Where to test drive prospective candidates?

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billboy

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It's a big year this year. Hitting a milestone in the life department.
I am fortunate to have a cool better half and we are in agreement that now is the time to buy my dream gun. I've narrowed it down to a few guns, BlaserF16, Zoli Kronos, and the MX8 (perhaps used). I like low profile, nimble guns.
I have shot an mx8 on a number of occasions and it is top of the list, however in my neck of the woods getting your hands on either of the other models is vitrually impossible. I was thinking of heading to the southern states for a winter shooting holiday this year and would like to find a place to get my hands on these other two machines to give them a test drive.
The question is, where to go?
 
billboy said:
It's a big year this year. Hitting a milestone in the life department.
I am fortunate to have a cool better half and we are in agreement that now is the time to buy my dream gun. I've narrowed it down to a few guns, BlaserF16, Zoli Kronos, and the MX8 (perhaps used). I like low profile, nimble guns.
I have shot an mx8 on a number of occasions and it is top of the list, however in my neck of the woods getting your hands on either of the other models is vitrually impossible. I was thinking of heading to the southern states for a winter shooting holiday this year and would like to find a place to get my hands on these other two machines to give them a test drive.
The question is, where to go?
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Your best bet would be any of the large trap or sporting clays shoots in the U.S. where dealers often have guns you can try. Many sporting clays grounds also have guns to rent but usually not in the range you are looking for. In Canada I know the Blaser importer MD Charlton will occasionally go to Canadian shoots with display guns. IIRC, you may be allowed to put a few rounds through them.

IMO, you should probably get the Perazzi if it's already at the top of the list. When I went through a similar exercise a few years ago it's what I ended up with after trying a Kemen, Krieghoff and Beretta DT10. Of the ones you are considering I've shot several Blasers and I like them. With a mechanical trigger they would be a good choice if you were shooting subgauge tubes. I'd steer clear of the Zoli however. They've made various attempts to crack the North American market with little success and service and spares will be impossible to find.
 
I would echo everything Claybuster said. I bought an MX-8 earlier this year and I really like it. And if it breaks, which is seldom, they are easy to fix and parts are readily available. Any Perazzi is good and will hold their value but the MX-8/MX-2000 has the added option of the removable trigger assembly. Most major trap shoots I have been to had Perazzis, Berettas, Brownings, Kolars and Kreighoffs. Sometimes the odd Ljutic or Benelli, never saw a Blaser or a Zoli.
 
I feel your pain. Short of going to SHOT in Vegas, I don't know where you could see all of those in one place. I drove down to the Northeast Grand (trap) in NY in September hoping to see some gun dealers/manufacturers there, and there were zero.

I am also interested in the Blaser F16. I PM'd here with MD Charlton and they could not tell me if there were any dealers in Ontario with one in stock. They suggested my local dealer (SFRC) cold contact them and get one in, but SFRC says that means them buying the gun and they would need it to be pre-sold before they buy a $4+k shotgun (fair enough). I have no idea how they expect to sell any F16's in Canada when there are so few places to see them before buying. I did notice that TheGunDealer in NB has an F16 in stock, but that's a bit far for me to travel. lol

I also recently became interested in the Zoli as an option. I do not have anywhere near the first hand knowledge as the other gentlemen, but I researched the heck outta them and found a little from the US and a fair bit from Britain. The sound like great guns, but as was stated any repairs or parts might be a very tough find for us Canucks.
 
If you shoot trap, the place to go and test drive a trap gun is the Grand American in Sparta, IL. If you shoot skeet, the place to go is the World Championship in San Antonio, TX. I'm not sure about the sporting clays, but find where they hold their championships.

I have been to the Grand American many times and they have all things trap there. All the manufacturers have representation there. You can shoot their guns there. There is also, probably the largest number of used trap guns for sale in one place. To my knowledge, there is nothing that comes close in comparison to the Grand when it comes to trap guns. I'm pretty certain that the same is true of the skeet and sporting championship events.

The Grand is in early August in Sparta and the Worlds (skeet) just finished in San Antonio. Enjoy your search for your once in a lifetime purchase. Just be patient.
 
Claybuster said:
I'd steer clear of the Zoli however. They've made various attempts to crack the North American market with little success and service and spares will be impossible to find.
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BLASPHEMY!!! I love my Zoli Z-Sport 20ga, and my wife is dead set on a 12ga Z-Sport HR after trying one (over and over again...) at the NSCA Nationals.

Big US shoots are a very good way to go, though there are some Canadian options; not sure where you are though. Shotshell Sporting Clays in Valleyview AB apparently is now a CG dealer (I think...) and I know Colin has 2 F16's in stock. L&L Specialties in Langdon, AB has a number of Zoli's, Perazzi's and other misc oddball high end stuff; and is willing to trial stuff at Silver Willow.

For a sure bet though, it's tough to beat San Antonio. They have a brick and mortar stores for all the big brands that come out in force at competitions.

Otherwise it's the old trick of finding someone at the range. It's how I discovered I wanted (needed?) my Blaser F3. Of course that requires a fair bit of patience, and some ability to schmooze.
 
Schmooze, heck an email to your local importer with the the question of where to find one at a local range (sponsored shooter) and you may find the guy or gal willing to accommodate you for a test trial or at the very least handle the shot gun.
There is a Blazer Rep who shows up at the Vancouver Gun Club on a semi regular basis and that is his job , to introduce prospective clients to the line of guns he is representing.
But, then again finding out when the next major event is being held right around your vacation block is another way to check them out, but one might still want to shoot an email to the Home Office of Blazer, Zolie or Keighouf to ensure their Rep is going to be at that event.
Lots of ways to skin a cat...
Rob
 
Go with the Perazzi, blasers are nice and all, but zee Germans will never be able to copy the Perazzi magic.

Plus with a new mx-8 you can order the stock you want and better yet treat the MRS to a trip to Italy where you can get fitted to the stock and do some shooting while at the factory.
 
If you ever have a chance to handle/shoot a K 80 Parcours do not pass it up.
I had a chance to try all 3 Krieghoff Sporting guns .....regular K 80 sporting, high rib K 80 sporting and the Parcours Sporting.
The Parcours is about a pound lighter, and for me, more lively in the hands. It was the one I ended up with and have had it two summers now.
I had a Krieghoff Trap gun in the past and wanted to stay with Krieghoff when I switched games to Sporting. My experience with excellent reliability was certainly a factor.
 
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