trap in demanding high-rib guns. The always-innovative Caesar Guerini company has come up with new elevated-rib Impact sporters throughout its Summit, Maxum and Apex target-gun lines. As Wes Lang, head of Caesar Guerini USA, explained, a high rib enables a pre-mounted shooter to keep a more erect head for better visibility and also a more upright stance.
The Impact sporters are amazingly adjustable. The ribs are easily regulated for height, as are the stocks. Impacts have even gotten new adjustable triggers. The Impact owner can change trigger length, take-up, over-travel and now pull weight by a clever repositioning of the trigger-blade axis. The weight and balance of the Impact also can be altered. The gun has a modular weight insert for the stock, plus thin rod-shaped weights of aluminum, tungsten or steel that are pinned under the elevated rib.
While in the Guerini booth I also saw a prototype of the new Ellipse solid-rib, rounded-action field O/U. It has a relaxed round knob and an attractively curved top tang. It was gorgeous. The 20 and 28 gauge will come out first, then the 12 and .410. There will be two engraving patterns, and the guns will start at $3,995.
Guerini USA, 866-901-1131; www.gueriniusa.com.

ITHACA GUN CO.
Rumored last year and a fact this year, Ithaca is producing the Phoenix over/under. CEO Dave Dlubak loaned me one to shoot during the press play day before SHOT started. The gun should be out about the time you read this and will sell for around $2,500. It will come in 12 gauge only at first, with a choice of 26", 28" or 30" screw-choked barrels. The barrels are drilled, stress-relieved and then machined from the inside out. The barrels have no side ribs, and the lower barrel is free to slide in the mid- and muzzle hangers as it heats up. I was told that the action also later will accept 16- and 20-gauge barrels. The receiver has the look of the old Ithaca Knick single-barrel, with its heavy shoulders and flat sides. This is the first O/U actually produced by Ithaca at its plant in Ohio, though in previous incarnations the company imported Perazzi, Fabarm and SKB O/Us.
Ithaca will be bringing back the Model 37 pump in 16 gauge for about $1,000. It will be offered with the same options as the current Model 37s. The firm is also working on a side-by-side and a single-barrel Knick trap gun, so there will be lots to report next year.
Ithaca Gun Co., 877-648-4222; www .ithacagun.com.

KRIEGHOFF INTERNATIONAL
Krieghoff has introduced a sidelever opening option to its delicious Essencia sidelock side-by-side. (We covered the introduction of the Essencia in March/April ’07.) It is one of my favorite guns. As before, the Essencia is made by German gunmaker Jens Ziegenhahn. Seldom have I encountered its rare combination of fit and finish quality, interesting design, attractive appearance and shooting ergonomics. If it weren’t fiscally inconvenient (the Essencia starts at about $30,000 today), I’d own a bunch.
The new sidelever option ($5,900) is quite a change from the typical Stephen Grant-style sidelever. The Grant model, whether on the company’s hammerguns, triggerplate actions or sidelocks, usually had a separate curved thumblever along the outside of the right side of the action. The Essencia incorporates the sidelever into the trigger guard, where it is conveniently opened by the right thumb. It certainly is a different application with a unique look.
Krieghoff International, 610-847-5173; www.krieghoff.com.

PERAZZI
Perazzi was not showing any new models this year, but the company did come up with a new case-coloring option. Cyanide-based chemical case coloring is common in Italy, but at SHOT the Perazzi rep told me that the firm’s coloring method was proprietary and not cyanide-based. When I contacted the factory in Italy, I was told, “The case-coloring process is the traditional one; we don’t use the chemical.” Traditional or proprietary, it certainly is attractive. Case coloring is a $2,400 option on the SC3 through SCO models, plus on the MX410 and MX28.
Perazzi USA, 626-334-1234; www.perazzi.com.

REMINGTON ARMS CO.
For 2010 Remington’s catchphrase is “line extension.” The company is offering another new camo pattern on the 887 plastic-coated pumps, 870s and 11-87s. It is bringing back wood stocks on 11-87 gas autoloaders ($845) in 3" 12 and 20 gauge. The wood has a nice finish and attractive fleur-de-lis machine checkering, much nicer than the “impressed checkering” of those old 1100s. The 3.5" 11-87 Sportsman Super Magnum Waterfowl Duck Blind camo ($959) and 11-87 Sportsman Super Mag Synthetic ($825) now have adjustable lengths of pull and over-molded grip panels on their stocks and forends.
Remington Arms Co., 800-243-9700; www.remington.com.

B. RIZZINI USA
“And the old shall become new again”—and that’s a good thing sometimes. Rizzini’s gorgeous Round Body game gun (reviewed May/June ’05) is back as the Inverness Round Body. There may be a slight change in a small part of the engraving, but the beauty, the comfortable rounded action and the classy solid rib remain. It comes in all five gauges with barrels from 26.5" to 32". The stock has a Prince of Wales grip and the option of an attractive hunting-style forend or a Schnabel. You can choose between a coin-finished or case-colored action. The Classic model has 50-percent engraving coverage and costs $4,985 in 12, 16 and 20 gauge, while the 28 and .410 on a smaller receiver are $5,629. The Deluxe Round Body, with 100-percent engraving and nicer wood, is $6,078 and $6,685.
B. Rizzini USA, 860-225-6581; www.rizziniusa.com.

WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS
The rifle guys will be pleased with the return of the classic Model 94 lever gun, but Winchester’s shotgun waters were relatively calm for 2010. The Super X All-Purpose Field 3.5" gas autoloader will be offered in another camo pattern—new Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity—for $1,469.
Of greater import for dove hunters and low-recoil fans is that Winchester has added a 20-gauge to the SX3 gas semi-auto line. It’s the Walnut Field SX3 20, and it costs $1,199. The SX3 20 has 3" chambers, comes with 26" or 28" barrels, and is listed as weighing 6 pounds 6 ounces with the shorter barrel.
Winchester Repeating Arms, 801-876-3440; www.winchesterguns.com.

Bruce Buck is Shooting Sportsman’s Gun Review Editor. Check out his “Technoid Talk” blog at www.shooting sportsman.com.