can't speak to fit as i'm not the same size but i have the Zoli mid rib. it is several orders of magnitude nicer than the rest of your list with the possible exception (in the opinion of others but not me) of the Blaser.

still you need to try them all to see what fits. i love everything about my Zoli and wouldn't even consider any other brand for the same $$ or less in very large part because it fits me like a glove and the recoil is just so well controlled.

If i had to guess i think you'll like the Zoli when you shoulder it. I say this based on your comment about not being in love with the Beretta 20. Beretta's tend to be light and slim. The Zoli is def not.

my zoli shoots pretty darned flat and i like that. the CX looks like it would shoot pretty high based on the ramp of the rib? that's a shooting style issue no one can answer for you. i'm not a CG fan based on used guns i've handled. i did get to shoulder a Summit Ascent this past summer and it didn't feel nearly as good TO ME.

 

Thank you! I got both the opinion I wanted and the "fit" comment I expected. I think the Zoli's look great. I'll definitely look for a dealer here in Utah.

I forgot to include the Browning cynergy cx. Some people seem to really like those too but the design has always turned me off a bit.

 

You mentioned the CG Ascent series. Be sure to try one before you buy something else. I have one. I think you will like it ... a lot.

 

Ther are dealers who will ship a used gun to you for demo.
Zoli: Carlson Sporting Arms, Tomah, WI
Blaser: Paxton Arms, DFW

I'm unaware of anyone who has a similar program for Caesar Guerini, but the Summit Ascent is well worth a test drive. Check out the Guerini USA website for demo centers; there may be one that isn't impossibly far away from you.

Blaser, CG, and Zoli all make mid-rib and high-rib models. Blaser and Zoli have several stock options available to help with fit. All three manufacturers build good solid shotguns. It will come down to what you like.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I shoot an F3 Vantage.

 

Ther are dealers who will ship a used gun to you for demo.
Zoli: Carlson Sporting Arms, Tomah, WI
Blaser: Paxton Arms, DFW

I'm unaware of anyone who has a similar program for Caesar Guerini, but the Summit Ascent is well worth a test drive. Check out the Guerini USA website for demo centers; there may be one that isn't impossibly far away from you.

Blaser, CG, and Zoli all make mid-rib and high-rib models. Blaser and Zoli have several stock options available to help with fit. All three manufacturers build good solid shotguns. It will come down to what you like.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I shoot an F3 Vantage.

Thank you for the help. I'll check that out right now. Do you find that Vantage to have more recoil than is normal for an 8 1/2 pound gun?

 

No, but felt recoil is affected substantially by stock fit.

I am relatively tall, thin, and have a long neck; basically no standard factory stock fits me. I bought the iron I preferred and had a custom stock built. With custom stock, recoil is very soft.

For me with factory wood, the Vantage didn't recoil any harder or softer than any other 8.5-lb. o/u with factory wood. However, that's personal experience and could vary from person to person.

 

So, I own/owned,
- Blaser Vantage - owned and sold. Great gun but it was forever too stiff/hard to open. Recoil was a little more noticeable but fit is everything. Best triggers. Not a fan of schnabel fore ends and hi-Glo front sites and oil stock on a competition gun.
- Browning CX - owned 2, kept 1. Great gun. Shoots a little high. 0 Cast which forces needing an adj comb. Also, adj butt plate. Fits perfect now. 30k rnds with no problem. My favorite really for everything except FITASC. Bluing is wearing off but that's a typical prob for this gun.
- Zoli MR - Still own. aaahh, perfect gun. Fits great as is. Soft shooter. Trigger great. Shoots flat.
- Beretta 390, 303 - Own a few with ramped barrels. Great gun. Need 2 if you're going to shoot a lot, so I own 6.

Have shot,
- CG Ascent - Great gun, great looking, phenomenal service. That would be a near toss up to the Zoli in terms of fit, soft shooting, feel, etc. I just feel the Zoli MR is a better gun.

In terms of sub-gauge barrels, you can buy a whole 2nd gun for the price. I have used Briley Sidekicks 2.0 and they work fine. Almost won a Regional with the Sidekicks this year so I don't feel a need for separate barrels in each gauge. You can get fitted barrels for the Zoli for the same price as a set of Blaser barrels. Still just not worth it.

 

The problem with many mid rib guns is they put a Monte Carlo stock on them which makes them not fit us tall guys. I suggest trying either the Blaser or Zoli with the standard sporting stock. Put a slip on recoil pad on to lengthen out and test fit. Easy to do on Blaser cause they can swap barrels onto any receiver/stock. Zoli can swap the Monte stock for standard sporting stock if you happen upon a demo. I handled both a Zoli and Blaser configured this way and was able to look right along the rib with an acceptable fit. Brownings don't fit me an leave a bruise on my cheek even lengthen out. I sold my 525 because of this. I'm 6' 3" and have a longer neck. I suggest traveling to a shop that stock both and will work with you on fit.

 

So, I own/owned,
- Blaser Vantage - owned and sold. Great gun but it was forever too stiff/hard to open. Recoil was a little more noticeable but fit is everything. Best triggers. Not a fan of schnabel fore ends and hi-Glo front sites and oil stock on a competition gun.
- Browning CX - owned 2, kept 1. Great gun. Shoots a little high. 0 Cast which forces needing an adj comb. Also, adj butt plate. Fits perfect now. 30k rnds with no problem. My favorite really for everything except FITASC. Bluing is wearing off but that's a typical prob for this gun.
- Zoli MR - Still own. aaahh, perfect gun. Fits great as is. Soft shooter. Trigger great. Shoots flat.
- Beretta 390, 303 - Own a few with ramped barrels. Great gun. Need 2 if you're going to shoot a lot, so I own 6.

