Interesting guns. Look Rizzini-esque to me. The price really jumps up when you start tacking options on on their website.

 

Seems like I heard Fausti was involved in some way in this venture.

 

Interesting guns. Look Rizzini-esque to me. The price really jumps up when you start taking options on on their website.

Yes, that is for sure. I asked for only 3 extra cost options and that easily put me into the mid 3K range.

 

Luciano Rota, married to Maria Fausti, as it says on the website -
The first RFM shotguns that I saw in Canada, were utterly unimpressive for artistry.
I believe that they are a developing company, with great potential.
Maybe the potential is already being realised. There are quite a few competitors at their price point.

 

I went to the website linked in the OP's posting and was really impressed by the ability to build a gun just the way you want it from their options offered for their guns. My SXS preferences of POW stock, semi-beavertail forend, single trigger, ejectors and of course 16 ga for upland hunting, have made it difficult to find guns that are suitable for me. I built a Zeus SXS on their website and then talked to a gentleman by the name of Dan LaFond about the company and the guns they are having custom built and imported. I found out there is no scaled frame for the 16 ga, however you can get it built on a 12 ga or 20 ga frame. I also specified a wood upgrade to 2.5 and within hours had pictures of 12 rough blanks to choose my stock from. I asked Dan if they would weigh the unfinished stocks for me and again within hours had the weight of all 12 blanks. Being a hunting gun, I decided the lightest weight stock was acceptable and that was my choice. I finalized the deal and we received word my gun was started that day. Build time is estimated at 3 months and I'll probably have it in hand in 4 months.

 

That is fantastic! I can't wait to see the final product. Good luck!

 

Just for grins, I configured a Mythos M3 (Base price = $3,999.99) the way I would want it. The final cost would be $5,800.00 plus. Add in an FFL fee and shipping and it would approach $5,900.00 or so. There are several other SXS gun brands that are competitive and cost under $5,000 delivered. While it certainly doesn't look as good as the Mythos M3, my Ruger Gold Label fits me like a custom built gun and shoots where I point it. I'll pass on the Upland Gun Company's offerings for now.

 

@Riflemeister
It's been ten months since your post here. Did you get your gun from the Upland Gun Company yet? If so tell us about it and show some pictures. I think I want to talk to them.

 

I have a 16ga Zeus on order.
I've gotten excellent reviews from everyone I talked to that owns one.

 

The Upland Gun Company sponsors the Bird Shot Podcast Also Johnny from TSG Outdoors did a review of them also.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjmiKDx08z8AhV3ElkFHe0ZDX4QwqsBegQIJhAG&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DApmtggMiGck&usg=AOvVaw39jXYWWGKl0yP5huDlgEox

 

@jusanothajoe

How long have you had the order in?

And thanks @SMP190 I've seen that video.

 

@jusanothajoe

How long have you had the order in?

And thanks @SMP190 I've seen that video.

I ordered December 23rd, so not very long.
Hopefully will get to pick out my wood soon.

 

I got my 16 ga Zeus early this year after the original gun had been destroyed in a mishap at the proof house where it was dropped from a height and destroyed. Inspection of the gun revealed near flawless metal work, but the stock work was not up to the standards I expect from a custom gun. The shaping had dips and lumps on what should have been straight lines and the finish looked like they gave a 5 year old a can of varnish and then never inspected the job. The pores were not even close to filled, and there were areas where the final finishing had missed. I complained vehemently and was offered a $500 refund to fix the issues which I took. I ordered custom dimensions and in measuring the stock, they missed every one. The drop at comb was lower than requested and the drop at heel was higher resulting in a nearly straight stock, the biggest issue was the cast off was about 1/8" instead of the 3/8" requested. The gun was built with long tangs extending almost into the POW grip, so bending in more cast had to be done through the chubby grip area rather than the thinner wrist. I mounted the gun on my stock bending jig and it took multiple (probably close to 8) attempts before I got that required bend in for my 3/8" cast off.

After getting the stock bent, I took my wobble trap to the range to try some clays and to my surprise I shot the gun very well. The low comb and high heel cancelled out and my head was just where it needed to be. I was surprised but gratified. My second finger of my trigger hand was really getting banged up by the trigger guard and studying that area it appears that the action was really designed around a double trigger and straight stock which made the trigger guard overly long for a single trigger and it severely crowded the POW grip. I tried a rubber bumper attached to the back of the guard, but still got a bruised second finger every time I shot the gun.

I have hunted wild and preserve bird very successfully with the gun and the 6 pound 3 ounce weight of the 16 ga built on a 20 ga frame is wonderful. but it still bangs that finger especially on quick shots where I don't take time to get the finger hard against the rubber bumper. I went online to Gun Parts Corp and found a trigger guard from an SKB 600 O/U that I'm going to try to fit to the gun that should hopefully resolve the finger banging issue.

My complaints to Upland may have done some good as other RFM guns I've seen online don't appear to have the stock issues my gun did.

