CZ ultralight upland

[CP]

Anyone use one of these?

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/upland-ultralight/

A 6lb 12g O/U for under a grand looks too good to be true.  What's the downside?

[Stilly bay]

besides plane jane wood (who cares), I haven't found many negatives with these guns. mechanically they are as sound as any CZ -which is pretty good with great customer service and turn around time.

for a 12 gauge double weighing 5.9lbs, its really an ultralight which means weight has been shaved here and there to make it ultra less heavy, so you wouldn't want to use this as a target gun or a every day heavy steel gun because the recoil would be punishing and the parts will start to break down a lot  quicker. but for a couple shots at the end of a long hike this gun would be perfect. its a 12 that handles like a twenty gauge and kicks like a ten gauge

[MR5x5]

...or if you are just looking for a decent 12 GA O/U.... there is a Spartan 12 GA listed in the members classified for $350.  It will be a bit blockier, a bit heavier and the woodwork won't be finished as well... but it will be completely reliable.

[JBar]

I have never shot one but looking at the specs these are the downsides I see.      1)Extractors not ejectors
2)Plain blue receiver
3)Plain Jane wood
4)Not much of a recoil pad
Just for comparison:
For 699$ My son just picked up a Franchi Diamond 12g, nickel receiver with engraving,nice wood grain with checkering,auto ejectors, recoil pad is about the same.

[Stilly bay]

    1)Extractors not ejectors

might not be a bad thing depending on who you talk to.

the new franchis are some good looking guns,  a little more expensive that the CZ. once you hit the one 1K mark you could get a decent used beretta.

[JBar]

I agree about the extractors vs. ejectors Stilly but I'm an ejector guy, though I own both it's my preference. I've given CP my opinion of the downside like he asked for and a fair comparison in a brand NEW Franchi for virtually the same price at 699. You can get more bang for your buck if you just shop around.

[Stilly bay]

I agree about the extractors vs. ejectors Stilly but I'm an ejector guy, though I own both it's my preference. I've given CP my opinion of the downside like he asked for and a fair comparison in a brand NEW Franchi for virtually the same price at 699. You can get more bang for your buck if you just shop around.

 :)Im an ejector guy too, never really understood the argument against them, since its a minor thing to adjust to.

the quit making the diamonds, the new series is going for right around 1K+  apparently franchi doesn't feel need to make an affordable entry level O/U anymore. they were pimping some really fancy looking guns for short money, these newer ones are kinda flat looking IMO.

[AWS]

Looked at the gun on the link.  I'm a double trigger guy,  I had a Breda O/U double trigger 12ga in the 70's that was right at 6# and it was brutal for any extended shoots even with 1oz loads.  My Darne is right at 6# and I have to load light 7/8 oz loads to shoot some skeet or sporting clays.  That said they were and are a pleasure to carry in the field.  In that light of gun I'd look at 28" barrels to give you a little more follow through in your swing.  I like light shotguns and have a couple of light 20ga's also that are fun to hunt with but need realy light loads for the range.  Good luck with you decision.

[CP]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

The lack of a recoil pad is annoying, but the extractors and plain wood don’t bother me.  I own a 9lb Citroi for clay work but I don’t lug it around in the field much.  I was looking at light weight 20g guns when this caught my eye.  I’d go for the Cynergy Feather but its price tag is bit hard to swallow.

[fethrduster]

besides plane jane wood (who cares), I haven't found many negatives with these guns. mechanically they are as sound as any CZ -which is pretty good with great customer service and turn around time.

for a 12 gauge double weighing 5.9lbs, its really an ultralight which means weight has been shaved here and there to make it ultra less heavy, so you wouldn't want to use this as a target gun or a every day heavy steel gun because the recoil would be punishing and the parts will start to break down a lot  quicker. but for a couple shots at the end of a long hike this gun would be perfect. its a 12 that handles like a twenty gauge and kicks like a ten gauge

+1

Or just get a 6lb 16ga and have the best of all worlds.

The CZ bobwhite 16ga at $800 and 6.5lbs is nicely finished and a great value also and a great all around upland gun, and they also make a new sxs 12ga hammer gun that is very intriguing as well.   CZ puts out some good products for the $.  If you can handle the recoil, the ultralight upland does sound like a decent, but plain gun if you can figure out how to hold your head sideways when a bird flushes.

[JBar]

Not sure where you're located CP but Dicks in Puyallup had 3 more of the Franchi's 2 @ 899 and one more at 699.

[CP]

Not sure where you're located CP but Dicks in Puyallup had 3 more of the Franchi's 2 @ 899 and one more at 699.

That’s a good price, I haven’t seen one under 1200.  Unfortunately I’m up in Everett.

[dukethedog]

I have a redhead delux and I love it.  Never had anything go wrong with it.  Have about a 1000 rounds through it.

sg

[high country]

besides plane jane wood (who cares), I haven't found many negatives with these guns. mechanically they are as sound as any CZ -which is pretty good with great customer service and turn around time.

for a 12 gauge double weighing 5.9lbs, its really an ultralight which means weight has been shaved here and there to make it ultra less heavy, so you wouldn't want to use this as a target gun or a every day heavy steel gun because the recoil would be punishing and the parts will start to break down a lot  quicker. but for a couple shots at the end of a long hike this gun would be perfect. its a 12 that handles like a twenty gauge and kicks like a ten gauge

+1

Or just get a 6lb 16ga and have the best of all worlds.

