A buddy of mine picked up a zoli z sport mr 32” mid rib . It helped him from peaking he shoots it well and scores are up. It’s a well made gun . So much that I picked one up also . Mid rib with light weight barrels And I shoot it better then my 694 and also helped me from picking my head up . We both replaced the honeycomb kick pad with an adjustable pad .

 

Here's the thing about Zoli:

You can kind of make it anything you want. If you wanted to emulate a step-rib Kolar you can run an XL evo with the heavy side plates and a LW mid rib barrel. If you want it more like an MX8 you can shoot a Z-sport with 32" choke or 34" fixed or anywhere inbetween.

High Tech? Back to the XL evo, etc.

You can pick up a used Zoli at a steep discount to new (and WAY steeper than a Kolar) and if you decide it's for you, you can order a brand new one sans wood. Use the money you saved ($2k+/-) by omitting factory wood and add $500 and you have a Greenwood pattern stock custom fit to you.

If you're serious about this, find a dealer like Carlson who carries both and demo them. If you can wait, go to NSCA Nationals and shoot EVERYTHING. That's what I did in 2021 and Zoli wasn't even on my list. Walked out having ordered an XL Evo after talking to Jason and Norbert extensively. That gun is still in my safe (albeit with different barrels) and now I shoot an engraved version I loved it so much. I sold my K-80 and switched to Zoli.

 

Here's the thing about Zoli:

You can kind of make it anything you want. If you wanted to emulate a step-rib Kolar you can run an XL evo with the heavy side plates and a LW mid rib barrel. If you want it more like an MX8 you can shoot a Z-sport with 32" choke or 34" fixed or anywhere inbetween.

High Tech? Back to the XL evo, etc.

You can pick up a used Zoli at a steep discount to new (and WAY steeper than a Kolar) and if you decide it's for you, you can order a brand new one sans wood. Use the money you saved ($2k+/-) by omitting factory wood and add $500 and you have a Greenwood pattern stock custom fit to you.

If you're serious about this, find a dealer like Carlson who carries both and demo them. If you can wait, go to NSCA Nationals and shoot EVERYTHING. That's what I did in 2021 and Zoli wasn't even on my list. Walked out having ordered an XL Evo after talking to Jason and Norbert extensively. That gun is still in my safe (albeit with different barrels) and now I shoot an engraved version I loved it so much. I sold my K-80 and switched to Zoli.

Best explanation I've seen. I went custom on my latest gun. FR 34" fixed chokes, LW barrels, Greystone and custom finished wood.. I treated myself so should you. It was not expensive. Maybe 2K over list with all the bells.. Carlsons should be able to order custom or maybe he has something nice. He does stock some unique Zolis.. You'll make me jealous if you buy the Modena..

 

I started with a HR adjustable Zoli and also found that I didn't love the HR, so like above I went with a MR with the light weight barrels. It is a nice compromise between the FR and the HR. I also second the recommendation for Carlson's. I've bought a couple of guns from him and he will give you the best deal. Don't be afraid to ask for his best price.

 

Yes on Carlsons
That’s where I got mine .

 

They’re solid guns. My mid rib is closing on 50,000 rounds and I’ve had one minor problem, which was promptly fixed by Rob at Carlson Sporting Arms. It patterns nicely with stock chokes and any ammunition I’ve used. I added some pitch at the pad and some weight to the butt end. I like the trigger. Some don’t.

 

I like my Zoli MR 32" LW, I shoot my Zoli MR 32" LW well, When I miss it ain't my Zoli MR 32" LW!

 

As much as we'd love to blame the gun...it ain't the gun!

 

Rob Carlson at Carlson Sporting Arms is top notch. I went there a year ago to pick out the Zoli I wanted to buy/order after my year of shooting all kinds of guns. Made the mistake of asking if he had any 34" Krieghoffs for me to handle. Oops.
The Zolis are excellent guns and I may still end up with a 20/28 combo.

 

I was kind of in a similar place, wanted to upgrade from and older skeet gun with fixed chokes to a dedicated target gun for sporting clays. After some research determined a used Zoli was the path to start with based on owner opinions and cost. Have only been using it for a few weeks so can't give a definitive review, but I like it very much, and if I decide I want a different rib or barrel length, should be able to trade or sell for close to what I paid. Good Luck!

 

I started with a Zoli XL Evo 32" choked MR regular weight barrels. I shot it over 25,000 rounds, never had an issue but got it rebuilt by Zoli as regular maintenance. It locks up like new now. It's currently for sale only because I liked it so much I upgraded to a Zoli MR vintage. On my vintage, I went to fixed chokes and lightweight barrels. It is a much faster handling gun.

If you like a more nimble gun, I'd recommend the lightweight barrels. If you want a heavier feeling gun, I'd go with regular weight barrels. I don't think you can go wrong with a Zoli as long as it fits.

 

I've read several say lightweight/regular weighted barrels. Tell me about that. What does the lightweight vs. regular weight barrels do for your shooting?

 

There is less webbing on a lightweight barrel . You can see a gap between barrels. ( except for both ends )

Don’t waste your time looking for on the website last I looked. They have not updated it.

My 32” mid rib light weight barrels ( greystone z sport )

 

That Greystone is a killer look. If i go the Zoli route, it will def. be the Greystone variant. And that is a beautiful gun. I'm going to Elite Shotguns in Kentucky here in a few weeks...that MR is one i'm interested in shooting.

 

I would like to handle a FR LW barrel 33" or 34" Zoli to compare to my MX12 Perazzi. There are a few Zolis here in Montana, but I haven't seen the LW guns. I would love to visit Carlsons sometime. They sure seem to be a good shop.

 

Even with their price increases over the years, I still think they are the best gun for the money out there. I had a flat rib and midrib with lightweight barrels. Really liked the midrib and would potentially buy another, but I would need a custom stock. I could never get the Zoli's to fit me well, which really sucked cause they are such a great gun. I shoot a DT11 now which fit me much better out of the box.

 

As a DT owner as well I’m kind of shocked. The factory beretta stock dimensions are….unique. Also Zoli has really slimmed down the more recent wood. To the point I wouldn’t even need a custom stock anymore.

Also an important point to note on Zoli barrels is that LW mid rib barrels aren’t particularly light as barrels go and should be standard at this point. The LW flat rib (especially fixed choke guns) are VERY light and are in a different league entirely.

 

Buy a used Zoli. They can be bargains.

 

I bought my Zoli Grey Stone 32” flat rib from Rob Carlson a little over a year ago. I absolutely love this gun. I pick it up almost every night. Just can’t seem to put it down. As others have said, fit and finish is excellent and it handles very nicely. I don’t think you can get more gun for the money and in my opinion, it’s a better gun than some that cost more.
Oh and by the way Rob is a pleasure to do business with. Very accommodating.

 

I have picked up a Zoli before and I really liked it. The Z-Sport is def. on my short list of guns to shoot.