Overall, a decent looking gun

The 20 ga frame looks, feels and handles very nicely.

Note the trigger guard extending well aft of the trigger shoe and crowding the POW grip. Ouch!

The initials on the trigger guard were a mea culpa for the delay in building another gun after the original was destroyed by the proof house.

 

@Riflemeister

Thanks for the update. In a search for the UGC guns I found your thread on a 16 ga site and was reading it as you were posting here. Sorry to have you go over the details again. I had tried to order the FAIR Gardenia in December of 2021 and after multiple conversations with their US reps. was told I couldn't get one. I ended up getting a Fausti DEA Sport with 32" barrels. I want a 20 with 30" that's why I'm considering the RFM.

 

@Riflemeister

Thanks for the update. In a search for the UGC guns I found your thread on a 16 ga site and was reading it as you were posting here. Sorry to have you go over the details again. I had tried to order the FAIR Gardenia in December of 2021 and after multiple conversations with their US reps. was told I couldn't get one. I ended up getting a Fausti DEA Sport with 32" barrels. I want a 20 with 30" that's why I'm considering the RFM.

Like I said in my review of my experience, it appears they're doing a better job now. I was one of the earliest customers and willing to believe it was a matter of growing pains in their quality control combined with a push to get the replacement gun delivered quickly and the stock work got assigned to someone unqualified. Bottom line is I like the gun and shoot it well. If a new trigger guard can be adapted to fix that finger banging, it could become my favorite hunting gun, warts and all. I truly believe that if you are wanting a traditional double trigger, straight stock SXS, your satisfaction will be a lot greater than mine.

I got a 16 ga Fausti DEA Nickel Edition a few years ago with the single trigger and POW stock and have been very pleased with the gun. Prior to getting the RFM, the DEA was my lightest 16 ga SXS.

 

They are going to be at the Pheasant Fest in Minneapolis, Feb 17-19. I would like some advice on what to ask them regarding gun weight, balance, and ruggedness. thanks.

 

I looked into them. The picture of your pow grip really turned me off and your other problems. My hand would be way too cramped. Couldn’t get a definite answer if they would or could make it more relaxed. I’d have to get a grade 4 wood for it to be acceptable. They can’t do a thin wrist. It’s way too thick compared to what I’m used to. Their stocks are all partially premade. For another $500 they start with a block. Still wasn’t sure they could give me the grip I wanted. I still haven’t given up on them. Hope to make it to Minneapolis but I might be in Arizona shooting .

 

In my opinion, Fausti and RFM are probably the 2 best options for a semi-custom break-action hunting shotgun for under $10k. You will have to pay a lot more to get beyond what Fausti and RFM offer.

 

Dan, I like the looks of the Fabarm Autumn as well.

 

Fausti sister have a import store in Fredrickburg Va. Bought a Ducks Unlimited but 2009 gun Did not fire. Fausti manager said bring to his gunsmith in Orange, Va. no real help found out was a WalMart Tradition gun imported by Cherry of NC.

These were Fausti Ducks Unlimited Dinner guns. Say $500 . A later Fausti 2012-3 was much better made gun, internals, but almost look the same.

With Italian and Turkish you have to know ,unless P, B, CG guns.

 

I resolved the issue of getting my second finger abused by the trigger guard on my POW stocked RFM by going to the Numrich Arms website and purchasing a stainless steel trigger guard from an SKB O/U and modifying it to fit my RFM. It is now absolutely painless to shoot and the svelte weight and handling has made it my favorite bird gun. Below is a side by side comparison of the two guards, with the SKB on the top. A pleasure to shoot now, just wish RFM had not used the trigger guard made for double triggers and straight stock on the POW stocked gun.

As Dan Gilbert mentioned in his post, Fausti DEA is a good option for a custom-built gun. I got a custom-built Nickel Edition DEA 16 ga in my POW stock and semi-beavertail forend preference that is a real nice bird gun and looks great too. A few ounces over the weight of my RFM, but it is built on a 16 ga frame, not a 20 ga frame like the RFM. Unfortunately, it was delivered by a UPS driver, not one of the Fausti girls.

 

Riflemeister,
I know you were kidding about your gun not being delivery by one of the Fausti girls. I have to advise you, that you missed out on meeting one of the most knowledgable ladies in the gun business. Long ago I purchased a fine SXS double gun form their father, I got to stay with their family and met the nicest 3 little girls. At the NRA Show in Pittsburgh I was reacquainted with GioVanna, she has become a very knowledgable Gun Lady, pleasant and articulate her father has the right to be proud of his girls and the way they run their Fausti business. If you ever get the chance to spend time with any of the 3 girls, you will be seriously impressed with them, in every way. If you ever order a gun from them, have Barbara pick the wood for you, she is a very knowledgable wood professional. That statement is from my brother the top professional wood purchaser, for Joe Hardy at 84 Lumber, for over 30 years, he is now retired, and spends his time Grouse hunting & Fly Fishing.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man