Very nice looking gun! If you get time I would love to know the weight of the new light weight barrels (without chokes). I'm guessing they are 32"? I would also like to see a photo of those barrels alone without the forend if you get a chance.

Was that a wood upgrade? Wood looks better than you usually see on a standard Z-Sport.

Thanks!

 

Thanks! I’ll try to get a photo of the barrels without the forend on Monday. This was my favorite wood of the two they had (Elite Shotguns). I’m not sure if it is upgraded wood or not, but it sure looks like it.

 

Beautiful! Congratulations on your purchase. Please keep posting up about your experience with this gun and the new barrel style.

Had you had a chance to shoot the older (heavy) barrels? I'm curious how the lighter barrels compare in terms of recoil. One of the things I really appreciate about my Z-sport is the soft shooting - I have read the barrel design/soldering contributes to this. I wonder if this is the same with the new barrels (I can see myself going to the lighter barrels down the road).

Thanks for posting pictures! A great Christmas gift to all Z-gun lovers!

 

Yea the MR I demo'd actually had the older barrels. No difference in recoil at all. Just better balance.

 

I like the way the mid rim looks on that gun, very nice

 

Beautiful gun, congratulations!!!

Just got into the Z Gun family with a used Z-Sport from Woolleys earlier this year. Absolutely love how soft it shoots.

 

I have both barrels and have expressed my opinion previously, but here goes:

For the Evo I like the LW barrels, for the Z-sport I prefer the 'original recipe' simply for overall weight. If you're after the feel of an MX-8, but with a mid-rib the Z-sport and LW barrels might be the ticket. I prefer something slightly heavier overall.

 

The difference in weight is very minor so I’m not really sure it makes any difference. We’re talking ounces. What does make a difference is the better balance with the new barrels. Plus the new barrels look sooo much better!

 

I'd like to know the actual weight of the LW barrel set compared to a standard set. A couple of ounces can make a big difference in the balance of the gun. I'd really appreciate it if someone with a LW set of MR barrels could post a weight of the LW set without chokes.

 

Unfortunately I don’t have a scale that would give us very accurate info. Maybe Zoli USA could provide exact weights?

 

Thanks for the fine photos.
Having owned an older Z gun, I can see that the new gun has a new trigger design. I like it better.

CT

 

Great looking gun. I want one! 😀

 

Great guns I love mine.

 

Looking at the new Zoli Lite barrels as well. I had an old Z Sport years ago and sold it for a P gun, and have regretted it every day! In fact did some sporting clays this past weekend and even the trapper commented "you don't shoot your Perazzi as well as you shot your Zoli"....uggh, just what I needed to hear. The only issue I had at with my old Z Sport was it did feel a bit heavy to swing (barrel heavy), so this might be the ticket. Thinking it might be time to get one again. Anyone with the new MR or FR have a scale to weigh the new lite barrels? Thx

 

I would weigh them, but the LW mid rib is at Wenig for a few more months.

Also I have not seen a LW version of the flat rib barrels. They would be pretty darn light at that point. Too light for me anyways.

 

Exchanged some e-mail with Jason and he indicated weight difference is only a couple of ounces.

 

I believe it, however the difference is immediately noticeable.

 

I spoke to Jason too. Said the same thing. But a few ounces at the end of 32” pipes will be felt. Said depending upon the density of the wood, they are coming is between 8.4-8.6 lbs

 

8.6 on my cheap scale 32”

 

Any downside to the lightweight barrels?

 

Not really. Lightweight is sort of a misnomer. They aren’t really lightweight, they are just “lighter” (talking ounces) than the old style. They really just move the balance point a bit. And look cooler 😎

 

They will still balance in front of the hinge pin on most guns. Unless you like a really heavy gun and plan to add a bunch of weight to the stock, no downside.

 

Nice. Thanks for the info!

 

Does the rib between the barrels serve any purpose? structural support? By removing it, it doesn't change anything? How the barrels flex during a shot? I mean, I know it has to. That's physics. Barrel harmonics and all that, but probably doesn't matter on a shotgun like it does on a rifle.

 

Good question for Zoli and their engineers, but I can tell you the LW MR has a full weld about 3" long at the end of the barrels in place of the soldered mid-rib. It also has a mid-rib under the forearm.

 

Got to check out a couple Z-Sports today. One had the LW barrels. Was a MR exactly like OP's, except with the Dark Side finish. Very nice gun.

 

Looks great, definitely on my dream list!!!

 

I've noticed the mid bead is located in a different place on some of the MR guns (all 32"). Sometimes the bead is over the 5th post and sometimes it's over the 7th post. Does it make a difference in terms of POA/POI where that bead is placed? I asked Zoli about it and they gave me an answer that didn't make much sense to me, coming from a manufacturing/business perspective. But I'm interested in others opinions.

 

Other than adjusting the comb to fit me I pay no attention to the bead. In fact I forgot there was one until you mentioned it 😆

 

I wrote Carlsons a check Monday for a gray stone mr lightweight . I only Shot my buddy’s regular MR .
So yes I hope it swings faster .

 

I wrote Carlsons a check Monday for a gray stone mr lightweight . I only Shot my buddy’s regular MR .
So yes I hope it swings faster .

Great choice. I'd recommend a set of Mullers, Teague Ti, or Briley Ti's to help lighten up the end of the barrel. There are lots of Ti chokes out there, but do your research, some of the chunkier ones (looking at you, Extreme) don't end up saving much weight over factory steel chokes.

 

When I was trying out Zolis with Rob Carlson I found replacing the steel Zoli choke tubes with Extreme titanium chokes significantly altered the balance. As Rob is an Extreme dealer you can upgrade chokes on your new gun and not end up with multiple choke tube sets!

 

I love me some Rob, but check out this thread before you buy Extremes and make your own decision:
(scroll to post 10)

https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/z-sport-with-teague-flush-ti-chokes.548400/

 

I’ve seen that thread. The greatest weight savings is certainly flush titanium chokes. I solved the dilemma by buying a fixed choke gun.