The CZ bobwhite 16ga at $800 and 6.5lbs is nicely finished and a great value also and a great all around upland gun, and they also make a new sxs 12ga hammer gun that is very intriguing as well.   CZ puts out some good products for the $.  If you can handle the recoil, the ultralight upland does sound like a decent, but plain gun if you can figure out how to hold your head sideways when a bird flushes.

I haven't weighed my 16, but it can't weigh much over #6.5 if any. I also know that I have one of the better shotgun selections and I grab it 99% of the time.

[nwwanderer]

I have not owned one of the Turkish Huglu's yet.  I have looked at several, probably some day.

[CP]

Well I finally pulled the trigger on it and I couldn’t be happier.  Weighs in at 5lb 15oz and handles like a dream.  Time for some grouse and dove. 

[Stilly bay]

nice gun! I look forward to reading your field test later.

try finding some  2.5" loads (cabelas) for target shooting and grouse, it will save your shoulder.

[CP]

I’ve shot 2 rounds of trap with it with some 7/8oz handloads;  a few 1oz @1250 fps, and a couple 1 1/8oz 1200fps.  Recoil is noticeable.  I wouldn’t want to shoot it all day at the range but the lighter loads are tolerable and taking a long walk with it with a few shots mixed it won’t be a problem at all.

I’ve got some 1oz, #6 shells loaded up for the grouse opener.

[Stilly bay]

is the wood on the Cz walnut? it looks pretty light almost like maple either way it looks great.

I fell in love with 2.5" loads a few years ago, low recoil,low noise, and a great pattern out of 12gauge.

why are you using such big shot for grouse? #8's or 9's is all you need. plus you get way more pellets in your pattern.

[CP]

The wood’s “Turkish walnut”, stained light.  I use 6s so I can find the shot in the meat easily.  I hate biting into birdshot.

[CP]

I fell in love with 2.5" loads a few years ago, low recoil,low noise, and a great pattern out of 12gauge.

What are the specs on those 2.5" shell?  I'm pretty sure I could duplicate them in my garage.

[Stilly bay]

I fell in love with 2.5" loads a few years ago, low recoil,low noise, and a great pattern out of 12gauge.

What are the specs on those 2.5" shell?  I'm pretty sure I could duplicate them in my garage.

shotgun world has a few threads that go into detail about making 2.5" loads, not too difficult.

if you don't roll your own I really like the RST's, they throw a great pattern and are very easy on the the shoulder.
http://www.rstshells.com/rst_classic_shotshells_shotshells.htm

I haven't tried these, but I was thinking about grabbing a box or two for dove.
http://kentgamebore.com/english-loads/pure-gold-paper-12ga-english.html

[AWS]

You might want to take a look at these also.  They were designed with light Euro guns in mind.  The case price includes shipping.  I bought two cases last year.  The 1 1/16oz load has definitely more recoil than the 1oz. but the pressures are low and I use them in my 6lb Darne for birds and my Husqvarna for clay birds.

 http://www.bandpusa.com/high-pheasant-2-1-2-inch/

[Stilly bay]

You might want to take a look at these also.  They were designed with light Euro guns in mind.  The case price includes shipping.  I bought two cases last year.  The 1 1/16oz load has definitely more recoil than the 1oz. but the pressures are low and I use them in my 6lb Darne for birds and my Husqvarna for clay birds.

 http://www.bandpusa.com/high-pheasant-2-1-2-inch/

I forgot about B&P. they make great shells.

you could always drop down to 3/4 oz if you really want a soft round for shooting. you would essentially be shooting a 28 gauge load out of 12 gauge. it would be pretty cheap if you roll your own - aside from the special wad you would need.  you could get some serious range time in with your CZ and not worry about hurting the gun or yourself.

[CP]

Here’s the field report:

It kills pheasants.  It’s so light I can carry it all day and hardly know it’s there, handles great, very fast on target, I can easily hold it in any orientation with one hand.  It’s 2 for 2 on west side pho-pheasants.  My last 4 scores on the 16 yard trap with it where: 24, 23, 24, 23 – better than my average.  I don’t remember feeling any recoil with 1 1/8oz steel at 1550fps -

I do have one complaint, oil from the receiver has wicked into the end grain of the wood in the stock causing a slightly darker spot where the stock meets the receiver (see photo), annoying for sure.

[Stilly bay]

I do have one complaint, oil from the receiver has wicked into the end grain of the wood in the stock causing a slightly darker spot where the stock meets the receiver (see photo), annoying for sure.

Damn gravity!
store all your guns barrel down and you won't have to worry about oil rotting out your stock. you will be amazed at the oil residue you find that has dribbled down the inside of your barrel from the receiver after a long time in storage-  residue that would normally be soaking into the stock

CZ makes some great guns, most of them are quite underrated by the masses. glad yours is working out.