Do you have the opportunity to try both makes? Folks can give their opinions but in the end it's your call on which one you prefer.

 

Do you have the opportunity to try both makes? Folks can give their opinions but in the end it's your call on which one you prefer.

You're right about it's my call, but no gun shops in my area stock any of these models nor have I seen anyone shoot them at my club. Just hoping to get some informed opinions.

 

Have you asked around at the club or just looked to see if you might see one ? You might have to travel some,I find it hard to believe no one carry's CG's or Zoli's both are popular brands and growing in the number of owners.

Good luck

 

Have you asked around at the club or just looked to see if you might see one ? You might have to travel some,I find it hard to believe no one carry's CG's or Zoli's both are popular brands and growing in the number of owners.

Good luck

Zoli's are indeed rare as hens teeth around here, and CG Invictus models are even rarer. Guerini is growing faster than Zoli locally, and the "regular" models are turning up more frequently.

Balance wise, I think it's a toss up between the Invictus and the Zoli - the Invictus is a little wider and feels more substantial in the hands than the Magnus. Is it worth the extra money over the Magnus? I thought so, and bought one. Shame you're not looking for a 30" - I'm selling/trading it for another high rib gun, but it has nothing to do with the gun itself - I just like high-rib high comb guns. I truly was impressed with it, but only shot it about 500 rounds before going back to the high rib configuration.

Customer service with CG has historically been excellent, but there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that they are, or at least have recently been, overrun. Service times have pushed out for some, and it could be growing pains- that's what happens when you get popular quickly. Or it could just be time of year - I honestly have no idea, but just something to be aware of. Zoli has for the most part taken care of their customers well, but it's a smaller volume situation and dealer support in my area is pretty limited.

All of the guns are reliable; the design of the Zoli lends itself well to many, many years of shooting as does the Invictus. In reality, even the Magnus will out-live most of us

For me I think it would come down to dealer support locally.

 

thestumper,

Saw your ad and was disappointed you weren't selling a 32", nice gun. Good feedback on the Invictus vs the Magnus.

 

I currently own 2 CG's, one of which is the Magnus Sporting 30". It's perfect for me; fit me right out of the box. I think the key is which fits you the best!!!

 

I've owned a Magnus & an Ascent...which I still have, but is for sale. I also purchased a Zoli Kronos about a year ago. The Kronos is an exceptional gun, design, construction, balance and value. Both have excellent triggers, but the Zoli trigger group is easily removed. I really love how the Zoli shoots. Personally, I've never heard anyone who owned a Zoli complain about the gun or the service. I sent my trigger group to be adjusted to shoot sub gauge tubes...no charge. Also, I wanted another IC Flush choke for my tubes...again, sent to me NC. I've seen and held the Invictus...I'm sure its an exceptional gun, but all the laser engraving is too busy for my tastes. Zoli for me.

 

Stumper
Please contact me re your invictus.
252-714-4042

 

TQ,

I have shot a Magnus and Summit but not a Invictus. I do own a Zoli.

I consider all excellent guns but for me the nod went to the Zoli.
The Zoli has a Boss locking system, a drop out trigger assembly, in house fabricated barrels and now factory service second to none in the business.

A very important aspect is that the Zoli has much softer felt recoil than the Guerini's. Shoot both makes side by side and the softness of the Zoli becomes quite apparent.

Whatever your choice, shoot well and enjoy.

CT

 

TQ,
A very important aspect is that the Zoli has much softer felt recoil than the Guerini's. Shoot both makes side by side and the softness of the Zoli becomes quite apparent.
CT

I own a Summit and am thinking about getting a Zoli - is there much difference between the 2? I thinking about weight, and how they handle? It looks like the Zoli is 1lb heavier...

 

The Zoli is far superior to anything CG makes. The action (Boss) on the Zoli is a lot more robust than anything CG makes.

 

CG lists two dealers in the Jacksonville area.

Wild West Guns & Gold, 1233-27 Lane Ave S. Jacksonville, FL 32205, 904-693-0777

Woolley Shooting Clinics, 97010 Elk Creek Court Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, 904-521-8315

 

I own a Summit and am thinking about getting a Zoli - is there much difference between the 2? I thinking about weight, and how they handle? It looks like the Zoli is 1lb heavier...

Zoli had been on my short list for several years but I bought a CG instead. The elegance of the Zoli action design is very appealing, but as an engineer I wouldn't consider it a lot more robust or vastly superior to the CG.

CGs use a firing system and lockup modelled on the Browning/Miroku action which may not be a mind bogglingly brilliant design but works well enough and is rugged and trouble free, the hinging is Boss style and the ejectors operate on the same principle as Perazzi. Very few people shoot enough to wear out any of the modern mid range guns so it's all a bit moot anyway.

IMO the important thing is how well it's built and CG's build quality is at least as good as Zoli. Neither gun appears to have any weak areas and no matter how proud Zoli is about their barrel making, there's nothing at all wrong with CG's Fabarm built barrels either. CG's trigger pull quality and consistency certainly rivals that of Zoli.

In terms of fit, finish and woodwork I give the nod to CG. Nothing wrong with Zolis in that respect but CG just do it a little better.

But the Zoli has a detachable trigger, they make their own barrels and the Perazzi/Boss inspired action needs more hand work than the CG so inevitably the price is higher but is it significantly better as a shooting gun?

Weight: There's always some variation due mostly to wood density but standard CGs typically range from about 8lb 1oz to 8lb 5oz. The Zolis I shot did not feel heavier than my CG and in a recent magazine test they weighed the standard Zoli at 8lb 2oz.

