I had a K 80 , then a K 80 Parcours and now a Kolar. I shoot the Kolar Max Lite the best. Very little felt recoil , easy pointability.

YMMV

 

You'll find many happy users of both brands for good reason. Both are good guns with good service. If you want to make the best choice, get hold of both of them and pick the one that feels the best. Much of the "feel good" will come from slight differences in the stock dimensions and nobody knows which set will be best for you.

 

I had a K80, it is a pretty heavy gun in standard form. Before I bought my Max Lite, I tried a K80 Parcour. I found the Max Lite felt and shot the best. Great riggers, and low felt recoil, combined with a very dynamic swing.
I did demo the Max. lite several times and shot a couple 100 shells through one before I purchased..I am very happy with the Kolar (both factory response to any request. I had my trigger "tweaked" at the factory, and they gave me a tour!)
I wish Kolar had made the Max. Lite many years ago!! I wouldn't have tried so many other guns!

 

I'd have to sell 2 of my first-born children to even begin to afford either one, so I couldn't even venture a guess what either one is like.

 

How much weight difference is there between the K80 Parcours and the Kolar MaxLite?

 

I purchased my K-80 Pro-Skeet Carrier Barrel Set from Robert Paxton, who carriers both brands. I mounted and swung both and ended up with the K-80 as I am in easy driving distance of Krieghoff USA.

Bob

 

2 intangibles to consider:
1) The Kolar is a rarer gun...something less than 500 guns produced a year all types included. (I have seen estimates well below this number)
2) Kolar is the American K-gun as it is 100% American made, even the wood is home grown.

Buying this class of gun is a very personal and rare adventure, have fun with your adventure!

 

I can't afford either, but if I could I'd get a Kolar in a NY minute:
1. As far as I can tell quality and service are both second to none
2. American made - Kolar and CSMC show the world we take a back seat to no one
3. It's a much more visually pleasing gun than a K80

 

Patos: To your question about the weight difference between a K-80 Parcours and a Kolar Max-lite Sporting; I've owned two Parcours, a vintage scroll & a plantation scroll and now have a Kolar Max-lite. Difference is: Parcours barrels weighed 1.41 KG, Kolar barrels weigh 1.57 KG. Total gun weights: Parcours 8 pounds 2 ounces & 8 pounds 4 ounces, Kolar, 8 pounds 10 ounces. I tested a demo Kolar Max-lite before I ordered one. Got it from Paxton and that one weighed 8 pound 11 ounces (wood varies). It balanced great and I really liked it so I ordered one and sold my Parcours. As stated above both Krieghoff & Kolar build a strong beautifully finished gun and both offer great customer service. It comes down to which one feels the best to you. Personally I do like the fact that the Kolar is made in the USA and is more exclusive in that they only build around 350 guns a year and that includes their trap & skeet models.

 

Parcours vs Max Lite really isn't a fair comparison since the Parcours lacks any barrel adjustablilty and factory screw chokes, the two primary routes weight reduction was achieved on the parcours.

 

I would recommend shooting all three if I could. I wanted a Max lite or Sporter. However after shooting them all I actually went with Parcours. It seems to fit me better than the others. I changed from a DT11 and have never looked back. You can add briley screw in chokes if you want but I love it just like it is but that's me. I don't think you can go wrong with any of your options. My recommendation would be don't rush your decision (which is tough for me lol) and find a way to shoot the guns. Then go with what feels and fits best for you.

 

Don't know where you live but I would suggest speaking to Robert Paxton at Paxton Arms. he can probably arrange for you to shoot both of those guns. And, as others have said, shoot them all. I was in the market for a Perazzi, I called Robert and asked him to keep an eye out for what I wanted. He insisted I shoot one of his Parcours and wouldn't you know it, I bought one!

Bottom line is you won't really know unless you actually shoot the guns.

 

Mr. Dittler,

Here at Michigan Shooting Centers we have both a large selection of Kolar shotguns for sale, from standard grade to custom models, and a facility with multiple sporting clays courses which makes for one of the best opportunities to demo before you buy. We are the National Kolar Demo Center here in the U.S. If interested, we would be more than happy to discuss with you the many options that are out there:

PAT LIESKE, 2014 NSCA NATIONAL CHAMPION & HOF INDUCTEE
PRESIDENT, MICHIGAN SHOOTING CENTERS INC
eMail: PLIESKE@MISHOOT.COM
Office: (248) 693 - 0567

Both guns are great options. Our experienced team would love to help you find the perfect gun!

 

Mr. Dittler,

Here at Michigan Shooting Centers we have both a large selection of Kolar shotguns for sale, from standard grade to custom models, and a facility with multiple sporting clays courses which makes for one of the best opportunities to demo before you buy. We are the National Kolar Demo Center here in the U.S. If interested, we would be more than happy to discuss with you the many options that are out there:

PAT LIESKE, 2014 NSCA NATIONAL CHAMPION & HOF INDUCTEE
PRESIDENT, MICHIGAN SHOOTING CENTERS INC
eMail: PLIESKE@MISHOOT.COM
Office: (248) 693 - 0567

Both guns are great options. Our experienced team would love to help you find the perfect gun!

+1

I have had great experiences with Pat at Michigan Shooting Centers. Extremely knowledgeable, spectacular customer service. You can't go wrong. If you are located anywhere close to Michigan, I strongly encourage you to take the trip and demo some of the guns, including the new Kolar. If not, I still recommend giving them a shout before you make your final decision.

 

It's getting close to Christmas Martin, I would have thought that the decision had been made by now!

My vote is for you to get the Kolar, then I can try it and compare it against the Kguns!

I guess my only question would be on the stock issue. I'm sure both have it covered, but how easy are left handed versions to acquire?

 

If you buy Kolar new, full custom stock is part of the purchase price. Don't know about Krieghoff.

Edit for accuracy. My information re: custom stock was out of date. I've been advised that Kolar no longer offers custom as "part of the deal." I believe that you can still get a custom stock but at additional cost. You could call Kolar to find out price.

 

For sporting clays I shoot my k80. I like the swing better for SC. I shoot my Koar Max Lite for skeet in all disciplines. My 2 cents.