Have shot,
- CG Ascent - Great gun, great looking, phenomenal service. That would be a near toss up to the Zoli in terms of fit, soft shooting, feel, etc. I just feel the Zoli MR is a better gun.

In terms of sub-gauge barrels, you can buy a whole 2nd gun for the price. I have used Briley Sidekicks 2.0 and they work fine. Almost won a Regional with the Sidekicks this year so I don't feel a need for separate barrels in each gauge. You can get fitted barrels for the Zoli for the same price as a set of Blaser barrels. Still just not worth it.

That's great. The CX is priced so reasonably and I have 1500 in Cabelas gift cards. However, I agree that the Zoli and CG sure look great. The Blaser isn't much of a looker.

 

How about some used Perazzis? The MX3 Special and MT6 both have mid-ribs.

 

OP I neglected to mention my Z has the non Monte Carlo stock as it fit me much better. I have the comb raised but less so than the Monte Carlo stock at its lowest.

 

^^^^. This. Why Mfg put an adjustable Monte on a mid rib gun makes no sense. Most people can't raise them as they are high enough or too high already. Sooo ... put the standard stock on and let people set the POI the way they want. CG Summits don't fit me as stock is too high and all I see is an airport runway. Lots and lots of rib.

 

As Patently Obvious suggested, travel to a shop that handles the guns that interest you and will work with you on the available stock and rib configurations.

Another option that you may want to consider is to find a good stock fitter to work with you to get a proper fit on your CXS. Stock fit will have a greater effect on shooting comfort than rib height will. You may still go on to a mid-rib gun, but you will be able to do it with a far better understanding of the stock dimensions that you need to go with it.

 

You can get an Add-A-Rib for the CXS. or, get a strip of balsa wood and paint it black.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

Still weighing options but currently thinking about going with the Citori CX and paying the money to have it custom fit. That will allow me to work on my skills and techniques before stepping up to the more expensive guns.

Has anyone shot the Cynergy CX and care to comment?

 

I agree with your custom fit decision. A custom fit is not someone in a gun shop moving around the comb and adding new a butt pad, though. A custom stock means having a stock fit/made for you. I wish I made that decision a lot sooner. It would have saved me a lot of money in the long run. It's amazing how much difference that a properly fit stock can make. With that said, though, a premium pattern stock will cost a couple grand; then, the finished stock will be more than that. It's a significant investment. IMHO, put that investment it a gun that will be the last one you buy. IMHO, the CX isn't the one for that. Move on to your choice of the premium guns to fully capitalize on a properly made custom stock. If you're not up to that, just pick a gun that you like and shoot it a lot. It's still fun either way.

 

Since you like Brownings (as do I) I would suggest you try the 725 Sporting High Rib. With the High Rib and adj comb, you should be able to have it fit to you pretty easily. Add a small spacer to get the LOP you need. This shotgun will feel very familiar to you and the money you save (over a Zoli or Blaser) can go toward ammo and/or lessons. I've been shooting the shotgun sports since 1972 and I never thought I needed any more gun than my Brownings/Mirokus. Last week I dug out of my gun safe my old 1982 vintage 28" high rib Browning Citori Skeet (with fixed chokes) and ran a 25 with it. Comfortable as an old shoe.

 

Agree with Diddle on not dropping multiple thousands on a stock for a CX. Zoli offers custom dimensioned stocks at add'l cost but I'm not sure I'd do that right off the bat unless you're a very experienced shooter with a very consistent mount.

 

I have been hunting upland for years but am not experienced and don't have a great mount.

I did mean adjusting the LOP and comb and (shaving some wood if needed) but wasn't thinking of a whole new custom stock. That's probably a few years away if I really star shooting clays a ton.

I'll take another look at the 725 high rib too.

 

Go to a good stock fitter with your CXS, and spend some time figuring out what adjustments you need for a proper fit. You may be able to obtain that with spacers for LOP and pitch and possibly an adjustable comb. And as Scardog suggested, you can make a temporary high rib with $6 worth of balsa, flat black spray paint, and electrical tape (after the stock is right).

You can find out what stock dimensions and rib style you need with the gun you have. After that if you still want another gun, you will at least know what to look for. Trading/buying blindly hoping to find something that fits is a good way to spend time and a lot of money to end up no better off than you are now. Many of us know that from personal experience.

 

I purchased a used Vantage last year, and I couldn't be more pleased. My gun came with the Supersport monte carlo stock, and I had to remove a lot of material from the comb to get it to fit, but I find the Vantage the most comfortable gun to shoot that I have ever fired, and my sporting clays scores climbed very quickly using it.

 

I am going to echo the 2nd post, check out Zoli. I wish I would have known about them a decade ago when they were mucho cheaper.

Have owned or owned most of the top brands over the years but the best anology is, feels and is built like a perazzi, priced like a mid level Beretta, and has the least amount of recoil of any sporting shotgun I have ever owned or shot. Throw some Muller chokes in there and Jesus Christ, it feels like cheating.

I am 100% sold and in love with this gun. I shoot Flat rib but they have lots of MR and HR models out there. If you want some tips to find a good deal, shoot me a PM. There are a couple Zoli players out there, some well known some not so well known who could save you a few Hundo/thousand bucks.

 

Thanks all for the opinions. Sounds like there are a lot of good guns out there. I kind of one one of each! Too bad they're not free.