Handling: Not much in it. CGs are noted for nice handling and the Zolis I tried fitted about the same, balanced about the same and shot & moved just as well as my CG. The Zoli triggers were a little heavier but still much lighter than Beretta 6XX triggers.

There wasn't enough difference for me to justify the extra money and I bought a CG. I much prefer the looks of the CG but it was bought to be used and I've never once regretted the decision.

 

If you desire a tarted up gun buy the Guerini. If you want understated and superior design buy the Zoli if it fits. Real guns don't need pit stops. Those aren't free and are priced in the gun. Lot's of people on here are members of the gun of the month club. Whatever they have at the moment is best ever.

 

Well that was my opinion for several years and I too sneered at the pitsop philosophy. Then I started to look more closely and realised that I had made a judgement about CGs without knowing enough about them to make it.

People in the top 5% of sporting clays shooters tend to stick with their guns for a long time and most have to fund their own with many shoot 30K or more annually. Zoli has 2 or 3 sponsored competitors but I can't think of any self funding AAA class shots who choose to shoot Zoli. CG has a sprinkling of sponsored shooters too but CGs are also chosen by several AAAs who aren't factory sponsored. These are people who know what they're doing with shotguns and make sound choices.

But I'm probably more representative of the typical buyer and I don't care if a gun only lasts for 250k rounds because I'll be worn out long before the gun is.

Incidentally we don't get pitstops in this country but we do get a transferable 10 year warranty.

 

If you desire a tarted up gun buy the Guerini. If you want understated and superior design buy the Zoli if it fits. Real guns don't need pit stops. Those aren't free and are priced in the gun. Lot's of people on here are members of the gun of the month club. Whatever they have at the moment is best ever.

That's kind of like saying real cars don't need oil changes. Guns, like anything else, needs to be serviced. CG USA, as a new company trying to get a foothold in the US market, chose to offer its customers that service in the purchase price and the program has been wildly popular. I'll leave it to Trickster to let us know if a non-pit stop CG is substantially cheaper across the wide Atlantic. MAJ

 

If you desire a tarted up gun buy the Guerini. If you want understated and superior design buy the Zoli if it fits. Real guns don't need pit stops. Those aren't free and are priced in the gun. Lot's of people on here are members of the gun of the month club. Whatever they have at the moment is best ever.

This statement has no factual substance. Is a Kreighoff a real gun? How about a Perazzi? K guns need service, as do P guns. I have seen both fail in the heat of action. There is a reason George Digweed sends his guns to be serviced after every season.

As a fairly high level competitor that shoots a Guerini, I can say that mine has been rock solid reliable for me. Can it break? Are pit stops a good idea? Of course, but that doesn't make them an inferior product.

 

Perazzi and Kreighoff don't use free pit stops as a marketing tool. The under lug design of the CG is inferior to the P and K guns. The under lug design of the CG and Browning is the cheaper way to manufacture an O/U action compared to Beretta,Zoli,Perrazi and K gun. And from what I am hearing CG is starting to stumble with service now that they are getting bigger in the USA.

 

Please note "lt0026" is our resident CG hater. He beats the "underlug design sucks" drum on a regular basis.

I have 4 Guerinis, 2 Berettas and a Browning. Love my CGs and the only trouble I had was when I bent a spring on my Challenger's rib adjustment. My fault. CG replaced/repaired it quickly at no charge. Owned an old Antonio Zoli skeet gun, but that's not a fair comparison.

 

I shoot a Browning 325. Underlug design. Just because I own it doesn't mean its the best and I don't feel obligated to defend it. I've owned and sold the others. Keep an open mind.

 

Keep an open mind.

Nice touch of irony. Please tell me it was intentional. :lol: :lol: :lol:

No one here is 'defending' the underlug design either. The point is that, as a package, CGs are hard to beat for the money both in build quality and for the shooting expereience. I shoot with several Perazzi owners and although one flat out refuses to try my CG, the others have all shot with it and all expressed surprised at how good it is.

 

I certainly wasn't defending CG because I "own one". In that case I would be defending Browning, Beretta, SKB, Remington, Winchester etc. etc. I have O/U's and SXS guns using just about every lock up system on the market. I was simply stating that all guns need service, including other very good guns such as Zoli, Perazzi and Kreighoff.

 

"Please note "lt0026" is our resident CG hater."

And yet he keeps hanging around a thread that is specifically labeled "For CG lovers only." I guess he just can't quit us. MAJ

 

Shot an Invictus at the Sandanona game fair and it felt and handled very much like the Challenger. The Invictus has a couple of improvements that make rebuilding easier but it's very much like the Challenger.

Never shot a Zoli. Don't know anyone that shoots one. Don't know any place that will let you take one for a test drive. Not hard to find a CG to shoot. See them all the time on the back water SC clubs I shoot. If I want time alone with a CG then I take a 45 minute drive to Sandanona a rent one for the day.

 

Shot an Invictus at the Sandanona game fair and it felt and handled very much like the Challenger. The Invictus has a couple of improvements that make rebuilding easier but it's very much like the Challenger.

Never shot a Zoli. Don't know anyone that shoots one. Don't know any place that will let you take one for a test drive. Not hard to find a CG to shoot. See them all the time on the back water SC clubs I shoot. If I want time alone with a CG then I take a 45 minute drive to Sandanona a rent one for the day.

seb.....You could shoot mine anytime you'd like at either Sandanona or Dover Furnace. Just give me a few weeks to (hopefully) recover from this God forsaken spinal stenosis surgery I just had. Every time I went to "fondle" the CG Magnus at the Fair, Wes told me it was out. I thought the Invictus was a well built solid gun, but at that price, I actually could have left that Fair with a slightly used DT-11 Chris Batha wanted to sell me, for a few hundred less.